Clearing the Course

by Diane Weiner

  “Can you at least call and tell them about the gray-haired man?” She reached down and scooped up Chester, rubbing her face in his shiny, black fur.

  “Of course.” Emily picked up her phone and dialed Megan’s number. When she finished, she reassured Maddy that the detectives would look into it. She walked into the kitchen, opened and closed the fridge. Then she foraged through the cabinets. Another knob broke off in her hand, reminding her to find someone to install new cabinets. “Do you want to go to Coralee’s for dinner?”

  Maddy said, “How can you think about food right now?”

  “Coralee knows everybody in this town. I’ll bet she knows Damari’s professor.” Emily’s phone rang. “Susan, that was fast. Really? Tomorrow? Tell him thank you; that’s a big relief. I’ll set him up with a room at Coralee’s place. Should we pick him up somewhere? He’s driving. Okay. Thanks again.”

  “He’s going to do it?” said Maddy.

  “Yes, and while we’re at dinner, we can book a room for him. I don’t know how long he’ll need to be here.”

  “Go wash your face, Maddy and let’s head over.” Henry grabbed his keys.

  By the time they pulled up to the yellow inn with the white shutters and wrap around porch, Emily’s stomach was rumbling. She’d been on the go all day and had neglected to eat lunch. She hoped Coralee had the squash casserole on the menu as well as her prize-winning apple strudel.

  “How’s the little family doing tonight?” asked the pudgy owner with the sparkling eyes and rosy skin. “Maddy, those cats, I swear they know when you’re coming. They were all up at the door of the café waiting for you.”

  “I’m going to say hello before dinner.”

  “Remember to wash your hands afterwards,” said Emily. When Maddy rolled her eyes at her, she wondered if she should have just trusted her and not said anything.

  Coralee led them to a table. “I heard about poor Robby. There’s no way that boy’s a killer. He’s a hard worker and so polite to everyone. I’m sure it’s a big mistake. He and Maddy had gotten pretty friendly. How’s she taking it?”

  Emily said, “She’s hysterical over it. I have a lawyer coming in tomorrow from Westbrook. Remember Susan and Mike, the ones who helped clear Noah? Can you book a room for him? We’ll pay for it.”

  “Nonsense. If he’s coming all this way to help that boy, the room’s on me for as long as he needs it.”

  Immediately, Emily noticed her favorite dish listed under the specials. Coralee had made a real effort to add vegetarian meals to the menu ever since Maddy came to town. While waiting for dinner, Emily reminded herself to ask about someone who could install new kitchen cabinets. It’d be expensive, but they were sorely needed. Perhaps she should have taught that summer course after all.

  Coralee brought squash casserole, pasta primavera, and chicken fricassee to the table. “Maddy’s coming. I told her dinner was ready.”

  “Smells great,” said Henry. He already had his fork in hand.

  “Coralee, do you know anyone who does cabinet work?”

  “If you want it done over the summer, Dallas Peterkin might want the extra work what with a new baby and all. He did some work for me last summer, before he and Lisa headed home, and I’ve got him putting shelves in the second floor rooms this summer.”

  “I remember him. His wife was pregnant.”

  “Yep. And baby makes three. That cabin they bought is going to be a tight fit in a few years. It’s only got one bedroom and one bath.”

  Maddy came to the table. “Coralee, can we get into Robby’s room to get him a change of clothes and a toothbrush?”

  Emily knew the jail wouldn’t allow it, unless Megan could pull a few strings.

  “Sure, honey. After you all have a proper meal,” said Coralee.

  “I didn’t know Robby lived here,” said Emily.

  “He cleans the rooms and does all sorts of odd jobs for me. Besides, he’s a broke college student. I don’t mind giving him a hand.”

  Emily gobbled down the casserole and was the first to ask for the dessert menu. She needed to get back into a fitness routine soon or she’d turn into a blimp. Running helped curb her stress; without it, she ate instead.

  “Can we go to Robby’s room now? I’m done,” said Maddy.

  Henry scooped the last bit of ice cream from his sundae dish. “I’m ready.” He waved to Coralee.

