by Helen Gray
“Dack, Jeremy, and Q, please come here,” she said, moving to the doorway.
“Uh, oh, they’re in deep doo now,” someone quipped.
Toni ignored it.
“Let’s step out in the hall,” she said quietly as the boys came to the front of the room, their expressions puzzled.
Toni opened the door for them to exit. She followed and left the door ajar enough that she could monitor the sounds and see inside the room through the small four by twelve inch rectangle of glass over the doorknob.
“Someone from the police department called Mr. Douglas and asked how the newspaper got that picture for their article about the bones you boys found,” she said, her expression stern.
Dack and Q adopted looks of puzzlement that Toni suspected were contrived. Jeremy flushed and swallowed hard.
“Any pictures of the crime scene are evidence and must be turned in to the police,” she said, not totally sure how accurate that was, but not much caring. She looked from face to face.
“I did it, Mrs. Donovan,” Jeremy admitted in a subdued voice. “I took pictures with my cell phone while you were looking for more bones. I gave them to my dad. I didn’t know I was doing anything wrong.”
“You’ll have to turn yourself in,” Toni said, leaving no room for argument.
If possible, Jeremy’s color went even paler. “You mean I’m in trouble with the police?”
“Holy cow!” Dack exclaimed. “That might keep you from graduating. Mrs. Donovan, he didn’t mean any harm.”
Jeremy turned positively green. “They can’t do that to me, can they?”
“I don’t know.” Toni sighed, thinking quickly. “If you’ll go and talk to the chief of police, maybe he’ll decide it’s not a school disciplinary matter.”
“We’ll go with you,” Dack said. “Won’t we, Q?”
“Sure,” Q said with his usual brief eloquence.
Jeremy stared at Toni for a long moment. “Will you go with us?”
“Uh, did you mean right now?” Dack asked.
“As soon as school is dismissed.”
“But we have a game,” he reminded her.
Toni considered a moment. “Okay, we’ll take care of it after the game.” She opened the door, indicating they should return to the classroom.
She wanted to ask Jeremy if he knew anything about the grade hacking, but that would have to wait. Ken didn’t want that matter discussed before the list of offenders had been assembled. The students with altered grades would probably be called to the office and questioned, which would make the matter an open topic. But, even without those considerations, she figured Jeremy had enough to deal with today.
Ten minutes later there was an announcement over the intercom stating that baseball players were to be released from class. The trio, plus two more boys, left, and Toni continued with the classroom lesson. As soon as the bell rang at the end of the day, she picked up the phone and called Buck Freeman.
“My amateur detectives would like to talk to you,” she told him as soon as she had him on the line.
“Does this have anything to do with the picture in the paper?” he asked, his voice sounding suspiciously like he had been expecting her call.
“I’m afraid so. I’ve informed them that pictures are evidence and they have to turn themselves in.”
He chuckled. “Sounds like you scared up a confession. When should I expect them?”
“That’s the problem. They have a baseball game, and I couldn’t demand that they miss it. That wouldn’t be fair to the coach or the team.”
“I agree,” he said. “And I think I feel an urge to attend another ballgame. Had you planned to be there?”
“I was thinking strongly about it,” Toni answered, feeling suddenly better about things. “Now I’m sure. I have a little paperwork I need to finish here, but I can be there in about a half hour.”
“It may take a little longer than that for me to make it,” Buck said. “I’ll buy the Cokes.” He disconnected.
“Hey, Mom, is it all right if we go over to Dr. Z’s room?” Gabe asked as he and Garrett entered the room. They wiggled out of their backpack straps and deposited them on a student desk. Gabe propped his trombone case against it.
“Don’t be a nuisance,” she said, nodding approval and knowing that John enjoyed their visits and sharing his Popsicles with them. “I think we’ll go to the ballgame in a few minutes,” she added as they headed for the door. She returned to her paper grading.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Donovan.”
Toni looked up to see Bonnie Wolfe, one of the evening custodians, in the doorway.
“Will it bother you if I go ahead and start on your room?” Barely five foot and skinny almost to the point of gauntness, Bonnie was quiet and not intrusive while working, unlike Clay Nelson, the custodian who usually did the rooms in this section of the hall.
“Sure, no problem,” Toni said, pleased not to have to field Clay’s running commentaries and complaints.
Bonnie worked quietly while moving desks and sweeping the room, but Toni was still distracted. She finished the paper she was grading and quit. She gathered her grade book and three stacks of papers and stuffed them into her book satchel.
“Good night,” she said to Bonnie, swinging her purse over her shoulder.
Chapter 5
“Hi,” Toni said as Buck joined her on the bleachers during the fifth inning. She had again chosen a spot at the end of the top seat while her boys had gone to the grounds behind the ball field to play with some friends. The metal backrest attached to the back of the bench made it more comfortable, and for some strange reason, it was not as full. She supposed the majority of spectators preferred the lower seats because it made them feel closer to the action. Personally, she welcomed the modicum of privacy this spot afforded.
Buck handed her a Coke and eased down next to her. “This is a pleasant way to do business,” he said, getting situated and gazing out at the orange and white uniformed home team on the field.
