I tossed open the office door without even knocking. Amelia was sitting on the plush leather couch and looked up. Her tear-stained face was red and blotchy. “I know what you’re going to say, so save your speech.”
Her words were slurred, her eyes glazed. The liquor decanter and the crystal glass were empty. “Whose idea was it to leak that your fiancé is running for office?”
“Mine,” Amelia said, trying to stand. She swayed before plopping back down.
Max and Carter hurried into the room behind me, and I shook my head. “Utter one word, and I’m gone.”
Max narrowed his gaze. Carter opened his mouth and then snapped it closed again. I returned my attention to Amelia.
“I didn’t want to be responsible for ruining his career. I’ve canceled all of my appointments and am willing to stay out of the limelight, making myself a harder target if it helps to catch whoever’s doing this. I’ll do it because I love Dexter and I love Pet, but I won’t be the reason he doesn’t reach his dreams.”
I grabbed an unopened bottle of water sitting on the tray across the room and handed it to her before moving the empty crystal decanter out of the way and sitting on the table in front of her.
“You took the choice away from him?”
“He would have given up his dreams to keep us safe,” she answered as a tear slid down her face.
“So, you did it for him? You called the press and leaked the information using a picture taken near the Christmas tree, and then you sent them a copy of the death threats?”
Her gaze shot up to mine. The fine lines between her eyes crinkled. “I did no such thing. That picture was horrendous.” Amelia rose, and I rose with her. She met my stare. “I didn’t send anyone the death threats either. All I did was tell them he was running for office.”
I shared a look with Max. “Don’t lie, Amelia. Max told me about the picture.”
Her gaze flew to Max, and she tilted her head. “I’m not lying, Ms. Bennett. I can prove it. I have those god-awful proofs. They were horrendous. Why would I show them to anyone?”
Amelia walked to the desk, and I stopped her from opening the drawer. “If it wasn’t you, whoever it was might have left fingerprints. Let me.”
I grabbed a tissue from the desk, and Amelia pointed out the drawer.
“The proofs are all in that file,” she said, pointing to a file labeled, Unusable Christmas Proofs.
I pulled out the file and flipped it open. Empty.
“It was there.” Confusion clouded her face. “It was in there. I swear it.”
“We believe you, Amelia,” Carter said.
The blood drained from Amelia’s face and was replaced with a hint of green. Her hand flew to cover her mouth. “I’m going to be sick.”
She ran from the room.
So, if Amelia was responsible for the senate announcement, who in the hell would have submitted the death threats and that stupid picture? I’d assumed they all came from the same place.
“Carter, can you get with the Chef Robin and have her bring in water, coffee, and crackers.”
“Sure.”
“Rose, can you get a forensic team to come collect this file and dust it and the desk for prints?”
“Absolutely.” She nodded but didn’t turn to leave. Instead, she crossed the room and spoke in hushed tones. “No one but Amelia has been in this office all day. Whatever was in that file wasn’t taken with me outside the door.”
I patted her arm. “I know. Where are Petunia and Cassandra?”
“Cassandra, and Chef Robin took Petunia to the park for a picnic. Her cell service is spotty. I’ve called and messaged for her to return.”
“The crappy cell service is hit or miss in that location,” I answered. “Does she know about the news report?”
“Ms. Delany sent extra detail to her location. I don’t know if they’ve reached her yet or not. No one has checked in.”
“Let me know when they have eyes on her.”
