Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

S am headed straight to the town hall to see if he could get Mayor Jamison to fast-track the warrant. Jamison wasn’t in his office. His assistant pointed Sam toward the campaign office on the other side of town. It was nearly five o’clock. He hoped Henley would still be at campaign headquarters.

Jamison’s makeshift campaign HQ was in an old mill building that had been vacant for more than a year. The brick building’s weathered exterior was a stark contrast to the sleek campaign posters plastered on the windows. Sam pulled into the gravel parking lot, the Tahoe’s tires crunching beneath him. As he approached the door, Lucy at his heels, it swung open, and the pungent aroma of cigars assaulted his nostrils.

Lucy stopped short and let out a low growl.

Victor Sorrentino let the door close. He wasn’t smoking a cigar, but the stench clung to him. His polished suit and expensive shoes seemed out of place in the rustic setting.

“Chief Mason.” Victor smirked. “Is someone under arrest, or is this just a social call?”

Sam met Victor’s gaze, refusing to be intimidated by the man’s presence. “Just business as usual with the mayor.”

Victor chuckled. “Of course. Well, don’t let me keep you.”

As Sam made his way inside, he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Henley had seemed wary of Victor previously. It was one of the reasons Sam had initially preferred Henley over Marnie for mayor. Sam didn’t trust Convale or anyone tied to it. But now, with Victor’s unexpected appearance at Henley’s campaign office, Sam found himself questioning his assumptions.

The interior of the mill was bustling with activity, volunteers and staff members hurrying about with purpose.

Jamison emerged from a back room, a broad smile on his face. “Chief Mason! What brings you here today?” Jamison’s face softened as he knelt to greet Lucy, his hand outstretched.

The German Shepherd’s tail wagged enthusiastically as she nuzzled Jamison’s palm. Sam couldn’t help but smile at the interaction. Lucy’s instincts about people were rarely wrong, and her affection for Henley was another of the reasons Sam had initially preferred him over Marnie for mayor.

“She’s a good girl,” Jamison said, standing up and brushing off his slacks. “Now, what can I do for you?”

Sam’s expression sobered. “I’m here on official business, Mayor. It’s about the Alex Sheridan case.”

Jamison’s brow furrowed, a flicker of worry crossing his features. He glanced around the bustling room before gesturing toward a closed door. “Let’s talk in the conference room.”

As they entered the makeshift meeting space, Lucy padded alongside them, her nose twitching as she investigated the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was sparse, with a long folding table and mismatched chairs scattered around it.

Henley closed the door behind them, muffling the chatter from outside. “What do you need, Sam?”

Sam leaned against the table, his arms crossed. “I need a search warrant for the surveillance tapes at the Drunken Moose. Alex was there the night he died, and I believe those tapes could provide crucial evidence.”

Jamison’s shoulders tensed, and he avoided Sam’s gaze. “A search warrant? I don’t know, Sam. I don’t want to call in too many favors with the judge.”

Surprise etched itself onto Sam’s face. “This is a murder investigation, Henley. I thought you’d be more than willing to help.”

Jamison ran a hand through his thinning hair, his eyes darting around the room. “I understand, but... I just don’t want to ruffle any feathers, you know?”

Sam’s instincts prickled at Henley’s reluctance. Something wasn’t adding up. He fixed Henley with a steady gaze, his voice low and serious. “Mayor, I need those tapes. If there’s something you’re not telling me...”

Henley held up his hands in a placating gesture. “No, no. It’s nothing like that. I’ll see what I can do, Sam. I’ll talk to the judge and try to get that warrant expedited for you.”

Sam nodded, his suspicion not entirely abating. “Thank you, Henley. I appreciate it.”

As they exited the conference room, Sam couldn’t shake the feeling that Jamison was hiding something.

As he got into his car, he noticed a text on his phone. Jo and Bridget wanted to meet at Holy Spirits.

“Looks like you’ll have to hold the fort at the station for a bit.” He glanced at Lucy in the rearview mirror. “Try not to get into it with Major, okay?”

Lucy simply stared back at him, but Sam thought he saw a glint of mischief in her eye.