A Judgment of Whispers Read Online Free Page B

Turpin and headed for her table of supporters in the back of the room. Ginger Cochran was there wearing sunglasses and a straw hat pulled low over her face. As Sheriff Jerry Cochran’s wife, she wasn’t supposed to get involved in politics. But as Mary’s best friend, she’d been heavily involved since day one. She split the difference by coming incognito.
    â€œSo how’d I do?” asked Mary.
    â€œFantastic!” Ginger gave her a hug. “That story about your mom was incredible.”
    â€œIt was a stroke, Mary,” said Anne Babcock, a former beltway lobbyist now retired to the Carolina mountains. “Having a candidate who was also a victim gives a whole new level of voter identification. We can really run with this.”
    Anne’s words made Mary uncomfortable. She’d told of her mother’s death to explain who she was as a person, not to add an extra coat of gloss to her burgeoning political career. “But … ”
    â€œAnd just look at what Grace Collier brought over.” Emily Kurtz pushed an older woman forward. Like Mary, she had black hair and olive skin, but with dark eyes and a stockier frame. She carried an artist’s portfolio that she unfolded across the table, displaying an array of artwork for political signs. Each design was beautiful, with stylized mountains in blue and green. Mary Crow’s name was always prominent in black letters, but with a tiny crow sitting atop the O in her last name.
    â€œGrace!” Mary cried. “These are beautiful!”
    â€œI hoped you’d like them,” she said, pulling at one of the long-sleeved shirts she always wore buttoned at the wrists. “I didn’t know what your campaign slogan would be, so I left a lot of white space between your name and the mountains.”
    Mary put an arm around her shoulders. “They’re just gorgeous. Cherokee, but not totally Cherokee. Just like me.”
    Smiling, Grace turned to Anne and Ginger. “Did you all ever decide on a slogan? I had to leave the last campaign meeting early.”
    â€œEqual Justice for All,” said Ginger. “The main plank of her platform. Turpin’s way too lax on domestic violence. Did you know he doesn’t keep the sex offender register up to date? And he considers spousal abuse a victimless crime! It’s so unfair, it’s just … ”
    â€œGinger.” Anne put a hand on the woman’s arm. “You’re preaching to the choir.”
    â€œOh.” Ginger looked at them. “I guess I am.”
    â€œListen,” Mary said. “I want to thank everybody for all their hard work. Grace, your posters are amazing; Ginger, your research is superb; Emily and Anne, you two have done an incredible job getting me started.”
    â€œIt’s our pleasure, Mary,” said Emily. “You’ll make a wonderful DA.” Always the taskmaster of the group, she looked at the women gathered around her. “When shall we meet again? Monday night at Mary’s office, just like always?”
    â€œI’ll order pizza,” said Mary.
    â€œAnd I’ll bring the wine,” Anne volunteered.
    â€œGreat. Then I’ll work out a campaign schedule and we’ll talk about that on Monday.” Emily smiled. “Thanks for coming, ladies. Mary, you were terrific!”
    Anne and Emily bustled off, politicos who had another candidate in neighboring Swain County. Mary and Ginger helped Grace pack up her artwork, then they all left the restaurant together.
    â€œGosh, Mary,” Ginger said as they stepped out into the bright morning light. “How does it feel to be a real candidate?”
    She thought of Turpin and her old disappointment when he hadn’t hired her, and of his snide remarks today about catching and releasing criminals. She had hated him for an awfully long time. “It feels great,” she said. “Like I’m finally going back where I