SSM01 - School Lunch is Murder

by Zelenka, Cheryl

  When she finally worked up enough nerve to step out of her car, Mr. Blahart squealed into the parking spot right next to her. He nearly tore off her open car door with her on it! He rolled down his window and grinned.

  “Hey there, Ms. Sunshine, you need to watch what you’re doing. Your door almost scratched the custom paint job on my Mustang!” With that, he hopped out of his car and ran inside without a, “Welcome Back” or “Need any help carrying anything inside?”

  “Chivalry is lost on that man!” she grumbled as she grabbed her purse from the car.

  Usually a positive and cheerful woman, she rarely complained. Preferring to see people and circumstances from a positive light, Sadie reminded herself that the action of one rude person shouldn’t ruin her first day with new students.

  “I think I should first head over to the office. I want to say hi to Fanny Truxabee and see if there are any messages in my mailbox.”

  Walking to the school’s front door, she was, as predicted, met by a large group of students offering hugs and masses of friendly waves from parents. This put a big smile on her face and improved her attitude about having to rise so early that morning. Gazing down the long hallway, she enjoyed viewing the student’s artwork displayed outside each classroom. When she entered the school office, Fanny noticed her smile and reciprocated with a big one of her own.

  “Welcome Back, Ms. Sadie Sunshine! I have really, really missed you. I was so glad to hear you decided to come out of your retirement hibernation to help our sweet Mandy out. Can you believe she’s having that baby girl in just a few days?”

  She continued on but switched gears, “You know, her students were thrilled when she told them you’d be their guest teacher for the next two months. I heard their ‘Yay!” all the way down the hall, and that was with her classroom door tightly shut. Hee! Hee!”

  She then threw her arms wide open, leaving no doubt in Sadie’s mind that a special bear hug was on the way. She didn’t mind at all. She was a hugger too and appreciated Fanny’s lovely greeting of sincere affection.

  The door to the principal’s office flew open while Fanny was crunching Sadie like a mama bear. Principal Dan Pardon was tall and very good-looking. He was in his mid-40s with a full head of blonde hair. He was about five years her junior. She really liked her former boss, even though he could test a person’s patience when they wanted something quick. Deadlines were not his forte.

  “Welcome back, stranger! I was thrilled to hear you were still open to hard work and a job opportunity that left little time to pee. You’ll be happy to hear we’ve renovated our bathrooms and are working hard to cover classes when teachers have need of a special moment. Har, har,... Ahem.”

  Daniel stopped talking when he realized Fanny was giving him one of her gentle but firm looks, the kind that lovingly suggested it was time to stop talking.

  Sadie flashed back to last year when she was still teaching third-grade. There was a day when she needed to run to the restroom and nobody was close by to watch her class. Her educational assistant had yet to arrive and Mandy Golden, her grade level partner, was in the library with her students.

  Oh boy, another reason Mandy owes me that Dutch Brothers every week! She walked over to her mailbox and found several messages inside.

  Around 14 years ago, Daniel and Sadie started a short romance. Well, it was more of a friendship since there hadn’t been any real spark or chemistry.

  They both attended Edgewater Community Fellowship and started sitting next to each other every Sunday at the 9 am service. Afterward, they’d grab a bite to eat and discuss the Pastor’s message. In less than five months it was obvious there wasn’t a future for them as a couple, so they parted ways but remained genuine friends.

  Not long after that, Daniel fell in love with his present wife. They were a perfect fit.

  Daniel gave Sadie a side hug before she left for her classroom. “Stop by the office at the end of your day, after you’ve put your students on the buses headed for home. I want to catch you up on a few things.”

  “Certainly!”

  Just then the school librarian, Miss Wisp, stepped into the office. Edith didn’t notice Sadie and looked as if she’d been crying. She walked over to the message board and then checked her mailbox. Sadie overheard Miss Wisp ask Principal Pardon if he had a few minutes to discuss a personal matter. “I’m always at your service, Miss Wisp!” They stepped inside his office and shut the door for privacy.

