Free Drop Dead Chocolate by Jessica Beck

dead like that was just so surreal.”
    “It wasn’t your fault,” I said. “Just because you filed to run against him doesn’t mean that you had anything to do with his murder.”
    “I’m dropping out, of course,” she said as she dabbed at her cheeks with a tissue.
    I had to walk softly here. “Momma, you’re a grown woman, and I can’t tell you what you should do,” I said softly, “but think about it for a second. If you quit, who’s going to be our next mayor?”
    “Evelyn Martin,” Momma said, a hint of distaste in her voice. “I don’t care. If she wants the job, she can have it.”
    “I understand your reaction, but there’s no need to make a decision right now. Let’s take a few days and think about it.”
    “Suzanne,” she said, looking hard at me, “I’m not going to change my mind.”
    “The filing deadline has already passed,” I said, “so there’s nothing to be gained by quitting now. Just don’t say anything to anyone about what you’re going to do. Would you do that as a favor to me?”
    “I don’t see the point, but very well,” Momma said. “Everyone in town must think I killed him. Why did it have to happen in my building?”
    “I didn’t even know you owned it until today,” I said as I settled down on the couch beside her. “Who else knew?”
    “It’s a matter of public record for anyone who wants to dig through the county books, but offhand I’d probably say that just Hannah knew for sure, since I bought it from her. Anyone else is strictly a matter of speculation.” Momma stood and began pacing. “Suzanne, you know I don’t usually approve of you meddling into police investigations, but I’m afraid you don’t have any choice this time. You need to find out who killed the mayor.”
    “I will, but there’s some good news, too: Jake’s coming to town,” I said. “He’s been assigned the case.”
    “How does that affect the two of you?” she asked. Leave it to Momma to worry more about my personal relationship than any of her own difficulties.
    “We aren’t going to see each other while he’s investigating,” I explained. “It’s going to be tough, but there’s really nothing we can do about. I trust him, Momma.”
    “As do I, but we both know full well that many of our fellow citizens won’t cooperate with his investigation. You need to get Grace and George and start poking around behind the scenes. Folks around here will talk to you.”
    “Even if you’re a suspect in their minds?” I hated to say it like that, but I didn’t really have any choice. Momma and I weren’t big on tiptoeing around things, and it wasn’t the time to start now.
    “Don’t you see? Because of that, you’ll have an easier time asking questions. You have a stake in the matter, after all.”
    “I can’t believe you’re suggesting it, but I like it. What do you think Chief Martin is going to say about it?”
    “It’s not his investigation anymore, is it? You worry about Jake and leave Phillip to me.”
    “With pleasure,” I said. I shook my head and added, “I’ll tell you the truth: I really don’t want to see Evelyn Martin running April Springs. I’m not sure how you could do that to all of us. Let’s face it, she’d make a lousy mayor, and you know it. You could do better just by showing up once in a while.”
    Momma nodded. “Perhaps you’re right, but if I do keep my name on the ballot, I won’t campaign. That means no signs, no badges, no ads. If folks want me, they’ll have to decide for themselves.”
    It was a concession on her part, and I knew how hard it must have been for her to say it, but I couldn’t let it go at that. “Even Evelyn might beat you if she campaigns and you don’t. Folks have to know that you’re running, and you need to remind them that they have a choice.”
    “That’s final, Suzanne. If you agree to no campaigning, then I won’t withdraw from the election. But if I see one flyer, one poster, or one yard sign