Killer Campaign (Lisa Chance Cozy Mysteries Book 3)

by Estelle Richards

  Penny nodded. “Yes. It was awful.” She turned to Lisa and gripped her shoulders. “I’m sorry I wasn’t gentler with you when you found that body at the Folly.”

  Lisa shook her head. “It’s ok, Mom. Don’t worry about that.”

  “It was awful,” Penny said again.

  “Do you know the victim?” Toby said.

  Lisa held her breath.

  Penny shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. I didn’t see his face.”

  “Ok. I’m going to need you to give a formal statement at the station later. But for now, don’t leave town.”

  “Leave town?” Penny repeated. “Where would I go?”

  “Mom, do you want me to drive you home?” Lisa said.

  “Yes, please.” For a moment, Lisa’s mother looked every one of her years and more. She took Lisa’s arm and let Lisa guide her to the car.

  Chapter 10

  Lisa and Penny were silent in the car on the way home. At a stop sign, Lisa glanced over and saw tears running down her mother’s cheeks.

  When she pulled into the driveway, Penny stared at her own house like she didn’t recognize it.

  “Mom? Do you want me to come in with you?” Lisa said.

  “No. Your father’s here. I’ll see you later.” Penny patted her daughter’s hand and got out of the car.

  Lisa watched her mother walk up to the front door. As she walked, she straightened her posture, with her head up and shoulders back. Lisa’s eyes widened when she noticed her shoes. Penny had been going door to door in high heels. They were sensible pumps, but still, not the comfy athletic shoes Lisa would have chosen.

  Lisa drove to Moss Creek Veterinary. When she walked in, Shelby sat behind the front desk, holding the phone to her ear. She smiled a welcome at Lisa and held up a finger.

  “Ok, we’ll see you then. You too. Bye-bye now.” Shelby hung up the phone. “I’m glad you stopped by, Lisa. People have responded really well to the signature sheet, especially when I tell them how Penny Baldwin-Chance supports Dr. Morris’s spay and neuter clinic proposal. Look at this.”

  Lisa took the paper from Shelby. It was nearly full. She pasted on a grateful smile. “Thanks. Um, is Mo busy?”

  Shelby shook her head. “You can go on back.”

  Lisa found Mo in the kennels, scrubbing one of the empty kennel spaces. His face lit up when he saw her.

  “Hey, babe. I didn’t know you were coming by.”

  “Are you busy tonight? Want to come over for popcorn and some TV?”

  “Sure, just let me finish up here.” Concern crept over his face. “Are you ok?”

  She blinked away tears. If she started talking about it here, she’d never be able to hold herself together until she got home. “I, uh, it’s been a weird day. Meet you at my place? I’ll tell you all about it when you get there.”

  “Ok.”

  Mo resumed scrubbing with vigor, rushing to finish up.

  Lisa drove back to the Folly. The sight of the beautiful old house lifted her spirits, as always. She went inside to start a big batch of popcorn.

  Dread pinched her neck and whispered in her ear that she knew who the dead man was. Lisa took out her phone and called Toby. She knew the chief of police didn’t approve of him giving out information to civilians, but maybe her cousin would at least confirm her suspicion.

  “Hey, cuz, what’s up?”

  “Hi, Toby. Are you still at the crime scene?”

  “Nah, I’m at the station, up to my ears in paperwork. Coroner’s office is at the scene now,” he said.

  “So, uh, do you have an ID on the victim yet?” Lisa said, trying to sound casual but fearing she sounded like she was auditioning for a part on CSI: Boston.

  “Yeah, a tentative ID, anyway,” Toby said, his voice dropping to nearly a whisper. “Your mom could be in some real trouble, Lisa.”

  Lisa froze. “Who is it?” she whispered.

  “Campaign manager from the other side. Dan Weston.” Toby sighed. Lisa could picture him running his hand over his crewcut hair. “I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. But I really hope Aunt Penny has a good alibi for this morning. I’ve gotta go. Love you, cuz. Talk soon.”

  Lisa closed her eyes. Did her mother have an alibi for the morning? She went back over her conversation with Penny about the signature sheets. Had Penny said anything about her plans for the day?

