Alibis & Angels Page 20

  Sister Lou gave Ian an impish smile. “Is that the reason you’re pushing for tax abatements for businesses?”

  “New businesses.” Ian lowered his mug to his desk an arm’s length from his manila folders. “Mayor Stanley can’t understand the concept or the greater vision of the plan, either, which is the reason she’s so bullheaded about it.”

  Shari’s winged eyebrows flew up her forehead. “Do you often refer to the mayor as being bullheaded?”

  Ian was irritated again. “Everything I’m saying to you now, I’ve said directly to Mayor Stanley. I don’t talk about people behind their backs. They always find out. Things become very awkward when that happens. It makes it hard for people to trust each other enough to work together again.”

  Sister Lou stood. She had the information she needed. “Thank you for meeting with us, President Greer.”

  Ian rose to his feet. “Call me Ian.”

  “Thanks.” Shari smiled at the council president. Ian gave her a dry look, which only made Shari smile wider. She took Sister Lou’s half-filled coffee mug and carried it with her own back to Ian’s coffee station.

  Sister Lou waited for Shari to rejoin her before bidding Ian a good day and leaving his office. They hurried through the chill late-February air across the parking lot behind Ian’s company to Sister Lou’s Corolla.

  Shari leaped onto the passenger seat and turned up the car’s heater. “As cold as it is outside, it’s still warmer than Ian’s office. What is he trying to prove?”

  Sister Lou blew into her hands to warm them before she put her car in gear and navigated out of the lot. “I don’t know whether he was trying to prove anything with his freezing office, but I do know he’s not who we’re looking for.”

  Shari gave her a startled look. “How do we know that? I think he’s the perfect suspect. Did you see his desk? Talk about being well organized.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “And he didn’t deny wanting to be mayor of Briar Coast.”

  “That’s true, but—”

  “Since he and Heather are in the same party, short of primarying her, if Ian wanted to run for office during this election, he’d have to scare her out of Briar Coast.”

  Stopping the car, Sister Lou raised her hand, palm out, to catch Shari’s attention. “Those are all good points, Shari, but Ian isn’t who we’re looking for. He’s too direct and confrontational to send Heather anonymous threats.”

  Shari seemed to take a moment to process that. While she was processing, Sister Lou eased up to the parking lot’s exit. A quick check of the road showed a fleeting opportunity to merge into the traffic. Sister Lou took it.

  A startled squeak came from the passenger side of the car. Sister Lou shot a quick glance in Shari’s direction. “Are you okay?”

  Shari released the grab handle above the passenger-side window. “Yes. Sure. I just wasn’t expecting you to do that. Again.”

  “That’s what you said last time. I would think that you’d be prepared for it by now.” Sister Lou could feel Shari’s gaze on her.

  “And I’d think a sister would know that patience is a virtue. Would it really be so hard to wait for a break in traffic that was less risky before making your move?”

  It was Sister Lou’s turn to process Shari’s information. The young reporter was the only person who would let her drive. She could make the effort to operate the car more sedately. “I promise to try.”

  “That’s all I can ask.” Shari gave a satisfied sigh. “So we’re looking for someone who’s well organized and nonconfrontational. Where do those clues lead us?”

  Sister Lou paused. “Back to our suspect list.”

  Chapter 23

  Late Friday morning, Sister Lou stood with Shari outside the partially open door of Yolanda’s office. The mayor’s senior legal counsel was meeting with Tian, the communications director. Their animated voices carried beyond the room.

  Sister Lou hesitated. Should I come back later or interrupt them now?

  The decision was snatched from Sister Lou when Shari reached around her to knock on the door. Her action pushed the door open wider.

  “Hey, you two. Do you have a few minutes for us?” Shari’s tone hailed the other women with joviality as she gently nudged Sister Lou across the threshold.

  The two senior members of Heather’s administration rose to greet their guests. The warmth of Yolanda’s smile and bright eyes belied her coolly professional appearance in her ice blue skirt suit. She’d accessorized with thin gold jewelry. Although equally professional, Tian’s black pantsuit, worn with a scarlet sweater and chunky silver accessories, displayed more drama.

