“I know, Maddie. It’s hard when a friend is accused of something bad. What can you tell me about Alex, other than he stood up to those bullies.”
“He’s nice. Same age as me. He doesn’t talk much about his family, but he has a sister, Karla. She’s in fifth grade. They got fellowships to attend the camps this summer. His mom is a nurse and works lots of hours. A neighbor lady watches them sometimes.”
“What about his dad?”
Maddie hesitated before she answered. “His dad left and hasn’t returned. I think Alex said that happened when he was in third grade. I got the feeling maybe he was in jail from some comments Luke and Caleb made.”
I cringed, but shifted the conversation. “Okay, well tell me about Luke and Caleb.”
“I don’t get them. Luke is like real cute and popular. He acted friendly. At least that was what I thought the first week. The other girls, especially MaryJane, were all over him, inviting him to join us for lunch. He was in a different group the first week so I only saw him at the beginning of the day, lunch, and at the end of the day. He seemed okay then.”
“It sounds like you changed your mind. What happened?”
She didn’t answer right away and I waited. She took a deep breath. “I heard MaryJane stop Emma from following Luke outside. It wasn’t what she said, but her tone – it kind of scared me.”
She stared out the window for a few seconds and then she continued. “He always seemed friendly though, talking with everybody, and he started talking to me. I think he goes to Clover Hill Academy. He and Caleb both. They’ll be in 10th or 11th grade, I think.”
“Oh, so he and Caleb are older than the rest of you? Why would they be at the same camps as you and not doing something else?” I wasn’t familiar with Clover Hill Academy other than it was a pricey private school.
“Luke called the camps ‘glorified babysitters’ once. He made a comment about how they were being punished by having to come to the camps. Rich, I think. Luke also made a comment about how Alex was from the poor side of town.”
“Maddie, you still haven’t told me what happened between you and Luke.”
“It was nothing. Really. Nothing. Mostly like I said, too close sometimes. Then one time, I forgot something in the computer lab and ran back to get it. Luke followed me. I turned around and collided with him. He made me uncomfortable. He didn’t back up and held my arms so I couldn’t back up. Alex came in.” She shuddered.
“Alex walked over and asked what was going on. Luke hissed at him to go away. Alex told him he wasn’t leaving without me. That must have surprised Luke. His grip on me loosened and I bolted. Alex had a cut lip when he came back, but he never said how it happened. After that, Alex pretty much never left my side. Word spread around among the girls not to leave alone or go anywhere alone with Luke.”
Now it was my turn to shudder. “Did you or anyone else report his behavior?”
“Geesh! Nothing. Really. Happened. I’m not going to ‘report’ he looked at me funny and made me uncomfortable. If he did something and someone reported it, I didn’t hear about it.”
“I’m glad Alex was there to help you out.” Maddie sang along with Justin Beiber and I took the hint. We were almost to Cold Creek and I’d ask about Caleb on the way home.
“I know we’re visiting my friends here, but was there any place you wanted to see or anything you wanted to do?”
“Can we drive by your old house and see if the new people did anything to it? You know, like painted it a weird color?”
I laughed. “Sure, we can. Maybe it’s purple or pink now with flamingo statues on the front lawn.”
She giggled. I drove down the street and slowed as we approached what had been my house. Nothing had changed except for the red SUV and the pink tricycle in the driveway.
***
At the Grill, our most popular place to meet up and eat in Cold Creek, Zoe greeted us with hugs.
“We’ve missed you. Please, please take a seat with your friends. I’ll get you coffee. And Maddie, I’ll get you lemonade. Just like old times.”
Zoe was all smiles as were Kim and Marty. Kim’s red hair and high energy, combined with Marty’s dark hair and more serious approach to life made them a poster couple for opposites attract. More hugs and food ordered, Kim filled us in with updates on the happenings at the college.
“Things are pretty quiet since you moved. Have you heard? Jim is finally going to retire. Nobody’s quite sure if that was his choice or if it came down from above.” Kim shrugged.
