The council's seventh chair sat vacant for nearly two months after Hale's sentencing, debated and argued over by the remaining six members, each pushing candidates that favored their own interests. Mercer paid little attention to the political maneuvering until Isla arrived at his office one evening with an expression that told him the matter had finally become personal.
"They're considering you," she said, without preamble.
Mercer set down the contract he'd been reviewing. "For the council seat."
"Priest brought your name forward yesterday. Said the city needs someone who's proven willing to expose corruption rather than simply tolerate it." Isla sat across from him, her expression unreadable. "Several others agreed quickly enough that it surprised me."
"I'm twenty-four years old. I'v