  Lisa sighed, knowing she had an uncomfortable conversation with her mother coming up. A light tap on the front door brought her back to the moment. Mo and a relaxing night watching TV and snuggling on the couch. She went downstairs to let him in.

  *

  Penny was Lisa’s first customer the next morning. When Lisa went to unlock the front door, she found her mother waiting on the porch. Penny held a manila envelope in her gloved hand. Her cream-colored coat shone faintly in the morning light, and not a hair was out of place. No sign remained of the previous day’s distress.

  Lisa flipped the sign around to Open and held the door. “Good morning, Mom. Come inside.”

  Penny handed Lisa the envelope. “We need to check the signature sheets and then turn them in at City Hall.”

  “Would you like a coffee or something to eat?”

  “That would be fine. Do you have any last signatures to add?”

  Lisa led the way to the kitchen where she fired up the espresso machine and pulled a couple of shots.

  “I could use some coffee,” Lisa said.

  Penny tapped her foot while she waited for Lisa to steam the milk. “We are on a deadline, remember.”

  “I know, Mom. Here’s your mocha.” Lisa gave the drink to her mother and carried the other, for herself, to the library.

  Penny followed, sipping her drink.

  “Mom, can I ask you a question?” Lisa said once she got a bit of caffeine running through her veins.

  “Of course, darling. What is it?”

  “Do you have an alibi for yesterday morning?”

  Penny nearly spit out her coffee. “What did you just say to me?”

  Lisa took a breath. “Please, just tell me you were somewhere yesterday morning with other people, people who can vouch for you.”

  Penny pressed her lips together as she regarded her daughter. “As a matter of fact, I was.”

  “You were?”

  “Don’t look so surprised. Yesterday was the monthly Chamber of Commerce prayer breakfast. Do you think I’d miss an event like that when I’m running for office?”

  Lisa laughed in relief. “Of course you wouldn’t. Good, good, that’s good.”

  “Is this about,” Penny swallowed and cleared her throat before continuing, “that body in the house on Pine Grove?”

  Lisa nodded.

  “You know something.”

  Lisa looked around the room for a distraction, not sure what to say.

  “Spit it out,” her mother commanded.

  “It was Dan Weston. Or they think so. Toby told me.”

  Penny’s brow furrowed. “Ethan Valentine’s assistant?”

  “And his campaign manager.”

  “Oh.” Penny’s eyes widened. “Do they think it has something to do with the campaign?”

  “I don’t know. It is the biggest thing happening in town right now.”

  Penny shook her head. “It’s a shame when a life is cut short like that, especially one with such promise. You know he comes from the wrong side of the tracks.”

  “I didn’t know he was from here at all,” Lisa said. “Did he go to Moss Creek High?”

  “He would have been a few classes after you. Grew up in the trailer park out by the highway. There was that whole stink a few years back about a building permit on neighboring property. I almost lost a sale because the clients didn’t want to pay to clear a second road but didn’t want to share a road with mobile home people either.”

  “Mobile home people?” Lisa repeated.

  “The client may have used stronger language than that,” Penny said. “The
point is, the Weston trailer was not one of the better trailers in the park. Daniel Weston had more ambition than the rest of the kids in that place put together.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “He played the piccolo in your father’s marching band.”

  “Piccolo?”

  Penny shook her head. “I remember when Lou came home and told me about it. He said a kid from the trailer park asked what was the smallest instrument he could play, something he could carry in his pocket on the bus home and not have anyone steal it or break it.”

  “And that was Dan Weston?”

  Penny nodded. “He was going somewhere in life, even though he came from nowhere.”

  “Not anymore.”

  They sat in glum silence, thinking of the waste of his life.

  Mama Cat trotted into the room and meowed a good morning.

  “Hello, gorgeous,” Lisa said, petting the cat.

  The front bell jingled, signaling the arrival of customers. Lisa stood.

  “I have work. Let me get their orders, and then I can give you the last signature sheet.”

  Penny nodded. Mama Cat jumped up on Lisa’s vacated seat, and Penny scooted her chair closer so she could stroke her soft black and white fur.