  Yolanda gestured toward the empty guest chairs beside Tian in front of her desk. “Please come in. We were just talking about both of you.”

  “It was all good, I’m sure.” Shari tossed her winter coat over one of the black cloth chairs at the small rectangular walnut wood conversation table.

  “Of course it was.” Yolanda lowered herself to her black faux leather seat.

  “We’re sorry to interrupt your meeting.” Sister Lou was relieved that the lawyer’s office was warm enough to shed her coat. She shifted her visitor’s chair closer to Tian to offer Shari more room before sitting on the padded seat. Sister Lou noticed a faint powder soft fragrance. Was it from Tian or Yolanda?

  “We’re finished with our meeting. We were just chatting.” Tian’s dark brown hair was gathered away from her face and fashioned into a bun at the nape of her neck. The style emphasized her large almond-shaped ebony eyes. “We were talking about Shari’s colleague, Harold Beckett.”

  Sister Lou glanced at Shari before returning her attention to the mayor’s staff. “Shari told me that Harold had caused a stir during the town council meeting Wednesday night.”

  Yolanda sat back on her seat and folded her hands together on her desk. Her long nails were polished with a neutral color. “What was he implying when he asked about Mayor Stanley’s meetings with Sister Lou?”

  Shari shrugged her narrow shoulders beneath her scarlet sweater. “Hal’s assigned to cover the election issues. I don’t know why he asked his question, and I have no idea why he chose to do so during the council meeting.”

  Yolanda turned her sharp eyes to Sister Lou. “Do you have any ideas, Sister Lou? I’d prefer to get ahead of any possible issues that may affect Mayor Stanley’s policies or agenda.”

  Sister Lou made a quick decision. She would step out on faith and pray that the truth would deliver a much-needed lead. “Perhaps he’s hoping to cover a story more controversial than our upcoming election.”

  Tian’s tone reflected her confusion. “What do you mean?”

  Sister Lou spoke gently. “Forgive me, but it seemed that Harold was implying that Opal’s death wasn’t an accident.”

  Beside her, Sister Lou felt Shari’s tension. She also sensed her trust.

  “But it was an accident.” Yolanda’s tone made it clear that she didn’t tolerate shenanigans.

  Tian’s gaze moved from Sister Lou to Shari and back. “The deputies said she fell.” Her trust in Briar Coast’s law enforcement sounded unshakable.

  “We know.” Shari’s voice was low and easy. “But Hal’s looking for a scandal, and everyone knows the mayor’s administration has its detractors.”

  Sister Lou smiled on the inside. Shari had recognized her strategy and was backing her up. In the five months that they’d been sleuthing together, they’d developed a silent communication.

  “Ah, yes. The old boy’s network.” Irritation flickered in Tian’s eyes. She shifted on her seat as though trying to find a more comfortable position. “You haven’t been here long, Shari, but I’m certain Sister Lou remembers the town’s previous administration. Their style of governing was the definition of insanity. They listened to the same people and did the same things year in and year out, but expected different results.”

  “Tian is blunt. She’s also right.” Yolanda smiled. The warmth betwe
en the two friends was as visible as Sister Lou believed the affection between her and Shari to be. “For the most part, Mayor Stanley’s detractors are angry that she turned away from what was familiar to them to try something new. She didn’t bring in old white men for her administration’s cabinet. Instead she brought in a cabinet of relatively young, very diverse women.”

  Tian scowled. “They call us Heather’s Harpies.”

  Yolanda winced. “That’s one of the nicer labels that they use. They also call us the coven.”

  “I’ve heard that one.” Shari wrinkled her nose in disgust.

  “Our congregation also is comprised of a diverse group of women who get things done.” Sister Lou felt a stirring of anger. “We’re active in the town, helping to raise awareness of vulnerable members of our community. It’s beyond me why in this day and age people would still oppose having female representatives in government.”

  “I don’t understand that attitude, either.” Yolanda shook her head in what seemed to be part bemusement and part regret. “It’s the twenty-first century, and the fact is women are the majority demographic in Briar Coast.”

