Don t Look Back

by Margaret Daley

  Jameson gave it to her. “I’m not too far from the college. I’ll be there in ten minutes. I went to see Tony. I’ll tell you about it when I get there.”

  After she hung up, she placed a call to the detective investigating the ten-year-old murder. He told her to wait for him at the library. She disconnected and looked around for something to do in the meantime. More students came up the sidewalk, and she gave them a smile, trying to appear as if she had a reason to be in the middle of a bed of dirt doing nothing at the moment. But standing out in the open made her feel as though she had a target painted on her back. She would be glad when the police arrived and took the locket.

  Relief blanketed her when Jameson loped across the lawn toward her with Jim Anderson not far behind him. She sank down on a stone bench near the library entrance. Although she had dirt on her hands and the knees of her jeans, Jameson’s look of appreciation as he approached wiped everything from her mind except him.

  “We’ve both been busy, I see.”

  His crooked grin filled her with relief. “Jim’s here. You can tell me about Tony after he leaves.”

  “Afraid he’ll lecture us about doing our own investigation?”

  “Yes.” Cassie pasted a bright smile on her face and rose as the detective stopped a few feet away. “Thanks for coming.” She stuck her hand into her pocket and slid the rag out of it, then gave it to Jim. “What do you think? Could it have belonged to the woman found buried?”

  The detective carefully unwrapped the cloth and examined the piece of jewelry. He used the corner of the material to rub into the locket. “You’re right. It looks like 1998 was engraved on it. Where did you find it?”

  Cassie pointed toward the large azalea in the center of the barren bed. “The chain was tangled in one of its roots. From what I understand from Steff, that bush is one of the original ones planted ten years ago when they laid the sidewalk.”

  “I can’t discount anything. I’ll have the lab clean this up and see what they can come up with. It might be a clue. We don’t have many. For the time being, please don’t say anything to anyone about what you found. If it is a lead, I don’t want the details to get out.”

  “Okay. All I could make out are initials, possibly a P and an R or a B, and 98.”

  “They could be important.”

  “Of course, I won’t say anything. I want to find out what happened as much as you do. I’m worried it could be someone I knew.”

  Jim regarded Jameson. “And you?”

  “I agree with Cassie. I hope it’s a lead you can use.”

  His friend studied him for several long seconds. “Keeping out of trouble?”

  “I live a rather dull life.”

  The detective laughed. “Yeah, right. Why is it I get the feeling you two are up to something?”

  “Beats me.” Jameson stepped closer to Cassie, as though to present a united front.

  “Have you had anymore hang-ups?” After putting the evidence in a plastic bag, Jim pocketed the locket.

  “Not so far.”

  Jim started to walk away but turned back. “Don’t do anything foolish, y’all.”

  When the detective was out of earshot, Cassie faced Jameson. “What happened with Tony?”

  He recounted the interview with Scott’s ex-teammate. “He was lying when I asked about where Paige was and if he’d seen Kevin. He knows more than he’s telling.”

  “What was in the sacks?”

  “I don’t know. Something might be going on at the mart that neither Will nor Tony want anyone to know about.”

  “Enough to kill Scott over it?”

  “Maybe. I want to find Paige. I’d feel a lot better knowing she is alive.” He took her hands and brushed the dirt from them. “Are you finished for the day?”

  All her senses were centered on his fingers wrapped around hers. Finally she realized he was waiting for her answer. Cassie peered at the garden bed she had prepared, trying to ignore the heady sensations his touch produced. “As soon as I cover that bush with earth and water the ones I planted, I’m calling it quits. Tomorrow I have a few high school students coming to help.”

  “And me.”

  “You still can?”

  “I remember you promised I could drive the Mustang. I can’t pass up that opportunity.”

  Men and their cars. She stifled a laugh and reluctantly pulled her hands away. “How about I pick you up on my way here?”

  “Curb-to-curb service. I like that. What time?”

  “Eight, and eat a big breakfast. We’re working straight through until this is completed.”

