Murder Is Private

by Diane Weiner

  “Oh,” replied Susan, flustered. “They’re mine. I’ve been having trouble sleeping and my doctor gave them to me.”

  “Mom…” Lynette sneered.

  “Mom, we’re busted,” said Evan. “We have to be straight with Lynette. She can help.”

  “What’s Evan talking about?” asked Lynette. “Where did you really get those?”

  “All right,” said Susan, deflated, “My student found them under her roommate’s bed. Her roommate’s the one who took the overdose. She didn’t want to get Trish in trouble so she confided in me.”

  “Like always, Mom, butting into police business! Even a thousand miles from home. You should have gone straight to Kevin with these.”

  “Bibi was scared and I promised not to tell. If word gets around that I’m not trustworthy, Lynette, I’ll never get information. And Audrey needs to have this case solved or the donors will pull out and the school will wind up closing.”

  “She’s just trying to help our grandmother,” said Evan. “Give her a break, Sis!” Evan patted Susan on the back.

  “Give them to me,” demanded Lynette. “Don’t say anything to your student yet, Mom. I’ll get them to Kevin, and see if he can have them analyzed.”

  “You’re the best, Lynette!” Susan gushed. “Do you think it would be helpful to talk to Trish? She’s only a few hours away.”

  “No, absolutely not!” said Lynette firmly. “Let’s see what the lab turns up first. Then we’ll let the police take it from there.”

  “Will do,” agreed Susan reluctantly. “Who wants to take a walk on the beach?”

  “I do,” said Evan. “But Grandma is making an early dinner so let’s go afterward”.

  Grandma? Since when did Audrey become Grandma? wondered Susan.

  “Do you smell that? Fried chicken, biscuits! She sure knows how to cook,” said Evan. The three of them gathered the pills together and trudged into the dining room.

  Audrey had set the table and carried out platters of food. Susan wondered how she had the time or energy to prepare a meal like this after working all day at the school. Too bad Audrey didn’t go for healthier options. Fried chicken? With all the info out there about cholesterol, Susan wondered why anyone would still be frying food. Perhaps she should volunteer to cook a heart- healthy meal one night soon.

  “Audrey, this is delicious!” said Lynette. “Crispy, yet moist. Even Annalise loves it, and she’s pretty fussy.”

  “Lynette, you should watch the fried foods with her,” cautioned Susan. “It’s not good for babies.”

  “Nonsense! I raised George on southern comfort food and he turned out just great!” said Audrey beaming at her son who was quietly chowing down.

  Great? Maybe if he’d eaten healthier he wouldn’t be so maladjusted, wondered Susan.

  “Are the parents calming down at school?” said Lynette.

  “A little,” replied Audrey. “The ones who were most concerned pulled their kids out right away. But enrollment is down, and all the terrible publicity from the paper is hurting our donations. The City Ballet was going to present a benefit concert next week, but they pulled out this morning.”

  “Can I see the article?” said Evan.

  “Here! Right on the front page,” said Audrey. She handed him the paper. Susan read over his shoulder. While she was doing so, another headline caught her attention.

  “What’s this?” said Susan, pointing to the piece in question. “Burglar Arrested in Ten-year-old Home Invasion Released from Prison Yesterday.” Susan flipped the page.

  “Is that Celia’s home invasion?” said Audrey.

  Susan continued reading. “It says brother was killed during the robbery. Prior arrest for drug possession with intent to sell. Shot by homeowner. Stand Your Ground law. Yes. That’s the one.”

  “If he was just released, then he couldn’t have killed Celia!” said Audrey.

  “Jail is the perfect alibi for not committing a crime. Ironic, isn’t it?” said Lynette.

  Susan sighed. “Well, one more suspect crossed off the list.”

  “How about that walk we talked about, Mom?” said Evan.

  “You go, Mom. I’ll stay and help Audrey clean up,” said Lynette.

  “And I’ve got somewhere to be,” said George glumly.

  “Looks like it’s you and me, Evan!” Susan sang out, heading for the door.

