“Do we know anything about the gunman?”
“Not specifically, but we did some calculations as to where he or she probably stood.”
She touched her cheek again. “The bullet missed me and chipped the granite wall beside me. They say that’s what hit me—a piece of stone.”
“Right. I believe you’ve stated that you heard the shot.”
“Yes. It wasn’t terribly loud, but it startled me. The officers pushed me to the ground.” She shook her head, preferring not to remember those moments. “What else do we know?”
“We’ve approximated the angle from which the gun was fired.”
“You followed the trajectory back from where the bullet hit the stonework?”
He smiled. “Exactly.”
“And he wasn’t on a rooftop somewhere.”
“No. We’re studying pictures of the crowd, trying to pinpoint him. But of course, most of the submitted photos and videotapes don’t show the crowd. Everyone wanted pictures of you, not the audience.”
She grimaced, wishing anew that she could perform her job without the requisite fame. She had plans for Maine, not so much for herself. Perhaps someone wanted to stop her from fulfilling her campaign promises.
“It sounds as though your unit is doing all the right things.”
“I also drove to Waterville this afternoon and spoke to your law partners.”
“Oh.” She sat back in the chair. “They were all here this morning.”
“Yes. I talked to them about their impressions of the shooting. They’re intelligent people who are used to reading character, and they were only a few yards from you when it happened.”
“You’re not. . .looking at them as suspects, are you?” At once she knew the answer to that. “Of course you are. You have to.”
He nodded reluctantly. “We can’t rule out anyone yet. But I will tell you, they’re not my top picks for this. They all stood to one side of where the shot originated. The videotapes and measurements bear that out.”
“Glad to hear it.” She studied him again, more carefully, weighing where to file Dave Hutchins in her memory bank. She wouldn’t forget the name again, or the serious brown eyes that could leap with laughter in an instant. Fine lines at the corners of his eyes bespoke fatigue, not just from today, but many days. The five-o’clock shadow didn’t lessen his attractiveness.
She realized he was sizing her up, too, but tried not to be obvious about it.
The decision came quickly. She could count on him. File under dependable, but cross reference under. . .intriguing.
“The doctor said your wound is superficial,” he said.
“It won’t slow me down. I’ll probably lose the bandage tomorrow. With a little makeup, I intend to present a strong image to the public.”
“Good. Meanwhile, your law partners have given us access to the firm’s files. I’ll look into the background of anyone who may hold a grudge against you—perhaps someone you dealt with while you were in private practice, or during your stint as a public prosecutor.”
“I suppose you’re right. It all seems implausible, and yet. . .”
“And yet, here we are.” They both smiled. “We’ll also look at political opponents. Will you think about it tonight and jot down a list of names for me? Anyone you’ve crossed swords with in the past.”
She shook her head. “I can’t think of anyone who would want me dead. Not even Peter Harrison.”
Dave’s eyebrows rose. “You defeated him in the election. He wanted to be governor as badly as you did.”
“Possibly more.”
“But you don’t think he’d lash out at you?”
“He was there with a cluster of VIPs when it happened.”
“I know.” Dave cleared his throat. “Governor, we’ve got to consider the likelihood that this was a hired hit.”
She let that sink in. “A planned assassination? Aren’t these things usually carried out by half-crazy whack jobs who are outside the political sphere?”
“Sometimes.”
“Some kid could have the misguided impression that knocking off the new governor would impress his girlfriend.”
Dave looked directly into her eyes, and her heart stuttered for a moment. “We can’t discount any theories yet.”
“But you think it was intentional, not a kook who doesn’t realize what he’s doing. Deliberate. Well planned.”
“I aim to find out, Governor. I promise you, I will do everything in my power to get to the bottom of this so that you can do your job in peace.”
He smiled again, and she knew she’d sleep better tonight, knowing that Dave Hutchins was on the job.
*****
They left the office a few minutes later, after Jillian had given him a few names to start with—mostly criminals she had helped send to prison. Dave could easily check their current status online.