  “What have I gotten myself into?”

  “A day of fun with me and three teens.”

  At the edge of the new memorial garden, Cassie rose and brushed off her knees. She smiled at the distinguished older man approaching. “I told David I would give him a ride home, Dr. Rutherford.”

  The head of the English Department stopped near her. “I had to come see what would make my youngest son get up so early on a Saturday morning.” He glanced over at the teens gathered at the other end of the flower bed. “Now I know. Who is he interested in? The brunette or the blonde?”

  Jameson came up to them. “Christiana Ortiz, Edgar’s sister. And they’ve just asked me if we could go to the Half Joe since we’re through. At least, Christiana and David did. Kathleen has practice. Her mother is coming to pick her up.”

  Cassie waved toward Kathleen, who was putting on her backpack. “Thanks. I appreciated your help today.”

  The teen began jogging toward a parked car. “Anytime, Ms. Winters.”

  David loped over to them. “Dad, what are you doing here?”

  Cornell Rutherford laughed. “In case you’ve forgotten, I work here.”

  “Not usually on Saturday.”

  “Frankly, I was curious to find you gone when I came back from my jog this morning. Your mom told me you were volunteering for your counselor at school.”

  The tall lad’s mouth pinched into a frown. “We’re not through here.” The frown disappeared the instant he saw Christiana walking toward them. “We still need to clean up. I’ll catch a ride with Ms. Winters.” He spun around and hurried toward the teenage girl.

  “I’d planned on driving him home, so he’s welcome to stay and go with us to the Half Joe. They’ve earned a treat.”

  “A coffee shop is a treat?” Disdain sounded in Cornell’s deep voice.

  “To a high school student, a college hangout is a treat.” Jameson sidled closer to Cassie.

  Cornell flipped his hand in the air. “That’s fine. I have to meet with the president about the reception next weekend. I can certainly use the extra time.”

  “Great. You have a wonderful son. He’s already showing promise on the high school basketball team.”

  Cornell peered at David helping Christiana put the last bit of mulch around the bushes at the far end of the garden. “Yes, he wants to be the next Michael Jordan. He wants to play for Magnolia College, then the NBA. That’s his dream.”

  Cassie could tell it wasn’t Cornell’s dream for his son. In fact, from what little the teen had told her in her office, he didn’t get along with his dad, which at his age of seventeen didn’t really surprise her.

  “Good day, Ms. Winters, Jameson.”

  As Cornell strolled toward the administration building, Jameson scratched his head. “I’ve worked with him for years and I still can’t figure him out. He has three children and has always proclaimed what a family man he is. Yet I hardly ever see him with his family.”

  “David is the last one at home. Maybe he’s trying to change his ways, become more involved.”

  “I could see Cornell doing something like that. He’s campaigning hard to succeed Dr. Whitston as president after he retires in the spring. This little reception he was talking about is one that Cornell has arranged to honor our president for an award he received.”

  “I can tell you’re looking forward to it.”

&
nbsp; His humorless chuckle peppered the air. “Like going to the dentist for a root canal.” A gleam brightened his eyes. “But you could make it bearable if you’ll agree to come with me. It’s next Saturday night at seven o’clock at the Mossy Oak Inn.”

  Where she saw Jameson for the first time since returning to Magnolia Falls. How could she not go back there? “I’d love to. I’m assuming formal attire?”

  “Yes, I get to dust off my tuxedo again. I have a feeling it’s going to get some use this year with the race for the presidency up for grabs.”

  “You don’t think Dr. Rutherford has it locked?”

  “Maybe. It helps that he has a connection to the Kessler family.”

  “Ah, yes, his wife is related to them.” She studied the slight tension around Jameson’s mouth. “I’m getting the impression you aren’t a huge fan of the good doctor.”

  “He plays the political game all right, and he’s run the English Department okay, but I personally don’t see him running the college.” He removed his work gloves. “But I don’t make the decision, so it’s out of my hands.”

