Killer Campaign (Lisa Chance Cozy Mysteries Book 3)

by Estelle Richards

  “Four clip-ons?” she said. “Do they all work?”

  “I think so. Let’s test them and find out,” Lou said.

  He plugged in the sound board and gave Lisa the first clip-on mic.

  “Clip it on, switch it on, and test it out,” he said.

  Lisa clipped the mic to her collar, switched it on, and opened her mouth to speak.

  “No, no, go out in the hallway so it’s a real test,” Lou said.

  In the hall, Lisa sang, “Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana.” She waited a second. “How’s that, Dad?”

  “Beautiful,” Lou said. “Let’s test the next one.”

  All four microphones worked perfectly, giving Lisa her idea for how to erase the Valentines’ phony alibi.

  “Dad, if I promise to be careful, do you mind if I use the fourth one of these tonight?” she said.

  Lou looked at her skeptically but nodded.

  “What else can I help with right now?” Lisa said, changing the subject. She put the fourth clip-on mic in her shirt pocket, glad she’d worn the cute little tailored button-down and not the fuzzy sweater she’d considered.

  “More chairs,” Lou said. “I want to make sure the crowd has plenty of seating.”

  They hauled chairs from neighboring rooms, setting the risers up for a good-sized crowd.

  There was a little knock on the band room door and Toby came in.

  “Hey, cuz. Hey, Uncle Lou,” Toby said. “Guess who’s got crowd control duty tonight. Need any help with those chairs?”

  “Hi, Toby,” Lou said. “I think we’ve got it, but thanks. Have you seen Penny yet?”

  Toby shook his head. “Nope, but I’ll send her in right away.”

  “She was so nervous this morning,” Lisa said. “I’ve never seen her that way before.”

  “I have,” Lou said with a chuckle. “Twice. The day before our wedding and the day she took the real estate licensing exam. A confident woman, your mother.”

  The door opened behind Toby. He turned to shoo the intruder out, but stopped when he saw Claire Comstock’s beaky countenance.

  “Ms. Comstock,” he said. “Please come in.”

  Claire surveyed the room, appearing as always to be looking down her nose at her surroundings.

  “Hello,” she said. “Interesting choice of location. Is there somewhere I can rest before the event begins?”

  “Oh, yes, please follow me,” Lou said, leading the way to the band director’s office.

  When they’d gone, Lisa said to Toby, “Are you still smoking?”

  Toby gave her a guilty half-smile. “I’m in the process of quitting.”

  “Good. Can I borrow a cigarette?”

  Toby laughed. “You want to borrow a cigarette? Are you going to give it back when you’re done with it?”

  “Ha-ha. Fine, can I have one?” Lisa said.

  Toby narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

  “Camouflage.”

  Toby cocked his head.

  “I want an excuse to hang out with the smokers,” Lisa said.

  “You never need an excuse to hang out with smokers. That’s one of the benefits. You just go up and ask to bum a smoke. Easiest way in the world to make a new temporary friend.” Toby smiled ruefully. “It’s not just the physical part of smoking that’s addicting.”

  Lisa nodded, considering. “What about a lighter?”

  “You can bum a light from any smoker, too; it’s part of the unofficial smoker code.”

  The door opened and Penny strode in, her hair newly coiffed and her power shoes on her feet. She gave Lisa a tight smile.

  “Your hair looks great, Mom.”

  “Thank you, darling.” Penny looked at her elegant silver watch. “Is Ethan Valentine here yet?”

  “Not yet,” Toby said.

  “Hmm. If he’s smart, he’ll get here before Olivia’s little march does.” Penny rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe my sister sometimes. No, that’s not true. I can’t ever believe my sister.”

  “Yeah, Mom is really, uh… Mom,” Toby said.

  “Is your young man here yet?” Penny said.

  “No, Mo has surgery on Fridays. He’ll be here when he’s done, but I’m not holding my breath,” Lisa said.

  “That’s a shame,” Penny said. “I like him.”

  “You do?” Lisa said, basking in the approval.

  “Of course. Now, let’s get set up.”

