Clearing the Course

by Diane Weiner

  “Home alone, mostly. I grabbed a corn fritter earlier, but left way before the fireworks started.”

  “Did anyone…”

  “See me? Did I have an alibi? No. I went home and watched a game on TV. It’s not like I have any friends here, except for Maddy and she was in Scotland.”

  Emily looked at Henry, reading his thoughts. She knew Henry would do anything for Maddy, including helping her questionable friend. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t about to leave Maddy and this pitiful kid on their own either. What kind of parents must he have to think he can’t even depend on them?

  “Is he going to be arrested?” asked Maddy.

  “They’d need something more tangible. I doubt the forensic tests have come back already, and if he says he wasn’t anywhere near the crime scene, a lunch box alone is flimsy evidence.” Henry sat on the bed. “Just to be prepared, I’ll look around for a lawyer. You try to think if anyone at all can vouch for your whereabouts. Did you pass a neighbor? Order pizza? Get gas? Think hard.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  Emily said, “How about Henry takes you home?. Get some rest and don’t panic yet.”

  Maddy’s face softened and Emily read the relief in her eyes. “Thank you for helping him.”

  “We haven’t done anything yet. Hopefully we won’t have to.” Henry grabbed his keys and led Robby to the car. Maddy followed Emily into the living room. “Did you say something about tea?”

  Emily had forgotten the now whistling kettle, which barely contained enough water now for tea. She grabbed tea bags from the cabinet and plucked them into the new mugs they’d acquired on their trip. Robby would probably need a lawyer. Who did she know who practiced law? There was the guy they used when Uncle Malcolm threatened to take Maddy away, but this wasn’t his field of expertise. Henry might know someone through the hospital. Criminal law…She had a flash. Her friend from when they lived in New York. Susan Wiles’s father was a lawyer. He’d been retired but then stepped forward when Susan needed him.

  “Emily, can you bring in the biscotti with the tea?”

  Emily tucked the box of forgotten biscotti under her arm and carried the tea into the living room. “My friend, Susan Wiles from back in Westbrook, has a father who’s a criminal lawyer. If need be, I’ll contact her and see what we can arrange.”

  “But he lives in New York. Can he close up shop just like that?”

  “He’s retired, so maybe.”

  Maddy sipped her tea. “I’ll bet on my life that Robby didn’t have anything to do with the murder, if that’s what it was. You should see him with Cocoa at the cat café. He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.”

  “Someone once said that anyone is capable of murder given the right circumstances. If he felt betrayed by Damari…”

  “No way. He was really upset when she broke up with him, but was trying to move on.”

  “Sounds like the two of you are close. You know he’s a lot older than you.”

  “We’re just friends.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “We get each other. That’s all.”

  By the time they’d finished their tea, Henry was back.

  “I want to help the kid, but something doesn’t add up.”

  “So you think he killed Damari? Seriously?”

  Henry sat next to Maddy on the sofa. “I didn’t say that. I just think there’s something he’s not telling us. The police haven’t even determined it’s a murder yet, so why is he acting so guilty?”

  Chapter 6

  The next morning, Emily went for a run, made difficult due to her two-week hiatus.

  When she turned the corner, she ran into Kurt and Prancer.

  “Missed seeing you out here. No one to share theories with over the murder.”

  “Why is everyone calling it a murder?”

  “You know these small towns. By the way, I saw Henry driving that Robby kid around last night.”

  “If it turns out to be a murder investigation, I’m afraid he’s the prime suspect.”

  “Him? I can’t see it. More likely that old guy she hangs out with.”

  Emily wasn’t sure she’d heard him right. “What old guy?”

  “Prancer and I have been taking longer walks now that the weather’s nice. Twice I saw the girl at the picnic table down by the lake with a gray-haired gent. His back was to me both times, but I saw the hair. They held hands over the table last time.”

  “Did you tell the police? And when was the last time?”

  “Let’s see, it was…the night before the Founder’s Day picnic. Yeah. It started sprinkling, so Prancer and I sorta jogged back home.”

