Murder Is Collegiate

by Diane Weiner

  “There’s Martha’s sister now,” said Susan. Coralee brought the woman to their table. “I’m glad you could join us. We went through Martha’s office and found a voice message from someone named Keith. Do you think he was her boyfriend, and do you know his last name?”

  “Now that you mention it, I do remember the name Keith,” said the sister. “I don’t think she ever said a last name. Do you think he killed her?”

  “It wouldn’t hurt to talk to him, just to be sure. We’ll tell the police,” said Emily.

  “After we have our apple pie,” said Susan.

  When they’d finished dessert, Susan and Emily dropped by the police station where they found Detective O’Leary at the front counter.

  Emily gave her Martha’s cell phone. “We found this in Martha Peterson’s desk in her office. Check the phone messages.”

  Detective O’Leary turned it over in her hand, then held it closer to her eye. “There may have been prints on here. Not anymore since you handled it.” She listened to the messages. “Someone named Keith. So? Keith who? And I’m not connecting the dots between the message and him being the killer.”

  “We heard they argued at the inn the night before Martha’s murder, and it sounds like she just found out he was married. You should talk to him,” said Susan.

  “I don’t need advice on how to do my job, ma’am,” said the Detective. “It’s not enough to go on. We don’t have the manpower to search for a needle in a haystack that most likely had nothing to do with the murder. I have to get back to work. Is there anything else?”

  “No. Thanks for your time. Come on, Susan. Let’s do some shopping.”

  As soon as they were out of the building, Emily suggested checking the faculty roster. In the parking lot outside her office, they passed Joe Sommers going to his car.

  “Hello, ladies. Brrr, the temperature is dropping. I heard on the news we may be in for a snowstorm.”

  “If you buttoned up that coat of yours and tied your scarf, you’d be warmer,” said Emily.

  “And perhaps some boots rather than Nikes,” added Susan.

  He pulled the scarf tighter. “I’ve got to remember to replace this top button. Have a good afternoon, and try to stay warm.”

  Once inside Emily’s office, they flipped through the faculty roster, which was alphabetical by last name.

  “This is frustrating,” said Susan. “It’s going to take us all day.”

  They continued going down the list. After a while, Emily said, “Okay, I found two. Keith Phillips over in the Chemistry department and Keith Wilkerson in Economics. Should we take a walk?”

  “You bet,” said Susan.

  The Chemistry department was located across the campus. In spite of the dropping temperature, Susan suggested walking to burn off the calories they’d consumed at lunch. When they found Keith Phillips’s office, she said, “It’s locked, but here’s his class schedule on the door.” She rearranged her bifocals. “He’s teaching a lecture class right now. Do you know where his room is?”

  “It’s the big lecture hall downstairs. Let’s go.” Emily led Susan down the stairs. The wooden doors to the hall were closed. “I don’t want to barge in. Let’s see if I can do this discreetly.” She slowly opened the door, hoping it wouldn’t creak and draw attention to them.

  When she’d pried it open a few inches, she peeked inside.

  Emily whispered, “Well? Can you see anything?”

  “This Keith appears to be about eighty. I think we can cross him off the list.”

  “Darn it.”

  “We still have one more to go,” said Susan. “Where’s the Economics Department?”

  “It’s on the other side of the student union building. Follow me.”

  Snow fell from the gray sky. When they passed the student union building, Emily said, “In the warmer weather this courtyard is full of students. On days like this, they huddle at the crowded tables inside.” Once they turned the corner, Emily pointed out the economics building and led Susan inside. “Let’s take the elevator. His office is on the third floor.”

  All at once, students poured out of classroom doors. Emily looked at her watch and said, “Class just ended. Hopefully, Keith Wilkerson is on his way to his office.”

  When they arrived at his office, it was locked. Emily said, “Let’s give him a few minutes.”

  Two students came by while they were waiting but left after they tried the door and found it was locked.

