Part 8 (1/2)
A few more nervous laughs floated through the air.
Mama just stared at the man.
”And the Ferris wheel hasn't been open at all” he said.
”Mechanical issues,” Mama said, drumming her fingers on the table. ”That is beyond our control and we won't risk the lives of the people in this town.”
”Isn't that the most popular ride every year?”
She sneered at him. ”I don't know. Why don't you poll the people in town and get back to me?”
”I don't need to,” he said, unfazed by her tone. ”I already know. You also denied the elementary school permission to do the snow cone booth this year. Why was that?”
”We are trying to create a healthier environment this year at the Carriveau County Fair,” Mama Biggs said.
”Does she believe what she's saying?” Victor whispered in my ear. ”Because, I don't.”
I wasn't sure if she did or not, but I was with Victor. This guy was pointing out a lot of things that weren't adding up.
”Right,” the guy said. ”Because mini-donuts and fried everything are so healthy. People come to the fair to eat fair food.”
The crowd again murmured, both in agreement and excitement.
Mama Biggs, however, was definitely not excited.
”Sir, I don't know who you are and I don't really care,” she said, staring at him with eyes like lasers. ”Until you have run the fair for two decades and actually have the experience to know what you're talking about, I'd suggest you shut your yap.”
The man's face went crimson, but he didn't back down. ”Well, maybe it's time for some new blood on the fair board.”
Mama's face turned to stone. ”Elections are at the end of every fair. You are welcome to submit your name for consideration.”
”Maybe I will,” he said, nodding. ”Maybe I will. Because nothing you people are doing this year is making any sense to any of us.”
The murmuring grew to actual conversations and people were clearly surprised and excited and confused at what had just transpired.
Mama smacked her hand down on the table and stood. ”And now that we've covered everything, I move that we end this evening's meeting.”
Matilda and Bruce both offered a meek ”seconded” and the board hurried away from their table and out of the room, Mama still glaring at the man who dared question her.
15.
The questioner of Mama Biggs stuck out his hand. ”Butch Dieter. You're Deuce Winters, correct?”
We were standing outside the library, the crowd having moved out after the meeting but not in any hurry to disperse. Victor had disappeared to go talk to Matilda and I had sought out the questioner in the crowd.
”I am,” I said, shaking his hand.
”Then I should thank you.”
”Why's that?”
”Because you were my inspiration,” he said.
”Inspiration?”
He nodded. ”I heard about you standing up to her earlier today. Heard you didn't take any of her guff, that you stood your ground with her and called her out for being so obnoxious. Soon as I heard about that, I decided I was gonna stand up, too. So, thanks.”
”Uh, you're welcome,” I said, unsure of how to respond. ”That was kind of a show in there.”
He shrugged. ”I guess. I'm just tired of that old bag lying to everyone.”
”Lying?”
He nodded. ”Yeah. Pinocchio has nothing on her.”
”How do you know?”
He looked me up and down. ”I heard you're working for her.”
”Sort of,” I said, unsure of how to put it. ”My partner and I are looking into Mr. Spellman's death.”
”That right?”
”Yeah. You knew him?”
His face clouded over. ”George was a good friend.”
”Was he? You weren't just aware of him?”
Butch nodded slowly. ”Yeah. We were buddies. I was pretty shocked. We all were. He was a great, great guy. Deserved better.”
”How'd you know him?”
Butch scratched his head. ”Gosh, I've known him for a long time. We used to be neighbors until he moved awhile back. And he was in the club.”
”The club?”
”Motorcycles,” Butch said. ”Actually, the guys are about ready to take some action. When something happens to a brother, it's serious business.”
”A motorcycle club?” I asked, still unsure of what he was talking about.
Butch glanced around us and stepped a bit closer. ”Look, I can't really talk about the club with someone who's not a member, all right? But trust me. We are looking into this and we will respond.”
”Respond? How?”