“So, who will take his place? You?”
“All that administrative stuff you did year round is not fun.”
I chuckled. When I left Cold Creek College, Kim inherited my office and the role of unofficial assistant department head for the Psychology Department.
“You should have figured that out watching me.”
“I think you hid some of it very well. The meetings alone are making me crazy. No way do I want Jim’s job.” She paused and her mouth twitched. “Hold on to your seat. Can you imagine Max as department head?”
“What? I thought he was determined to leave?”
Also a faculty member at Cold Creek College, Max tended to overreact to anything that was out of the ordinary. He even looked the part, with his dark hair always in need of a cut and often quite wild. To say the least, he kept things lively at the college. Although he tended to be obnoxious, he’d shown he had a good heart on many occasions.
“Guess he figured if he couldn’t leave, he’d move up to administration? But enough about Max. How are you doing, Maddie?”
“Okay. Appomattox is okay.” She looked over at me with a smile. “It’s great to have Sheridan there.” The past spring had been filled with changes for Maddie. First, her mother had decided Maddie should live full-time with Brett and then with our marriage, I moved in with them along with Charlie, my sheltie.
“So where exactly do you live now? What’s the history?” Kim rolled her eyes at Marty’s question and I obliged, honing in on one of Marty’s history interests.
“In Appomattox County. One of the popular historical sites in Appomattox is the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, the site of Lee’s surrender to Grant toward the end of the Civil War. The Historical Park is also referred to as Clover Hill, the original name of the town. One of the oldest historical markers is at the Clover Hill Tavern – it dates back to the 1800s. We live in Clover Leaf nearby so it isn’t far to get to the historical park or any place else.”
“The local dog rescue is right there, too.” Maddie added and with a quick look down excused herself.
“Everything okay, Sheridan? She seems kind of off today – not the usual bubbly Maddie. And she just bolted.”
“I saw her glance at her phone. There have been some problems at the camp she’s been going to and then a friend of hers was arrested for stealing money. It seems to have been a frame to get him in trouble. Then, well remember how Max keeps saying I’m a magnet for murder? Well, he may be right.”
“What do you mean? You found another body?”
“No, I didn’t find a body. Someone was killed last night. Two other boys from camp mentioned Maddie and her friend to the police at the scene. She hasn’t heard from her friend since he was arrested yesterday.”
Kim glanced toward the restrooms. “She seems to be taking a while. You worried?”
“I would be but she took her phone with her. I’ll give her a few minutes. She’s upset about Alex and may be trying to call him to find out what’s happening.”
“Alex? That’s her friend?” I nodded and Kim asked, “What’s your plan?”
“I don’t have a plan. I’m not getting involved if I can help it. I’m not familiar with the juvenile system in Virginia. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work exactly the same as in Delaware.” Before working at Cold Creek College, I’d worked as a psychologist at a residential facility in Delaware and many of the youth there had been involved in the juvenile
system.
Marty cleared his throat. “I’ll see who I know in the juvenile area and get you the information if I come up with anything. Maybe at least an attorney for him if he ends up needing one.”
I hoped Marty’s contacts would come through. Only in Clover Leaf for a month or so, I hadn’t met very many people yet.
“What are you up to? Kim mentioned you seemed kind of down yesterday.”
I glared at Kim for sharing that. “Mostly? I’ve unpacked. Needless to say, I took over the closet in the master bedroom and rearranged the room a bit. Brett’s still getting used to the idea clothes now hid his small gun safe in the closet. And, before you ask, yes, he’s still trying to get me to learn to shoot.”
“Any job prospects?”
“I’ve put in applications at the local colleges and community colleges. So far nothing is open. I’m hoping something comes up by the end of the summer. It’s a waiting game for now. Patience is not one of my virtues, and I am already bored.”
“Have you considered other things to keep you busy in the meantime?”
