Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

M arnie Wilson’s campaign office, bustling with the fervent energy of campaign work, was alive with the sound of ringing phones and clicking keyboards. Brightly colored posters adorned the walls, their slogans vying for attention, while a table laden with donuts and coffee cups hinted at the long hours spent here. The air was tinged with a mix of determination and exhaustion.

Lucy was immediately the center of attention, drawing smiles and gentle pats from the campaigners. The soft clatter of her nails on the tiled floor mixed pleasantly with the hum of conversation.

Amid the congenial chaos, a young woman approached them. She was the embodiment of youthful dedication, with honey-blond waves framing her face and a Marnie Wilson campaign T-shirt hugging her frame. Her enthusiasm was almost palpable, a bright note in the otherwise mundane room.

“Hi there! Can I help you?” she asked, her voice ringing with an upbeat tone that echoed around the room. “Alex, our campaign manager, isn’t in yet, but I’ll try to assist. I’m Amelia Donovan. Are you here to volunteer for Marnie?”

Exchanging a glance with Jo, Sam raised a brow. Clearing his throat, he braced himself to deliver the news that would undoubtedly dampen the vibrant atmosphere.

“We’re actually here about Alex,” he said, his voice steady yet sympathetic.

The eagerness in the young woman’s eyes dimmed, replaced by a flicker of concern. “What about him?” she asked, her brows knitting in worry.

“He’s been found dead,” Sam disclosed, the words casting a palpable shadow over the room.

The reaction was immediate. The once-lively space fell into a hushed stillness, the only sounds now the muffled rustling of papers and the low murmur of disbelief. The campaigners’ faces, moments ago alight with the zeal of political ambition, now mirrored shock and grief.

“What? How?” someone whispered, their voice a mere breath in the suddenly oppressive air.

“We’re still investigating.” Sam didn’t want to give them the disturbing details. Glancing around, he noted Marnie’s absence, a fact that brought a sense of relief. With her out of the picture for the moment, he could probe deeper without the complication of her scrutinizing presence. He cleared his throat, his voice firm as he addressed the crowd.

“Does anyone know if someone wanted to hurt Alex?” he asked, his gaze sweeping over the sea of faces.

A young man with a nervous twitch in his eye stepped forward, wringing his hands. “No, no way. Alex was well-liked. We’re all here for the same cause, right?”

Sam nodded, taking in the earnestness in the young man’s eyes. “Maybe someone else. A friend or even some altercation that might have happened?”

The crowd all looked at each other, shaking their heads.

“What was his mood like recently?” Sam pressed on, watching the reactions ripple through the group.

A woman with streaks of gray in her hair and a motherly demeanor chimed in, her voice heavy with sadness. “He was grieving, of course. His grandfather’s passing hit him hard, but Alex was strong. He wouldn’t let it derail him.”

“They were close, weren’t they?” Sam prodded further, his eyes scanning for any flicker of hesitation or unspoken words.

“Oh, very,” added another campaign worker, a tall man with stooped shoulders. “His grandfather was like a mentor to him. But to suggest that his sadness... It’s just unthinkable.”

Continuing his questioning, Sam shifted his focus, delving deeper. “Had Alex been arguing with anyone lately? Any unusual visitors or calls?” he asked, his voice even but probing.

A bespectacled young woman, her hair tied back in a practical ponytail, stepped forward. “Not that I know of,” she said, her voice steady but her hands betraying her nerves as they fidgeted with the hem of her cardigan. “Alex was easygoing. He avoided conflicts, mostly.”

As he listened, Sam’s attention was partially divided. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Lucy trotted off toward the back of the room. The campaign staffers continued to pet her absentmindedly as she passed, but her focus was unwavering.

She headed straight toward someone in the back who was on their phone, back turned to the crowd. Lucy sniffed the person then looked back at Sam. Sam took note as the person hung up and turned back around, eyes widening upon seeing Sam watching them.

Sam continued asking questions, wondering in the back of his mind why Lucy had called attention to that individual. A few minutes later, his questions were answered when the front door burst open and Marnie Wilson marched in.

Her presence was commanding, her strides purposeful as she made a beeline toward Sam.

“I heard about Alex,” Marnie stated, her voice laced with a mix of urgency and control. “Is it true?”

Sam met her gaze, his expression solemn. “I’m afraid so.”

Marnie’s face contorted briefly with shock and sadness, but she quickly regained her composure. She straightened her back, narrowing her eyes slightly. “You surely don’t think this has anything to do with my campaign, do you?”

“It’s standard procedure to start our investigation at the victim’s workplace.” Sam replied smoothly without really answering her question.

“Victim?” Marnie echoed, her voice catching on the word. “You mean... he was murdered?”

Sam half shrugged, his eyes not leaving hers. “We haven’t determined the cause of death yet.”

Marnie’s reaction was calculated. She glanced around at her team, who were hanging on every word.

Turning back to Sam, she composed herself. “Well, please do whatever you need to. Alex was a valuable member of our team. We want to help in any way we can.”

Seamlessly transitioning into her role as a politician, she turned to address the room, her voice resonating with a blend of grief and determination. “Everyone,” Marnie began, her tone commanding the attention of all present, “today, we’ve suffered a tremendous loss. Alex was not just our campaign manager; he was a friend, a confidant, and a pillar of our team.”

A hush fell over the campaigners as they listened, some nodding in agreement, others wiping away tears.

“But we must remember,” Marnie continued, her voice rising, “Alex believed in what we are doing here. He worked tirelessly for this campaign because he believed in a better future for our community.”

She paused, letting her words sink in. “In his memory, let’s honor his dedication. Take the time you need to grieve, but let’s also carry forward his passion. We owe it to Alex to make this the best campaign ever!”

Applause broke out, a mixture of respect for Alex and admiration for Marnie’s leadership.

Sam took that as his cue to leave.

“I don’t think we learned very much in there,” Jo said as they got into the Tahoe. “What did you think of Marnie’s reaction?”

“She acted upset, but it seemed just that—an act,” Sam observed, squinting thoughtfully.

Jo nodded, her expression mirroring Sam’s skepticism. “Yeah, she didn’t miss a beat before turning it into a campaign rally. No doubt she’s not letting anything slow down her run for mayor.”

“She’s a politician through and through,” Sam mused, his mind already turning over the day’s events. “But we can’t rule out anything or anyone yet. This is just the start.”