  Emily couldn’t imagine Kurt, with the build of a Minnesota lumberjack, jogging, but that was beside the point. “You have to talk to Megan.”

  “I didn’t think it was important, but I guess I can stop by the station.”

  “Please do.”

  *****

  Henry stopped by the morgue before his shift in the ER. He couldn’t imagine working in the sunless room surrounded by dead bodies every day, but Pat was very much at home here.

  “Hey, buddy. Any news on Damari’s case?”

  “I ran the tests again. No sign of drugs or alcohol.”

  “What about insulin?”

  “Her blood sugar was in the normal range. If insulin is all forensics finds in that syringe, then it’s not the murder weapon.”

  “You’re calling it murder?”

  “The police don’t want it released, but let me show you something.” He walked over to the autopsy table. “See this bruising around her stomach? She couldn’t have done this by accident.”

  “The shape. Did someone hit her with a tennis racquet?”

  “Something heavier. Someone knocked her into the water with an oar, is my guess.”

  “Did the police find the murder weapon?”

  “Not yet, but when I was out with Megan last night, she got a call from Detective Wooster. Someone called the tip line. They saw someone with a red hoodie running away from the shore the night of the picnic. His build fits Robby Birchfield’s.”

  “Maddy will be upset. Do you know that boy snuck into her room last night! She says they’re friends and he’s estranged from his parents. Maddy’s spot on when it comes to reading people and she’s sure he’s innocent.”

  “He snuck into her room? Seriously?”

  “Yeah. A regular Romeo. She says he was upset about breaking up with Damari, but not angry. And Robby said he lost that lunch box weeks ago, probably while doing a lawn job.”

  “Insulin didn’t kill her, so they have nothing tying him to the murder scene except the lunch box.”

  “How many murderers have you heard of who carry lunch boxes to a murder scene?”

  Pat covered Damari’s body and led Henry into his office where he checked his cellphone. “It’s a message from Megan. We’re supposed to meet for lunch.” He made a face as he read the text. “Looks like lunch is off. A biker found a red hoodie by the lake. Megan has to go follow up.”

  “Want to grab something in the cafeteria later?”

  “Sure. Call down here when you get a break.”

  Henry’s head hurt when he saw the number of patients waiting in the ER. A summer flu bug was making the rounds through a near-by summer camp and although he’d been at this a long time and had the immune system of an elephant, he was occasionally caught off guard. The last thing I need is to get sick right now after being out for two weeks on vacation. He donned a mask and wove his way through the cubicles. Two hours later, his stomach growled and his headache worsened. Ready for a break, he found himself in line at the cafeteria, where he’d agreed to meet Pat.

  “That wrap doesn’t look half bad,” said Pat.

  “Turkey on spinach tortilla, no mayo.” He picked up a crinkled bag from his tray. “And baked Lay’s. Have you tried these, they’re not half-bad?”

  Pat grabbed one of his own cheese smothered French fries. “No thanks.”

>   “Isn’t that Dan over there with the loaded tray?”

  “I don’t see any seats.”

  Pat called to him, “Hey, want to join us?”

  Dan sat down across from Henry and said: “Delivered two babies this morning, back to back. Usually get maybe one a month. Must have been a full moon.”

  Pat said, “Finished up the autopsy on Damari Cooper.”

  “What did you conclude?” Dan bit into his cheeseburger.

  “Let’s just say I ruled out suicide, and accidental death is looking unlikely,” said Pat. “Your girlfriend have any leads?” Ketchup dripped onto his chin.

  “An anonymous tip identified a boy in a red hoodie running away from the crime scene the night she died. A biker just found the hoodie,” said Dan.

  “Are they arresting the boyfriend?” asked Pat.

  “Who says it’s Robby Birchfield’s hoodie?” asked Henry. Why did he feel he had to defend this boy? Maddy. She swore he was innocent. He didn’t relish proving her wrong.