  Sadie left the office for the hallway and overheard Lilly Pierce speaking to Mr. Blahart. They both taught fourth grade. “Something’s wrong with Edith. She looks exhausted and upset. I hope she isn’t sick. You know the flu bug has hit Rogue Valley and not everyone believes in the effectiveness of a flu shot. I had four kids out for three days last week.”

  Oi! Sadie frowned as she walked down the hallway. I forgot how much fun it was being trapped inside a classroom with sick kids and germs everywhere! It’s like living in a giant vacuum filled with mucus, boogers, snot, and pee, not to mention up-chuck odors from the classroom rugs! Baking soda can only do so much!

  Lilly’s classroom was directly across the hall from the office. Mandy’s classroom was two doors down. The other third-grade teacher had the classroom between Mandy and Lilly’s. Sadie suspected Lilly had observed her chatting with Daniel and was avoiding the office, and her.

  I so regret my argument with Lilly, and all over a lost library book! Sadie was ashamed of her pettiness and was sorry such an insignificant matter had torn apart their friendship. She was determined to offer Lilly an olive branch with hopes of mending their broken relationship. However, now was not the time. She had to get through her first day as a guest teacher.

  As Sadie passed by the open door of the other third-grade classroom, she decided to introduce herself to Miss Penny Quiche. Mandy had mentioned Penny was a recent graduate of Oregon State and that this was her very first teaching position. Mandy described her as, “Sweet, petite, and very unorganized.”

  Without saying it directly, Mandy had tactfully informed Sadie that Miss Quiche was not only an OSU Beavers fan but a bit over her head in regards to classroom management. Mandy was a graduate of the University of Oregon and a colossal Ducks fan.

  “I really should review the plans Mandy left me and put a few math problems on the whiteboard, but I think I’ll poke my head into Room 4 and say a quick hello to the other grade level teacher.” With that, she stepped into the classroom hoping to make a good impression and a new friend. Instead, Sadie discovered a strange scene and was in for a big shock.

  Miss Quiche was lying on her side in the classroom’s reading corner.

  “Hello? Miss Quiche, I mean Penny? I’m Sadie Sunshine, Mandy’s long-term sub.” At first, Sadie thought the young instructor was trying to catch a quick catnap or had sought out a private place to reflect.

  “Did Mandy mention Penny was a diabetic or suffered from epilepsy? Think Sadie, think!” Coming out of her daze, she jumped into action and hit the room’s intercom button. “Yes?” Sadie recognized Tammy’s voice on the other end and yelled out, “Teacher down. We need an ambulance!” She then flew to Miss Quiche’s side.

  The petite teacher had thrown up on the reading rug and vegetables from a salad were skewed all over the floor. A plastic salad container was on the rug beside her as well as the plastic fork. She also noticed what appeared to be a beautiful engagement ring on her right hand. She couldn’t help but notice the lovely heart-shaped diamond set between two red stones.

  Sadie placed her fingers on Penny’s neck. “I don’t feel a pulse! I don’t think she’s breathing.” Sadie hesitated, looking at the green goo oozing from the corners of Miss. Quiche’s mouth. Really? She closed her eyes and went down for the count. Trying not to panic, she put her CPR training to use. Unfortunately, it soon became evident that petite Penny Quiche had left their world for the next. She quickly rinsed her mouth from the classroom sink.

  CHAPTER THREE: Officer Flores Is On
the Case

  Principal Pardon called the District Office and spoke with Superintendent Wong.

  “Send your students home and cancel classes. It’s awkward, I know, but we don’t want students and their parents flooding your office with questions when we don’t have any answers.”

  “I agree!” Daniel bit a fingernail and listened for further instructions.

  “Also, utilize your school voice-messaging machine. Have Mrs. Truxabee record a short message about an unexpected staff emergency, apologizing for the inconvenience. Add that parents should contact the District Office in the case of an emergency. End by saying that there will be a news report on Channel 5 this evening. It will cover the events of the day and answer most of their questions about the school closure. I’m doing the interview, later on, today. Let them know that classes will resume tomorrow at their regular time. End with, ‘The safety of children and staff members is always our number one priority.’”

