One Grave Too Many

by Beverly Connor

  The lab was warm compared to the vault storage room. She pulled off her gloves and washed her hands. Korey’s staff was hard at work.

  “Any news on the fingerprints?” they asked.

  “Nothing yet.” Actually, they were still in her office drawer waiting . . . waiting for her to give to Frank.

  Korey was in his office on the phone. She poked her head in and thanked him for the use of the storage area. “I’m going to leave the bones out for a while. If you have time later, would you help me photograph them?”

  He put his hand over the receiver and nodded. “Sure thing. Let me know.”

  On her way to the stairs she met Mike Seger. “Mike,” she said, “I owe you an apology.”

  He looked at her for a moment before he spoke. “Thanks. The whole thing’s strange.”

  “Melissa’s furious with me at the moment.”

  “Me too,” he said. “But I can’t figure out why. I don’t understand it. It’s too weird for me. I just can’t hack it.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s a relief, really. You know, I like her music. I wish . . .” He shrugged, letting the sentence go. “I convinced Dr. Lymon of the virtues of her office space.”

  “I’m happy about that.”

  “She’s not going to be here that much anyway.” He paused. “I suppose I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “She does have to be here a specific number of hours, and a curator does have responsibilities that go along with the title, but we’ll see how it works out. I’m sure the collection manager will let me know if he feels put-upon.”

  When Diane got to her office, she found Frank’s partner sitting in Andie’s office, his legs crossed, reading a copy of Museum News. He stood up when she entered.

  “This is Ben Florian,” said Andie.

  “We met briefly at the hospital.” She opened her door and motioned him in.

  He followed her, holding a cup of coffee in a museum mug.

  “Good to see you again,” she said. “I was going to call you. I’m glad you came by.”

  He stood in the middle of the room and looked around. “Nice office.”

  “Thank you. Have a seat.” Diane sat down behind her desk. “I just saw Frank this morning. I guess you know he had a setback, but he’s doing well.” She kept telling everyone he’s doing well—it was as if it was only her positive declaration that was keeping him alive.

  He frowned. “I hadn’t heard. What happened?”

  “Infection.”

  “Oh, that’s bad. My old sergeant got an infection after open-heart surgery. Wouldn’t heal. They ended up putting sugar in the wound and it finally healed up. Of course, that was a long time ago. I’m sure they have more modern methods now. Like I said at the hospital, Frank’s tough.”

  “His brother tells me he’s responding well to antibiotics.”

  As she said it, she realized that was not what he said at all. In fact, he hadn’t really told her anything—she simply kept pulling positive notes from what he said. The thought alarmed her.

  “I’m sure he’s right.” He must have seen the expression on her face.

  Ben looked to be about ten or fifteen years older than Frank. He wore the same gray suit he had worn at the hospital. He ran a hand over his short brown hair and pulled out a small notebook and a sheaf of papers from a pocket inside his coat.

  “I suppose this is a smoke-free building.”

  “Yes,” said Diane. “Museums have to be.”

  He nodded. “I have the results from some tests Frank wanted processed.” He handed the papers to her.

  They were the test results from the blood analysis and the analysis of the plastic she’d found near Jay Boone. The plastic had powder residue, as she suspected.

  “Thanks. This helps.”

  “Good. I have some information, too. Frank was checking on some falsified documents for you. He asked me to pass along what he discovered.” Ben flipped open the notebook. “He was checking the backgrounds of some of your employees. One name popped out and he circled it. You have an employee named Leonard Starns?”

  “Yes. He’s one of the night security guards.”

  “His youngest son, Danny Starns, is an agent in the Mark Grayson Real Estate Agency. Are you familiar with them?”

  “Yes,” said Diane, “I am. Grayson is one of my chief detractors.”

  “That may be something, then. He said you wanted to handle this in-house.”

  “I do. Nothing has actually been stolen. But duplicates of some very expensive exhibits were ordered illegally. I appreciate the information. I hope you didn’t have to drive all the way from Atlanta just for this.”