  Lisa attended to the morning rush of people looking to start their day with great coffee while Penny took the signature sheets to City Hall.

  Mid-afternoon, Olivia came in, the tasseled fringe of her jacket flying behind her.

  “Lisa, did you hear the news?”

  “Hi, Aunt Olivia. I suppose it depends on what news you’re talking about,” Lisa said. “Want a coffee?”

  “Sure, sure. I mean the news about Ethan Valentine,” Olivia said, her eyes glinting.

  “Ethan Valentine? Has he been arrested again?”

  “I wish. Crooked old suit. No, his campaign failed to turn in his signature sheets on time. He’s off the ballot. We win!” Olivia twirled in a circle.

  “Oh, wow, I hadn’t heard that. Mom went to drop off her signatures this morning.”

  “Noon deadline,” Olivia said.

  Lisa handed her a muffin and went to make her latte.

  Olivia took a big bite. “These are just scrumptious. You have a real way with muffins. Maybe not those fruitcake ones, though. The less said about those, the better.”

  “Hmph. I liked the fruitcake muffins. I thought they had real holiday spirit.”

  “Needed more spirits if you ask me,” Olivia said. “So, what are we going to do to celebrate?”

  Lisa shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know if a celebration is really appropriate, under the circumstances.”

  “Circumstances? That corporate shill didn’t get his signatures in. What’s not to celebrate?”

  “Oh, um… I just meant that with the death on his side, maybe it would be in bad taste.”

  Olivia stopped short, spilling some of her drink. “What are you talking about? Who’s dead?”

  “Uh, I’m not really supposed to talk about it.”

  The front bell jingled, giving Lisa an excuse to hurry away. Olivia followed right after her.

  “Who’s dead?”

  Toby stood in the front hall, eyebrows almost in his hairline. “Yeah, cuz, who’s dead?” he said.

  Lisa blushed. “Sorry, Toby. I know I shouldn’t talk about it.”

  “Who’s dead?” Olivia demanded, rounding on her son.

  He worked his jaw back and forth before sighing and answering her. “Dan Weston.”

  Chapter 11

  “How? When?” Olivia said.

  “He was stabbed,” Toby said, “yesterday morning.”

  “Does Billy Jack know? Dan is his cousin.” Olivia sank into a chair. “I should call him.”

  “Why don’t you let the police do our job, Mom?” Toby said. “That includes positive ID on the deceased and notifying the next of kin.”

  Olivia wrung her hands. “Lisa, dear, do you have another of those muffins?”

  “Of course.” Lisa gave her aunt another Sunshine Muffin and sat down across from her. “I didn’t think Dan and Billy Jack were close. In fact, I kind of got the impression that their politics had driven them apart.”

  Toby raised an eyebrow.

  “Do you know if Billy Jack has an alibi for yesterday morning?” Lisa said, pressing on.

  “How dare you?” Olivia said, her voice low and venomous. “That is his family you’re talking about.”

  Lisa shrugged and looked away. “The way things have been going with the mayor and the protests and the Bargain Box people looking to move in… I don’t mean anything by it. But you have to admit it’s been tense.”

  “Billy Jack is a passionate soul who loves his community. And yes, he has an alibi. Me. We were enjoying the spring shacks. They’re better with company, and without a bathing suit.”

  Toby cringed. “Mom, please.”

  “Don’t be so uptight. I’d have thought you heard a lot worse walking the beat,” Olivia said.

  “Ok, I’ve got to go. Can I take one of those muffins with me?” Toby said. “And Lisa, no more talking about the case, ok? Let the police do their job this time.”

  Olivia stood as well. “And don’t go around accusing innocent people,” she said, pointing a finger in Lisa’s face. “Keep in mind I have an alibi, too, so you don’t have to go worrying about that.”

  *

  After the post-church service brunch rush, Lisa left Jan in charge of the café, grabbed her things, and drove to Carly’s house. She tapped lightly on the front door. The door opened and Carly peered out, squinting in the sunlight.

  “Hey, you. Long time no see,” Lisa said.