  Chapter 30

  When the Valentines arrived, Lisa stayed in the background, waiting for Fern to slip outside for a cigarette. It seemed a safe bet that if the woman went out for a smoke at the funeral, she would feel the need the night of the debate.

  The minutes wore on toward the start of the debate. The crowd filed in and filled the risers. Fern sat frozen next to Ethan Valentine, a smiling mask of a political wife. Penny sat on the opposite side of the room, her posture stiff and straight. Lou stayed in the band director’s office with the sound board, his concerned face sometimes peeking through the window between the office and the band room to check on his wife.

  At 7:30, Claire Comstock walked to the conductor’s podium at the front of the room, smiling down her patrician nose at the assembled crowd. The audience’s noise level settled to a whisper and a few shuffling feet.

  “Good evening, and welcome to the Moss Creek Special Election Mayoral Candidates’ Debate. I’m Claire Comstock, and I will serve as the moderator.”

  Claire smiled serenely as the audience gave her a polite level of applause.

  “The position of mayor is a non-partisan office. Our candidates are Ethan Valentine,” she indicated Ethan on one side of the room. A cheer went up from his supporters.

  “And Penny Baldwin-Chance,” Claire continued, indicating Penny on the other side of the room. Penny’s supporters cheered, a rowdy whooping coming from the tie-dyed section around Olivia and Billy Jack.

  Claire waited for calm.

  “Each candidate will have five minutes to speak and introduce him or herself, and then we will proceed to questions. I have a selection of questions that have been gathered from voters and stakeholders in Moss Creek. When I ask a question, each candidate will have two minutes to answer the question. We will begin with Mr. Valentine.”

  Claire ceded the podium to Ethan Valentine. He wore his mask of perfect ease and civility, making brief eye contact with various people in the audience as he introduced himself. Lisa let her mind wander and watched the perfect creases in his pin-striped slacks until it was time for Penny to speak.

  Penny’s self-introduction was less polished than Ethan’s. Her posture and appearance were perfect, but stiff. Lisa tried to send mental vibes to encourage her to relax and make more eye contact with the crowd. Penny spoke about bringing tourists to Moss Creek and boosting local business to create jobs. She touted her experience as a local real estate agent, and then brought out her kicker: a blank condemnation of the proposed Bargain Box store.

  Olivia and Billy Jack’s section of the crowd cheered and whistled at Penny’s mention of Bargain Box. Lisa surveyed the rest of the crowd and saw a mix of smiles of agreement and frowns of disagreement, along with a smattering of polite applause from a few people with the glazed-eyed look of someone who’s only half-listening.

  One stony face in the crowd caught her attention. Ryan Regent sat two rows behind Ethan Valentine. His face was rigid with irritation, and his jaw worked and flexed as the crowd jeered Bargain Box.

  Penny took her seat and Claire returned to the podium to begin the questions. Lisa kept her attention on the Valentine side of the room. At last, Fern got up from her seat, nodded at her husband, and went out the side door. Lisa slipped out the door after her.

  Fern went to the side of the building by the gymnasium and took out a cigarette and lighter. Lisa strolled up to Fern.

  Patting her pockets, Lisa let out a tiny groan. “Forgot my smokes. Mind if I bum one off you?”

  Fern raised an eyebrow but silently shook a c
igarette out of her pack for her.

  “And a light?”

  Fern gave a tiny eyeroll. She flicked the gold lighter. Lisa inhaled, holding the smoke in her mouth for a millisecond and trying not to cough.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  Fern nodded.

  “Good crowd in there,” Lisa said.

  “It’s a small room,” Fern said.

  “It’s not Madison Square Garden,” Lisa agreed.

  Fern sniffed twice, which Lisa took as a laugh. Lisa chuckled along with her, then turned away to cough. While facing away, she reached into her shirt pocket and switched the microphone on.

  “I heard about your whole situation,” Lisa said, gesturing with the cigarette. She held her breath, waiting to see if Fern would take the bait.

  “What whole situation?” Fern said.

  “The divorce,” Lisa whispered.

  “What?” Fern sucked in a big drag on her cigarette and stared at Lisa with wide eyes.