  “No, I thought I’d try to see Frank this afternoon. I thought maybe he’d be in a private room by now.” Ben put the notebook back in his pocket. “Frank said you might have some fingerprints or something?”

  Diane took out the envelope of photographs and the fingerprint card from the conservation lab break-in.

  “One of the labs was broken into a few days ago. They upset a lot of supplies and emptied drawers, but nothing was stolen, so the police here really can’t do much. I took some fingerprints. I was wondering if you could run them for me.” She handed him the envelope.

  “That shouldn’t be a problem. Sounds to me like you have some vandals running around the place. I can’t stand people whose only mission in life is to tear up other people’s stuff. It’s as bad as stealing. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  “Yes. This concerns Frank and what happened to him.” Diane laid out the whole story of the skeleton, the Boones, the attack on her and then Frank.

  “Yes, you mentioned in the hospital that you were attacked, or someone did. You think all this is related?”

  “Either that or a lot of coincidences.”

  “Yeah, too many coincidences.”

  “I’ve analyzed the skeletal remains, and this is what I came up with.” She took her laptop and plugged it into its docking station, called up her report and printed it out.

  She cast a glance at the laptop Kenneth had sent, which was sitting on the table. She hadn’t even tried it yet. In fact, she’d forgotten that Dylan Houser was bringing it over. It must have been brought when she’d been out, which lately was entirely too much. She should at least give it a try. Her absence from the museum was weighing her down.

  The page came out of the printer, and Diane handed it to Ben.

  “This is what we think we know about the remains. I make it clear in the report what’s observation and what’s simply possibilities.”

  Ben read the report and whistled. “This seems pretty thorough to me. Didn’t know you could get this much stuff from bones.”

  “We haven’t found the skull yet, unfortunately. That could tell us a lot more.”

  “Frank said you’re a forensic anthropologist. I didn’t know museums had them.”

  “Many have forensic units. Museums are often repositories of skeletal collections, so a lot of research goes on in them. I’d like to try to match up this information with a missing person.”

  “I’ll put it out. Not every place in the country, or even Georgia, will see it right away, but who knows? We might get lucky.”

  “I hope so. I think this might be the key to everything.”

  “All we can do is try.” He stood. “Nice museum you have here. I might bring my wife and kids when it opens up.”

  “Please do. We’re very proud of it. Your kids will especially enjoy it. Many of the exhibits are designed for kids to interact with.” She rose and shook his hand. “And thanks so much for coming.” Diane walked him through Andie’s office and to the door, grateful for help.

  “I’m going to get some work done,” she told Andie. “So unless it’s an emergency . . .”

  “Sure. I’ve got a letter from Leonard Starns. He’s quit.” Andie sounded incredulous, astounded that anyone would quit a job there.

  Diane would have smiled at Andie ha
d she not felt so angry with Leonard. She’d be willing to bet it was his key used to gain access to the conservation lab. But if that were true, what was the purpose of the fake break-in? She thought it had to do with the bone, but why didn’t they break in the faunal lab? That would be where they would expect bones to be stored—or her office.

  “You think he’s sick?” said Andie. “He’s had to miss work the last couple of evenings.”

  “Is he due another paycheck?”

  “Yes, payroll’s going to mail it to him.”

  “No. Go tell them to call Leonard and tell him he has to come pick it up from you. Then bring it to me.”

  “Is there something going on?”

  “Maybe. There seems to be a lot going on. I want to see Leonard before he quits. Oh, Chanell Napier’s going to drop by. Send her in when she comes. She’ll need some paperwork. I’m promoting her to head of security. Also find out about training slots at the GBI police academy to send her to.”

  “Will do,” said Andie, reaching for the phone book.

  Diane started back to her office. “Oh, Dylan Houser’s been assessing our interactive computer needs. How’s that going?”