  “The mayor’s political rivals aren’t the only ones who criticize her, though, are they?” Shari’s question brought the conversation back to their investigation. “Isn’t it true that people have a problem with her management style?”

  “Look around the office.” Yolanda gestured toward her office door. “Most of us on her executive team have been with her since the campaign. That’s more than five years. The newest members of her staff have served for an entire term.”

  Tian nodded with enough enthusiasm to shake free several strands of hair. “People who are applying for other jobs aren’t leaving because they don’t like working for Mayor Stanley. They’re leaving because they want to advance their careers.”

  Shari was persistent. “But people have complained about her. I’ve heard the criticisms. They say she’s hard to work for.”

  “She is.” Tian laughed. “Mayor Stanley is demanding, relentless, and tireless. She’s a perfectionist, but she gets the job done. Working for her is a rewarding experience because at the end of the day, you can point to what you’ve done to make a positive impact on the town.”

  “The proof is in the numbers.” Yolanda spread her arms. “Under Mayor Stanley’s administration, Briar Coast’s budget deficit has shrunk by more than thirty-three percent. When Mayor Stanley is reelected for a second term, we should be able to balance the budget. This will allow us to return normal funding to our schools, increase our emergency services staff, and do more infrastructure repair.”

  Yolanda’s and Tian’s belief in and dedication to Heather were contagious. Sister Lou wanted to grab the mayor’s campaign flyers and knock on residents’ doors. “It seems safe to say that you’re looking forward to campaigning for her again.”

  “Absolutely.” Tian nodded decisively. More strands of hair slipped free. “We need Mayor Stanley to be reelected.”

  Yolanda leaned into her desk as though for emphasis. “Briar Coast needs Mayor Stanley for a second term.”

  Perhaps Heather was right. Kerry, Arneeka, Yolanda, and Tian were far too devoted to their work and to the mayor to try to intimidate Heather into leaving Briar Coast. She still wanted to interview Penelope. Leave no stone unturned, but she was almost certain that the stalker they were looking for wasn’t in this office.

  “Thank you for speaking with us.” Sister Lou adjusted her hold on her coat and rose from her chair.

  Yolanda looked puzzled. “I thought there was something you wanted to ask me.”

  Sister Lou froze. She was hoping to make a smooth escape. She couldn’t lie, but neither could she come up with a plausible answer to Yolanda’s question.

  Is our cover blown?

  “No.” Shari leaped into the silence, walking backward out of Yolanda’s office. “We’re going to talk with Penelope. Like you said, the numbers are the proof of Mayor Stanley’s successful administration and she’s the numbers person.”

  “We should try to catch up with her before lunch.” Sister Lou hurried after Shari. She waited until they were several strides away from Yolanda’s office before speaking. “Well done, Shari.”

  “We’re going to have to work on your acting skills, Sister Lou.” Shari stopped in front of an empty office. “Penelope’s not here.”

  Sister Lou checked her crimson Timex. It wasn’t quite noon. “Perhaps she’s in the breakroom.”

  As they passed Kerry’s empty desk, Jefferson pushed through the glass doors to enter the office suite. His black cashmere winter coat was folded over his forearm. A fashionable slim dark blue suit looked tailored to his tall, lean figure. The councilman’s aide looked like he was walking into a studio photo session for young, aspiring politicians.

  Sister Lou paused to smile at the young man. “Good afternoon, Jefferson.”

  “Good afternoon, ladies.” The newcomer slipped his hands into his front pants pockets as he split a look between Sister Lou and Shari. “Is Kerry around?”

  Sister Lou’s smile faded with concern. What had caused Jefferson to drive all the way from Buffalo to speak with Kerry in person? “She must have stepped away from her desk. I’m certain she’ll be back shortly. Is something wrong?”

  “No.” Jefferson shrugged. “I’m taking her to lunch.”

  Surprised, Sister Lou could only stare at him.

  “You drove all the way from Buffalo to Briar Coast to have lunch with Kerry?” Shari asked the question that was on Sister Lou’s mind. “Are you taking a two-hour lunch? Don’t you have to get back to work?”