  Chapter 22

  The concert at Trinity Village was quickly approaching. After rehearsal, Susan thought she’d write up some program notes on Celia’s laptop. Before starting, she wondered if she could find a clue as to who’d given Celia the enamel bracelet. Perhaps Celia had sent emails from school about it if she hadn’t wanted to chance Derrick finding out. Her account was password protected. Darn it, thought Susan. Passwords for everything. Who could remember them all? If Celia were like her, she would have written her password somewhere nearby. Susan rummaged through Celia’s desk and found nothing. Then, hidden in plain sight, she noticed several numbers and words written on the desk blotter. I’ll bet one of these will work, she thought. She tried the first two with no luck. Then, on the third try, Bingo! She was in.

  Susan scrolled through Celia’s emails. Most were school related, many from administration and other faculty members. Some came from Trinity Village regarding the upcoming chorus concert. A few looked like they came from students. This is cryptic. A few emails had been sent from Anonymous. They were dated a few days before Celia’s death. Susan’s eyes widened as she read.

  Celia: You can’t keep it. It’s wrong!

  Anonymous: It’s too beautiful to part with. It’s compensation.

  Susan scrolled to the next day’s mail.

  Celia: Do what’s morally right. What if you get caught?

  Anonymous: It’s well hidden.

  Celia: I can’t love a thief. Go to the police or I will.

  Susan’s pulse quickened. Whoever Anonymous was appeared to have a motive to kill Celia. He was hiding something, and Celia had threatened to turn him in. Susan wished she knew who Celia was seeing. Maybe Celia’s friend Gabby could help. Susan went over to the school library, hoping Gabby hadn’t left for the day. The door was unlocked.

  “Gabby, I’m glad you’re still here.”

  “Susan, what can I do for you?”

  “I think whomever Celia was seeing might have killed her.”

  “Why? Celia was happy with her new lover.”

  “Maybe,” said Susan, “but she found out something about him. Something illegal. She threatened to go to the police if he didn’t turn himself in.”

  “She never said anything about that to me. And she never told me his name.”

  “Think, Gabby,” urged Susan. “Did she say anything to clue you in on who he was? Did he live in town? Where did they get together?”

  “I got the idea he was local. Derrick bowled on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Celia said she walked over to meet him after Derrick left. I know she didn’t take her car––in case her husband came back early, she could tell him she just went for a walk. She was afraid of what Derrick would do if he found out.”

  “So they met at night, within walking distance of her house.” Susan sighed.

  “He could have picked her up in his car,” suggested Gabby.

  “She said she walked over to meet him. You’re sure those were her exact words?”

  “Yes,” said Gabby.

  “If he’d come by with his car, she would have said he picked her up, right?”

  “I guess so.”

  “Do you think she was meeting him in the arboretum the night she was killed?” Susan asked.

  “I don’t know. It was a Tuesday night. Maybe.”

  “Gabby, we have to figure out who he is. If you think of anything else, get in touch with me right away.”

  During the walk home, Susan considered the possibilities. Celia’s boyfriend was most likely local, since they walked to meet each other. They met on Tuesday and Thursday nights when Derri
ck was out bowling. Celia was killed on a Tuesday night, and was heard arguing with someone in the arboretum. A witness saw a man out in the arboretum the night of the murder, but couldn’t identify him. Her boyfriend gave her an engraved bracelet with a German/Austrian design on it. He was involved with something illegal, and Celia was trying to get him to go to the police. Why did Celia keep his identity secret, even from her best friend? Gabby already knew she was having an affair. What if it was because she was seeing one of the students? There were so many questions swirling in her head as she walked in the door.

  “Susan, I beat you home today,” said Audrey. She was sitting at the table, surrounded by papers. Wolfie was curled up next to her chair.

  “What are you up to?” Susan asked. “Are those invitations?”

  “They’re invitation responses for the benefit dinner. Look at all these no’s,” replied Audrey sadly.

  “You think it’s because of the bad publicity?”

  “Of course, it is. Most years we get at least a ninety percent positive response. The dinner is crucial to our budget. If the murder isn’t solved soon, it’ll be too late to obtain the funding we need for the upcoming school year.” Audrey sighed forlornly.

