by Ella White
The teaching assistant stayed a little longer after the review session was over, but most of the students filed out of the room. As they exited, Vickie glanced around looking for Rachel. She spotted her at the other side of the room, talking with another young woman. Rachel gave a discreet shake of her head, and Vickie immediately understood that her daughter had not found out any new information from the review session. Honestly, this wasn’t really a surprise, but that’s why they had a back-up plan.
Vickie walked over to her. “Hello Rachel. How was it?”
“Great. Mom, this is Jennifer.” Rachel gestured to the woman standing next to her, who waved and smiled at Vickie. “She was just telling me about her mother’s candle store. She’s thinking about adding online sales.”
“Candle store?” Vickie repeated. “Does she make the candles herself?”
“She does,” Jennifer answered. She glanced back at Rachel. “We both know how. We can show you if you’d like.”
“Sounds like fun!” Rachel smiled widely, looking happier than she had in weeks. “Let’s trade numbers.”
“I’ll put yours in my phone.” Jennifer pulled out her cell phone and pressed a few buttons. Once they were done Jennifer gave her a tight hug before heading off for her next class.
Vickie, meanwhile, cleared her throat. “So Rachel, what do you think?”
“About what?”
“About the school, of course.” Vickie hoped she hadn’t forgotten the plan amid all the excitement about candle making.
“I don’t know,” Rachel said. “It’s a nice school, but I don’t know if I want to go here.”
“I used to teach at this school, so I would know if it’s a good place for you to study.”
The strategy worked. Richard looked up from where he was packing up his things to watch them. He must have recognized Vickie from the leadership class, because his eyebrows rose and he blinked several times.
“You look at it from a teacher’s point of view,” Rachel debated. “This place has probably changed a lot since then, and even more since you were a student.”
“Well then, why don’t we get a student’s perspective?” Vickie glanced around pointedly until her eyes fell on Richard. “Ah, I recognize you from the special course for teaching assistants special course. I’m Vickie Matheson. Remember me?”
Richard stammered a little. “Oh, yeah, of course Profess—I mean…”
“You can call me Vickie. I’m not a professor anymore, remember?” She smiled as they shook hands. “This is my daughter, Rachel. She’s deciding where she wants to study.”
“Do you live in town?” Richard inquired.
“Yeah, but I don’t know if I want to go to school here.” Rachel shook her head. “I’m not sure it fits with what I want to do with my life.”
“That’s something every new student worries about. I know I did,” Richard replied. “I mean, I know what I want to do, but it’s hard to do when you’re broke.”
“What is it you want?” Vickie asked, genuinely curious to hear his answer.
Richard looked out the window, his expression becoming dreamy. “I want to be a traveling interpreter and go backpacking around Spain, Portugal, or some other Spanish-speaking countries. I could be a translator for all sorts of people and businesses.”
“Why don’t you go do that then?” Rachel questioned before pausing. “Never mind. I bet traveling like that is pretty expensive.”
“You got that right,” Richard smiled shyly. “I don’t need a degree to be an interpreter I guess, but it’s nice to have something more formal under my belt.”
“It never hurts, does it?” Rachel agreed.
“But it’s not easy when you have money worries,” Richard added. “I hope you’ve got some money saved up.”
“I have a little, and I’m hoping to work through school.” This wasn’t exactly a lie; Rachel had worked her way through school when she was getting her journalism degree.
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to apply for some scholarships either,” Richard suggested. “My soccer scholarship got me through my first few years.”
“I hate to admit it, but tuition isn’t cheap,” Vickie confessed. “It should be, but it isn’t.”
“Yeah, I’ve got to go speak with the financial aid office and see if I can get a loan.” Richard scratched the back of his head. “But you probably know all about the ins and outs of that, huh Dr. Matheson?”
“Sounds like you’ve had it rather rough,” Vickie commented. “Worrying about class, teaching younger students, paying tuition, and with Lilli gone…”
“Lilli…” Richard looked down at his feet. “Yeah, dealing with that.”
“I heard you and Lilli were really close,” Vickie mentioned. When he didn’t answer, she continued. “I’m sorry. I’m being insensitive.”
“It’s okay.” He shook his head at her remark and sighed. “I was arguing with her a lot recently. We were both stressed out about loads of things.”
Rachel put a hand on his shoulder. “Did you fight the night she died?”
“No. I was in my dorm, studying.” There was a beep, and Richard glanced down at his phone that was still sitting on the desk. He quickly read the text before grabbing his backpack. “Sorry. Just got a message. I have to go. Good luck to you, Rachel. Bye, Dr. Matheson.”
The two women watched him hurry out of the classroom. They didn’t get to stay very long themselves, as a new class was about to start. Vickie spotted Richard running down the stairs and heading for a room she knew was a computer and printing room. She raised an eyebrow at his exit and looked at Rachel, who just nodded.
“Yeah, he is acting weird. Want to tail him?”
“I’m going to call Chief Miles and let her know, just in case.”
Chapter 7
“What do you think he’s doing?” Rachel whispered to Vickie as they looked in on Richard.
