Murder Is Private

by Diane Weiner

  “Mom…”

  “It won’t hurt anything. If he’s clean, we can focus elsewhere.”

  “We? Mom! It’s Kevin’s case. I’m not going to tell him what to do. And think! If you’re right about all this, then one of them is the killer. Use some common sense, Mom, and stay far away from them. You’ve already gotten locked in a closet and thrown in the ocean. What more is it going to take?”

  “I’ll do my snooping from a distance. Promise.”

  “Mom…”

  Audrey called up the stairs. “Dinner is ready!”

  Impeccable timing, thought Susan. She didn’t feel like listening to another lecture from Lynette.

  Chapter 35

  Audrey had prepared pork chops with barbecue sauce. Susan wondered how much sugar was in the sauce.

  “This is delicious!” said Lynette. “I have to get the recipe.”

  Recipe? Right, Lynette. When’s the last time you cooked from a recipe? You never asked me for any recipes. Susan held her tongue. Lynette was just being polite. So polite that she ate three helpings.

  “Audrey, what’s going on with the benefit dinner?” asked Lynette.

  “I’m not sure there will be a dinner. We’ve only sold about a quarter of the tables. At this point, we’re losing money,” said Audrey sadly.

  “There’s still time. I’m sure there will be a break in the case soon,” said Susan.

  “Annalise, stop banging on the high chair,” said Lynette. The baby ignored her. “Annalise, stop.”

  Annalise knocked her entire plate of food onto the floor.

  “I’m so sorry,” said Lynette.

  “Don’t worry,” said Audrey gently. “Tile is easy to clean. Besides, in under two minutes, Wolfie will be lapping it all up. See, here he comes now.”

  “Nonetheless, I’ll go get some Clorox wipes.” Susan was reluctant to let Annalise crawl over dog germs.

  Susan found the wipes in the cabinet. Then she tried to find another baby fork. She knew Audrey had extras somewhere in the kitchen. None were in the silverware drawer. She opened the junk drawer and fished through it. What’s this? She took out a card with a big red heart on the front. Happy Valentine’s Day to the Love of My Life. It was signed Love, Charlie. Who the heck was Charlie? wondered Susan.

  “Susan, your dinner’s getting cold!” called Audrey.

  Susan grabbed the wipes and a cake fork before returning to the table.

  “See!” said Audrey. “Floor is clean. Wolfie is all curled up under the high chair. That will be his new hangout now that he knows he has a chance at people food.”

  George knocked on the front door, then opened it with his key. He wore denim shorts and a sleeveless shirt.

  “Hello, everyone!”

  “George, want some dinner?” asked Audrey. “I’ll get another plate.” She headed to the kitchen.

  “Hard day at work?” said Susan.

  “The usual,” replied George, standing beside the dining room table and setting his knapsack beside a chair. “At least it was a bit cooler today.”

  “Must be tough on your back, all that mowing and blowing,” said Susan.

  “Nah. I’m used to it. Beats being stuck inside in an office all day.”

  “George,” Susan began carefully, “I was wondering; I’ve been having back problems. Do you happen to know a good doctor?” Lynette made a face at her.

  “Can’t say I do,” replied George. “Haven’t been to a doctor in years.”

  There was a crash from the kitchen.

  “Mom, are you okay?” called George to the kitchen.

  “I dropped a whole stack of plates on the floor,” said Audrey entering.

  George said, “I’ll get the broom.”

  He and Lynette ran into the kitchen to help clean up the mess. Susan stayed at the table with Annalise. Then she spotted it––George’s knapsack propped against his chair. She couldn’t help herself. Maybe there were more pills in there. She heard the sound of shattered plates being swept up in the kitchen.

  “Annalise, not a word of this to your mother,” said Susan.

  She opened the knapsack and started snooping through the contents. She pulled out a black folder. Inside, there were photos of Alonzo, Marshall, and Kymani. Why does he have these? she wondered. There was also a sketch of the auditorium and the beach. An arrow pointed from the auditorium tower, to the beach, then to the pier. What does it mean? She became aware that the sweeping had stopped in the kitchen and she hurriedly threw the folder back into the knapsack.