  “I’m doing everything I can, Audrey. So are the police. Try to keep a stiff upper lip.” Susan gave her biological mother a small grin.

  “I’ll try. By the way, I took Lynette over to my orthopedic doctor today. He removed the cast.”

  “That’s great!” replied Susan, glad to hear at least some good news. “It had to be hot and annoying wearing around a cast, especially here in Florida.”

  “Her arm muscles are weak. The doctor gave her strength exercises to do.”

  Evan walked in. “Did Audrey tell you the good news?”

  “She said Lynette got her cast off.”

  “Did she tell you how I talked to her doctor? He offered me a summer residency. Audrey says I can stay with her.”

  Susan was stupefied. “But you were going to come back to New York this summer, Evan. What happened to trying to do research at NYU or Columbia?”

  “Mom, this is a concrete offer. I haven’t heard from any of the others. Audrey’s doctor knows what he’s talking about. His research is cutting edge.”

  “But you were going to be near home.” Susan realized she was whining.

  “Mom, I gotta do what’s best for my career. Besides, I’ll be so busy, you wouldn’t have seen me much anyway. I’m sure I can come up to Westbrook for a few days before I have to be back in St. Louis.”

  Susan held her tongue, but she felt her blood pressure rising. She’d been counting on having Evan closer to home for the summer. She barely got to see him anymore. Then she remembered Audrey’s comments about how they needed doctors in Florida. What gave Audrey the right to butt into Susan’s family business? Now she was trying to be a mother and a grandmother? Coming to Florida had been a mistake! Worried she’d say something she’d regret, Susan went upstairs. Lynette followed her into her bedroom.

  “Mom, I heard the whole conversation. I know you feel hurt that Audrey is interfering with your plans for your golden boy.”

  “Do you blame me? That woman is missing in action for 62 years, then all of a sudden steps in like we’ve been one big happy family all along! And what’s up with Evan? He’s playing right into it!” Susan was incensed.

  “I understand. I’d be hurt too. Audrey’s just trying to be nice. I’ll bet she has lots of guilt about abandoning you. She’s trying to make herself feel better.”

  “I’m not wrong feeling this way, am I?”

  “Of course not. I’d feel the same. Listen, we can help her as much as we can down here, then we’ll probably see her once or twice a year after that. As for Evan, he’s just being agreeable. When he gets back to school, he’ll think things through and make the best decision for himself. He may change his mind altogether.”

  Susan hugged Lynette close. “You’re right. Audrey missed out on raising a daughter. She’ll never get those years back. Lynette, I’m going to take a walk on the beach. I’ll call Dad on the way. I wish he was here.”

  “You’ll see him soon enough, Mom. Have a good walk.”

  Chapter 23

  Susan filled Mike in on the Florida experience. She told him how upset she was about Evan possibly spending the summer in Florida.

  “Come on, Susan,” her husband said. “Once he thinks it over, I bet Evan’ll choose Columbia or NYU over doing research with some geriatric doctor at Florida Pan-America University. You know that.”

  “And if he doesn’t?”

  “I have some vacation time coming. If he decides to go to Florida, we’ll just visit. And we can have a little second honeymoon for ourselves. You and me. The beach. Drinks with little umbrellas in the glasses...”

  “Sounds kinda nice. Hmm, not sure I want you around all these bikini-clad hotties, though. I swear no one in Florida has cellulite.”

  “I’ll only have eyes for you. Did you say bikini-clad hotties?”

  “If you were here right now, I’d give you a whack.”

  “We’re doing the 50 Shades thing now? I’m game.”

  “Seriously, I miss you. You always make me feel better.”

  “I miss you too. Love you. Stay out of trouble.”