  “Thank you, Superintendent Wong. I’ll get that task done immediately and update you throughout the day.”

  “Have you notified the police department?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good! They’ll want to inspect the body and Miss Quiche’s classroom to rule out foul play. I’m sure it’s nothing, just routine, but cooperate with them, Daniel. Make an effort to answer all of their questions honestly and provide any assistance you can. We don’t want to make mistakes here. The District can’t afford any legal suits.”

  Pursing his lips, Principal Pardon assured his boss that he was on top of things and then said good-bye.

  Daniel walked back to Room 4 and found Sadie sitting at Penny’s desk.

  Speaking in a soft voice, Daniel asked, “How are you doing? I know this was not the best way to start your guest teaching assignment. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now. Unfortunately, I have to manage this tragedy before it becomes a circus act. The staff needs to be informed and a plan put into action. That means I’ve got to call a quick staff meeting. I hate to ask this of you, but would you stay with Penny for just a little longer? You know how gossip spreads, so I want to move on things quickly.

  “Yeah, gossip is like a wildfire…fast and lethal. I’ll be fine. Go do what you need to do, Dan. I’ll watch over Penny.”

  Daniel patted her shoulder and walked back into the office where, by using the intercom, he called all staff members to a quick meeting in the cafeteria. He asked two senior teaching assistants to continue with playground duty.

  Once the staff was gathered inside the cafeteria, Daniel cleared his voice and began. He was resolved to get through this calamity without any hitches.

  “If you have not yet heard, Sadie Sunshine found Penny Quiche laying on her classroom floor this morning. I’m so sorry to say I don’t have good news. Penny is dead.”

  A few of the educational assistants let out gasps of surprise, but word had spread quickly to most of the staff members and they remained stoic in their silence.

  “We have locked the hallway doors to keep non-staff members out of the school, so keep your keys with you at all times. Every student should remain outside on the playground until Mr. Ferril has laid down mats in the gymnasium. He’ll come out and tell the EA’s on duty to bring students inside as soon as he has set things up. We are not sharing any details with students or parents right now. We don’t want to alarm anyone, and we need time to get answers about Penny’s sudden and unexpected demise.”

  The staff quietly nodded their heads in agreement and Daniel continued with instructions.

  “I’d like the second-grade teachers to help the educational assistant in the gymnasium. Inform students that school has been canceled and that their parents are coming to pick them up. Assure each child they are safe. Turn the DVD player on and show an episode of the Magic School Bus. The fourth-grade teachers will be in the parking lot directing parents to the gym for pick up. Fanny has placed a list of every student attending Fort Follyfield on a clipboard. All children must be accounted for, so mark down parent pick-ups and the time they leave.

  This means kitchen staff, kindergarten, first, and fifth-grade staff members are to wait in the school library. A police officer will be here shortly to do interviews. Please cooperate and be honest. You are dismissed as soon as your interview is completed.”

  Several staff members, including Mr. Balhart, looked uncomfortable with this declaration but remained silent.

  “There will be school tomorrow. Get to bed early because I’m calling an early morning staff meeting for 6:15 am. I’ll update you on any new details then. Be prompt! Tomorrow will be a challenge for all of us with parent questions and emotional students. Together, we’ll shuffle through this unforeseen loss. We need to work together as a team and I’m counting on your professionalism. Penny was a sweet young lady and to ensure that the transportation of her body to Asante Medical is handled with dignity and respect, we’ll have to work as a unit immediately. In time, we will discover the reason behind her unexpected and sudden passing.

  Since her parents are deceased and she was an only child, we’re trying to contact close family friends so they can make her funeral arrangements. I’ll keep you informed about our progress.

  With that, the staff was dismissed. Everyone followed directions and met the challenge set before them. In an environment that bred gossip, and rumors flew like seeds to the wind, the staff at Fort Follyfield did an outstanding job shielding students from worry, fear, harm, and alarm.

  Edith and Fanny checked on Sadie after the staff meeting in the cafeteria. They updated her on Daniel’s plan for containment. Again, Sadie noted Edith’s demeanor and sensed she was extremely anxious and emotionally overwrought.