  “He’s in here.” Coralee unlocked Robby’s door. “Just grab what you need. The police may be upset if it turns out they need to search his room and I’ve let people in.”

  Maddy opened a drawer and fumbled through the clothes.

  “What are you looking for? Just grab something quick,” said Emily.

  “It’s the sweatshirt. I can’t find it.”

  “Maybe he was wearing it when the police picked him up.” Emily grabbed a toothbrush from the bathroom. The police found a sweatshirt and Robby’s was missing. Trying not to connect those dots, she grabbed Robby’s brush. Maddy held up a razor.

  “Seriously, Maddy? Even if Megan can smuggle in a toothbrush, a razor is considered a weapon.”

  “Leave it?”

  “Leave it,” said Henry.

  Maddy opened the closet.

  “Maddy, you ready?” said Henry.

  “I’m looking for a pair of slippers and his flannel shirt. I’ll bet it’s drafty in jail.” She moved the suitcase out of the way. “Emily, Henry, come quick! I found something.”

  “What?” said Emily. She could see that Maddy was upset.

  “It’s…it’s…”

  “What?” said Henry and Emily, practically in unison.

  “Don’t tell the police.”

  “Tell them what? Let me see.” Henry moved into the closet. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  Emily wanted to push them both aside and see for herself, given the anticipation they’d created.

  Henry said, “Get me a towel, Maddy.” Then he stepped out of the closet. In his hand, he held a wooden oar.

  Chapter 9

  The next morning, Emily and Henry waited anxiously for Jonathan Stirling, the lawyer, to arrive. After giving the oar to the police the previous night, Emily called Susan and explained that the potential murder weapon had been found in Robby’s closet. Given the urgency, Jonathan Stirling agreed to get a few hours of sleep, then drive straight through to Sugarbury Falls.

  “Maddy, did you sleep at all?” asked Emily. “Let me make you some eggs.”

  “I can’t eat. What time will the lawyer get here?”

  “He’s going straight to the jail. He’ll call when he gets there. For now, there’s not much you can do.”

  Henry said, “Maddy, you have to brace yourself. The murder weapon was found in his closet. It’s not looking good.”

  “You don’t know it’s the murder weapon. Did they find blood? Or Robby’s prints?”

  “Haven’t heard yet, but Pat’s the medical examiner and based on the bruises on Damari’s stomach, he thinks she was hit with an oar, and pushed into the water where she drowned. Besides, there was a stain on the oar.”

  “I don’t believe it. Someone planted it there to make Robby look guilty.”

  Henry put his hand on her shoulder. “The room was locked. Surely Coralee didn’t plant it there and she’s the only one besides Robby who had a key.”

  Maddy said, “Let me know when the lawyer’s here.”

  Emily hugged Henry as soon as she heard the inevitable door slam. “It’s looking dismal for Robby, isn’t it?”

  “You mean besides having the murder weapon in his closet?” he said. “He was the murder victim’s ex. His lunch box, with a syringe inside, was found near the crime scene. Someone called the tip line and reported seeing a boy who fits Robby’s description, wearing a red sweatshirt by the way, leaving the crime scene the night of the murder. And the police found his red sweatshirt on the path down to the lake.”

  “There’s no proof it belongs to Robby,” said Emily. “Madd
y says his was missing a drawstring. Did the police check that? We didn’t see it in his room.” She prayed Maddy was right.

  “And the oar in his closet?” asked Henry.

  “Why would he be dumb enough to bring the weapon home with him? Why not throw it in the lake, or bury it in the woods? It’s too neat. Besides, Maddy is convinced he’s innocent.”

  “I know. And I trust her instincts as well.” He looked at his watch. “I have to go to work. Call me after you talk to the lawyer.”

  Emily poured food in Chester’s bowl, and sat down to finish her coffee. There was another suspect. The gray-haired man. Presumably Professor Carlson. She was drawn to her laptop, and retrieved it from the table, spilling a bit of coffee as she tripped over scraps of dismantled cabinet.

  Emily started with his faculty bio on the school website. He’d been at St. Edwards for the past fifteen years. Before that, he was at Yale. Yale? Why would he leave there to come to a small liberal arts college like St. Edwards?

