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Ray’s been on the phone to me for days, going nuts.”
    Oh, that’s right. With all the other nonsense going on, Liza had forgotten that she was one of the few who knew Ray Massini’s dirty little secret. Like too many attractive and charismatic political animals, Ray thought that every day was mating season. As a single guy home from the Gulf War, he’d cut quite a swath through Killamook County’s female population. Unfortunately, he’d kept it up after he married a pillar of local society. And shamefully, Kevin had facilitated, letting his old army buddy carry on trysts at the Killamook Inn.
    Discovering Kevin’s role in the whole unsavory business had put a severe dent in, not to mention a stain on, his suit of shining armor. Until then, he’d definitely had the edge on Michael when it came to Liza’s affections. She sometimes wondered what might have happened if she’d never learned . . .
    Right now, though, there were more practical matters to consider. A sex scandal would probably prove fatal to the mayor’s bid for a second term. No wonder Massini was going nuts.
    “As you said, I was out of town,” Liza told Kevin. “I came back to find this nonsense going on—trust me, it’s as much a shock for me as it was for you.”
    “So you’re not running?”
    “You can tell your friend I’ll be pulling a Sherman—I think that’s what it’s called,” Liza said. “I think you’d have to be crazy to get involved in the kind of politics they play around here.”
    She shook her head. “As far as I’m concerned, exposing Massini’s character flaw wouldn’t just kill his mayoral campaign. It would also kill the good he’s trying to do for Maiden’s Bay—the reforms he’s trying to make. Then J.J. Pauncecombe and his cronies win.”
    A chilling thought struck her—and she saw it reflected on Kevin’s face.
    “Do you think the other side knows about the mayor’s little adventures?” Liza asked.
    Kevin’s features relaxed a little. “I’m glad to hear you think we’re on the same side. As for your question . . .” He shrugged. “I don’t think so, or we’d have heard it on KMUC by now.”
    “Guess so.” Liza frowned. Michelle might not dabble in politics, but the Markson Agency kept professional tabs on how competitors did their jobs. “The boys in Killamook don’t seem to be too subtle. With other political operations, I might expect a whispering campaign to start off with. You haven’t heard anything?”
    Kevin shook his head. “From a professional standpoint, would you say that’s good?”
    Now it was Liza’s turn to shrug. “If they had a bomb like that to drop, they could take Massini out in a single news cycle. Why would they piddle around with this foolish fake campaign for me?”
    As if on cue, Rusty suddenly headed into the bushes.
    “Speaking of piddling,” Liza said with a wry smile.
    Kevin’s smile showed more relief than humor. “So I can definitely tell Ray you’re out of the race.” He paused for a second. “And that the other thing seems okay.”
    “It doesn’t seem to be public knowledge,” Liza corrected. “I don’t think it’s okay.”
    Kevin’s face shut down—he obviously didn’t know how to answer that. “I don’t know what’s going on with that anymore.” He directed his gruff voice to the ground. “I never wanted to.”
    “I think that’s just as well,” Liza said.
    He raised his eyes. “So we’re good?”
    She nodded.
    “Good.” Kevin started down Liza’s driveway just as thick, heavy raindrops began to fall.
    Liza gave Rusty’s leash a tug. “I hope you have no surprises for me.”
    They came in through the kitchen door, so Rusty could shake himself dry on the linoleum floor. Not for the first time, Liza wished she could do the same.
    It’s amazing how freaking wet you can get covering just fi fteen feet, she thought, trying to pull her sodden T-shirt away from her skin.
    The phone rang, and Liza spun to give it an uneasy