“He’s out!” the umpire shouted when Dack threw the ball to first base and successfully picked off a runner.
“That’s a dandy catcher,” Buck commented. “Isn’t it Dack? It’s hard to tell behind all that gear.”
Toni nodded. “That’s him. And he’s good enough that Three Rivers Community College has signed him for this fall.”
“I’ve been digging around,” Buck said, getting down to business. “I’ve checked everything I can think of on that name we discussed.”
Toni saw his eyes roll from to side to side and knew he was guarding against the possibility of anyone overhearing their conversation. He didn’t want to prematurely attach an identity to their human remains and have word spread before it was verified.
“I’m hoping to receive an autopsy report by the first of next week, but in the meantime I’ve gone out to the place where he had been living.”
Toni understood that would be the parsonage at the Temple of Light Church. “They have a new man living in it now.”
He nodded. “I can’t find anyone who can remember seeing him since the evening of the last day of the Fall Festival the year he disappeared.”
“That was thirty, almost thirty-one, months ago,” Toni calculated aloud.
“I spoke to someone who attends there and was told that about a week after he disappeared, a moving van and crew showed up at the house, loaded up everything, and hauled it away.”
“Someone had to make it look like he ran away,” she mused aloud. “That means it had to be someone local.”
“That’s what I think,” Buck agreed. “The church members were mystified and heartsick. It took them over a year to give up hope that he would return and find someone else to shepherd the flock.”
“Did you ever get the phone logs you told me you planned to request?”
Buck shook his head and frowned. “They keep putting me off, claiming they’ve been misfiled or something. I intend to keep dogging them. I’ve c
hecked some other things. There weren’t any utility bills to check, because the church pays those. The most interesting thing I learned is that his car seems to have vanished the way of his household and personal belongings. He never served in the military, so there are no trails there.”
“It’s him,” Toni stated with grim finality.
“All we need is confirmation from DNA or dental records. But I’m certain enough that I’ve been looking for his family so I can deliver next of kin notification as soon as it’s official.”
“Have you found anyone?” Toni swigged from her Coke, glancing over the cup rim at him.
Buck drank from his soda before answering. “The man’s dad has been dead for many years, but the mother lives in Webster Groves.”
Toni pursed her lips and emitted a silent whistle. “It sounds like she has a money source. Does that surprise you as much as it does me?”
“I don’t know,” Buck said slowly. “The man was a good looking dude, and he liked the good life a little more than most men I know in the profession.”
More action on the field claimed their attention, so they dropped the topic and watched the rest of the game. When it ended with a win, they didn’t get up and leave along with the rest of the spectators. Instead, they moved to a spot on the bottom bleacher and sat watching the boys file across the field in a customary hand slapping ritual and return to their dugouts and coaches. After a couple of minutes the visiting team headed for their bus, and the Clearmount team broke up to go their separate ways.
Within seconds Toni spotted Dack, Jeremy, and Q coming out of the dugout together. They headed toward the bleachers, their progress not exactly enthusiastic.
“Hi, Chief Freeman,” Dack said when they reached the bleachers. His gaze darted around, assessing the privacy of the area. The sight of the deserted benches seemed to reassure him.
“You guys played a good game,” Buck complimented the boys.
“Thanks,” Dack said for all of them. “Uh…we… the three of us that is,” he stammered, indicating the trio with a hand gesture, “need to…uh, talk to you.”
Jeremy, who had been standing in silence, rubbing his hands along the pants legs of his uniform, his chin nearly touching his chest, looked up suddenly. “That’s not right,” he declared bravely. “I need to talk to you. They’re just here to support me.” His voice faltered at that point.
Buck listened and watched the boy in an assessing way. “It’s okay, just spit it out,” he said gently.
Jeremy swallowed hard, clearly miserable. “I’m the one who took the picture that was in the paper,” he said, his spine stiffening. “I shouldn’t have done it. I know that now, but I didn’t then. It was…” He paused, struggling for words. “It was an impulse,” he blurted. “My dad’s a photographer and reporter, you know. All I was thinking about was getting a story for him. I didn’t think about there being anything wrong with it. I’m sorry. Honest.”
Buck took his time responding, studying the boy and gauging his words. “I appreciate your honesty, young man,” he said at last. “In view of that and the fact that you never meant any harm, we’ll consider the matter settled—on the condition that you turn over any other pictures you might have.”
“I’ll bring them to you in the morning on my way to school,” Jeremy said, relief obvious in his speech and body language.
“I’ll look for you then.”
“Thanks, Chief,” Dack said in visible relief. Then he faced his pals. “Okay, let’s go get burgers.”
“Sounds like your influence extends beyond the classroom,” Buck said with a chuckle as the boys walked away, their steps now brisk.
“Maybe,” she allowed, getting up and tossing her empty cup in the trash bin nearby.
“When is their next game?” he asked as they headed for the parking lot where Gabe and Garrett were waiting.
“They have two next week. Monday afternoon they play here. Tuesday is an away game. Seniors have finals Thursday and Friday,” she added, just to give him a full picture of the week.