  Susan rounded the auditorium corner. She smelled the salt water. What was that? Lightning? She looked up. She saw three flashes of light in quick succession. She waited. It happened again. It was coming from the third floor tower of the auditorium. After a pause, it happened again. She walked behind the auditorium to the beach, and she heard something else. A motor boat engine. She saw someone come out the back door of the auditorium and hand a suitcase full of something to the driver of the boat. Then, the boat sped away. She crouched behind the corner of the building. The man who’d carried out the suitcase went back into the auditorium. Susan heard eerie music wafting through the windows. Violin music. Who’s playing the violin at this hour?

  She pulled open the back door of the auditorium and entered the main hall. It was dark inside, except for the emergency lights. The mournful music wasn’t coming from here. She heard it again, Albinoni’s Adagio seemingly floating through the ceiling. She located the dark, musty stairwell and started up the steps. Rain pounded against a single, small window. Breathing the stale air was a chore.

  She grabbed the handrail and continued up the stairs, following the sound of the violin. She couldn’t imagine who it was. She was almost at the top, when large hands grabbed her neck. She tried to scream but couldn’t. She was choking. Someone shoved a gag into her mouth. She struggled with terror as a hood was pulled over her head, reminding her of terrorists and beheaded journalists. Her hips felt like tires being catapulted over speed bumps as she was pulled down the stairs.

  Then strong hands dragged her outside into the rain. The music disappeared into the distance, replaced by the sound of waves crashing against the shore. She felt a salty ocean breeze brush her arms. She was yanked to her feet and pushed through the thick sand, a gun poking into her back. Water invaded her sandals, making it yet more difficult to trudge through the beach with her bruised legs and aching hip. Then she heard wood under her feet. She was at the pier.

  Shaking from her hair to her toes, she recognized the sound of a motor boat approaching. What were they going to do to her? She was lifted, then thrown onto the seat of the boat.

  “Drop and eliminate her,” said her captor.

  “Consider it done,” said another man. Susan assumed he was the boat driver.

  The motor revved to full blast. Water splashed into the boat as it sped away from the pier.

  Where was he taking her? The gag and hood made breathing difficult and she panicked at the thought of suffocating. The ride seemed to last for hours. Would Lynette and Evan be looking for her? How long had she actually been gone?

  Eventually, the motor sputtered and the boat rocked in the water. Silence. What now? She sawed her hands back and for
th against the seat, hoping to loosen the duct tape. She prayed the driver would change his mind and bring her back to shore, alive. It wasn’t going to happen. The driver picked her up and threw her over the side of the boat. She plunged under the water with a splash. The boat sped off, leaving her in the middle of the ocean.

  She thrashed her way to the surface, coughing and spitting out ocean water. Between the sawing on the boat seat and the water loosening the adhesive, she managed to free her hands from the tape. Her heart raced. She flailed her feet, then started treading water. Realizing her hands were free, she ripped off the hood and the gag.

  A sliver of moonlight barely illuminated the surface of the water. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this afraid. She was thankful that the ocean water wasn’t freezing cold like back home. She felt like she was swimming in bath water. Swimming. Could she swim to shore? She had no idea which direction the shore was. The city kept the lights off to protect the baby sea turtles. Warm water. Didn’t sharks like warm water? She screamed into the blackness.

  Chapter 24

  “Lynette, where’s Mom?” Evan asked his sister.

  “Isn’t she in her room?”

  “No, I just checked. Audrey hasn’t seen her.”

  “She said she was going to take a walk, but that was hours ago. Oh, no, Evan, I’m worried. Maybe she got lost,” said Lynette.

  The two siblings searched the house, then the neighborhood. There was no sign of their mother. Audrey volunteered to stay with the baby.

  “I hope your mother is all right. She may have gotten lost,” suggested Audrey. “All these streets look alike, especially at night.” She tossed her car keys to Evan.

  Evan drove, Lynette navigated. They left the neighborhood and followed the street to the school, scanning every inch of the sidewalks as they passed. They arrived at the campus, and Evan parked at the arboretum. They searched on foot, in the rain. There was no sign of their mother. Lynette’s phone rang.

  “It’s Audrey,” the caller’s voice said. “Did you find her? I’m terrified something has happened to her. I knew I should have insisted she stay home in New York. I never should have let her sub. I knew it would be dangerous. It’s all my fault.”