  Maddy came into the living room. “I was checking my Facebook, and that girl posted again. I think she’s going to kill herself. She says she’s been stealing her mother’s sleeping pills and almost has enough to do the trick. Can’t the police intervene?”

  “Megan said they can’t. But I know who might have a different answer. And, who might know something more about a certain professor. Who do we know who runs around wearing a Yale sweatshirt?”

  “Rebecca! She’s a techno nerd. Let’s go over there.”

  Sitting around waiting for the lawyer to call felt like watching paint dry. Emily stuck her phone in her pocket, grabbed the keys, and said, “Let’s go.”

  The morning sun was obscured by clouds as she and Maddy walked the short distance to Rebecca and Abby’s wooden cabin, nearly identical to their own, but lacking the master bedroom loft. Emily’s head ached from the heavy air which promised a thunderstorm later in the day. They found Rebecca pulling up weeds in front of her cabin.

  “Hi, guys. Out for a walk?”

  “We came by to see you. We need your expertise.”

  Maddy bent down to pet Milo, the couple’s black and white Border Collie.

  Rebecca shook the dirt off her hands as best she could, then invited them in.

  Emily loved the hominess of their place, and had borrowed several of their ideas while redecorating. “Where’s your wife?”

  “She’s doing a photo shoot. Engagement pictures. Hope the weather holds up.” She washed her hands in the kitchen sink with a squirt of Dawn. “Want a drink?”

  “No, thanks.” She got right to the point, hoping she didn’t sound rude. “Maddy’s friend, Robby, has been arrested for killing Damari Cooper.”

  “Really? I didn’t know they were calling it murder.”

  Maddy said, “He didn’t do it. He’s being set up. Emily has an idea.”

  “Kurt spotted Damari with a gray-haired man down by the lake. Damari’s friend says she was seeing someone new. We think it’s her professor, Simon Carlson. We were hoping you could dig up some background.”

  “He taught at Yale, and you went to Yale. Can you find out why he left to come here?” said Maddy.

  “I’ll give it the old college try. Get it?”

  Emily’s phone vibrated. “Mr. Stirling? Okay. We’ll talk to you afterwards.”

  Maddy said, “Is the lawyer here?”

  “Yes. He’s about to go in and talk to Robby. He’ll call us afterwards.”

  Rebecca had already gotten onto the Yale website. “He was gone before I went there, but I’m checking out some of my professors who may have been there when he was.” She tapped her short nails on the keys. “Here’s one. I had Dr. Shepard. She was old when I was there. She told us she’d proudly been there her whole career. Want me to try her?”

  “Sure,” said Emily.

  “I’ll start with her, then go through these names and see who else may have worked with him. Do you know if he’s married?”

  “No.” Emily checked her phone, hoping Jonathan had texted.

  “I’ll dig up some public records and whatever else I can find.”

  “That’s great. Also, Maddy wants help with another problem. Can you trace someone who’s on Facebook?”

  “She writes these sad posts and I think she’s going to kill herself,” said Maddy.

  “That’s a tough one. Are you sure she’s not just seeking attention?”

  “More like she’s crying out for help.”

  “I’ll see what I can do. Forward me the posts.”

  Emily moved toward the door. “We’re going to head back. We’re waiting on pins and needles to hear what the lawyer has to say after talking to Robby Birchfield.”

  Maddy gave Rebecca a hug. “Thank you.”

  Chapter 10

  Shortly after arriving home, Emily put on another pot of coffee and took a loaf of banana bread out of the freezer. “Maddy, are there clean towels in the bathroom?”

  “I’ll check.”

  Emily swept the kitchen floor and took plates out of the cabinet with the broken handle. Keeping her hands busy stopped her from checking for messages every few minutes. Finally, a call. Jonathan Stirling was on the way. She wiped off the table and threw the rag under the sink.

  “Maddy, come on. The lawyer’s on the way.”

  Maddy joined her, tapping the table and staring at the rooster clock. In the anticipatory silence, every click of the minute hand made her jump as they sat waiting for a knock.

  “Emily, I hear a car outside.” Maddy ran to the door.

