by Louise Clark
Endicott nodded and stood. He stretched out his hand. "It has been a pleasure, Mrs. Jamieson. As always."
Christy shook his hand. As she left the office, Patterson said, "Mrs. Jamieson, if I might have a word."
Christy paused and half turned, her brows raised.
Patterson said, "You’ve heard about the murder of Fredrick Jarvis?"
Christy nodded. "It was the topic of a discussion at a recent social gathering I was at." A fancy way to describe one of the Armstrongs’ back yard barbecues, but she was still in her Jamieson princess persona. Fancy was the norm not the exception.
"Fredrick Jarvis was a national political figure. His death is being considered in the context of his status as a member of provincial government and his campaign for national leadership. I’m part of a taskforce drawn from national and local police forces. We’re looking at his political life, at the people who have protested his policies, his competitors in the current leadership campaign, anyone with international connections."
Christy stared at Patterson. She thought of the barbecue and heard again Roy’s voice reminiscing about the protests he’d participated in while Jarvis was minister of the environment and his still firm view that the man was dead wrong in his policies. She thought about Tamara Ahern, held captive by radicals, and so newly returned to Canada.
And Quinn, Tamara’s former, and possibly current, lover. A journalist who had spent years in war zones, interviewing friends—and when he could arrange it—foes as well.
The cold of stark fear washed over her. "Everyone?"
Patterson nodded. "The taskforce will put anyone they are investigating under a spotlight. The glare will be intense. Every flaw revealed. Every weakness exposed."
Christy studied Patterson’s expression. If she read the woman right, Patterson was telling her that Roy and Quinn were in danger.
Patterson returned her gaze with a steady one of her own. "However, I don’t believe Mr. Jarvis was killed by an international terrorist or a political enemy. I think he was killed for one of the usual reasons—money, revenge, jealousy, fear. There were at least a half a dozen people in his private life who have a motive to kill him."
"If you believe Jarvis was killed for personal reasons, why don’t you investigate that angle?" And leave Roy and Quinn out of it.
"I’m a lone voice. I don’t have the time or manpower. As I said, the focus of the taskforce is on his political life and I am part of it. Everyone involved is working flat out to sift through a mound of data. I had to get special permission to come to the meeting this afternoon."
Christy frowned. Harry Endicott kept meticulous records, which he would turn over to the police once he was done. He’d also write a detailed report for their use. It wasn’t necessary for Patterson attend this meeting. There had to be another reason she had made a point to be here today. "Did you come to warn me Quinn might be under investigation?"
Patterson didn’t immediately reply. Christy had the sense that she was wrestling with herself. Finally she said, "Mr. Jarvis moved in the kind of social circles the Jamiesons play in. I’m sure you, or your aunt, know his wife and children. You might even be on a first name basis with them."
"His daughter was on one of the committees I belonged to before Frank died, but—" Realization dawned. "You want me to investigate Fred Jarvis’ family?"
"Ears, eyes and feet, Mrs. Jamieson. You can go where I cannot."
"Detective, I don’t think this is a good idea."
Patterson’s gaze was steady on hers, but she didn’t respond. She stayed silent and let Christy stew about spotlights, and consequences and danger to those she loved.
"All right," Christy said at last. "I’ll do it. Give me the names on your suspect list."
~
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Let Sleeping Cats Lie
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Louise Clark is the author of cozy mysteries and contemporary and historical romance novels. She holds a BA in History from Queen's University.
For more information, please visit her at www.louiseclarkauthor.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LouiseClarkAuthor