  “It’s been fifteen minutes. Maybe he went right home, trying to beat the bad weather.”

  Emily said, “Wait. There are two men coming down the hall.”

  Both men were neatly dressed in jackets and ties. One held a leather briefcase. As they approached, they were laughing, and one put his arm around the other, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. The one with the briefcase said, “Can I help you?”

  “We’re looking for Keith Wilkerson,” said Emily.

  “You found him. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m a friend of Martha Peterson’s, the professor who was murdered. I worked down the hall from her.”

  “Martha Peterson, how tragic. I can’t believe a murder happened right here on campus. Her poor family.”

  “Did you know Martha?”

  “Not personally. Some of my students had her and loved her. How awful. What has our society come to?”

  “I know, it’s terrible. We were looking for someone who knew her. I think we got the wrong Keith.”

  “Sorry I couldn’t help you.” He fumbled with his keys. “I’m going to put this inside and head home with my hubby before the roads get bad. You should do the same. They’re predicting quite a storm.”

  On the way back to the car, Susan said, “At least we eliminated the two Keiths on the faculty. What now?”

  “Church. I went with her a few times. She sang in the choir, had rehearsals on Wednesday nights.”

  “It’s Wednesday,” said Susan.

  “And I happen to know at least one of us can sing.” replied Emily with a grin.

  Chapter 20

  Emily prepared another delicious dinner—chicken cordon bleu with scalloped potatoes and glazed carrots. Susan wondered if was too late to learn how to cook at her age. She had never felt the time it took to prepare food was worth the effort. A delicious meal that takes hours to prepare is generally consumed in under fifteen minutes. And then there was the cleanup. After eating Emily’s cooking, however, she was beginning to change her mind.

  Henry said, “Did you go through Martha’s office?”

  “Yes, and we found something very interesting,” said Emily. “We found a card to Martha from someone named Keith. The content of it convinced us he was the boyfriend her sister mentioned. Martha’s sister didn’t have a last name for him. Then we heard a message on her secret cell phone that was in the back of her desk drawer. Keith begged her not to tell his wife about them. That’s motive for murder right there. We took the phone to Detective O’Leary, but she wasn’t impressed with the new information.”

  “Emily, don’t get carried away,” said Henry. Not long ago you made a strong case for Peter Taglieri being the killer. Again, just because someone is guilty of cheating, or for that matter, stealing jewelry, it doesn’t make him a murderer.”

  “I know, but you have to admit it’s worth talking to him.”

  “If we can find him,” added Susan. “There are no viable options named Keith on the faculty. We’re hoping we’ll find him tonight.”

  “Tonight?” said Mike.

  “Yes. Emily says Martha was pretty involved in her church and sang in the choir. They have choir practice tonight.”

  “Yeah, that makes sense. Find a cheater and possibly a murderer at choir practice. You girls might as well stay home and play Scrabble with us. Besides, aren’t the roads supposed to get bad?”

  “It wasn’t bad coming home,” said Emily.

  “And you two are just going to waltz right into choir pra
ctice. Won’t that set off alarms?”

  “You know how Martha was always trying to get me to join the choir. They’re always happy to add new voices. And Susan was a music teacher. She can really sing.”

  “If nothing else, it will be fun,” said Susan. Mike shook his head in defeat.

  After clearing the table and loading the dishwasher, Emily and Susan headed to choir practice, in spite of Henry and Mike’s protests. The snow had stopped, and the roads were clear. The white wooden church looked like the model for a postcard.

  “What a pretty church,” said Susan. “Looks like they have a good turnout judging by this parking lot.”

  “Come on. I’ll introduce you to the pastor. He sings bass—loud and off-key, but he’s so enthusiastic no one seems to mind. At least that’s what Martha told me.”

  A middle-aged gentleman with a big smile greeted them. “Emily, right? You came to church with Martha Peterson on a few occasions. We really miss Martha.”

