Under Suspicion

The following takes place following: Debate Night

The limo pulls into the Council grounds, rolling up the driveway toward the Walvers cottage.

Travers: Wait—what do you mean it's a problem? How can it be a problem for us?

Master Devlin: The problem is they might think you had something to do with the assassination, Travers... You clearly had motive.

Travers: That's preposterous! We had nothing to do with it... Did we?

Master Devlin: No. But it doesn’t look good, does it? You threatened him and stormed out of the debate live on television. He was killed minutes later. It could be very damaging.

Travers: Well, it can't be helped. Draft a statement offering my heartfelt condolences and pledging to help find the culprit. If there's any conspiracy at play, it will be weeded out.

Master Devlin: Fine… I’ll have a statement drafted.

They exit the limo and approach the cottage. An unmarked police car is parked nearby. Inside, they find Mayuri serving tea and chicken tenders to two detectives.

Detective Kellaway: Ahh—you must be Mr. Harris Travers? And Master Devlin… I’m Detective Mitch Kellaway, Widdlington PD. This is Detective Doyle. We’re here to ask you a few questions about Barry Scott. You’re aware he died this evening shortly after the mayoral debate?

Travers: Yes, I am. Terrible business... I warned him.

Detective Kellaway: Warned him about what?

Travers: Not to get involved with such unsavory characters—Alt Front, Los Spicos, Al Con Queso… bad hombres, those guys. He didn’t listen. Tried to deny it live on TV tonight. Now look what’s happened. Very sad.

Detective Kellaway: Uh-huh… Well, we’re investigating his murder, and it's come to our attention that you also made threats towards Mr. Scott and stormed out of the debate in anger when it wasn’t going your way. Care to explain that?

Travers: It was a fairly typical political debate. Tensions were high—the audience was quite awful. I simply decided to leave rather than waste any more of my valuable time there, but that’s often the way of things. I don’t recall making any specific threats.

Detective Kellaway (consults his notes): Yes, there were more threats aimed at the audience—something about having some beaten—but of course, that’s not why we’re here today. You told Mr. Scott, and I quote, “I clean up criminal scum like you,” then followed it up with “I will bury you.” What exactly did you mean by that?

Travers: Gentlemen, you're making this sound far worse than it was. A figure of speech in a heated moment... I simply meant that when I become mayor, I intend to fully utilize the police to bring down organized criminals and their associates. I am very pro-law and order. My administration will be tough on crime—cutting red tape, providing the police with the resources they need… not to mention salary raises. After all, it's often a thankless job. Mayor Travers intends to rectify this.

The fact of the matter is, Mr. Scott—may the editor rest his soul—was criminal scum. He belonged in jail. Unfortunately, there were many idiots and communists in the audience that night. They got under my skin, and I lashed out. I’m only goblin, after all… Many of them want to abolish the police, you know? Most seemed to be from Witherfield—that place is a toilet!

Now, judging by your accents, I assume you’re from Wallywood Homicide? Fine work you do there... I have a friend in the department, y'know... Lt. Waldo.

Detective Kellaway: What do you think, Doyle? Doesn’t that sound a bit like political bribery? We leave you alone, and you help the police out—is that it, Mr. Travers? I would tread carefully with claims like that.

Travers: Not at all, Detective. I’m simply hoping I can count on both of you for your vote. As for your investigation, my campaign will be more than happy to cooperate however we can. Now, is there anything else, gentlemen? I have quite a lot to do. Perhaps the Master could assist you, but I really know nothing more.

Detective Kellaway: Actually, yes. Can you provide any witnesses to confirm your whereabouts at the time of the shooting?

Master Devlin: I can vouch for Mr. Travers, Detective. He was with me in the car heading home. Mr. Boothe, the driver, can confirm it as well.

Detective Kellaway: Ah, I see. And you’re undertaking the role of (consults his notes)… director of communications?

Master Devlin: That is correct.

Detective Kellaway: Good luck to you.

Master Devlin: Hrmm… Anyway, Mr. Travers and I left the auditorium together and came straight here. Come to think of it, you both arrived very quickly… Why is that?

Detective Kellaway: With all due respect, Master Devlin, we ask the questions here.

Master Devlin: Hmm… It’s just very curious, that’s all. Have you even been to the crime scene?

Detective Kellaway: … Thank you, Master Devlin. Mr. Travers. We’ll be on our way.

Detective Doyle: Thank you for the chicken and tea, Mrs. Travers. Good night… Good night, Mr. Travers, Master Devlin.

The detectives leave the Walvers residence.

Travers: Thank goodness you were here, Master Devlin. They seemed to have it in for me! Crooked cops, I wonder...

Master Devlin: Hmm, indeed. They knew to come here straight away. Very curious.

Season 6 continues in The Running Mate