Jake initiated the transfer of Nancy’s money, and was sitting in his office looking out the window at his doomed tennis court when Mrs. Miller rapped on his open door. “Jake,” she said. “My friend Debi Whitehead is visiting. You should hear what she has to say.”
Debi was the office manager for Sam Eugene, the local member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She job-shared with her sister Donna. They’d been in the position for a long time and were well trusted by Sam and Punxsutawney. It was, in general, worth hearing what she had to say.
Jake stood and tried to look gracious while the two women settled into the visitor chairs the Mrs. Miller, who seemed to regard him as a local nobleman, insisted were befitting his position. Mrs. Miller briefly caught him up on Debi’s husband and grandchildren, avoiding the faux pas he surely would have committed if he’d tried, and then said, “Our new neighbor has been visiting Sam’s office.”
Debi nodded and took up the narrative. “That Hilda Kessler, prefers to be called ‘Doctor.’ She’s a visiting professor at IUP.” Indiana University of Pennsylvania was thirty miles away, but had a branch campus in Punxsy. “Her field is analytical sociology, which she says is using math to look at what people do.”
Mrs. Miller said, “Dr. Kessler and her little sister Laurel are renting Edna McCall’s house.” She gestured across the street. “I took them cookies when they moved in a few weeks ago. They seemed surprised. Laurel didn’t say a word the whole time I was there. She’s a tiny thing, probably less than a hundred pounds, and much younger than her sister. Maybe eighteen. Hilda’s forty or more, and… well, I wouldn’t call her petite.”
Debi made a tiny snort. “Doctor Kessler wanted an appointment with Sam, and of course I asked the topic. She went all around the barn, didn’t understand why she should have to deal with a mere secretary like me. Finally she said she’s been looking at Jefferson County finances going back several decades, and has noticed what she called anomalies over the last twenty years. More people are paying that occupational privilege tax than are on the tax roles, she says. We’re taking in too much money, she says.”
Mrs. Miller said. “Not decades, though. Eighteen years. Since he’s been” — she glanced at Jake — “making sure they did their part for the government.”
Debi nodded. “I don’t know, or need to know, everything, but Sam has told me you’re trying to make sure the Amish people up there” — she nodded toward the woods behind his house —  “do their part. Sam thinks it’s great that they pay voluntarily.”
Jake was sitting up straighter. “What did you tell the professor?”
Debi’s eyes went wide. “Well, nothing, of course. How is it her business?” The administrator shook her head. “She didn’t like that, I can tell you. Seemed to think everybody should roll over and worship her PhD. I told her it was nothing to do with the Pennsylvania House, and therefore there was no reason for her to meet with Representative Eugene.” She paused, biting her lip. “I didn’t realize she was renting a house in the area. That could make her into one of Sam’s constituents, and he prioritizes making his constituents happy, regardless of whether it’s his scope. It’s why I have a bunch of boys on retainer to shovel old ladies’ walks and mow old ladies’s grass.”
Mrs. Miller said, “Surely Sam wouldn’t… well, blab?”
“Oh, he’s careful enough,” Debi said. “I just like to keep him out of awkward situations when I can. I told the professor she might be better off talking to the county commissioners or the state auditor general’s office. After she left I called all of them and found out she’d already been all those places and nobody was inclined to help her. Anyway,” she heaved herself to her feet, “I thought you should know.”
“Yes, thanks,” Jake said, also standing.
Debi turned to her friend. “Thanks for the pie, Grace. Best in the county, at least now that my mother in law is gone. Nice to catch up with you, Jake. I don’t see you out and about very much. ”
“I’m a homebody, Debi. I make it to church, usually. Anyway, thanks again,” he said.
After she left he turned, again giving his attention to the tennis court.