  Emily took a deep breath, smoothed her humidity swollen hair with her hands, and pulled the door open. Her heart fell, looking into the wrinkled face of a man who looked more like a nursing home resident than a lawyer.

  “You must be Jonathan Stirling.” She knew that sounded stupid. Who else would he be? The Fuller Brush man? “Please come in.”

  He towered over her as he shook her hand, then Maddy’s. His nails were well manicured, and his gold watch understated. She invited him into the kitchen. Expecting more of a slow shuffle, she was surprised at how gracefully he moved.

  “Thank you so much for coming up here, and so quickly,” said Emily.

  “My schedule is rather flexible. Besides, I love practicing law. It keeps me young.”

  Maddy said, “How’s Robby?”

  “Worried, tired…but I think he feels better now that we’ve started strategizing.”

  “What’s your plan?” said Maddy, hands on hips.

  “I want to prove Robby’s alibi is legit. Perhaps a neighbor saw him, or someone out for an evening jog. Then, we make a list alternate suspects to introduce reasonable doubt in case we wind up going to trial.”

  Emily said, “Our neighbor, Kurt, says he saw Damari holding hands with a gray-haired man down by the lake. And Damari’s best friend says she was seeing an older man. I think it’s a Professor Carlson. Simon Carlson.”

  Jonathan opened his brief case. Pulling out a legal pad, he said, “How do you spell the professor’s name? And here, write down the names of the best friend and your neighbor. We’ll start there.”

  A knock at the door startled Emily. “I’ll get that.” When she opened the door, she saw Rebecca standing in front of her, laptop cradled in her arms.

  “I think I found something.”

  “Come on in.” Emily introduced her to Jonathan. “Jonathan, this is our neighbor, Rebecca. She’s a whiz at technology.” And spying and hacking into private databases.

  Rebecca shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. Look, I found out Professor Carlson left Yale mid-semester before moving to Sugarbury Falls. His wife died of cancer, and there were rumors going around that he hurried things along.”

  Emily felt encouraged. “That was quick!” She read the obituary over Rebecca’s shoulder.

  Jonathan said, “This professor works here now?”

  “Yes, at St. Edwards, where I teach part time.”

  “Has your neighbor iden
tified this Professor Carlson as the man he saw with Ms. Cooper?”

  Emily said, “Well, we haven’t asked yet. Should we go over? He lives right on the other side of our barn.”

  “Let me get up to speed, first. The victim, Damari Cooper, was a college student and worked at the hospital, correct? That’s what my daughter Susan told me.”

  “Yes. While we were away in Scotland, the town celebrated Founder’s Day. There was an all-day picnic/barbecue at the park by Lake Pleasant.”

  “And she was at this celebration? There were witnesses?”

  “Yes. Dan Fischer, a colleague of my husband’s, says he saw her there.”

  Maddy said, “And Robby told me she had a new boyfriend. An older man.”

  “Kurt saw her with a gray-haired man at the picnic tables by the lake. At the service, someone mentioned a note, possibly a suicide note,” said Emily. “I’d almost forgotten about it.”

  Jonathan jotted down the information. “I’m going to drop by and see the professor after I get situated.”

  “You can follow us to the Sugarbury Outside Inn. I made you a reservation. I think you’ll find it comfortable.”

  Rebecca said, “I’ll call my contact at Yale and see what else I can dig up.”

  Emily and Maddy escorted Jonathan to the inn. Any reservations Emily had about Jonathan’s advanced age had dissipated after spending time with him. He was sharp as a tack, just like his daughter, her good friend, Susan Wiles.

  After getting Jonathan settled, Coralee said, “I want to introduce you to Dallas Peterkin. He’s doing work on the second floor right now. Come on.”

  “I’m going to check on the cats,” said Maddy.

  “The litter boxes are getting nasty,” said Coralee. “You remember our deal?”

  “Sorry, Coralee. I’ll do it now.”

  Coralee took Emily up the back stairway, which creaked with each footfall. One of the guest rooms was propped open with a paint can and a dark-haired gentleman hammered shelves into the closet. Curly black hair peeked out from the back of his Yankees baseball cap. When he turned around, Emily recognized him right away.

  “Emily, this is Dallas Peterkin.”