Page 33 of Breaking Rules

“Of course, we need to prove the area where we think he went in is tied to the murder,” Sam said, his mind already racing ahead. “But there’s something else bugging me. That bag of money Harry said they found in the woods back in the day.”

Sam continued, “Harry made it sound like they didn’t search very thoroughly back then. And besides, they didn’t have Lucy. Maybe there’s something there that could help us.” He reached down to give the German Shepherd an affectionate pat.

At the mention of her name, Lucy’s ears perked up, her tail wagging slightly. Major, on the other hand, continued to snore softly atop the filing cabinet.

Wyatt frowned, his fingers flying over his keyboard. “I couldn’t find anything on Obsidian Enterprises, so how could we get permission to search again?”

Jo leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Maybe we don’t need permission. The FBI is up there digging already. Who would think a few cops searching would be out of place?” She shrugged. “And who would even be watching?”

Sam considered this for a moment, weighing the risks and benefits. On one hand, an unauthorized search could land them in hot water. But on the other hand, if they found something crucial to the case, it could be worth it.

“All right,” he said finally, his jaw set with determination. “Let’s do it. I want to get over to Marnie’s campaign headquarters, and it’s already late in the day. First thing tomorrow. But we need to be careful. No drawing undue attention to ourselves.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Sam, Jo, and Lucy strode into Marnie’s campaign headquarters, their presence commanding attention. The bustling activity ground to a halt as curious eyes darted their way. Sam scanned the room, his gaze lingering on each face, searching for a flicker of guilt or unease.

Amid the sea of desks, one stood out—Amelia’s, conspicuously empty. The sight of it sent a ripple of suspicion through Sam. Where was she? And why had she lied about her whereabouts the night of Alex’s murder?

Before he could ponder further, Marnie emerged from her office, her expression a mix of surprise and annoyance. “Chief Mason, Sergeant Harris. What can I do for you?” Her tone was clipped, her smile tight.

Sam met her gaze head-on. “We need to talk. In private.”

Marnie’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she maintained her composure. “I’m rather busy at the moment. Can this wait?”

Sam’s jaw clenched, his patience wearing thin. “I’m afraid not.”

A beat of silence passed between them, the tension palpable. Finally, Marnie relented with a sigh. “Very well. Come into my office.” She gestured for them to follow, her movements stiff and controlled.

Marnie settled behind her desk, her posture regal and unyielding. Jo and Sam remained standing while Lucy settled at their feet, her ears alert and her eyes watching Marnie with suspicion.

“What’s this about?” Marnie asked, her fingers steepled before her.

Sam glanced out into the other room then back at Marnie. “I noticed Amelia’s desk is empty. Is she out today?”

Marnie’s brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. “She took the day off. Why do you ask?”

Sam shrugged, his tone casual. “Just curious.”

Marnie’s lips pursed, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice. “I’m not a tyrant, Chief Mason. I allow my people to take time off when they need it.”

Sam nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Of course. I was just wondering how well you know Amelia.”

Marnie’s eyes narrowed, her guard rising. “Not particularly well. She’s a relatively new hire.”

Jo stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension. “She seems very ambitious.”

Marnie’s gaze shifted to Jo, a flicker of agreement in her eyes. “She is. The girl is a hard worker, always eager to take on more responsibility.”

Sam’s voice took on a thoughtful tone. “I imagine she was thrilled to be promoted to Alex’s position.”

Marnie nodded, a hint of pride in her voice. “She was. She pushed hard for the role, made it clear she was ready for more.”

Suddenly, Marnie’s expression shifted, suspicion clouding her features. Her eyes bored into Sam’s, and her voice was low and measured. “Why the sudden interest in Amelia? Do you suspect her of something?”

Sam shrugged, his expression nonchalant. “It’s probably nothing, but Amelia lied about where she was the night Alex was killed. In fact, we have surveillance that shows she was in the same bar. Might have been one of the last people to see him.”

Marnie’s brows shot up, surprise etched on her face. “I hadn’t noticed anything odd with Amelia or anything between her and Alex. As far as I know, Amelia will be back tomorrow. If there’s nothing further I can do to help...”

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