  “Hey,” Carly said. She put her arms out and Lisa rushed in to hug her, holding her best friend tight.

  “Want to go grab some burgers at Lola’s with me?” Lisa said.

  “I don’t know. I’ve got Liam, and…”

  “We can take him with us. Put him in his car seat and bring him along. Tiny babies are pretty portable.”

  Carly gave a tired half-smile. “Ok, you’ve convinced me.”

  “He’ll probably enjoy seeing the lights and colors.”

  “Don’t sell past the close,” Carly said. “I’ll just go grab a sweater. Can you put Liam in his car seat?”

  Lisa tiptoed through the house to the nursery. Liam lay in his crib staring at the mobile above him as though he could crack its secrets through sheer infant willpower. Lisa eased a hand under his head and a hand under his body and lifted the baby out of the crib. He waved his little arms as she marveled at how small and light he was. She snuggled him close to her body and brought him into the living room to confront the puzzle of the baby car seat.

  Just as she got Liam buckled in, Carly emerged from the bedroom, her hair newly brushed and clean clothes on. She grabbed the diaper bag and a set of keys and reached for the car seat.

  “Want me to carry him?” Lisa said.

  “Thanks.”

  Lisa picked up the carrier, holding it out from her body at an awkward angle. “Ok, let’s go. This is heavier than it looks. The car seat, I mean, not Liam. He’s this light little baby, and the car seat seems light by itself, but somehow you combine the two and it’s more than the sum of their parts.”

  Outside, Lisa frowned at the back seat of Carly’s SUV.

  “Yeah, it’s been killing my back. Might be because of my short arms,” Carly said. “Here, it clicks into the car seat base and locks in place.”

  Lisa hefted the seat up and Carly showed her how to lock it in.

  “Lola’s, here we come,” Lisa said.

  “I am going to demolish some French fries. And a milkshake. And a cheeseburger.” Carly groaned as she started the engine. “Maybe a double.”

  “I guess you have your appetite back.”

  Carly grunted. “Being a human dairy machine takes a lot of calories.”

  At Lola’s, Carly ordered her meal and then looked at Lisa. “Want to split some
onion rings?”

  “Absolutely.”

  They sat in a booth overlooking the highway. Carly grabbed a folding sling to rest the car seat next to the table. Liam gazed out at them with a tiny bemused smile. Lisa and Carly gazed back at the baby.

  “How’ve you been doing?” Lisa said, trying for a casual tone.

  Carly sighed. “It’s been weird. And hard. Not exactly what I expected, I guess.”

  “Did you see your doctor?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well?”

  “Nosy much?” Carly kept her eyes on the baby as she spoke in a soft voice. “She said it’s not unusual to have postpartum depression. I never thought I would be the type, but apparently it can happen to anyone. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s like the whole world got really dark and I couldn’t even imagine the light coming back. Gah, that sounds nuts.”

  “No, it doesn’t,” Lisa said. “What else did the doctor say?”

  “She gave me some pills. They’re supposed to be ok with breastfeeding. She asked about Gideon and our home life, if I have enough support, if I feel safe. I always feel so weird when they ask if I feel safe. Like—it’s Gideon; of course I feel safe. And then, when I was in my third trimester, we had this big fight.”

  Lisa felt the blood drain out of her face. “Did he…?”

  “No! No, we just yelled for a couple of minutes, and then ended up crying and hugging. But I suddenly had this realization of how scary it would be if he was a different kind of person. I was so big and clumsy, so dependent on him.” Tears formed in Carly’s eyes, and she brushed them away impatiently.

  “Are you ok?” Lisa said, handing her a paper napkin.

  “It’s just the hormones. I cry at the drop of a hat these days. It’s not just Hallmark commercials, it’s anything with a baby or a kid or a dog or cat or family… Oh, it’s everything.” Carly laughed and snorted back the tears.

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, but being a mom sounds pretty weird.”

  Carly laughed some more. “It is! It’s the weirdest! I’m still me, but I’m also totally different, and then there’s this small person looking at me with those big eyes.” She waved a hand at the baby.

  The server brought their trays and placed them on the table. “Enjoy, ladies. Hello, little cutie.”