Stump Speech Murder by Patricia Rockwell Read Free Book Online Page A

frustration.
    “Unfortunately, the police are convinced that James did it,” said Dobbs, looking even more despondent.
    “Stop it, Martin,” said Willard.  “I’ve known you for years, and I’ve never known you to be a defeatist.”
    “It’s hard not to be a defeatist, Willard,” responded the younger man to the older one sitting next to him, “when James has totally given up himself.”
    “What do you mean by that?” asked Pamela, seated at her desk and riveted by the discussion going on around her.
    “I mean,” continued Dobbs, gathering the attention of his small audience with his expressive hands outstretched in an expansive gesture.  Pamela was hard pressed to say which man was more inspiring, the James Grant she had heard yesterday at the rally, or Martin Dobbs, his campaign manager, sitting here on her couch, pleading his case.  Dobbs continued, “I just spoke with James this morning.  He’s so devastated about his wife’s death that that’s all he can think about.  He seems totally oblivious to the fact that he’s been arrested for her murder.  Yes, he claims he’s innocent, but he doesn’t know who did it—and worst of all—he says he doesn’t care!”
    “What?” cried Joan.  “I can understand how upset he’d be over his wife’s death, but he can’t just give up!”
    “I know!” explained Dobbs, turning from Willard to face Joan.  “And I do think he’ll come around eventually, Dr. Bentley, but I don’t know when.  He’s just been dealt a terrible blow.  His own welfare—and certainly his campaign–are his last concerns!”
    “He needs a good lawyer!” suggested Willard.
    “He’s got one!” announced Dobbs, arms outstretched to everyone in the office. “Me!  He’s my top priority.  And, although I don’t want to belittle the importance of the campaign—because James and I got involved in the campaign together and we both had high hopes about that—but the campaign has to take the back burner for a while because—well, face it—there is no campaign if James is convicted of Stacy’s murder.”
    “Right,” agreed Joan.  “On the other hand, if—when–James is exonerated, the police will be forced to look elsewhere for her killer—and that may lead them straight to the Brewster camp.”
    “Don’t say that too loud,” noted Dobbs, waving his hands around like an old-fashioned Baptist preacher.  “If it’s true that the Brewster campaign had anything to do with Stacy’s death, then you can never tell where they have spies.” His gestures and facial expression created an impression of skullduggery and dark deeds.
    “I think you’re safe in my office,” suggested Pamela, looking around, suddenly fearful. “And, Mrs. Grant’s death may not be connected to Brewster and the election. There may be things going on that we know nothing about.  But, I agree that the main concern has to be exonerating James.  That may mean–as Joan implies–finding the real killer, if indeed, James is innocent.”
    “Anyway,” continued Dobbs, “I’m going to fight for James and defend him for all I’m worth in court.  I’ve hired an investigator too, and he’s looking into many of the obvious avenues.  And, of course, where the election is concerned, time is of the essence.  I—we—just can’t afford to let the legal system grind along at its typically slow pace.  We have to find out who really killed Stacy—and we have to do it quickly.  James needs everyone helping in every way possible. That’s why I asked to meet you, Dr. Barnes.”
    “Me?” asked Pamela.  Now she was curious.  The eyes of everyone in her office were fixed upon her.
    “I’ve known Willard,” continued Dobbs, “from our work together on our church Board of Directors for several years now.  Joan, of course, I met a while ago when she started volunteering on James’ campaign.  Both of them speak glowingly about your efforts in solving a number of local crimes that