Page 3 of Ghostly Bother
Once in, Angus secured the seat belt and closed his eyes. He dreaded what they were about to do. Trying to be compassionate while also trying to make sure the husband wasn't their main suspect took tact he wasn't feeling tonight.
"Find her address and put it in the GPS for me." Franks started the car and weaved through the mess of other vehicles around them.
"She lived in the same neighborhood of that attorney whose daughter died, Bloomquist," Angus told him.
"Ah, figures. Public servant living the high life with the rich folks." Franks didn't like the mayor any more than Angus did.
"Yeah, I heard her husband owns an auto shop in town, so I don't think the money came from him, but I could be wrong." Angus would hold off judgement until he learned more.
"I'd bet her money comes from skimming off the city budget." Franks rolled down his window halfway as they finally got through the traffic at the scene.
"You're probably right. Have you met the husband?" Angus asked.
"No, only seen him at events. I've heard he's down to earth and people are surprised he's with the mayor." Franks shook his head. "I shouldn't be shocked someone killed her, but I am."
"Guess that security team of hers wasn't with her tonight." Angus thought back to a case where they'd arrested the head of her security team for murder. "Then again, considering Mel Wickman led the team, maybe one of them murdered her. When I got the call, I joked with Lance that our suspect list would be a mile long." Angus sighed. "Wonder who takes her place now?"
"I think the city manager will step in until we can have an election. I'm not sure. Maybe one of the city council members?" Franks shrugged.
"All who are just as dirty as the mayor was. Remember we heard that they were auditing the mayor's office. I wonder if anything ever came of that?" It had been months since Angus had heard that rumor.
"I heard they were still looking into things. Maybe it has something to do with her murder. Perhaps she knew something someone was afraid she'd tell."
Angus shook his head. "It would be more likely she'd kill to keep someone quiet about her dealings."
"True." Franks nodded. "House is up this street."
Angus glanced at the clock on the dashboard, seeing it was almost ten. "Let's hope the kids are in bed. This is going to be hard enough without little ears around." As they pulled up tothe curb of the beautiful two-story home, he mentally prepared himself for what he was about to do. Despite his feelings toward the mayor, this was going to be hard news to deliver to the man she'd married. He had to remember the people involved and not the politics. The sooner they got the hard part done, the sooner they could start working the case.
CHAPTER TWO
Angus tried not to compare the beautiful yard to his own. Even in the dark he could see the perfectly manicured bushes, the flower gardens that somehow, despite being the middle of fall, seemed to be flourishing. While Lance usually mowed their lawn when it needed it, that was about all they did. What flowers they had lining the bushes had died off a month ago.
"Must be nice to have the money to have a landscaper." Franks headed up the pathway to the front porch where a porch light nicer than anything Lance and him had inside their own home lit the area.
"Can't help but wonder if our tax dollars pay for all this." Angus tried not to be critical, but it was hard knowing the rumors about the mayor's illegal spending. He took a deep breath, reminding himself why they were there. This wasn't the time to be critical. No matter his feelings about the mayor, he didn't know her husband. The news of the mayor's death would upend this family's world. He had to remember that and not focus on his issues with the mayor.
"Ready?" Franks reached out to press the doorbell.
"Never, but it has to be done." Angus heard the tone of the doorbell echo within the home.
They waited in silence for several moments before they heard a noise on the other side of the door.
There was a click, then a male voice coming through the small intercom connected to the doorbell. "Can I help you?"
"I'm Detective Franks, and this is Detective Young with the Fairway Police Department. Could we speak with you for a few minutes?" Franks asked.
"Are you looking for the mayor? I'm afraid she's not home yet," the man told them.
"No, we are here to speak with her husband, Michael Anderson. Is that you?" Franks asked.
"It is. Can you hold up your badge or I.D. in front of the camera so that I can confirm that you're really the police?" He sounded curious, but cautious.
Angus didn't blame the guy for being paranoid. The mayor had enemies, and the family had probably gone through training on how to stay safe and handle every possible situation that might come up. Angus pulled out his wallet and showed his I.D. along with his badge. Beside him, Franks did the same.
The sound of the lock opening was followed by the door swinging open. A tall dark-haired bearded man smiled at them. "Sorry, but Eden insists we be careful."
"Rightfully so." Angus nodded.