“Volunteer work in the community. Other than the animal shelter there doesn’t seem to be a lot of easy opportunities. You know I’m a sucker for dogs. So far, my main activities are playing with Charlie and volunteering two days a week at Clover Hill Pets and Paws. That doesn’t take a lot of time.”
The conversation ended as Maddie returned, not happy or talkative. As we finished eating in silence, I noticed Marty nudge Kim. She smiled, reached below the table, and pulled out a photobook of Brett and my wedding. Maddie had been our wedding planner and she beamed as we looked through the pictures.
Lunch over, we hugged all around with assurances we’d be in touch. I definitely wanted to hear more about Max as possible Department Head. His tendency to hysteria would not make for a positive work climate. Zoe had a to-go cup of coffee for me and lemonade for Maddie. Good thing it was only about an hour ride to get home.
CHAPTER 4
The clouds had come in while we ate and weather alerts for thunderstorms started coming in as we left Cold Creek. With a glance to Maddie, I said, “Well …?”
“I tried to call Alex. His sister, Karla, answered his phone. Sheridan, he’s back in detention and Karla thinks they want to put him in jail as an adult. We have to help him. You’ve helped others before. I’ll help you.”
“Did she have any news about the money?”
“She only said he was released and came home. Then the police came back last night and arrested him again. Mrs. Champlin took the day off from work and Karla didn’t go to camp today. What are they going to do? They can’t afford an attorney. What will happen to Alex?” Her voice got louder as she spoke and finally broke with her last question.
“Maddie, maybe the police have learned something more today. Your dad is looking into it, I’m sure. They will find other people with a motive. This takes time. Remember how long it took for the police to figure out who killed the director of the community theater?”
“Yes, but you helped prove Isaac was innocent and identify the killer. Will you help Alex? At least talk to him?”
“We’ll see what your dad found out and how he feels about it, okay? And what happened with the money in your backpack. Making sure you aren’t involved or in danger will be the priority.”
“Okay, but I feel so helpless and like it’s my fault some how. I have to do something to help him.”
“All you can do is support him and Karla. In the meantime, tell me about Caleb.”
She exhaled and her mouth set. “Luke and Caleb hung together. I… Caleb isn’t as cute or charming. He’s big and clumsy and scowls a lot and he gets too close sometimes. He smells funny, too.”
“Has he ever touched you, Maddie?”
“Nope. Never. It’s creepy. Like he’s within inches and hovers there, ready to pounce. Then he doesn’t. I can smell him – something sweet. And he does it with all the girls, not only me. We all move and then he moves. He doesn’t say anything. He’s just there, usually behind us. Creepy like I said. I’ve turned around and said ‘hi’ or something to him. He responds with ‘hi’ back or answers a question if I ask one. Then he stands there.”
“How did he and Luke get along? Did they kid around with each other? High five or fist bump all the time?”
“Mostly they seemed to be whispering to each other. Honestly, it may have been nothing, but when they were apart from the rest of us and all secretive, I figured they were cooking up some kind of scheme.” She shrugged her shoulders. I suspected she was right.
“Did they ever fight or argue?”
“With each other? No, not really. When Luke would be charming the girls, Caleb would scowl. Mostly they argued with the teachers. All the teachers. Over the rules, over the time an activity started or ended, over the food they served, over anything. That was their version of fun.”
“What did everyone else do when they argued – the two of them confronting the staff?”
“Except for the food stuff, most of us weren’t impressed and ignored it. Sometimes the food was pretty bad or cold when it should have been hot. Then some of the others chimed in.”
She turned on the radio and started singing. Conversation ended and my thoughts reeled. How were Luke and Caleb involved in the murder? Did they murder Stories and then decide to frame it on Alex? That seemed too simple.
***
Brett picked up take out for dinner so we could avoid going out in the storm. One of Maddie’s favorites, he’d gone to Seafood Grill and Deli and brought home seafood pasta salad, grilled shrimp, and coleslaw. He asked about our trip and we showed him the photobook. He was as surprised as we were and the three of us paged through and talked about all the people in the pictures.