  “All clean,” said Audrey returning to the dining room. “I’ve been wanting to replace those dishes. Now I have an excuse. Why don’t we all go into the living room. I’ll put on a pot of coffee,” said Audrey.

  “I’m going to change Annalise first. Be right down,” said Lynette, grabbing the baby and heading upstairs.

  George spoke softly to Susan. “Did you find out any more information? Any of your students maybe know something they’re afraid to tell the police?”

  “Not much. There are rumors floating around about the auditorium being haunted. Kids say they’ve heard music, seen lights. I saw the lights and heard the music myself the night I was attacked,” said Susan.

  “Anyone talk about the beach or the arboretum? Someone has to know something they aren’t saying. Celia Watkins was murdered for a reason.”

  “A man was spotted in the arboretum the night it happened. A boy from the dorm heard arguing. He said it was Celia and a man with an accent.”

  “Lots of folks have accents around here,” said George.

  “You’re right. Even you have a bit of a southern drawl.”

  George laughed. “I’d say you have a New York one. I talk just fine.” He added an exaggerated twang to the word fine.

  “George, I’m curious. Audrey is an attractive and successful lady. After she separated from your father, did she ever think of remarrying?”

  “Susan, my father was an ass. Mom steered clear of relationships after she was rid of him.”

  “No dates? No one?”

  “No one.”

  Chapter 36

  “Good Morning, Susan,” said the secretary. One nice thing about this school was the friendly office staff. Audrey had wisely chosen staff who made a good first impression on prospective students and their families.

  “Good morning.”

  “Check your mailbox for an important memo.”

  Susan stopped and retrieved a notice from her mailbox before heading to her classroom. Grades were due tomorrow. Turn in third-quarter grades? I have no idea how to do that. The deadline is tomorrow? She’d have to get some help.

  During planning time, she popped over to Alonzo’s room, but he was in the middle of a sectional rehearsal. She was beginning to feel panicky. Next, she tried Schwartz. He had the same planning hour as she did and she found him working at this desk. His office was homey, with an overstuffed couch taking up most of the space, and knick-knacks from his travels prominently displayed on shelves.

  “Come in, Susan. Want a cup of coffee?”

  “No, thanks. I’m in a bit of a tizzy. I got a notice about grades being due tomorrow and I have no clue what to do.”

  “It’s easy. Come, I’ll show you.” She sat down at his desk with him.

  “I never had to do grades on a computer before.”

  “Here’s the gradebook. Do you know Celia’s teacher number?”

  “Yes, Audrey gave it to me.”

  “Log in here. Good. Now there’s your class list. See. Just type in the grade for each student, then go to your next class list by hitting here.”

  “You’re a life saver!”

  “Go ahead and do it while it’s up on my computer. I need to run to the office. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  It wasn’t as difficult as she’d thought. In fact, it was quicker than doing it the old-fashioned way by hand. She had a question about one student and had to copy down his student number. She searched thr
ough the drawers for a pen and paper. In Schwartz’s bottom drawer, she found a blue binder. Here we go again! She thought it was paper. Instead, it was a photo book.

  She leafed through the pictures. Every photo was of Schwartz and Celia! Celia was even wearing the Austrian bracelet. Of course! Schwartz must be Celia’s secret lover. Why hadn’t she put it together before? He’d been to Austria, and Derrick was furious about something at the funeral when he’d punched Schwartz in the nose. He’d probably found out that his wife was having an affair with him. That means it was Schwartz who was doing or hiding something illegal. He must be the one Celia had to convince to go to the police. What was he hiding? Was he involved with the drug ring? He had an accent. Was he the one fighting with Celia in the arboretum––or was it Alonzo?

  Susan heard footsteps outside in the hall. She put the album back quickly, slammed the drawer shut, and pretended to be entering grades.

  “Getting the hang of it?” said Schwartz.

