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

had puzzled the local authorities.  All I’m asking, Dr. Barnes, is for your professional expertise in helping James—even if he doesn’t appear to want any help at the moment.  I’m sure that eventually he will come to grips with Stacy’s death and will want to discover the person who is responsible.”
    “Mr. Dobbs,” replied Pamela, leaning back in her desk chair and folding her arms.  “I would certainly be willing to assist your candidate and friend in clearing his name if I could.  I just don’t see how my particular expertise can help in Mr. Grant’s circumstances.  I mean, it’s not as if the police have recordings of him—or anyone–committing the crime but don’t know the identity of the perpetrator.  My expertise is basically in using acoustic technology to differentiate one human voice from another.  I don’t see as to how Mr. Grant’s voice comes into play at all in this case.”
    “That’s true,” agreed Dobbs, with a quick glance at Willard, “but Willard tells me that you have gone beyond your primary research areas from time to time in your crime fighting efforts.”
    Pamela chuckled.  “He did, did he?”
    “No more than I would do, my dear,” said Willard sweetly to Pamela.  “You are a champion of the down-trodden.”  His cheeks puffed out and his dimples indented. 
    “Willard, flattery,” she said, “and all that.  All right, Mr. Dobbs, what is it you want me to do?”
    “Just be aware,” said Dobbs.  His smile vanished and he bent towards her, leaning his long, expressive fingers dramatically on his kneecaps.
    “That doesn’t sound too demanding,” responded Pamela.
    “Just be aware of what’s going on in the investigation,” he continued, “and if you see—or hear—anything that seems even the slightest bit out of the ordinary, please let me know.  And Willard and Joan, I would ask the same of the two of you.  I’d like to count on you three as my faculty contingent.  You three are psychologists with expertise in different areas.  I’m hoping that the three of you can put your educated heads together and ferret out a clue or two that might explain what happened.  Why did James get arrested for a murder he didn’t commit?”
    “I guess if we’re going to do any ferreting, we should include our animal psychologist—Arliss?” suggested Joan.
    “By all means,” agreed Pamela, with a shrug.  “The more, the merrier.”  She would obviously need all the help she could get.
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    “. . . and as he is presently in jail without chance of bail, it is the contention of our campaign that Mr. Grant should remove his name from the ballot.  After all,” continued incumbent Mayor Hap Brewster, a barrage of microphones vying for attention in front of his face, “if a candidate is incapable of serving, then he has no business running.”  As the mayor looked directly into the nearest camera lens, several reporters peppered him with additional questions.
    “He’s disgusting,” said Pamela to her husband as they nibbled on squares of meat and vegetables that were skewered to long pokers.  A fondue pot bubbled away on a low table in the center of their living room and the couple lounged on pillows on the floor, dipping their food tidbits into the boiling liquid.  They were each sipping a fruity Cabernet.  “He’s really seeming to enjoy the fact that James has been arrested.”  Candide remained a respectful but eager distance from the savory-smelling meat.
    “It does leave him without an opponent,” noted Rocky, gnawing on a large chunk of beef and several small onion pieces.  Candide moaned audibly.
    The local news program returned to the studio anchor who noted almost the same thing—but in much less biased terms.  With James Grant in jail, unable to get released on bail, and a trial probably weeks, if not months away, it appeared that Hap Brewster would easily be re-elected in November.  Even with James’s recent