Guest Post ~ Robin Spano

We’re here with Clare Vengel, the 22-year-old heroine of Dead Politician Society. She is ecstatic to be diving into her first undercover job: to pose as a university student and penetrate the clandestine society that claims to have poisoned the mayor.

Robin Spano: Congratulations on your new job. You must be excited.

Clare Vengel: I am SO excited. Finally I can use my mind to solve a problem. Even if the case is solved in a day, it will be a day off from those stupid break-and-enter calls.

Robin: Yeah? What don’t you like about break-and-enter?

Clare: The victims. They act all . . . victimy. Like, Oh my god, I lost some material objects. I understand they’re scared; their home has just been violated. But I want to tell them to get a grip; their life is pretty good compared to most.

Robin: Why do you think undercover work will be different?

Clare: For starters, it matters more. There’s a murderer on the loose, and it’s my job to figure out who that is. And the job is way more creative. There’s no rule book for how to handle all the situations I’ll come up against as an undercover. I think it will be more dangerous than writing down some details in a report and making a half-assed attempt to find a burglar, but it will challenge me, and I think I’ll be able to rise to the occasion.

Robin: You don’t know much about politics or university, yet you’re going undercover as a poli sci major. Does that worry you?

Clare: A bit. Yeah. But what can I do? I’ll stay up all night learning, and give this job the best I have. It’s worth it.

Robin: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Clare: In my perfect world? Working undercover. But not boring jobs that repeat themselves, like strip clubs and mob girlfriends. I want to do new things in interesting places.

Robin: What would be your dream assignment?

Clare: Something that’s fun and challenging at the same time. If I could go undercover as a wild water tour guide, or a croupier in Vegas, I’d think that was pretty exciting. Or Europe—ha ha, maybe one day I’ll get a job with Interpol.

Robin: You seem to have a hard time committing to one man. Is there a reason?

Clare: I guess if you wanted to get into the psychobabble, I’m probably not over my ex, Lance. We were friends since we were little, and he cheated on me with half of Orillia, my hometown.

Robin: So it’s hard for you to trust someone?

Clare: I guess. I also just think, until I fall in love again, why commit to some random guy for the sake of it? I might as well have some fun, enjoy different people for the different things we have in common.

Robin: Would you like to fall in love?

Clare: Of course.

Robin: Are you an optimist or a pessimist, generally?

Clare: An optimist. But don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation as a sarcastic tough chick to maintain.

Robin: Why the police force? You love to work as a mechanic, to help your friend Roberta in her shop. Wouldn’t mechanics have been a better fit, career-wise?

Clare: I love to groove with cars and bikes as a hobby, but they won’t take me around the world and inside places I’ve never been. And being a cop has a higher purpose: I can fight justice and feel good about myself.

Robin: Like a superhero?

Clare: Like a human being with a contribution to make. Can you hand me a beer?

Robin: Sure. I’ll have one with you. I’m looking forward to following your adventures.

Clare: Yeah. I don’t want to say I hope more people die in fun places. But you know…

About the author ~

 

Dead Politician Society: A Clare Vengel Undercover Novel