  “Well, I think he’s been to all the departments. He said sometime next week he’d like to make a presentation to you and all the upper management. Speaking of which, Donald has been looking for you. He’s been complaining that you are never around.”

  Diane sighed. “Next time he comes over, show him in. Has the snake been found?”

  Andie laughed. “Donald makes you think of snakes? As far as I know, it’s still loose.”

  “Tell the herpetologist that I’ve rethought the idea of live examples. I don’t care what they’ve built to accommodate them. We aren’t a zoo, and I shouldn’t have said yes. Bad decision.”

  “I’ll do it. He’s going to be disappointed. He’s got this terrarium built that just about encircles the room.”

  “I know, I’ve seen it. But I don’t want any more live animals. I’m having enough problems with the people.”

  Diane went back to her desk and pulled out the new computer that Dylan Houser brought from Kenneth Meyers. Fairly soon he’d want a report about it. The computer was a model he called ToughLove DLX. Tough love. She couldn’t imagine how guilty Louise and George must have felt, how they must have regretted asking Star to leave home. In her wildest imagination she couldn’t see tossing Ariel out. But she had to admit, she’d never walked in the Boones’ shoes. But still . . .

  She focused her attention back on the computer. She took it out of its case and opened it up. Kenneth said it was designed for field work. He wasn’t kidding. A 3.2 gigahertz processor, shock-protected 120 gigabyte hard drive, global-position satellite receiver, dust- and water-resistant, a ton of software, sleek black, and all in a hardy magnesium case. She turned it on. Fast boot up. She liked it. Kenneth knew how to tempt a woman. She’d have to show this to Frank. Frank. She started to reach for the phone and call the hospital to see how he was, but stopped herself. Linc would call if there was any news.

  She looked at several of the programs Kenneth had installed—word processing, graphics, maps. There was plenty of room to put her specialized software on it.

  She heard Andie talking to someone in her office. She didn’t recognize the voice, but someone wanted to see her and they weren’t taking no for an answer. She got up to see who it was.

  Chapter 39

  “I’m sorry, Dr. Fallon,” said Andie. “I told him you didn’t want to be disturbed.”

  Dylan Houser stood in front of Andie’s desk, arguing with her. “Dylan,” said Diane. “I don’t have time to talk about the computers now. I realize I’ve been putting you off for . . .”

  He stood with his hands in his pockets, looking sheepish. It was not a look she imagined he had very often. “It’s not about that. It’s personal. I am sorry, but it won’t take long.”

  “All right, come in.” Diane stood aside as he entered. She closed the door behind him. “What’s this about?” She hadn’t meant to sound short, but she was feeling the need to get some work done.

  “It’s about Alix and Melissa.”

  Diane sighed, deeply regretting getting involved. “That’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have interfered in the first place.”

  “Perhaps,” said Dylan. “Or perhaps not. I just want to set the record straight about Alix. She’d never tell you herself.”

  Diane waited.

  “I know all this sounds strange.” He shook his head. “And I know Lacy and Emily told you their version. Maybe they believe it and maybe they don’t. Frankly, I don’t know them very well.”

  Diane was wishing he would get to the point, but she didn’t say anything, just waited, unconsciously twirling a pen through her fingers.

  “Emily and Lacy are friends, just like Alix and Melissa. The four of them have known each other forever, but they aren’t that close and there’s some jealousy on Emily and Lacy’s part.”

  “Jealousy?”

  “You know how some girls—women—are. Anyway, that’s the only reason I can figure they told you a story about Alix. Alix isn’t abusing Melissa. The very thought is ludicrous. Melissa’s doing it to herself.”

  “What?”

  “Have you ever met Melissa’s parents? They’ve mapped out her life ever since she was born. Parents don’t know the kind of pressure they put on a kid. My dad’s a great guy and is so proud of me, but I’m telling you, just that amount of pride is hard on me sometimes. Melissa’s parents always expected perfection, and they were very controlling. Her response was to abuse herself. She hits herself with things, she’s cut herself, sometimes she bites herself—she actually leaves teeth marks. The last thing she did was cut off her hair. Alix trimmed it for her, trying to make it look like that’s what she intended. Alix has always been Melissa’s protector. And she’s really upset that you think she’s the one hurting Melissa.”

