May 2007 Giveaway Winner & excerpt

The May 2007 Giveaway Winner is Gloria Williams! Gloria wins the script for Del Shores' "Daddy's Dyin' Who's Got The Will?"; Passion, a small book of poems by me; and a CD containing over 250 humor columns by me that were published in various newspapers and newsletters. Gloria, email me the address you'd like your loot mailed to. Thanks to everyone who participated, and be sure to watch for the June 2007 Giveway.
      And now another excerpt from Murder by Dewey Decimal.

Excerpt 5.1 from Murder by Dewey Decimal
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

Chapter 5.1

      Bernard watched Benjamin Rivers intently, hoping that the councilman would say nothing. The Ryton City Council had already set through two of River's mind-numbing speeches, and Bernard wasn't sure if he could endure another one. Or actually if his butt could. Bernard decided that if he was ever a councilman, the first thing he would do was get padded chairs in the city hall auditorium.
      "Any other business?" Mayor Otis Brunson asked.
      Bernard sent a silent plea upward, promising to teach Sunday School or feed the poor or do some other selfless service, but his bribe was apparently ignored.
      "Yes, I have something I think we should discuss," Rivers said, his jowls shaking as he nodded his head vigorously, looking like those toy nodding dogs Bernard occasionally saw in the back windows of cars. "For some time, we have needed a new system to allow us to maintain better control of the city's finances." He held up some papers. "I believe I have formulated a plan that will do just that and also correct some problems that our treasurer seems unable to do anything about."
      The other councilmen sighed, exchanged glances, and resignedly listened as Rivers expounded in numbing detail his plan for a new accounting system for the city. City Treasurer Merriman Smith glowered at Rivers.
      Bernard shook his head in exasperation and leaned back in his seat, stretching his legs under the seat in front of him. He was waiting for the library board meeting, which would follow the City Council. The board meeting was scheduled to begin at seven-thirty, but Rivers had apparently decided to launch another offensive in his ongoing war with Merriman Smith.
      When Bernard first moved to Ryton, he had started attending the City Council meetings, fascinated first by the interplay and workings of city government and then by the rivalry between Rivers and Smith. Even now he might have enjoyed watching the fight except he was eager to discuss Agatha's will with the board. Bernard was certain the board would accept the name change--in fact, he had decided to recommend it because, whatever his personal feelings about Agatha, she had served the library for thirty years--and he wanted to discuss a couple of ways the money could be spent, the chief of which was computerizing the Ryton library.
      But, first on the agenda was a recommendation to appoint Bernard the new Head Librarian. Bernard checked his shirt pocket to make sure his short acceptance speech was there. The mayor had called him this afternoon to tell him to prepare one.
      "I don't think you'll have any trouble getting the job," Brunson had told Bernard. "The council recognizes your ability and skills. And several people have called to express their support. Why, Michael Wyatt's even called twice."
      Thinking about the call, Bernard found it bothered him that Sherry's father had called Brunson. Although he had always liked Michael, Bernard had never been close to him. He felt like he was supposed to be grateful for the support. I don't want to owe anything to him, Bernard thought. Sherry's and mine relationship is already too complicated. He probably meant well.
      Bernard looked around the auditorium. It was empty other than him and a couple of elderly men who always attended the meetings to give their opinions on any and all issues. Occasionally the auditorium would fill up when a controversial subject was on the agenda, but for the most part, the Ryton City Council operated without citizen input. Which seemed to be the way the council liked it and might explain why the chairs were so uncomfortable.
      A movement at the back of the room caught Bernard's eye. He could see a woman standing outside in the hall, but she was too far back for him to identify. He hoped it was Lisa. He tried to call her twice today and received no answer either time. He felt they needed to talk, although he didn't know what to say which would mend the rift that had developed in their relationship last night. He hoped she would.
      Rivers finished his speech, and Bernard's attention was drawn back to the meeting. Smith was obviously intending to respond but didn't get a chance as Mayor Brunson hastily said, "We should certainly look into the matter. Do I have a motion to adjourn?"
      Almost as one, the councilmen said, "Aye."
      Smith subsided with an angry look at Rivers who pointedly looked everywhere except at Smith.
      After shuffling papers, Brunson finally called the library board meeting to order. The last month's minutes were read and approved as Bernard waited impatiently, unconsciously tapping his fingers on the arm of his seat. The mayor favored him with a smile.
      "Bernard, come up here and sit down," Brunson said, pulling back a chair.
      The various councilmen nodded their greetings to Bernard as he seated himself at the table. A woman walked into the auditorium, but it wasn't Lisa. A camera hanging at her neck, Sherry waved at Bernard. Disappointed, Bernard still smiled back and thought it was nice of her to come to see him become Head Librarian. She sat down in the front row and adjusted her camera.
      Brunson reached over to turn on a cassette recorder. It was an election year, and Bernard was certain the tape of this would find its way to the local radio station where its one-person news staff would accept it gratefully and give the mayor some free publicity in the form of a news story.
      Reading from a paper, Brunson began, "As you know gentlemen, we have a position to fill at the Ryton Library, that of Head Librarian left vacant by the tragic death of Mrs. Agatha Ryton-Storer. We are fortunate, however, that we have a trained person that I believe will be able to handle the job with the professionalism and efficiency that Ryton residents have come to expect during my administration. I'm talking about Bernard Worthington, of course. I would like to go on record now as recommending him for the position based on his experience, education, and knowledge--three attributes that I place above all else."
      Smith rolled his eyes at that statement. Bernard tried not to smile. He glanced away for a moment and realized someone was still standing in the hall. He couldn't see who. He focused his attention back on the mayor who, after asking if there was any need for discussion and finding that there wasn't, was now calling his recommendation to a vote.
      "All in favor of Bernard Worthington being hired for the position of Head Librarian of the Ryton Memorial Library say 'Aye' and be counted," Brunson said, being unnecessarily formal and long-winded for Bernard's taste.
      A chorus of aye’s.
      “All opposed, say 'Nay' and be counted." The mayor barely paused. "The 'ayes' have--"
      "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think I should really save some of your time--just in case, it is valuable in some form," a woman's voice cut in, startling the entire council.
      The woman that Bernard had glimpsed in the hall now stood in the back of the auditorium. With a sinking feeling, Bernard recognized her.
      Evelyn Ryton smiled and firmly said, "As a direct descendent of Eliah Ryton, I claim the job of Head Librarian of the Ryton Memorial Library. I believe I should join you now."
      The mayor shut the recorder off.

End excerpt. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. No copying or downloading without express written permission.