  Dustin Ferril stuck his nose in the door 10 minutes after they left. He asked if she wanted him to sit with Penny. She told the custodian she was fine and sent him on his way.

  Sadie had yet to unlock her classroom door. She had been sitting in Penny’s classroom for over an hour. Looking over at Penny, she muttered, “I hope Dora is assigned this investigation. She’ll make sure everything is on the up and up.”

  Her best friend was one of the local police officers. A death, no matter the circumstances, was still a death. Questions needed answers. Sadie thought it was better to play things safe and err on the side of caution. She didn’t think foul play was a concern, but it was still smart to have the professionals look into Miss Quiche’s untimely passing.

  Thinking back to Dustin, she was taken aback by his offer to sit with Penny. Sadie remembered Dustin as a frequent grumbler and slacker. One time, she actually caught him smoking on the sly, in the school supply room. More than one staff member had complained to Daniel about his smoking and his slowness to clean up after sick students who had tossed their cookies. To them, his behavior seemed to borderline on indifference, and Fort Follyfield was always about putting students first.

  Officer Dora Flores arrived at Fort Follyfield about an hour and a half after Sadie discovered the body. She had been in Ashland investigating a possible link to a local arson case, so her delay couldn’t be helped. In addition to being Sadie’s best friend, Dora was also her neighbor, a fellow dog lover (although she was even more partial to cats), and a gardening junkie. They shared a passion for yard sales and thrift stores. Dora had long black hair and a smile that was kind, but also tinged with mischief and humor.

  They met while volunteering at a Chris Tomlin concert. They became fast friends and often worked on DIY projects together. Four years ago, a house across the street from Sadie was listed. Dora ended up buying it and became her new neighbor. The police officer was her junior by 15 years, but that never seemed to bother either one of them. Whenever they were together, laughter was a part of the mix. In fact, Sadie couldn’t think of another person on the planet who made her laugh as much or as hard as her Dora.

  Earlier that summer, Dora solved a big case. A hotshot banker sadly turned to a life of crime due to his devastating drug addic
tion to methamphetamine. The Daily Courier, their local newspaper, had written a full-page article on how Dora cracked the case.

  It turned out that the banker, Mr. Bedford, was a thief. He was also Lilly Peirce’s uncle. He was breaking into his neighbors’ homes and stealing their jewelry, electronics, and cash. His sudden decline in health, recent divorce, and drastic change in appearance had given Dora all kinds of red flags. She was the only officer to check out his alibi. When she discovered the bank fired him three weeks before Christmas, and he wasn’t working when the robberies took place, she brought him in for questioning. It wasn’t long before he confessed and the case was closed. Mayor Phibbs had praised Dora for her outstanding sleuthing skills and her enthusiasm to keep the city of Rouge Valley free of crime.

  After introducing herself to Principal Pardon, he shook her hand and then led Dora down the hallway to Room 4. Daniel was experiencing waves of grief as he had a fatherly personality and sincerely wanted to help Miss Quiche succeed in her teaching efforts.

  “I just don’t know what to think, Officer Flores. I had no idea Penny was sick. She seemed so healthy to me. She’d run laps around the school track after school hours and was a committed vegetarian. She was always eating a salad, even for breakfast!

  I do admit she was pretty high strung. There was an anxiousness about her, but I thought that was why she ran over 10 miles a day…five days a week. They say exercise eases tension and our profession can be chock full of stressors. You know, teachers have many demands placed on them. About a month after she was hired, she asked to speak with me privately. She confided her perfectionism was causing health issues.”

  Raising both eyebrows, Dora queried, “What kind of health problems, Principal Pardon?”

  “Oh please, call me Daniel.” He gave the officer a smile and continued, “She mentioned insomnia, depression, and a lack of energy to get through her school day. She also insinuated she had turned back to a bad habit but didn’t elaborate. When I tried to dig a little deeper, she said she didn’t want to share any details about her nasty habit. I think she was embarrassed.