  “I don’t think anything at the moment,” said Diane. “The whole thing is too confusing.”

  “I agree with you there.”

  “I was told that Alix hit you.”

  “No. Was that Lacy and Emily?” Diane didn’t respond. “She didn’t. I don’t know why they said that. Maybe they thought they were protecting Mike. I know you thought it was him.”

  “He thinks it’s her father.”

  “I know. Melissa needs to get help. I don’t think she understands how many people she’s drawn into all this. Alix is afraid you’re going to fire her.”

  “As long as she does her job, I have no reason to fire her. I’ve already made the mistake of suspecting Mike. I don’t intend to compound it. I intend to stay out of it.”

  “Alix will be relieved. It’s not like she needs the job, but she really likes it here. She didn’t have an easy childhood either. Her parents were always gone and too busy to pay any attention to her. She was raised by a long string of housekeepers, or stayed with Melissa. I guess that’s why they’re so close.”

  “Tell her not to worry.”

  “I will. I see you’re using the computer. How do you like it?”

  “So far it’s great. I haven’t done much. But it’s a really nice model.”

  “It is, isn’t it? I’m not fond of the name, but it’s a great machine. Do you know you can drop it as far as four feet and it won’t sustain any damage?”

  “That will be good for field work.”

  He stood up. “Look, I promised not to talk about computers, so I’ll be going. I just wanted to put in a word for Alix.”

  “Thank you for coming in.”

  Diane watched him leave. She shook her head. This was what, the third story? Intervention is tricky business. The best she could say about the mess was that she’d learned a lesson.

  She pushed her new computer aside and looked at the reports Ben Florian had brought her. Her theory on the plastic had panned out. The plastic was from the kind used for soda bottles. The gunpowder residue on the in
side surface was a strong indicator that a plastic bottle was used as a silencer. Frank would be glad to hear it.

  She looked at the bloodstain report and compared it to the autopsy reports. No blood except George’s and Louise’s. Too bad; she’d love to have had some perp DNA.

  She matched the identification of George and Louise’s bloodstains to the sets of medium-velocity spatters on the walls to see which blow struck George and which one struck Louise. She double-checked it with the autopsy report of the number of times each were struck. It matched with the scenario she laid out for Frank.

  She had a lot of information, neatly organized, neatly fitting together, but not enough to clear Star. There was nothing to do now but wait to see if anything came of the missing persons inquiry.

  She was about to stop and have some lunch and visit Frank when Andie announced Chanell Napier. Chanell, dressed in a dark green suit, came in and sat down in the chair in front of Diane’s desk, clasping her hands in front of her.

  “Thanks for coming,” said Diane.

  Chanell smiled and looked as if she didn’t quite know what to say.

  “I wanted to know if you’re interested in the job as head of security here at the museum. It would mean a substantial raise in pay. It would also mean taking some classes we’d set up for you.”

  Chanell put her hands to her face. She looked like she’d just won the lottery.

  “I take it you’re interested,” said Diane.

  “Yes, oh, yes, ma’am. I’m interested.”

  “Good. Andie will give you the details and tell you where to go to fill out some forms.” Diane stood up and held out her hand. “Congratulations.”

  Chanell took her hand and shook it. “Oh, thank you, Dr. Fallon. I’ll do a really good job for you. I will.”

  “I’m sure you will. You can start today.”

  As she was congratulating Chanell, Diane heard Leonard Starns in Andie’s office through the crack in the partially open door.

  “Payroll called and said I had to pick up my check from you.”

  “Yes,” said Andie. “This way.” She led him into Diane’s office.

  “How you doing, Leonard?” said Chanell.

  He looked from Diane to Chanell. “What’s this about?”