“I am out of my element, Marge. I’m a cop. I have no taste for the politics required of being sheriff.”
“You’re a good sheriff, and you’re better with politics than you think. You come across as genuine.”
“I don’t want to be good at it,” Bree grumbled. “Is Todd in yet?”
Marge shook her head. “I haven’t seen him.”
“He was running an errand this morning.” Bree considered how long it would take him to drive past suspects’ houses. An hour or two? “Let me know when he comes in.”
“Of course.”
Her desk phone rang. Marge reached across the desk and answered it. “Sheriff Taggert’s office.” Her frown deepened. “One moment, please.” She punched the “Hold” button and lowered the phone. “It’s that county supervisor, Madeline Jager.”
Bree extended a hand for the phone.
Marge held it out of reach. “Be careful. Madeline Jager would eat her own young for good PR.”
Bree sighed.
“Deep breath,” Marge instructed.
Bree did as she was told. Marge had worked in local government longer than anyone else. She knew everyone, and experience had given her the extraordinary ability to read and judge people. Bree exhaled, and Marge handed over the phone.
Bree pressed the button to release the hold. “Ms. Jager, what can I do for you?”
“Citizens are calling for your resignation, Sheriff.”
“Why?” Bree asked.
“You know why.”
“Explain it to me.” Bree held back the like I’m five. She thought it was likely implied.
“Moral decency is a prerequisite for public office.” Jager’s voice rang with superiority.
“Is it?” Bree asked.
Ms. Jager sputtered. “Well, it should be. You’re supposed to be a role model, particularly for young girls. How do parents explain your appearance in pornography to their children?”
“Why are parents allowing their children to view pornography?”
“That’s not the point,” Jager snapped.
Bree fought her temper. Usually, she had very good self-control, but the situation was taxing her patience. She carefully neutralized her voice. “Then what is the point?”
“The point is that your image was utilized on pornography,” Jager said, her voice ringing with a condescension she had no right to feel. “It’s indecent!”
“How does anyone control how publicly available images are utilized? We know the videos and photos are fake.”
“Do we?” Ms. Jager said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
An ache formed behind Bree’s eyes, but she refused to take the bait. She kept her voice level. “Yes. We do.”
Jager huffed. “What am I supposed to tell the citizens?”
“How about the truth?” Bree suggested. “The computer forensics techs can easily tell that the images have been manipulated. My face was superimposed over a pornographic video. Deepfakes are an increasingly common problem, particularly for female public figures. How would you feel if this happened to you?”
“Is that a threat?”
“No, of course it’s not a threat.” Bree massaged her temple. “Just a fact. You are a public figure. You are also a woman. Therefore, you are vulnerable to this type of harassment.”
“You can’t threaten me, Sheriff.”
Oh, my God. Where’s the ibuprofen?
Bree wanted to scream, but she couldn’t allow this woman to get the best of her. Jager seemed determined to push Bree into saying something she would regret. Bree wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. “What do you want, Ms. Jager?”
Jager hesitated. “The board of supervisors thinks you should consider taking a leave of absence.”
Bree had not expected that suggestion. “Why?”
“To deal with this pornography mess.”
“Why would I do that? I have more resources to deal with the issue as sheriff than I would as a private citizen. I will not be cowed into leaving office. Caving to bullies only empowers them.”
“Well, you have to do something.” Jager’s voice rose.
“I promise I’m exploring all options. Now, unless you have a specific suggestion for me, I really need to get back to solving this double homicide.”
Jager skipped the social niceties. “You’ll be hearing from me again regarding this matter. This will not be our last conversation. If you won’t do something about this situation, then I will.” The connection went dead.