  Cassie glanced around him. “I see that while we were loafing David and Christiana managed to finish up. I don’t know about you, but I’ve worked up quite an appetite. I’m going to see if I can talk them into going to Burt’s Pizza instead of the Half Joe.”

  “I don’t think you’ll have too much trouble. Pizza and teens go hand in hand.”

  David leaned across the table at Burt’s Pizza. “That’s Marcus Reed coming in the door.”

  Christiana grabbed a slice of pepperoni. “David’s day is now complete since he has seen the star basketball player.”

  David playfully elbowed the teenage girl in the side. “Hey, I think you’re making fun of me. Dr. King, is he in one of your classes?”

  “Not this semester.”

  “I can’t wait till the season starts in a couple of weeks. Dad’s got great seats right behind the bench.” As Marcus walked by the table with his two friends, David lowered his voice, “They say he’ll be going to the NBA after this year, that he won’t finish his senior year.”

  Jameson caught Cassie’s gaze. “That’s what I hear.”

  “He’s much better than his brother. He…” With eyes wide, David clamped his mouth closed. He turned several shades of red. “I’m sorry, Ms. Winters. I didn’t mean to bring up his brother. I mean with your brother…”

  Cassie grinned. “That’s okay. I’ll tell you a little secret. I’ve even mentioned Kevin Reed’s name lately.”

  Jameson noticed Marcus’s two friends get up from their table and head for the counter to place their order. “Excuse me for a moment.”

  Jameson weaved his way through the crowded pizzeria, a few of his students calling out to him. When Marcus saw him approaching, he straightened his tall, lanky body.

  “It’s good to see you, Marcus. I hear this may be our year to go to the dance.”

  His mouth lifted in a cocky grin. “I predict we’ll go to the Final Four.”

  Without waiting for an invitation, Jameson slipped into the chair next to the basketball player. “I need to get hold of your brother. Do you know where Kevin is?”

  “No. The last time I heard from him was when he checked himself into a hospital to get clean.” Marcus picked up the half-full saltshaker and tossed it back and forth. “He couldn’t even make it through the treatment program. He was there a week and left. That’s my big brother for you.”

  The disgust in Marcus’s voice astounded Jameson. There was a time that he had worshiped Kevin. What changed that? His drug habit? Or something else?

  Jameson withdrew his wallet from his pocket and slid his card toward Marcus. “If you hear from him, it’s important that I talk with him. Please try to find out where he is. But don’t say anything to him about me wanting to get in touch with him. He won’t be thrilled if you tell me where he is, but I think his life may be in danger.”

  A tic twitched in the basketball player’s jaw. “What kind of danger?”

  Jameson scrutinized Marcus for a long moment, weighing the pros and cons of telling him what was going on. “The kind Scott got into.”

  Marcus palmed the card and stuffed it into his front jeans pocket. “Thanks.”

  Jameson could feel Marcus’s gaze boring into him the whole way back to his table. Cassie’s smile faltered, her eyes full of questions.

  He gave her a slight shake of the head, then asked, “Are you all about ready to leave? I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to stiffen up. All that bending and stooping.”

  Christiana glanced at her watch. “Yeah, I told Edgar I would be home by three. He’s got something planned, but as usual he hasn’t bothered to tell me what.”

  David patted Christiana’s hand. “That’s my dad. It’s his way or the highway.”

  “How about that last piece of pizza? Anyone?” Cassie scooped up her purse and fished for her car keys.

  David waited a couple of seconds, then grabbed the slice. “I wouldn’t want it to go to waste.”

  While Christiana and David started for the entrance, Cassie clasped Jameson’s arm and stopped him. “What did Marcus say?”

  “He doesn’t know where Kevin is,” he whispered close to her ear.

  “Why am I not surprised?”

  He chuckled. His nearness even in a crowded restaurant caused a fluttering in her stomach. She moved back a little but kept her voice low. “Was he lying?”