  Jefferson’s smile seemed forced. “My boss understands.”

  “Nice boss.” Shari turned to continue on her way to the breakroom.

  “Enjoy your lunch.” Sister Lou nodded to Jefferson before turning to follow her friend. “I wonder if Kerry knew Jefferson was coming to take her to lunch.”

  Shari grunted again. “If not, the surprise will be on him. She might have made plans to have lunch with someone else.”

  Good point.

  They found Penelope alone in the executive kitchen-cum-breakroom, standing by the coffee station. She appeared to be in a fog as she stirred the hot beverage in her mug. Sister Lou crossed the white-and-silver-tiled floor to the newly appointed finance director. She sensed Shari close behind her.

  “Penelope?” Sister Lou repeated the young woman’s name when she didn’t at first respond.

  Penelope jumped. Her whole body shook. She blinked at Sister Lou and Shari as though she was waking up. “I’m sorry.” Her laughter was breathy and awkward. “I think I was woolgathering.”

  Sister Lou put a gentle hand on Penelope’s shoulder. The black wool of the finance and management director’s sweater dress was soft beneath her palm. “We didn’t mean to startle you.”

  Her woolgathering, as Penelope had called it, was understandable. With Opal’s death, Penelope had lost her boss and, by her own words, a good friend. Having to fill in for Opal meant she hadn’t had time to grieve her loss.

  It had only been eleven days since Opal’s accident; four days since her funeral. More than a hundred people had attended the service, according to Shari’s article. Mourners had come from other towns and other states to pay their respects. Opal’s fiancé had stood stoically with her family. Tears had streamed down his face beneath his sunglasses as Sister Lou, Sister Carmen, Chris and Shari had expressed their condolences.

  Penelope looked from Sister Lou to Shari. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  Sister Lou exchanged a look with Shari. In silent communication, they agreed this wasn’t the time to interview the new director.

  With her hand on the younger woman’s arm, Sister Lou guided Penelope to the same table where she and Shari had questioned Kerry four days before.

  “We wanted to see how you were doing.” Sister Lou took the seat beside Penelope. She glanced up as Shari settled onto the chair acros
s the table from the finance director.

  Penelope stared into her mug of black coffee. “Some days are harder than others.” She took a shaky breath. “Opal meant so much to me. She wasn’t just a boss, you know? She was a true mentor. And a good friend.”

  “I’m so very sorry for your loss.” Strangely, those words had never sounded more inadequate to Sister Lou. Then she remembered how they’d brought her comfort when her dear friend Dr. Maurice Jordan had been murdered.

  Shari lowered her voice and leaned closer to Penelope. “I wish I had known her better. She seemed like such a great person.”

  “She was the best.” Penelope seemed to get a burst of energy. “I learned a lot from Opal. She was so generous with her time and her knowledge. She wanted to help me advance my career. That was her goal for me.”

  Sister Lou had a flash of insight. “Do you think she was grooming you to take over the finance and management department?”

  “I don’t know.” Penelope flexed her shoulders restlessly. “I don’t think so. Opal loved her job and she loved working for Mayor Stanley.”

  That seemed to be a common theme among the mayor’s team. Sister Lou didn’t think the words were just lip service. She had the sense that the sentiment was very sincere. “Do you think Opal was hoping the mayor would be reelected?”

  “I think so.” Penelope blinked quickly as though struggling to hold back tears. “Although she used to say that she didn’t know whether she’d be able to survive two terms with Mayor Stanley. She meant it as a joke, but looking back, it seems almost prescient.”

  “That’s creepy.” Shari sat back on the hard plastic chair. Her cocoa eyes were dark and troubled.

  “Yes.” Penelope’s sigh quavered with unspent sorrow. “I just hope her other prediction doesn’t come true.”

  Sister Lou experienced a cold shiver of trepidation. “What was it?”

  Penelope looked up from her mug of untouched coffee and held Sister Lou’s gaze. “She didn’t think Mayor Stanley would survive two terms, either.”