  Lisa leaned in. “I can’t blame you a bit. Did he really force you to lie for him?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Where did you hear such a thing?”

  “Here and there,” Lisa said, taking a casual drag on the cigarette.

  “I love my husband,” Fern said.

  “I know, love is love; we can’t always choose these things,” Lisa said, holding up her hands. “But staying with a man after he makes you complicit in a murder, that takes more than just love.”

  “That is just vicious gossip. Ethan never laid a finger on that Dan Weston.” Fern snorted, her eyes wild. “If anything, he was too fond of that jumped-up trailer park nobody.”

  “Fond of him? Is that why they were meeting in the empty house that night?”

  “Ethan was never in that house. I gave him a sedative and put him to bed myself!”

  “A sedative?” Lisa said, her voice faltering.

  “I had to get him out of the way.”

  Lisa’s hands started to shake, and she nearly dropped her cigarette.

  “I’m the one who called in the tip, you know,” Fern said, pointing a perfectly manicured finger at Lisa.

  “The tip,” Lisa repeated.

  “Ethan promised me this was his last term in office. He promised!” Fern screamed. “I gave him to the public all these years, and this year I was finally supposed to get him back, finally have my husband to myself! Travel! No more smiling for the cameras. No more pretending to care about the little people.”

  Lisa took a step backward, but Fern closed the gap. Lisa’s heart pounded.

  “It was you? You killed Dan Weston?” Lisa gasped.

  Fern’s eyes blazed, wild and furious. With shocking strength, she grasped Lisa’s arm. Somewhere in the dark, a door banged against a wall.

  “Ethan is mine. You will never take him away from me again. None of you will!”

  Fern’s head whipped around as she heard her own voice coming from two directions.

  “What’s that?” she demanded. “Where is that coming from?”

  Toby appeared, silhouetted in the light from the open door to the band room, gun drawn.

  “Mrs. Valentine, put your hands on your head,” he commanded.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Fern cried.

  Fern’s grip loosened, and Lisa wrenched her arm free. She stumbled backwards, scrambling away from Fern, gasping in relief.

  “You are under arrest for the murder of Dan Weston,” Toby said. “Put your hands on your head.”

  “I have a cigarette here, am I supposed to just throw it on the ground?” Fern said.

  “Drop the cigarette and put your hands on your head.”

  “But that’s littering!”

  “Mrs. Valentine, I will personally pick up the cigarette butt. Now put your hands on your head,” Toby said.

  With a little moue of distaste, Fern tossed the cigarette away and laid her fingers gently on her hairdo. Her eyes remained glued to the glowing red cherry of the discarded cigarette as Toby cuffed her hands behind her back.

  Toby began to read Fern her rights. She snorted.

  “The cigarette?” she said. “Or was that a filthy lie?”

  Toby continued with the recitation of rights but motioned to Lisa. Lisa picked up the cigarette and ground out the glowing tip. As soon as the cigarette was extinguished, Fern went limp, complying wordlessly with Toby’s directions.

  Chapter 31

  Lisa dropped the cigarette butt in the trash, her hand shaking. Lou and Penny came up to her, hugging her from either side.

  “Oh, sweetie, we’re so glad you’re safe,” Lou said.

  “Honestly, I don’t understand how you keep getting yourself into these situations,” Penny said.

  They gave Lisa another little squeeze and let go. Carly broke out of the crowd that was gawking from the double doors and walked over, baby Liam in her arms. Ryan Regent stood at the front of the crowd, watching Lisa closely.

  “I’d better check on the equipment,” Lou said. “I have a responsibility. Are you ok, honey?”

  “I’m ok, Dad.” Lisa took the clip-on mic out of her shirt pocket and switched it off before handing it to Lou. “Better take this thing back.”

  “Is the debate still happening?” Penny said.

  Lisa shrugged.

  “I’m going to find Claire Comstock before she declares me in violation,” Penny said.

  “How did you know it was her?” Carly said when they were alone.

  “I didn’t,” Lisa admitted. “I thought she was covering for her husband.”