Brett asked Maddie to create a thank you note for all of us to sign. She was more than happy to comply and disappeared, Charlie following behind. With Maddie occupied in the office, he helped me clean up and put away food.
“I got a call from Chief Peabody today. The money found in Maddie’s bag?” He looked toward the door to make sure she wasn’t there before he continued. “There was residue of cocaine on the bills and inside the envelopes. At least that’s what they think. The lab will have to officially document it. The officers who arrested Alex hadn’t paid attention, only counted the money. Once they saw the residue on the bills Maddie had, they checked the other batch. More residue. Looks like whoever planted the envelopes might be into drugs.”
“But I thought the money was stolen from the office?”
“That’s another story. The receptionist reported $200 stolen from the office to pay for the pizzas delivered all month. Pizza Heaven let her charge the pizzas and she was going to pay for them yesterday. When the money was gone from her drawer, she called the police to report the theft after alerting Mr. Simpson. The police showed up minutes later, after receiving an anonymous tip. Timing was a little too quick since Mr. Simpson hadn’t said anything to the students yet. And there was $250 in the envelope in Alex’s backpack.”
“Huh. So, the money was planted – that’s the assumption at least – before they actually stole the money so they didn’t have any idea how much to put in the envelope? And obviously, they planted even more with the two envelopes in Maddie’s backpack. Any prints?”
“None of the prints were very good. They only got a partial, so any match would be inconclusive. There was another $400 in Maddie’s envelopes. Chief Peabody talked to the responding officer. He’d been told $200 was missing and the tipster pointed to both Alex and Maddie. When he found the money in Alex’s pack, he stopped looking. He was pretty sure he had it all and never considered he’d found more than was stolen.”
I felt my mouth drop. “So, they were setting both of them up with a single tip? And Chief Peabody believes they stole the money even though they found more money than was stolen?”
“No. That’s the thing. Now they think somehow Alex thought it was Stories who set him up, albeit
with help from Luke or Caleb. And the money was all related to drug deals given the possible cocaine traces. Obviously, there’s no way to determine if the $200 from the office is even in there. The police are saying it was coincidence.”
“What?” I knew I was getting louder again, but this was ridiculous. Chief Peabody hadn’t seemed as much a nitwit as Chief Pfeiffe in Cold Creek.
Brett was about to respond and Maddie returned with the thank you note she’d designed. She wanted us to pick one picture from the wedding to put on the thank you. I found one of Kim, Maddie, Brett, and me. She ran off, with a “Be right back.” This time Charlie didn’t follow but went to the door and I let her out.
“Where does that leave Maddie?”
“Oh, they suggested Alex befriended her so he’d be able to stash part of his money in her pack.”
I opened my mouth and Brett put his hand up. “Lots of questions and, so far, the whole case against Alex is circumstantial. The kid wasn’t released from detention until almost 5 and the shooting took place around 6. His mom says he was home then. They don’t know if she’s telling the truth or protecting her son. They’re talking to the receptionist again and then neighbors.”
CHAPTER 5
Focused on my laptop screen, I jumped when Brett’s hand touched my neck. “What’s up?”
“You startled me. I’m trying to figure out the Virginia juvenile justice system. Website is not overly helpful.”
“The bottom line? He was released pending arraignment for theft and then detained again. There’ll be a detention hearing on Monday. Rule is three days, but nothing happens on the weekend, so he’s stuck there.” He rubbed his jaw.
“I can tell from the look on your face, there’s something else.”
“With two charges against him and one of those murder, the hearing will be used to determine if he should be tried as an adult.”
I gasped. “He’s 13 years old. What factors go into the decision?”
“The one working against him is the seriousness of the crime – the homicide. No idea if he has any previous history in the system. That would be another strike. Two arrests in the same day, another strike. On the other hand, his age works for him.”
A New Place, Another Murder Page 2