  “I just thought,” Henry said, “since someone spotted a boy in a red hoodie fleeing the crime scene…”

  “Red’s a pretty common color for a hoodie.” Pat chomped on another fry, wiping orange cheese sauce off his hand with a paper napkin.

  “It would be hard to connect the two,” said Henry. “And if red is his favorite color, or they were on sale at Walmart, heck, the whole town could own one.” That made him feel strangely better.

  “The kid should find himself a good lawyer.” Dan gulped his coffee.

  “Why do you say that?” said Henry, hoping for Maddy’s sake it wasn’t true.

  “Red hoodie, lunch box with his name at the crime scene, ex-girlfriend,” said Dan. “Besides, what enemies did she have? She was sweet as pie. Everyone at the hospital loved her.”

  “He’s right,” said Pat.

  Henry took a bite of his wrap. If he got dragged into helping Robby for Maddy’s sake, the first thing they needed was more suspects. Who else wanted Damari dead?

  Chapter 7

  While Kurt went down to the station to report seeing Damari with a gray-haired man, Emily drove over to St. Edwards College. Henry hadn’t yet returned from the hospital. She herself had taken the summer off, but her friend Nancy was teaching a class and Li Min, Damari’s best friend, worked in the housing office. Maybe they could identify the man Kurt saw Damari with and suspicion wouldn’t fall solely on Robby.

  Nancy, always with a smile, said, “Hey, what’re you doing here? You’re supposed to be off this summer.”

  “I know, but I’m trying to help a friend of Maddy’s. You know the girl who died a few days ago?”

  “Damari Cooper. Of course I do. She was a student here you know. I never taught her, but my friend who teaches in the science department knew her. She was a Bio major.”

  “Are you finished for the day?” Emily looked at the pile of papers on her friend’s desk and was glad she’d taken the summer off.

  “Yeah. I was just going to look over these essays, but I was considering doing it by my pool.”

  Emily’s phone vibrated. “It’s Maddy. What’s wrong? Questioning? That doesn’t mean he’s under arrest. I’ll be home soon.”

  “Is Maddy okay?”

  “They brought her friend in for questioning. He was Damari Cooper’s ex. Hey, do you suppose your friend from the science department is here?”

  “Yes. She’s teaching summer semester. Want to meet her?”

  “If you don’t mind. I’d like to go back to Maddy with a sliver of hope.”

  Nancy locked her office, then led Emily out the stone building, across the cobblestone path to the science building. Although a few students were scattered around, Emily felt the campus looked creepily deserted. Nancy knocked on her friend’s office door. The placard said Dr. Dinnerstein.

  “Come on in. Done for the day?” The professor was slightly older than Emily and Nancy. Emily put her around sixty.

  Nancy said, “This is my friend, Emily Fox. She works in my department and wanted to meet you.”

  “I’m flattered. What can I do for you?”

  “My daughter’s friend is the prime suspect in Damari Cooper’s murder. Mainly, because no one else seems to have motive. Damari was spotted down at the river with an older, gray-haired gentleman. I was wondering if you knew who that might be.”

  “Damari Cooper. What a dear. She had a promising future ahead of her. Was aiming for med school and I have no doubt she would have gotten in. Such a shame.”

  “Did she ever mention anyone to you who meets the description?”

  “We didn’t talk about her personal life. I prefer to keep my relationships with students professional. Unlike some of my colleagues.”

  Emily’s adrenaline started flowing. “Anyone particular in mind?”

  “Professor Carlson, over in Biology. He has gray hair and Damari was close to him. She was doing research and he supervised it. Saw them together on a number of occasions.”

  “Is he working this summer?”

  “Yes, but not every day. I didn’t notice his car in the lot. He’s got this over the top Mercedes and he always takes up two spots like he’s entitled.”

  Emily said, “Thanks for the information.”

  “Hope it helps.”

  Emily walked Nancy to the parking lot, then went across the street to the housing office. She hoped she was on to something, and quickened her pace. When she got to the housing office, Li Min was sitting at the counter sorting mail.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Li Min? We met briefly at the memorial service the other day. I’m Emily Fox.”