  Emily said, “I’m surprised you remember me. This is my friend, Susan Wiles. She’s visiting from New York. And guess what? She’s a retired music teacher. Thought it would be fun to bring her here tonight. Martha said you are always happy to have new voices.”

  “How wonderful. Welcome, Susan. Are you an alto or a soprano?”

  “Alto,” answered Susan.

  “And you, Emily?” Emily squirmed, and Susan realized she had no clue what voice part she was. “She’s also an alto.”

  The pastor brought them to the alto section, then took a seat amongst the basses. The choir director, a skinny young man with Harry Potter glasses tapped his baton on the music stand. “Let’s start with our warm-ups.”

  Emily whispered, “What are warm-ups?”

  “You’ll catch on to the pattern.” She remembered hearing Emily sing along to the car radio. “On second thought, just move your lips and look confident.”

  “There must be at least thirty people here. How are we going to find out if there’s a Keith?”

  “More than half of them are women, so that narrows it down. I’m working on it.”

  The choir sang through their hymns, including a four-part rendition of A Mighty Fortress is our God. Susan realized how much she missed having music in her life. It was so much fun to be singing again. While singing, she scanned the bass and tenor sections. Many were on the elderly side. She focused on three possibilities, all men who looked to be around Martha’s age.

  “My mouth is starting to hurt,” said Emily. “Maybe this wasn’t such a hot idea.”

  The choir director announced that it was break time. A pot of coffee had been set up in the back of the church.

  “Let’s mingle,” said Susan. “Listen, and maybe we’ll hear someone call Keith by name.”

  “We don’t even know Keith is here. Or even if there’s a Keith here, that he’s the one we’re looking for. The guys were right, this is crazy.”

  “We’re here now, so let’s give it a shot.”

  Emily and Susan worked their way around the choir members. Soon the choir director called them back to practice. After another hour of singing, they were no closer to finding Keith.

  “This is a dead end,” said Emily. “Practice is over. Let’s go home.” They walked toward the parking lot.

  “Keith!” shouted the pastor. Emily and Susan turned around. A rugged-looking man with a gray beard also turned around. “Will you have the programs ready for Sunday?”

  “Already done,” responded the man. “They’re stacked on the counter at my print shop.”

  “Print shop?” whispered Susan.

  “There’s only one print shop in town. Guess we’re doing some stationary shopping in the morning.”

  Chapter 21

  The next morning over breakfast, Emily announced their plans to go to the print shop.

  “You and Mike are welcome to come with us,” said Emily.

  “Emily,” said her husband, “we’ve hardly spent time all together since our guests arrived. Why don’t we go for a hike instead? It’s supposed to be a beautiful day according to the weatherman.”

  “A hike sounds like fun,” Emily replied. “After we check out the print shop. It won’t take long at all, I promise.”

  Emily and Susan hurried to get ready and go over to the print shop so they’d have time to pack a picnic lunch before the hike. They parked right in front of the shop and immediately noticed a sign that read “Under New Management. Grand Opening Sale.” Only one other customer was in the shop.

  “Well, look at that. Peter Taglieri.”

  “What’s he doing here?” whispered Susan.

  “Let’s go find out. Come on.” The two women walked into the shop where they were greeted by Keith. “One minute, and I’ll be right with you.”

  Peter Taglieri grinned at them. “You’ve seen the light and are ordering for-sale posters for your house, right?”

  Susan wished she could take a stack of envelopes and stuff them down his throat. He took such pleasure in harassing her friend. Good thing Emily had thick skin.

  Peter picked up a stack of flyers from the counter. “Thanks, Keith. I’m going to send these out ASAP. Glad you took over this place. You’re much quicker than the previous owner.” He held one up for the girls to see. “I’m sending these advertisements down to Florida. It will be brutally hot there soon, and with all those retirees… tiny, cheap houses in a cool climate will attract them like ants to honey, just watch. And wait till the residents here see the income possibilities once that starts to happen. I won’t be the only one pressuring you to sell.” He left the shop, shooting them another grin on his way out the door.