The computer room was a relatively small chamber with three long tables placed in rows. There were six computers at each table, all facing the same direction: away from the door. There were two printers to the left of the entrance, and one of them was printing off multiple sheets of paper at a quick pace. Richard was sitting at one of the computer stations in the far corner with his back to them. Vickie and Rachel glanced at each other as they watched him.
“Printing something obviously,” Vickie commented. “The question is, what?”
“It doesn’t look like he’s paying attention,” Rachel observed. “He’s too occupied by whatever he’s looking at.”
“You check out the printers.” Vickie pointed to the machines. “I’m going to try to see what he’s looking at.”
Rachel nodded in response before slipping into the room. Vickie was right behind her, carefully making her way to where Richard was sitting. Thankfully the floor was carpeted, so the scuffling of her feet was muffled. She stepped as slowly as she could, so as to not alert him to her presence. There was a point where he readjusted himself in the hard, plastic seat, and Vickie froze. She bit her lip as she waited to see if he noticed her. When he resumed his web surfing, she recommenced her cautious steps.
Finally she was in a position that allowed her to look over Richard’s shoulder and see what he was researching. She couldn’t see exactly what it was, the text was too small, but she could read the top of the website titled “The History of the Third Reich.” There was also a picture of the thick tome with the same title as the one with the stolen book. Vickie didn’t get a chance to see any more of the site because Richard clicked over to another tab. She forced herself to not gasp in surprise as she read the page.
Her eyebrows rose. It was a copy of the test answers for the next Chemistry exam. He was printing multiple copies of that as well. What would he need that many copies for?
To her surprise Richard immediately stood from the chair, forcing Vickie to jump away from his shoulder before she had the chance to look at the computer more. The young man startled when he noti
ced her, and he fell back into the chair in shock.
“Dr. Matheson!” He frowned deeply. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I think I should be asking you that question.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“I think it is.” Rachel held up multiple pieces of paper that the printer ejected. “These are book collector profiles, the same type of people who would be interested in a certain rare, and missing, German book.”
Before Richard had a chance to respond to her accusation, his phone beeped again. He swiped the phone from the table, but not in time to stop Vickie from reading the text he just received.
“Two new buyers interested?” She read before scowling at him. “What’s this about, Richard?”
“I told you, it’s none of your business.” Somehow he managed to keep his tone simultaneously rude and polite. It was a strange tone indeed.
“Got to say, this doesn’t bode well for you.” Rachel flipped through more of the printed pages. “Why would you be looking into book collectors if you didn’t know about this book?”
“Lots of students know about the stolen book,” Richard argued.
“True enough, but I think it’s more than that,” Vickie reproached. “I think you stole the book yourself and killed Lilli after she found out about it. She probably threatened to turn you in to the police.”
“I didn’t! I would never hurt Lilli!” Richard took a deep breath to calm himself. “I loved her. Still do. I would never do anything to hurt her.”
“Then why are you looking up book collectors?” Vickie questioned. “Or printing exam answers, for that matter?”
“I’ve been on the lookout for the book, and the best way to do that is to keep track of anyone interested in buying it,” Richard explained. “It’s like you said, the book is very valuable. Everyone knows that.”
“But you didn’t actually take it?” Rachel inquired.
“No, but I think I know who did.” He waited for the women to respond, but when they didn’t he continued. “I think it was Randy Carter. He’s one of the biology students.”
“Why would he steal the book?” Vickie asked. Randy was already a suspect, but this was the first time anyone had pointed the finger specifically at him.
“Because he was hired to,” Richard informed them. “He’s hurting for money right now. He’d do anything for some cash.”
“Hurting for money the same way you are?” Vickie accused. “Isn’t that why you’re printing the exam answers? You’re trying to make some money by selling them, aren’t you?”
Richard was silent for several seconds, staring at Vickie with a frown and furrowed eyebrows. Finally he put a hand to his forehead and shook his head.
“Okay look, that jumpy Randy kid isn’t the only one who needs money.” His shoulders slumped. “I was depending on my soccer scholarship to get me through college. When that fell through, I had nothing left to turn to. It’s bad enough I have to get a loan now. I want to keep the money I borrow as low as possible.”
Rachel crinkled her nose as Vickie glared at him.
“I don’t disagree with you that college is far more expensive than it should be,” Vickie concurred with a sympathetic tone in her voice. “But that doesn’t justify selling test answers to students. You are not only unethically selling confidential class information, but you’re also stealing the student’s chances to obtain the knowledge for themselves.”
Richard ran his hands through his dark hair numerous times. “I know, but I’m desperate! I don’t have anywhere else to turn!”
Rachel was about to argue that wasn’t true, but she kept her mouth shut at the expression on her mother’s face.
“You know I’m going to have to tell President Rutledge about this.”
“No! You can’t!” Richard waved his hands stiffly as he tried to think of an excuse. “”Look, I said I thought it was Randy who stole the book, but I’m even more sure about who killed Lilli!”
“Really?” Rachel was skeptical. “And who would that be?”
“You know her already, Dr. Matheson. It’s Mary Gillan.”