  “When I heard your voices over the PA, I could hardly believe it,” Carly said. “What made you go at her like that?”

  “When I talked to her at the funeral, she was such a nasty gossip, I got the idea that if I told her someone was gossiping about her it would have an impact,” Lisa said.

  “You got that one right. Funny how the worst gossips hate it the most when other people talk about their business,” Carly said. “Where did you get the bit about a divorce?”

  “I remembered Mom saying something about the Valentines looking to list their house. My first assumption was they were divorcing, so I just ran with it.”

  Lisa yawned. As the adrenaline left her body, fatigue and hunger crept in as replacements.

  “I wish I knew how long I had to stay at this thing. I could really use something to eat,” Lisa said.

  “I don’t think your mom would be cool with you bailing on the debate,” Carly said.

  “Right, the debate.”

  “Here, I have a granola bar in the diaper bag.” Carly rummaged in her bag and pulled out a slightly bedraggled granola bar.

  “Wow, you really are a mommy now,” Lisa said. She took the granola bar and peeled back the wrapper.

  Liam wriggled in Carly’s arms. “Let’s go back in while this little guy is still happy.”

  In the band room, Penny stood near the front door to the room with Claire Comstock and Ethan Valentine. Ethan’s face was bright red under a layer of makeup. Lisa could see the edge of the makeup by his ear. His furious whispered conversation was drowned out by the chatter of the crowd on the risers. A contingent of protesters with Olivia and Billy Jack kept trying to start up a chant against Bargain Box.

  “What’s going on?” Lisa whispered to Carly.

  Carly shrugged. “No clue.”

  “I’d better find out.”

  Lisa strode across the room to the trio by the door.

  “…this obvious favoritism,” Ethan was saying as she approached.

  “I fail to see how your wife’s actions could constitute favoritism on my part,” Claire said. “And I resent the implication.”

  “Hey, everyone,” Lisa said. “What’s going on? Isn’t the debate supposed to start about two minutes ago?”

  Ethan shot a glare in her direction. “I was just telling this so-called moderator that we obviously need to postpone so that I can attend to my wife.”

&nbs
p; “This is the time you agreed upon,” Claire retorted. “If you think my time is so worthless that I can just be sent away and summoned back at your convenience, you’re sorely mistaken.”

  “We can get another moderator,” Ethan said.

  “The election is in four days,” Penny said. “This is the time and place we could get. Do you know how much work it was to set this up? Lisa can tell you.”

  Lisa nodded. “It was a lot of work. But don’t worry, if you want to call it off, we can send all these lovely voters home. They’ve already had a show.”

  Ethan’s hand curled into a fist. “Why, you rotten little nothing! I’m going to—”

  “Sir, I’m about to take your wife to jail,” Toby cut in. “If you’d like to add an assault charge for yourself, go ahead and finish threatening Miss Chance.”

  “When I get back in office, I’m going to talk to the chief about you,” Ethan said. “I’m a man of importance in this town.”

  “I think we’re about done here,” Claire said. She switched on her microphone and stepped to the front of the room.

  The audience quieted, with a few stray anti-Bargain Box chants dying out last.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience,” Claire said. “Due to circumstances, the remainder of tonight’s debate has been cancelled. Please file out in an orderly fashion. Thank you, and good night.”

  Ethan’s eyes bulged with anger. “You can’t do that! I never agreed.”

  “She’s the moderator,” Penny said. “And she just did do that.”

  “What kind of circus are you running here?” he yelled.

  “Good night and good luck,” Penny said. “Don’t forget to return your microphone.”

  Ethan ripped the mic off his lapel and threw it at Penny, then stormed out of the room. A laugh went up among the audience who saw it. Penny blinked in embarrassment, then mugged for the audience, getting a smattering of appreciative applause.

  “PBC! PBC!” the protesters started a new chant, and the crowd took it up.

  Penny beamed.

  Lisa waited while everyone left except herself and Lou. They worked together in companionable silence, moving the chairs out and the music stands back in. When they’d finished putting the band room back into its original state, Lou put an arm around his daughter’s shoulder.