“You’re exactly what I need,” I replied thickly. “And I think my grandfather would have really loved you.”
***
Cadence let out a whistle. “I know my timing is terrible, but you clean up nice, Officer March.” I tugged at the sleeve of my dress uniform, acknowledging her compliment with a wink. She rubbed her finger over my name tag, smoothing away a smudge. “You look worried.”
I tried to make a grimace into a smile and she raised her eyebrow. “You weren’t supposed to notice.”
“Gonna need to try harder next time,” she informed me and I sighed. “What is it?”
“I just heard they’re bringing someone outside the department in to investigate the Chief’s death,” I answered and she winced.
“Can we not say the Chief’s death anymore?” She tapped my chest. “You’re the Chief now, remember?”
I shook my head ruefully. “It still feels surreal.”
“Why are you worried? It’s a good thing, right? About the investigation.”
“It is,” I said hesitantly and she narrowed her eyes at me. “You’ll be their primary suspect, Cadence. You’re the last person who saw him alive.” I set my hands on her waist. “You had motive. He was trying to kill you.”
“Okay, I’ll agree it looks damming, but I didn’t have a gun,” Cadence pointed out and I glanced down. “What is it now?”
“Ballistics came back,” I pressed my lips together. “They confirm what I already suspected.” She gave me a questioning glance and this time there was no smoothing my grimace.
“He was killed with his own gun,” Johnny reported, coming up behind me, and my mouth twisted in irritation. “He’s not supposed to tell you because you’re still technically a suspect.”
“You’re not supposed to know it either,” I reminded Johnny. “That’s confidential information.”
“I know a lot of things I’m not supposed to know,” Johnny assured us. “It’s one of my many gifts.” He looked at Cadence. “Will you excuse us for a second?”
“You’re asking?”
“Yes, and I’m already regretting it.”
“Are you going to talk about me?”
“No,” Johnny replied and she cocked her head in disbelief. “I swear,” he added with a roll of his eyes. “Now get.”
“Can you check on my mom for me?” I asked Cadence. “I don’t know how she managed to get the funeral planned in two days and she keeps telling me she’s fine, but I’m worried about her.”
“I’ll give you this, Officer March. You’re good,” Cadence answered, glancing between the two of us. “I’ll leave you two to your boy’s chat, the one that doesn’t involve me,” she verified, walking backwards a few steps. “The funeral starts in a few minutes,” she reminded us and I nodded.
Johnny waited until she was out of earshot before barking, “I will not allow her to be a suspect for a crime she didn’t commit.”
“You don’t think I know that,” I hissed. “The ballistics just came back today.”
“And now you’ve got outsiders looking into this mess.”
“I had no control over that,” I reminded him. “This goes over the Mayor and the city council.”
“Then we need to give them their killer,” Johnny commented. “Why didn’t you tell me he was killed with his own gun?” He demanded and my jaw locked. “We both know damn well there’s only one person who could have gotten the gun from your uncle when he was helpless.”
“I…I can’t,” I gritted out. “You know that.”
“I don’t care about the killer,” Johnny dismissed. “I only want the evidence.” He stepped closer. “You get me the gun and I’ll find the fall guy and solve both of our problems.”
“It’s a lovely day for a funeral,” the Mayor boomed jovially, startling both of us. He eyed Johnny. “We don’t want any problems, eh, Johnny?”
Johnny broke our stare, his smile sharp enough to wipe the pleasant expression off of the Mayor’s face, as he patted my shoulder. “Just paying my respects, Mayor. Just paying my respects.” He sent me a pointed glance. “I’m going to mosey on over and say hello to Belinda and let Cadence know I’m leaving.”
The Mayor came up to me after Johnny left, smiling once again. “We’ll get this all wrapped up in no time,” he said and I glanced at him questioningly. “Those investigators will come and find the girl shot him in self-defense.”
“Cadence,” I stated, a sour taste forming in my mouth.
“Yes, yes, the girl.” He shuddered. “Johnny’s girl. No surprise really.”
“She didn’t kill my uncle,” I responded sharply and the Mayor stared at me in surprise.
“She won’t get time.” He waved his hand. “Pretty girl like that. Probation at best.”
“She didn’t kill him,” I repeated, slower this time.
“Does it really matter,” the Mayor questioned, then caught a glimpse of my face. He took a few steps back. “Sometimes it’s just easier to let things go their natural way,” he said, digging the hole deeper.
“And sometimes it’s easier to just get a new Mayor,” I growled and the Mayor bowed up.