“Yes, we already know about her,” Vickie confirmed. “She’s the one who suggested we talk to you.”
“She would point the finger at me.” Richard nearly snarled as he said this. “But trust me, she’s the one who needs the money the most out of all of us, but she also has the most to lose if she gets caught. If she’s caught stealing that book she’d be expelled, and she wants to get into med school. Mary’s the one who hired Randy Carter to steal the book. I bet Lilli found out about it, so Mary killed her to keep her cover safe.”
Vickie and Rachel looked at each other, and Rachel just shrugged. “If you know so much, why didn’t you mention this to someone earlier?”
“And risk Mary going after me too? No way.”
Vickie nodded. She couldn’t argue with his logic on that point. “Do you have any proof Mary did killed Lilli?”
“No… I don’t.”
“Do you know where the book is now?”
“No clue, but I’m pretty sure Mary hasn’t been able to sell it yet.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Rachel shook her head sarcastically. “Whether it’s Mary or not, whoever has that book is probably waiting for the best offer.”
Vickie nodded in agreement as she pulled out her cell phone. She dialed a number and put it up to her ear. “Hello, this is Vickie Matheson again. May I speak with President Rutledge?”
Richard’s eyes snapped to her. “What? But I told you what I know!”
“That doesn’t mean we can just let this selling-test-answers thing go,” Rachel debated.
“Yes, I’ve shared information you really needed to know.”
It wasn’t much later that Vickie and Rachel found themselves waiting outside Charles Rutledge’s office. Richard was inside being questioned by the school president and a number of other professors, including his mentor. Rachel tapped her foot as they sat on the bench across from the office door.
“Thanks for waiting with me, Rachel.” Vickie gave her daughter a grin.
“No problem,” the younger woman replied. “It’s really disappointing that this kind of thing would happen to someone like Richard. Think he’ll be expelled?”
“Worst case scenario, yes,” Vickie responded. “But knowing Charles, he’ll see if he can find a way to give Mr. Heller another chance.”
“We’ll just have to see, huh?” Rachel’s phone beeped, and she pulled it out to look at the screen. She smiled. “It’s Jennifer. She’s just making sure she’s got the right number.”
“She’s the one with the candle shop, right?”
“Well, it’s her mom that runs it, but she helps out a lot.” Rachel typed away at her phone. “I told you they’re looking to start selling online, right? Jennifer asked if I would help with the blog.”
“Really? You’d have to learn a lot about candles.”
“I already know a little, and now’s as good a time as any to learn something new.” She finished with her phone and put it back in her purse. “Jennifer said they would even pay me to help set up the website and blog.”
Vickie rubbed her chin. “That’s a good sign, if they’re serious about it.”
“Well, it’s still up in the air, sort of.”
“It would be a good side job in addition to writing for the paper.”
Rachel looked down at her hands. “Actually about that…”
“What is it?” Vickie couldn’t help but be concerned by the tone of her voice. “Is everything all right?”
Her daughter took a deep breath through her nose and slowly released it through her teeth. “I turned in my two weeks notice at the paper. I quit my job.”
Vickie stared at her for a second.
“Is this about Anthony?”
“Yeah. It… I was just too upset, writing a story about his murder,” Rachel admitted. “I mean, sure we hadn’t dated for long, but i
t was still a shock… too much of a shock.”
“I was afraid it was cruel of Henry to ask you to cover a story about Anthony’s murder.” Vickie slapped her knees. “I could just punch that man for putting you through that.”
Rachel put a hand on her mother’s. “Mom, really, it’s not Henry’s fault. I just… I met Anthony when I interviewed him for the bookstore where he worked. From the beginning of our relationship to the end, everything about the paper leads back to him, and I’d just like to make a fresh start.”
Vickie smiled at the young woman. “Well, if you do start this candle blogging thing, it will still be a good use of your journalism skills.”
“You’re not mad at me, are you?” Rachel asked. “That I’m not using my degree for its intended purpose?”
“Dear, all I want is for you to be happy.” Vickie took her daughter into her arms and gave her a strong hug. “It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you enjoy it. If that means writing a blog for a candle store, then I support you all the way.”
Rachel’s smile almost broke her face in half. “You’re the best, Mom.”
Their hug was interrupted by Vickie’s phone ringing. She shook her head as she pulled it out of her bag.
“We’re doing a lot with phones lately, aren’t we? Hello?”
“Dr. Matheson? It’s Chief Miles.”
“Hello, chief. How are you?”
“I’m fine, but there’s been another murder,” she explained quickly. “Randy Carter, that jumpy kid we were questioning earlier.”
Vickie’s breath caught in her throat. “You’re sure?”
“One hundred percent. I’m looking at the body right now.” Susan sounded more than a little stressed. “Our coroner is saying it looks like suicide, but I’m not so sure. Please tell me you have something on Richard Heller.”
The former professor looked at the office door before answering. “No, we don’t. He pointed the finger back at Mary. Now Randy’s gone too. This can’t be a coincidence. How long ago did he die?”
She heard Susan ask the coroner. “He says it was between half an hour and an hour ago.”
