Choosing Sides by Carolyn Keene

camera,” she said. “I hope I don’t drop it.”
    As they passed a mirror set in a gilt frame on the wall, Nancy paused to check her reflection. Staring back at her was a chic, sophisticated young woman, wearing a tailored houndstooth suit with a short, narrow skirt and black pumps.
    â€œYou look very Brenda Carlton,” Bess said, giggling. “Especially with that red lipstick and French braid.”
    â€œI just hope he’s never met Brenda before—or that it’s so long ago that he’s forgotten how she looks.”
    When the girls reached the mayor’s office, Nancy introduced herself and Bess to the mayor’s secretary, Mrs. Wellborn. The petite, grayhaired woman reminded Nancy of a small bird.
    Pressing her intercom button, Mrs. Wellborn said, “Mayor, the Carlton girl is here for her interview, along with her photographer, Miss Thomas.”
    A moment later, a portly man in his early sixties appeared. “Come on in, Miss Carlton, Miss Thomas!”
    Nancy had never met Mayor Filanowski before, but she recognized him from pictures she’d seen in the paper. He smiled jovially at the girls as he shook hands and waved them into his office.
    Nancy exchanged a relieved look with Bess. Filanowski didn’t seem to know that Nancy wasn’t Brenda. So far so good!
    The girls glanced around at the gleaming wood paneling and thick damask curtains, then sat in the upholstered chairs the mayor indicated by his desk. He sank into his leather desk chair and locked his fingers behind his head. He had already shed his jacket and rolled up his shirtsleeves.
    â€œI must tell you, Miss Carlton, I have only a few minutes to give you. But that’s more than any other reporter is getting, so you should feel lucky. And of course you know my policy of not discussing the upcoming election.” When Nancy and Bess nodded, he smiled. “Now, you wanted to talk to me about growing up in River Heights?”
    â€œYes, that’s right,” Nancy replied, flipping open her notebook and pretending to take notes.
    The mayor launched into a long description of what the city was like when he was a boy. “Things have certainly changed for the better,” he told them. “The old stereotypes are breaking down. We’ve even got our first female firefighter!”
    â€œDoesn’t it seem ironic, Mayor,” Nancy said, smiling sweetly, “that you have such compassion for minorities and women, and yet you’re being accused of sabotaging Caroline Hill’s chance of becoming mayor?”
    Filanowski glowered at Nancy. “If you’re talking about the editorial in the Morning Record, that’s a bunch of nonsense!” he said gruffly. “I am not trying to hurt Caroline Hill any more than I am trying to help Patrick Gleason.”
    â€œThen why have you remained silent?” Nancy persisted.
    â€œI’ve already stated my reason!” Filanowski shouted, then hit the desk with his fist. “That’s all I’ll say on the matter! Why won’t you people leave me alone!”
    Nancy and Bess jumped in their seats. Why was he reacting so strongly to the questions? Nancy wondered.
    â€œExcuse me,” Filanowski mumbled, his face reddening. “I’m a little tense these days. It’s not easy facing retirement. Now, where were we?”
    At that moment, the mayor’s intercom buzzed, and he hit the button. “Yes?”
    â€œAl is on line one,” Mrs. Wellborn said.
    â€œTell him I’ll get back to him in five minutes,” Filanowski replied. Then he stood up and turned to Bess. “Now, Miss Thomas,” he said, “if you’re ready to take my picture, we can wrap up this interview.”
    Nancy felt her heart sink. Obviously, the mayor had no intention of saying anything more about the election.
    Bess chatted with the mayor about his retirement plans as she posed him next to a photograph of