  Keith said, “Sorry for the wait. What can I help you with?”

  “I’m Emily Fox. I teach at St. Edwards College. Martha Peterson was a friend and colleague.”

  “I think I saw you at choir practice last night. Sorry, but I don’t know a Martha Peterson.”

  “She sang in the choir, went to your church. You must have known her. Reddish hair, about my age and height?”

  Keith twirled the gold band on his finger. “Um, yeah. Now I remember.”

  “Look, I’m just going to be direct with you. Martha was a friend, and I will find out who killed her if the police don’t find out first. I know you were seeing Martha. We found a letter and a phone message from you to her.”

  Susan noticed sweat beading on his face. I think he’s falling for Emily’s bluff.

  “The police will be much easier on you if you come forward on your own,” Susan said. “I know that because my daughter is a detective back home. You could plead manslaughter or self-defense if it applies. In any case, if you cooperate, things will be easier for you.”

  “Cooperate! I’m no murderer. I didn’t kill Martha, I loved her.”

  “So you were involved with Martha. Then she found out you were married and threatened to tell your wife. You couldn’t let that happen.”

  “What? Are you crazy? Look, Martha did threaten to tell my wife. At first I was very upset. I may have even made a threat or two. But then I came clean with my wife after talking to Pastor Bob. I apologized to Martha, made a clean break. By the way, Martha wasn’t happy with me. We had a terrible argument last time we were together, but I certainly didn’t kill her. My wife and I have been attending marriage counseling at the church. Things are good. Better than ever in fact.”

  “Can you prove it?”

  “If you went through her phone messages, I hope you checked her texts also. There you’ll find my apology for the previous threats. And you can check with Pastor Bob. He knows what happened and certainly is a credible source.”

  Another customer came through the door. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to work. Send the police over. I’ll tell them everything I just told you.”

  Emily and Susan got into the Jeep. “Sounds like we eliminated him,” said Susan.

  “It does. Let’s stop by the police station and tip them off about looking for a phone text
. Keith, Noah, and Sarah Kimberly were the three we thought had motive to kill Martha. Sarah was seen on the recording of the inauguration, so she has an alibi. It looks like Keith checks out.”

  “So either Noah tried to kill her to prevent her going to the police about him stealing…”

  “Or the murderer was one hundred percent after me,” said Emily.

  “Let’s stop at the station, then pick up sandwich fixings for our hike,” said Susan.

  When they arrived, both Detective Wooster and Detective O’Leary were available. I hope this is worth our time, thought Susan. Last time we came here we were treated like a pair of interfering amateurs.

  “Back so soon?” said Detective O’Leary. Emily and Susan flashed her a smile.

  Detective Wooster ushered them into his office, and Emily explained what they had learned from talking to Keith at the print shop.

  “Mrs. Fox,” explained Wooster, “we did our job. We went through the phone messages, then checked the text messages. We saw that Keith apologized to Mrs. Peterson. We talked to Keith’s wife to establish an alibi, and he had one. The two of them were at a counseling session during the time of the murder.”

  “You verified that?” said Susan.

  Detective Wooster gave her a look and took a breath. “Yes, Mrs. Wiles. Of course we verified it. Now stay out of this investigation and go enjoy your vacation.”

  An officer knocked on the door. “Detective, I got the information you requested. The suspect has an alibi. He was committing a robbery at the inn at the time of the murder. A guest reported taking a shower, and her necklace was gone when she came out. It was a ten-minute window.”

  “Noah has an alibi,” said Susan. “That’s great news. Come on, Emily. Let’s go tell Coralee.”

  “That’s not for you to tell,” said Detective Wooster. “This is police business. It’s up to us to tell Coralee Saunders that her son has an alibi for the time of Martha Peterson’s murder because at the time, he was busy stealing jewelry from one of her guests. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have work to do.”

  Emily and Susan exited the station. Susan said, “All our suspects with motives to kill Martha are cleared.”