Page 5 of The Sole Suspect
The crowd’s frustrated murmurs swelled. Sarah from The Hideaway clutched her phone, knuckles white around its edges. “So we just wait until something worse happens?”
“Document everything,” Martinez said. “Photos, timestamps, any suspicious activity.” She glanced at the brown paper bag in her hand. “I’ll file the report, but...”
“But the Historical District isn’t a priority.” The words tasted bitter. Two months ago, when that brick crashed through my window, they’d at least pretended to investigate. Now they didn’t even bother with the pretense.
My gaze drifted to the campaign signs mounted on the opposite sidewalk. Adelaide Fairfax’s elegant smile bore the same angry red markings that were all too familiar to me. My stomachclenched as I remembered the threatening note attached to that brick—the one that had come moments after Dominic and I...
No. I couldn’t think about that night. About his hands on my skin, his voice in my ear, the way he’d made me feel safe even as my world crumbled. About waking up alone.
“Leo?” Penny’s voice pulled me back. He tugged at my sleeve. “You okay?”
“Fine.” I straightened. “Just thinking.”
The timing felt too precise to be random, especially with the election approaching.
I watched Officer Martinez as she headed for her patrol vehicle. She suddenly paused mid-stride and swung back to face me.
“I’ll increase patrols when possible,” she offered, but we all heard the futility in her voice. With the police focused on more pressing matters downtown, our Historical District would have to fend for itself.
CHAPTER THREE
Leo
Hey, fancy playing detective today?
Penny
Leo Sterling-Hart, are you propositioning me on our day off?
Leo
Sort of. I want to interview the mayoral candidates about the vandalism. Care to join?
Penny
You bet! When and where?
Leo
Adelaide’s HQ. Half an hour work for you?
Penny
Perfect!
In its former life, the Millcrest Historical Society building served as the Millcrest Postal Office. The grand arched windows and ornate copper-domed clock tower spoke of an era when civic buildings were designed to inspire awe. Adelaide Fairfax’s smiling face beamed from every windowpane, framed by slogans promising to “Preserve Small-town Americana” and “Keep Millcrest Historical District’s Heritage Alive.” The bold red, white, and blue color scheme popped against the building’s weathered brick facade, drawing the eye of every passerby. I couldn’t help but admire her marketing team’s clever use of vintage-style typography that perfectly matched the historical aesthetic of the district.
Penny bounced on his heels beside me, pink hair catching the morning sun.
“Ready for this?” I asked, squaring my shoulders.
Penny grinned. “Born ready, darling.”
We pushed through the heavy oak doors into a scene of controlled chaos. Volunteers scurried about, phones rang incessantly, and the air thrummed with tension. My omega instincts prickled, sensing the underlying current of anxiety.
A harried-looking beta approached us. “Can I help you?”
“We’re here to see Councilwoman Fairfax,” I said, straightening my posture. “Leo Sterling-Hart and Penny Lee.”