Olivia and Erica took a seat nearby on a plush sofa in a stylish cream color with dark green stripes as Audrey pushed back from her seat and hauled herself awkwardly to her feet before disappearing through a door behind her desk.
“Aww, she’s got a waddle.” Erica laughed quietly.
“Do you two know each other well?” Olivia asked.
“We went to school together. She got married last spring, and this is her first baby.”
Olivia nodded. “So, the mayor’s your godmother then?”
“Yes,” Erica answered. “Known her all my life. I want you to know you can trust her. Although she was the one who appointed Walcott, she is fair. She’ll take this situation seriously.”
“I hope so.” Olivia sighed. “The last thing I need is someone else in authority after my head on a plate.”
“It’ll be fine.” She patted Olivia’s hand reassuringly. “Trust me.”
“It seems it’s your lucky day.” Audrey reappeared. “Her next appointment had a minor fender bender out on South Ridge Road and has been delayed. She can fit you in now.”
“Thanks, we appreciate it.” Erica nodded as she rose from the sofa, beckoning for Olivia to follow her.
The first thing Olivia noticed was how elegant yet homely the mayor’s office was. The second thing was the woman herself as she rose from behind the antique walnut desk to greet Erica. She had to be in her fifties, but the woman didn’t look a day over forty. Her dark brown hair shone in a sassy jaw-length bob, and her face held a few faint lines, just the odd one at the corner of her eyes. She embraced Erica affectionately before smoothing her peach-colored pantsuit and turning her curious brown eyes on Olivia.
“This is Olivia West,” Erica introduced. “She’s a client and a friend. Olivia, this is Tammy Burnett.”
“Mayor Burnett.” Olivia held out her hand.
“Miss West.” Mayor Burnett took her hand, but there was something in the older woman’s eyes Olivia couldn’t quite put a name. “I seem to be hearing your name a lot.”
“I’ll bet,” Olivia murmured.
“Please.” She gestured for them to take a seat on a curved, pearl-gray couch, then settled herself on the matching chair. “Now, what exactly can I do for you?”
“It’s a bit of a delicate situation,” Erica began in a crisp, professional manner. “I’m actually here in a formal capacity. The truth is, we’re here to make a complaint against Chief Walcott.”
“I see.” Mayor Burnett’s lips pursed. “Please continue.”
“Olivia had nothing to do with the murders and didn’t know either victim personally, having only met each of them once in passing. There is no physical evidence or motive tying her to either victim and although the remains were discovered in the woods, neither body was on her property. Yet Chief Walcott has pursued her with extreme prejudice. She’s trying to start a new life in Mercy, but Chief Walcott continues to spread unfounded accusations about her. He has her followed every time she leaves her property, which I shouldn’t have to point out is an appalling misuse of police resources, and constitutes harassment. He’s accosted her in public, threatened to arrest her without substantial cause. She’s been extremely tolerant up to a point, but this is too much. He either needs to leave her alone, or we will have no choice but to sue.”
“I see,” the mayor repeated. “Ms. West?”
“It’s true,” Olivia confirmed. “Chief Walcott has treated me like a criminal from the moment I stumbled across Adam Miller’s body. I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. I wasn’t even alone. I had one of his own deputies with me, as well as a friend.”
“Jake Gilbert and his sister, Louisa Linden,” the mayor replied. “I’ve read the reports, Ms. West. I do like to know what’s going on in my town, particularly when my residents start turning up dead.”
Olivia nodded, then drew in a nervous breath and took a chance. “Do you know about the murders twenty years ago?”
“I do,” she said after a moment.
“Well, I didn’t. Chief Walcott took great delight in blindsiding me with them when he was questioning me about Brody Walker’s disappearance, right before he basically insinuated that my father was responsible for them.”
“I am aware of Chief Walcott’s theory.”
“Look”—Olivia gave a tired huff and rubbed her forehead—“I can’t tell you what the truth is. I was only eight years old when my dad killed my mom. I never would have thought he’d ever be capable of what he did to my mom or my grandmother, so I can’t tell you whether he was capable of the other murders. Turns out I never knew him at all.”
“I understand,” Mayor Burnett replied sympathetically.
“But Chief Walcott doesn’t.” Olivia sighed. “It’s becoming an obsession for him. He genuinely believes that my father is a serial killer and that I am his protégé. Nothing I say or do can convince him otherwise. I want to make a life for myself here. I love the lake house. It’s a reminder of some of the best parts of my childhood, and it’s my mom’s childhood home. In a way, it’s like being close to her again. But what Chief Walcott is doing to me, simply because he has a grudge against my father is cruel. Not only that, but he’s also putting lives at risk by fixating on me and not catching the real killer.”
Mayor Burnett pursed her lips as she studied Olivia. “Very well. I will review the situation thoroughly, and if I find Chief Walcott has acted in a way contrary to the oath he took when he assumed office, he will be reprimanded in a fitting manner. I can only apologize for the situation you have been placed in and assure you I will take this matter very seriously.”
