"You don't suppose she planned all that business with Fitzgerald just so she could run for sheriff herself?" Cynthia asked.
Dean just shrugged. "I'm not sure I'd put anything past Ms. Larkin. Every time I think I've figured her out, she goes and does the opposite."
"She filed yesterday afternoon," Fred reported. "As soon as Fitzgerald withdrew."
Dean sighed. "I'm not sure running against Lydia will be any easier than taking on Fitzgerald."
"Who she conveniently put out of the way-if you can believe what she told you," Cynthia said. "It still bothers me that no one seems to know what happened to him."
"If she knocked him off, next she'll be putting the blame on you," Fred said. "Then she'll be the one running unopposed."
"Damn," was all Dean could say. Until he knew exactly what had happened in Lydia's apartment and the details of Fitzgerald's departure anything was possible. He remained, however, uncertain how to do so without immersing himself further in Lydia Larkin's sordid activities. He didn't doubt that if it were to her advantage to do so, she'd have no compunction in involving him, however unfairly. The thought made him cringe.
Dean stewed over the question as the business of Bird Song continued. Martha bounced around, thrilled to be back in the routine, and joined Fred in passing out more campaign literature. Fred checked the e-mail in case metalman29 had responded, but no such luck. Later, he and Martha were to visit the library for more digging into the earlier disappearances now that the date of Martha's bones was better known. Each time the phone rang, Cynthia flinched, fearing some state minion was calling to drag Martha back to his lair in the dungeons of officialdom. But no such calls came, and breathing became easier as the day moved along.
Finally, after lunch, Dean telephoned Jake Weller, first to report on Martha's wellbeing and in hopes of learning more about Fitzgerald's whereabouts. Weller assured Dean that the authorities were satisfied with Martha's temporary situation. Patsy was still on the loose but she wasn't considered a threat to anyone. Her apprehension was assuming a reduced priority.
Fitzgerald still had not reported to Denver but it was now thought he'd taken a few days of leave to sort things out. Rumors continued to be rampant about his alleged culpability in Billy Langstrom's death.
"Why all the concern?" Weller asked. "Just count your blessings he's out of the running and now you're a slam-dunk to become Sheriff David Dean."
"Knowing Lydia Larkin, I'm not so sure."
"The gal has balls; no doubt about that. But don't sweat it. She won't beat you."