  “Almost done. Don’t know what I would have done without your help. Thanks!” Schwartz was gentle and sweet. Could he possibly have murdered Celia? If he did, the threat of Celia going to the police and turning him in must have been the motive. What had he done that was so bad?

  After school, Susan dropped by Trinity Village for another chat with the receptionist.

  “Hi, Susan. Can I help you with something?”

  “I just dropped by to say hello. You know, that Dr. Jacobs is a miracle worker. Those pills he gave me really helped. I’m wondering if he uses them a lot for his patients here. Do you know?” Susan pulled out the bottle. “It’s these.”

  “I’m just the receptionist. I wouldn’t know. That’s a question for the nurses. Are you coming to the concert tonight? Dr. Jacobs will probably be there. He was a music major back in the day. Especially likes the chamber groups. He used to play one of those big string instruments.”

  “That’s interesting,” said Susan. “Did he go to a conservatory?”

  “No,” replied the receptionist. “Some big university with a music school. Indiana or Iowa. Something like that.”

  “I need to get going now. I need a nap if I’m going to stay awake for the concert tonight,” said Susan.

  Instead of heading out, Susan scooted toward the nurse’s station. The nurse on duty had a permanent scowl etched on her bony face. Susan waited around the corner, trying to decide what to do.

  Fortuitously, the nurse was called away from the desk. Time to make my move. Susan ran behind the desk. The computer was open to email. She didn’t want to chance messing with it. Her heart was thumping. She thumbed through the papers on the desk. Nothing.

  She flipped through the patient charts which were stacked next to the computer. Each chart listed Oxycodone under medications. Three for three. And all these patients were on the first floor. They were all under the care of Dr. Jacobs, but equally significant was the fact that Marshall was their night nurse. She put back the chart, accidentally knocking a stack of clip boards to the floor. In the silent hallway, it sounded like trash cans clanging.

  “What was that?” called out the nurse. She started heading Susan’s way.

  Now what? There’s no escaping. I’ll never get out without being seen. She ran into the nearest patient room and closed the door. An elderly woman was sitting up in bed, watching TV.

  “Do I have a visitor?” said the woman.

  Think quickly. Come on, creative muse. What story can I concoct? Beads of sweat dampened Susan’s brow.

  “Hello, I’m the community liaison for hospitals and health care facilities in the area.” Susan held her breath, waiting to see if the woman bought it.

  “Nice to meet you. Emma Sanders.”

  Susan exhaled. “Everything okay around here? Are you being well taken care of?”

  “I guess so. No complaints.”

  “The food is palatable? And they give you adequate medication for pain?”

  “The food all tastes the same. No salt. They think all old people have high blood pressure or something. I don’t take any pills. I don’t have no pain.”

  “I’ll let you get back to your show.” Susan gingerly cracked open the door. She stepped into the hall. The nurse had her nose buried in papers. Susan’s heart started racing. What if I get caught? She had no other option but to try. Here I go…

  She ran on tiptoes around the corner. She spied an exit. Carefully, she slipped out the side door. Phew. She leaned against the building and caught her breath. She remembered that one of the charts she’d perused belonged to Emma Sanders. It had clearly listed Oxycodone under her medications. If Emma never took pain meds, then where were those pill going? she wondered.

  Chapter 37

  “I’m glad I talked you into coming to the concert with me,” said Susan as they sat together in the audience at Trinity Village. “Do you still remember anything from all those years of piano lessons?”

  “I can still find middle C,” said Lynette. “Beyond that, not so much. Is that your buddy Alonzo conducting?”

  “Yes. And the kid on the violin, his name is Kymani. He and Alonzo have something going on. Alonzo pretends he hardly knows him, but I saw them eating at IHOP together on a Saturday morning.”

  “He’s the kid you saw in the arboretum, right?”

  “Yes. And he gave something to that male nurse back by the door at one of the concerts. The nurse’s name is Marshall. He works the first floor here, and I saw him carrying a big cardboard box out of Dr. Jacob’s office the other day.”