  “I don’t think so. They don’t seem to be as close as they once were.” Jameson settled his hand at the small of her back and guided her toward the front. “I told him to call me if he hears from Kevin.”

  Cassie glanced over her shoulder. “I don’t know if you should have.” After they left the pizzeria, she made sure David and Christiana were out of earshot, then added, “He could be involved.”

  “We don’t even know what’s going on.”

  “Will and Tony could be running a drug ring. We don’t know what was in those sacks Tony had. I could see Kevin in the thick of it all.”

  “But I don’t see Marcus. His basketball career means too much to him. He comes from a poor family. It’s his ticket out of that kind of life.”

  “We’re no closer to what’s happened to Scott than a week ago. I feel like we’re spinning our wheels.”

  “I seem to remember you telling me I could drive the Mustang,” Jameson said as they approached the two teens.

  Cassie went around to the passenger’s side and tossed him the keys over the roof of the vehicle. “I wondered when you were going to say something.”

  “This is a cool car, Ms. Winters.” David climbed into the small back seat, sitting closer to Christiana than he really had to. “When did you get it?”

  Cassie cleared her throat. “It was my brother’s.”

  “I remember seeing him play basketball. He was good.”

  After Jameson put the convertible top down, Cassie twisted around to peer at David in the back seat. “You really do live and breathe the game.” Like Scott did once.

  “Yep. I wish someone like Marcus would practice with the team. Give us some pointers.”

  The wind played with Cassie’s long hair as Jameson drove toward Christiana’s. “That’s not a bad idea. I’ve been thinking lately of starting a mentoring group at the high school. I’d match students with people in the community and at the college who are working in the field they are interested in as a career.”

  David’s face split with a huge grin. “I’ll volunteer to be the first one you pair up—hopefully with Marcus Reed.”

  “If we are putting in our preferences, I would love to be matched up with Dee Owens. I want to go into public relations,” Christiana piped in as Jameson pulled up to her place near the college.

  “I’ll walk you to the door.” Before Christiana could say anything, David leaped out of the Mustang without using the door.

  Cassie noticed Edgar standing in the entrance, watching the p
air walk toward him. Cassie waved, noting out loud, “He doesn’t look too happy.”

  “His sister is beautiful and she is growing up. Boys are attracted to her. I imagine Edgar has his hands full.”

  “According to her, she won’t start dating until she graduates from high school, if her brother has his way.”

  “A bit overprotective, I see.”

  Cassie indicated an inch with her thumb and forefinger. “Just a tad.”

  Jameson roared with laughter. “I don’t envy him.”

  As a frowning David headed back to the car, Cassie climbed out to allow him to get into the back. “Everything okay?”

  “Christiana invited me to church tomorrow, but I don’t think her brother was pleased by the invitation.”

  “Are you going?”

  “Yeah, and I’m sitting with Christiana.” David’s smile was slow and easy.

  “This I’ve got to see,” Cassie murmured.

  Jameson threw her an amused look. “You go to the same church?”

  She nodded.

  Shortly, they dropped off David at his house, and then Jameson directed the Mustang toward his apartment building. All too soon he parked in front and shifted toward Cassie.

  “I heard from Jim.”

  “Did they discover anything else?”

  “He didn’t come right out and say, but I believe they think it could be a clue to the woman’s identity or to the murderer. Knowing crime labs, I’m sure they will be able to discern what the two initials are and the complete date.”

  “Which has got to be important. Maybe they’ll be able to restore the photo, too. I think it was a baby picture, but I don’t know for sure.”

  “If so, then the date could be a birth date of the baby. That could help the police possibly.” He clasped the back edge of her seat, only inches from her arm. “Have you gotten anymore calls?”

  “No, but there are times I feel I’m being watched. I never see anyone. I hope it’s my overactive imagination.”

  “You’re taking precautions?”

  She wanted him to touch her. She wanted him to kiss her. “Yes, and so is Mom. And I see police cruisers drive by the house throughout the day.”