  “Yes, now I remember you. You and your husband were talking to Dr. Fischer.”

  “That’s right. I understand you and Damari were friends.”

  “Best friends. I know that sounds odd, given I’m a decade older than she is––was. She lived in the dorm next door and we had this instant connection.” She pointed out the window.

  Emily saw her discreetly wipe a tear with the sleeve of her sweater. “Do you have any idea who may have killed her?”

  “The police asked me that. No. I don’t know of anyone who didn’t like her. She’d do anything for anyone.”

  “What about Robby Birchfield?”

  “They broke up, but I know Robby wanted her back. If he didn’t kill her, I don’t know who did.” Li Min sipped a green shake, making a face. “This tastes awful, but it’s supposed to be good for the baby.”

  “Congratulations! I didn’t know.”

  “Well, we aren’t sure yet, but we’ve been working with Dr. Fischer on our infertility issue and I’m positive this time it took.”

  “I wish you luck. Children are a blessing.” A year ago those words never would have made it past her lips. She never wanted children. Not since she felt responsible for her own sister’s death. Not since her parents divorced and her mother went off the deep end. If her college roommate hadn’t died and named her guardian, Maddy never would have come into their lives. She shuddered thinking of what she would have missed.

  “Did you ever see her with a gray-haired gentleman?”

  “Only Dr. Carlson. He was her advisor and supervised some research she was doing.”

  “Was it more than professional?”

  Li Min laughed. “Half the girls in his department have a crush on him.”

  Emily probed further. “After Robby, was Damari seeing him, or anyone new?”

  Li Min blushed. “She was seeing someone, but she didn’t tell me who it was. She wanted to keep it secret.”

  “Professor Carlson?”

  “I didn’t say that. I really don’t know. Whoever it was, it was a new relationship and Damari wasn’t ready to talk about it.” A student came to the desk to pick up a package. “I should get back to work.”

  Emily walked back to her Audi. An older man with gray hair, a secret new relationship, Professor Carlson… Maybe things were looking up for Robby Birchfield. />
  Chapter 8

  When Emily opened her front door, Maddy ran to her, half shrieking, half crying. “You’ve got to do something. How could they? Did you call a lawyer? He’s in jail.”

  Henry stood behind her. He tried to put his arms around her but she pulled away.

  Emily knew before she asked. “Did they arrest Robby?”

  “Y-Yes. You have to help.”

  Henry said, “They found a red sweatshirt near the crime scene next to a fast food receipt that they traced to Robby. Robby says it isn’t his but a witness saw someone fitting his description running away from the lake the night of the picnic. And his fingerprints were all over the lunchbox.”

  “He explained all that!” shouted Maddy. “And it’s not his hoodie. Was it missing the drawstring? Robby’s is missing the drawstring. Can you get a lawyer?”

  Emily said, “I did some digging. There’s a gray-haired man who was seen with Damari. Sounds like the professor she was working with. And her friend, Li Min, says she was seeing someone new, just like you said.”

  “Did you tell the police?” Maddy paced across the living room.

  “Not yet. I just found out.” Emily pulled her phone out of her purse. “I’ll call my friend, Susan, and see if her father is available.” She sat on the sofa, praying Susan had her phone on.

  “Is she answering?” said Maddy.

  Emily nodded. “Hello, Susan. Great to hear your voice, too. I’m hoping you can help us. Maddy’s friend has been arrested for murder. No, I’m not asking you to come solve it. Yes, you trained us well. Do you think your father would be willing to drive up and help him out? Really? Okay. We’ll talk soon. Call me as soon as you find out? Great.”

  Maddy grabbed her arm. “What did she say? Is he going to come?”

  “She’ll call him and get back to us. Meanwhile, Henry, can you think of any other lawyers in case he can’t do it?”

  “I don’t know any criminal lawyers, but I’ll call the guy who handled Maddy’s adoption. Maybe he can recommend someone.”

  “Can you drive me to the police station?” asked Maddy.

  “No, honey. They aren’t going to let you see him now.”