When they entered the hall, Andrew Browne stepped forward.
“Governor, Miss Plante and your mother are waiting for you in the family living room. However, a crowd of reporters has gathered on the sidewalk outside. We’ve pulled all the drapes on this level, but you should be cautious about going near the windows. There’s a small sitting room on the other side of the hall where—”
“I’ll get my coat,” she said. “Can I go out through the door near the Blaine study?”
“Uh, ma’am—” Andrew shot Dave a panicky glance and followed her down the hall. “You can’t go outside, Governor.”
“But the reporters will want a sound bite. I saw the early news reports. Your spokesman’s assurances that I wasn’t seriously injured sounded almost too glib. I’d like to show them that I’m ready to face whatever comes my way.” She pulled the Band-Aid off her cheek in one quick jerk. “Seeing me hale and hearty will be worth a thousand speeches from aides.”
“Uh. . .” Andrew glared at Dave, clearly implying he should do something.
“Governor.” Dave caught up with her at the top of the stairs and touched her arm gently. A no-no where protocol was concerned, but this could devolve into an emergency fast. “Jillian.”
She stopped at the head of the stairs and turned slowly.
“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I know you’re determined to put the best spin on this, and I admire you for that. You’re angry. You don’t want to give the shooter the satisfaction of making you keep your head down.”
“That’s exactly how I feel.” Her eyes gleamed as she looked up at him, and she caught her breath in a bitter chuckle.
He wished he could offer her more comfort, but his job dictated that words were the only solace he could give. “It’s too dangerous. You could be playing into an assassin’s hands by showing yourself so soon.”
She wavered. Her gaze darted to the stairs and back to him.
“Please, Governor. We want to keep you safe, but you’ve got to let us do our job. Let the Public Safety Department’s spokesman update the press again. I’ll give him any message you want relayed to the public.”
She pressed her lips together. He could sense her courage warring with her common sense. “Tell them. . .Tell them I’ll be in my office in the Capitol at 8 a.m., and I’m eager to put in my first full day as governor of Maine.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Dave jogged down the stairs, leaving her under Andrew’s watchful eye. Andrew should be able to persuade her to join her mother now.
Dave called the department’s official spokesman with her message and waited in the reception room downstairs until he saw Mark Peyton’s car pull into the yard. The spokesman got out and walked toward the reporters with his hands raised.
As Dave left the mansion and walked quickly toward the gate, he cased the crowd. Peyton held them spellbound with his brief message and told them to phone his office in the morning for updates.
When he reached the corner, Dave turned and looked back before heading down the side street where he’d left his pickup. Was the assassin here now, among the dispersing throng?
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It was up to him and a handful of others to catch the gunman before he could strike again. The clues were sparse, and so far the witnesses had given them nothing that would help catch the shooter. Jillian planned a full schedule for the next week. He admired her courage, but how could the EPU keep the governor safe if she made herself accessible and her schedule took her to public events daily? Suddenly Dave felt inadequate for the job. It would take an army to keep the beautiful Jillian Goff safe.
End of Excerpt
Order Hearts in the Crosshairs to continue reading.
Other Mystery and Suspense Books by Susan Page Davis
The Maine Justice Series:
The Priority Unit
Fort Point
Found Art
Heartbreaker Hero
The House Next Door
The Labor Day Challenge
Ransom of the Heart
The Frasier Island Series:
Frasier Island
Finding Marie
Inside Story
Standalones:
Breaking News
Hearts in the Crosshairs
The Saboteur
Trail to Justice
The Mainely Mysteries Series (coauthored by Susan's daughter, Megan Elaine Davis)
Homicide at Blue Heron Lake
Treasure at Blue Heron Lake
Impostors at Blue Heron Lake
Tearoom Mysteries (from Guideposts, books written by several authors, but the following are by Susan)
Tearoom for Two
Trouble Brewing
Steeped in Secrets
Beneath the Surface
Tea and Promises
And many more! Most of Susan’s historical novels also include mysteries.
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