“Why don’t we hook up again Monday and compare notes?” he suggested. “It’s a good way to keep an eye on your boys.”
“They’re not mine for much longer,” she said as they reached her red minivan. “Next Friday is their last day of classes. Then they have district playoffs and graduation the next week while the rest of the students are still in class. After that they’re done, unless they advance in post season play.”
“Hi, guys,” Buck greeted Toni’s sons, extending a handshake to each of them.
“Hi, Mr. Freeman,” Gabe said, the gesture making him puff out his chest. “Good game, huh?”
“I enjoyed it,” Buck said with a grin. His eyes lingered a moment on Garrett. “See you at Monday’s game.”
Toni unlocked the van, and the boys climbed inside.
*
Friday, May 4
Friday morning was fraught with indecisions. The boys couldn’t decide which cereal they wanted for breakfast. After they finally settled on Sugar Pops, Toni searched through her closet, unable to decide what to wear. After pulling out two different outfits and putting them back, she finally settled on black pants, a tan blazer, and low-heeled tan shoes.
“Hey, Mom.” Gabe bounded down the hall as she finished buttoning her blouse. “I can’t find my math book.”
She clenched a fist in irritation. “Did you look under your bed?” That was where they had found the last book he lost.
“Yes,” he answered, prancing from one foot to the other. “It’s not there.”
Toni glanced at her watch. They were already running close on time. She didn’t need this kind of crisis. She pushed the last button into place and headed for the boys’ room. “It has to be here,” she muttered. “If it’s not, you’ll have to go without it.”
“I can’t do that,” he wailed. “I’ll get a zero on my homework and have to sit at the isolation table at lunch.”
Toni began searching every nook and cranny she could think of. She was just straightening from looking under a bed when Garrett stepped into her vision, a hand extending the missing math book. Silent, his small face was somber and round eyed.
“Where did you find it?” Gabe asked, dashing over and taking it before Toni could get to her feet.
“On the couch in the den,” Garrett sat quietly. He turned, picked up his own backpack, and left the room.
Gabe faced Toni in contrition. “I remember now. I was doing my homework in there.”
“Let’s go,” she said, by now unable to prevent the edge of irritation in her voice.
Outside, there was a chill in the air. Living in Missouri required adaptability. The climate varied to extremes with the seasons and was often unpredictable. Right now the days were bright and warm, but the nights were still cold and took a while for the sun to dispel the chill.
Gabe climbed into the front passenger seat of the van as Toni scooted behind the wheel. Garrett made his silent way into the back seat.
As she put the vehicle in gear and pulled out of the drive, Toni’s thoughts were troubled. Times like this made her doubt her success as a mother. She felt torn, trying to balance her multiple roles. Being a wife and mother was a twenty-four-seven job, and teaching wasn’t far behind. She had meals to fix and lessons to plan and execute. Then there were the conflicts to arbitrate and the never-ending meetings and paperwork. Throw in some detective work, and she was feeling maxed out, doubting her ability to be the perfect wonder woman.
She dropped the boys at their building, feeling guilty, as if she was abandoning them, and watched them march away from her. She longed to call them back and hold them. “Have a good day,” she called, and then silently scolded herself. They were growing up, and she had no choice but to let them do that. Her job was to keep them in school and maintain a healthy, loving environment at home.
When she arrived at her own building, she went straight to the office and turned in her list of students with alter
ed grades to the secretary.
“Thanks,” Pam said, adding it to a pile in her desk drawer. “Why don’t you drop by third hour and have a Coke with me?”
Pam was a good friend and knew everything that went on in the school.
“I’ll try,” Toni promised as she headed out the door.
When second hour ended, she tidied her desk and set up the lab for fourth hour. Then she hurried up the hall to the vending machines in the hallway in front of the office. As she plucked a can of Coke from the drop-down bin, Pam emerged from the office and joined her. She dropped coins in the machine and selected a soda.
“I consolidated all the lists into one and gave it to Ken at the beginning of first hour,” she said. “He had me start calling students into his office one by one. As soon as he gets about finished with one, he buzzes me and I locate and summon the next one.”
“How many were there?” Toni asked, leaning against the machine and sipping from her Coke.
“I didn’t count, but I think it was around thirty.” Pam glanced back at the office that was visible through huge glass windows in the top half of the wall. “I should get back to my desk. He had just started interrogating a student when I came out. He’s probably about ready for me to call another one. Come with me.”
Obediently, Toni followed Pam into the office. She indicated her Coke. “As soon as I finish this, I need to hurry back to my room and get some paperwork done.”
Pam slid onto her chair. “I just wanted to ask if you’re going to be helping the police figure out whose body your students found and what happened to the poor person.”
Toni shook her head. “I need to stay out of it.”
Pam’s face crinkled. “But don’t you want to know who it is?”
Toni hesitated a fraction too long before answering. “Sure, I do,” she admitted.
Pam studied her. “You already know who it is, don’t you?”
Toni shrugged. “Not for sure,” she said honestly.
