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“I’m not planning to shoot them,” I deadpanned, then grimaced. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”
A grin spread across his face, making his eyes dance. They were warm and inviting, and I felt a draw of attraction that caught me by surprise. I hadn’t noticed a man like that since Keith. “I suppose I deserved that.”
“Seriously though. Someone has made it known they don’t like having me back in town, and I have to wonder if they’re the one who started these rumors. If we could find out, I have a sheriff deputy friend who could pay them a visit.”
“Sure, although the farther out it gets the less likely to find the original source.”
“I know, but Jackson Creek isn’t that big.”
“True.”
I took a step backward, intending to leave, surprised by the realization that I didn’t really want to, and then a new thought hit me. Nate knew people in this town and seemed to have a feel for what they thought. “Say, do you happen to know TJ Peterman?”
His face went blank. “Know him personally or know of him?”
“Either.”
“I know him from high school of course, not that we ran in the same crowd.” He pointed to his chest. “Band geeks and football players didn’t mix.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t friends with him either.” Hell, I wasn’t friends with many people at that point in my life. I kept to myself and most people had been a little scared of me, as though my bad luck might rub off on them.
“What about now?”
“I still don’t know him well. More like I know of him. He makes sure everyone in Jackson Creek does.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never met a bigger braggart, especially after he was elected to the city council last year. He takes credit for just about everything good that happens in the town and places the blame for all the bad stuff on everyone else. Ever seen The Music Man?”
“The musical?” I asked in confusion.
“Yeah. It’s about a con man who’s as slippery as they come. That’s TJ for you, only he’s not selling instruments. He’s selling promises. And just like Harold in the musical, when it’s time to put up, TJ pulls out some song and dance and slips out the door. Sometimes literally at city council meetings.”
“But the guy in The Music Man only came to town to run his con and then planned to leave, didn’t he?”
“And so does TJ,” Nate said. “He plans to run for some higher office. The city council position is just a stepping stone.”
I leaned against the counter. “What do the townspeople think of him?”
“I’d say about eighty percent of the town loves him.”
“And the other twenty percent?”
“Hate his fucking guts.”
“Enough to hurt him?”
His eyes narrowed. “Hurt him badly.”
Chapter 13
Great. Jackson Creek had around 3,100 citizens, so that narrowed it down to about 620 suspects. Then again, about a third of those people were children, which brought my potential list down to two hundred. Still a large list.
“Anyone really hate him?” I asked. “Enough to jeopardize his safety?”
“Like has he ever gotten death threats?” He shook his head. “I have no idea.”
“But is there anyone particularly angry with him? Like he’s really pissed someone off with his song and dance?”