  After the concert, Lynette and Susan saw Alonzo, Kymani, and Marshall having a pow-wow in the lobby. Kymani and Marshall each carried a violin case. They left the building together.

  “Lynette, can’t we follow them, see where they go?”

  “Mom, let’s leave it to Kevin.”

  “We’ll stay far behind. This way we can tell Kevin where they headed and if they stayed together. Something is in those violin cases, and I’m betting it’s not instruments. Since when does the night nurse walk around with a violin?”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “You’re a detective. I’ll be safe with you and we aren’t going to confront them or anything. They’re leaving. Come on! We’re going to miss our chance.”

  “All right,” said Lynette, “Let’s go. But safe distance and no noise. I don’t want them to see you stalking them, especially if they’re as sinister as you think.”

  When Marshall, Kymani, and Alonzo got to an unlit section of the campus, Marshall switched cases with Kymani, then turned around and walked back toward Trinity Village. Kymani and Alonzo walked to the auditorium.

  “Look! They’re going inside,” said Susan.

  “And we aren’t,” said Lynette. “Let’s watch from here.”

  Minutes passed, and Susan’s skin tingled. “Look, Lynette. See the lights flicking from the third floor tower? That’s what I saw the night I was abducted.”

  A few minutes later, Susan recognized the sound of a whizzing motor boat. She pulled Lynette’s arm and took her around the corner of the building. The boat stopped at the pier.

  “Who’s that?” said Lynette, pointing to a man exiting the auditorium. “My eyes are acting up tonight. Can you see who it is, Mom?”

  “It’s Alonzo. He’s carrying a violin case. Now he’s walking out on the pier.”

  “And now?”

  “He’s handing the violin case to the boat driver.”

  “I hear the boat speeding away,” said Lynette.

  “And Alonzo’s heading back to the auditorium. He’s not going in. Looks like he’s heading back toward Trinity.”

  “Who’s that?” said Lynette, pointing. “I can’t make out who it is. Do you see? Behind that tree. Look! Someone’s following Alonzo.”

  “When he gets under the street light, maybe I can see who it is,” said Susan. Several minutes passed. Words spit like bullets from Susan’s mouth. “Lynette, I see. I see who it is. Oh my God!
You’re not going to believe this! It’s George!”

  Chapter 38

  The next evening, Audrey and Susan walked to the auditorium together to attend Senior Awards Night at the Hemingway School.

  “This is so bittersweet,” said Audrey. “I’m going to take the stage and tell the parents how great our school is and how wonderful the students are. I’ll announce kids who are winning scholarships to some of the most prestigious conservatories and universities in the country. School pride will ooze out of my mouth. The parents will beam. Such a fallacy. In the midst of all this, I know our doors will be closing at the end of the year.” Audrey sobbed.

  “What do you mean, Audrey? It’s not over yet. Don’t give up.” Susan put her arm around Audrey’s shoulder.

  “I canceled the donor benefit dinner this afternoon. We sold too few tickets to make it worth our while. It’s over. Tomorrow, I’ll send out letters to our parents, advising them to find an alternate placement for next year. Then I’ll contact the new applicants.”

  “Hold off a while, please! I have a feeling the police are getting closer to finding Celia’s murderer.”

  Audrey wiped her tears. “We’re here. I have to go backstage. The front rows are reserved for faculty. Meet you at the reception afterwards out in the foyer.”

  Susan felt her stomach tighten. She was determined to wrap up this case. What a shame for this school to close its doors. She thought about Bibi, Starr, and Manolito. Next year they would be seniors. If they had to transfer after three years here, it would be heartbreaking.

  When the ceremony ended, Susan found Audrey at the reception, surrounded by throngs of parents. This would take a while, she realized. Susan grabbed a piece of cake and chatted with Gabby and Alonzo.

  “There are rumors about the school closing next year,” said Gabby. “I don’t know where I’d go if I lost this job. I don’t want to work at a public school. I hear they’re downright dangerous these days.”

  “You’ll be fine,” said Alonzo. “The bad kids don’t hang out in the school library.”