AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The guard smiled in greeting. “Jessica, Detective Wilder—where can I direct you?”
Thorn was impressed. “Gary Yates out of Bangor, right?”
“I’m surprised you remember me.”
“Why? You were really helpful when we were tracking that money laundering scheme. I wondered what had happened to you the last time I was up there.”
“I’m head of security here. I was offered the job, and my wife and I thought Badger’s Drift would be a nice place to raise our kids. Besides, they were looking for a principal for the elementary school, so it seemed like the right thing to do. She doesn’t worry that I won’t come home every time I head to work.”
Thorn nodded. It wasn’t something he’d thought about and wondered if Jessica knew what she was signing up for. Did she even realize she’d signed up for anything? He’d felt awfully comfortable at her house and with her. Did a successful novelist even want to hook up with a homicide detective? Surely, she had better options.
Shoving his doubts and fears where Jessica was concerned away, he said, “We’d like to see Councilwoman Griffin.”
“That’s not a problem. She’s up on the second floor. Jessica knows the way. I’ll let her know you’re coming.”
“I’d prefer it if you didn’t,” said Thorn.
“Not a problem. If you need any kind of backup while you’re here in Badger’s Drift, just give me a call.”
Gary handed Thorn a slip of paper with a phone number on it.
As they headed to the elevator, Jessica said, “That was kind of weird.”
Thorn nodded. “Agreed. The stress must have been getting to his wife. Gary was climbing the ladder in Bangor. I fully expected him to make detective in homicide. He was good. Great instincts and knew how to question a suspect, but I suspect that sometimes a cop has to decide between family and his job.”
Jessica pushed the emergency stop button. “I don’t have but a minute but let me be clear. I know who you are. I know what you do, and I know why. I will never put you in the position of having to choose between me and your badge.”
Before the alarm could ring, she released the elevator and it continued to the second floor, stopping and opening its doors. They entered the Council’s suite of private offices.
“Hey, Jessica, when’s the next book coming out?” asked the receptionist.
“Hopefully, in the next couple of months. This is Detective Wilder with the State’s MCU. We need a few minutes of Selma’s time. We’re not on her schedule.”
The receptionist rolled her eyes. “Her and her schedule. I swear she spends half her day in there playing solitaire on her computer. Go on back. Want me to let her know you’re coming?”
“Not particularly,” quipped Jessica.
“No problem,” the receptionist said with a grin.
As they headed back, Thorn kept his hand on her elbow. “I’m starting to get the feeling people don’t like her.”
“Selma’s relatively new money, and she bought her way into local politics. She unseated a really nice guy who cared about people, had been on the Council for twenty years, and whose family goes back to the war of 1812.”
“That doesn’t bode well for me.”
“Nah, you’re with me, and the Murdochs helped found Badger’s Drift.”
“Am I with you?” he asked, hoping he didn’t sound needy.
“Tracer and Sudie seem to think so, and I’d hate to disappoint them.”
Thorn laughed. God, she was easy to be with. They entered Selma’s office only to be greeted by an officious assistant. Before the man could truly confront them, Thorn flashed his badge. “Major Crimes Unit. We need to see Councilwoman Griffin.”
“She’s in conference.”
“With whom?” demanded Thorn. “If you or the councilwoman are jerking me around, I’ll arrest you for hindering an investigation.”
The assistant slid past Thorn like Thorn was some kind of dragon. He knocked once on the door and then opened it, showing them in. “The gentleman is with the State Police. He insisted on talking with you.”
