The Sham (A Chloe Boston Mystery Book 14) Read Online Free PDF Page A

that.”
    “Wonderful,” the Chief concluded. “What does this clown look like?”
    “He looks like your classic goon— dark pinstriped suit, mustache and goatee.”
    “Right. I’ll keep my eye out. Do you have any other bad news to relate?”
    “Oh, there is one other thing. Gilhoolie is a fraud and a con man.”
    The Chief put his hand to his face to wipe away the frown that was threatening to distort his features.
    “Anything else?
    “No. I think that’s enough bad news for one afternoon.”
    “More than enough,” the Chief agreed before turning away to return to the reception.
    “Gordon, help me fasten this head to the uniform.”
    The two of us struggled with the massive head and eventually got it into place balanced upon my shoulders. Considering its size, the thing was actually quite light. It made me wonder whether massive costume head design had benefited over the years from the use of light weight aerospace materials. Once the head was in place, Gordon adjusted the straps and fastened the snaps that held it securely in place. Fully clothed in the uncomfortable outfit, I stepped through the door into the reception area to do my shtick while searching for Mr. Black.
    I bumbled across the room shaking hands with various guests and losing Gordon in the crowd. My bumbling was only half show since I couldn’t help but bumble in the awkward getup. The people I passed were dressed in fashionable evening clothes which clashed with my Officer Bill costume. I had no success in spotting Mr. Black. I eventually found him when he placed the barrel of his automatic against my rib cage from behind.
    “Try to get away again and I’ll pop you one,” he said in Officer Bill’s ear.
    I barely heard the threat since my ear was buried deep inside the head. I wasn’t positive what a pop entailed, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t a good thing. I spotted the Chief across the room and began doing jumping jacks in an attempt to gain his attention. This elicited laughter from the guests nearby, but no acknowledgement from the Chief.
    “Hey, stop that,” Mr. Black insisted.
    I froze in place until I was guided to the corner of the room by a strong hand that grasped my arm.
    “Now, what do you say we huddle here in the corner and observe the festivities?”
    Actually, I stood since I had no other choice in the bulky outfit while Mr. Black huddled behind me effectively concealing his presence from those at the gathering. People continued to walk up to talk with me— I’d never realized that Officer Bill was such a beloved local figure among the adults of the town. I made no hint that I was being held prisoner since I didn’t want the situation to escalate into gunplay. In fact, it seemed to me that all I needed to do was hang tight and everything would resolve itself without any action required on my part.
    Eventually, I saw my father and Mayor Gilhoolie step to a podium that had been setup at the far end of the reception area. As usual, my father began his speech by thumping the microphone to see if it was on.
    Thump, thump, thump, the speakers boomed.
    “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “I’d like to thank you all for coming to this gathering in honor of our distinguished visitor from Ireland, Mayor Seamus Gilhoolie.”
    This introduction elicited enthusiastic applause. Apparently the earlier ceremonies were well and truly behind us and this was to be a new beginning.
    “Again, I’d like to personally apologize for the earlier incidents of the day…”
    Don’t go there, Dad, I nearly pleaded out loud. Fortunately my father stopped apologizing and returned to his prepared speech. Dad then explained how the two great cities of Hope Falls and Derrydown were united in some way. This had something to do with struggling in a global economy and the global nation of man. I didn’t entirely follow his logic. Finally, he made it to the presentation of the massive six foot by three foot check mounted on