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“A couple of businesses come to mind. He’s trying to shut them down.”
That could do it. “Why?”
“He considers them potential trouble. He wants to shut them down for prophylactic reasons.”
I coughed. “Did you say prophylactic?”
He grinned. “Get your mind out of the gutter. He claims he’s cutting off the source of cancers that threaten to harm our town. And that’s a direct quote.” His mouth twisted to the side. “I’m telling you. It’s like he’s using The Music Man as his literal playbook right down to the pool table.” When I gave him a blank look, he said, “You know. When Harold Hill convinces people that the pool table that’s just come to town is going to corrupt their youth.” When I continued to give him a blank stare, he said, “Trust me. Or read the synopsis on Wikipedia. One of the businesses he’s trying to close is Scooter’s Tavern. He even cites the pool tables as one of his grievances.”
“And I suspect his real problem with it is that James Malcolm is the owner.”
He pointed his index finger at me.
“And the other business?”
“A laundromat north of town. Suds and Duds. It just so happens to be in the city limits.”
“Why’s he going after that one?”
“He says it’s a front for a drug business. In this instance, I suspect he’s right. He has an actual shot at closing that one since it falls under his purview. But Scooter’s?” He shook his head. “That one’s harder. It’s county, not Jackson Creek, and the sheriff has said on numerous occasions that Malcolm’s never shown any sign of criminal activity. Not to mention he was granted a liquor license and the state had to thoroughly investigate him for that.”
He was right, although from what Louise had said, the sheriff gave him plenty of grief too. That tracked with what I’d seen at the police station earlier.
“Do you know who owns the laundromat?”
“Ricky Morris. A scumbag in his fifties. The only reason I know his name is because TJ has brought it up numerous times.”
“What’s TJ done so far to shut them down?”
“Nothing during city council meetings. So far it’s all talk, and from what I gather he brings it up in casual conversation. The first time I heard any talk about shutting them down was right before Christmas. TJ must think he’s drummed up enough support to act, because it’s on the agenda for next week’s meeting.”
I held up a hand. “Wait. He can’t just revoke the laundromat’s business license for no reason.”
His jaw set. “True, but he’ll manufacture a reason, mark my words.”
“What about Scooter’s?”
“Like I said, that one’s harder, but if he shuts down the laundromat, I suspect he’ll use it as an example and try to get the county commissioner to take on closing Scooter’s.” He winked. “While claiming credit, of course.”
I had to wonder if Malcolm’s visit to the police station today meant the police chief was on board with TJ’s plan to shut down Scooter’s. Then my mind did some mental black flips. Malcolm had been at the station today. Did he have something to do with Ava’s kidnapping?
“Have you seen any interactions between TJ and the owners of either establishment?” I asked.
He slowly shook his head. “No, but neither owner is the kind to take part in the town square ice cream socials, if you know what I mean.”
Twisting my mouth to the side, I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Why the interest?” he asked, cocking his head.
“Did you happen to see the Jackson Creek Facebook page this morning?”
His eyes widened in surprise. “Holy shit. I saw that his daughter was missing, but I figured it was something innocent, like they forgot which friend’s house she was staying at. Especially since the post was removed shortly after it went up. I confess I didn’t worry about it. It’s not like we have kidnappings around here.” His cheeks flushed and contrition filled his eyes. “Jesus, Harper. Sorry.”
I waved him off. “You’re right. That was over twenty years ago, and I bet the most exciting thing that’s happened since is the bank getting robbed a few years ago.”
“Actually,” he said slowly. “There was a body discovered a few miles north of the laundromat last night.”
I’d forgotten that Louise was called out to help with a motor vehicle accident because other officers were working a murder. “And those still aren’t too common around here, I’m guessing.”
