SSM01 - School Lunch is Murder

by Zelenka, Cheryl

  “Well, that’s a motive to find a new girlfriend!” smirked Mr. Sunshine.

  “Yes, Jerry, but not a motive to kill a girlfriend. He just needed to break up with Penny, not get rid of her. During my interview with Dustin today, I discovered he broke up with Penny two nights before she was murdered. He’s fully aware of his uncle’s feelings towards Edith and Penny. When I interviewed Miss Wisp, she confirmed that Dustin is the baby’s father. Edith also said she called Mr. Crispman a day after Dustin broke up with her, which explains why he knew about the pregnancy. He assured her he’d ‘fix things’ and make everything right before he passed away.”

  Zoe brought the soups and salad while Dora was talking, so Jerry and Sadie were already halfway finished with their minestrone soup. Hoping to catch up, Dora picked up her fork and stabbed a tomato covered in ranch dressing.

  Sadie spoke up, “So, let’s put this interview in a nutshell. Today you learned Dustin probably broke things off with Penny because his uncle threatened to write him out of his will.”

  Dora nodded at Sadie and took another bite of her salad.

  Jerry then asked, “Do you think he went back to Edith to appease his uncle? After all, she is carrying a possible future heir. Dustin might have overcompensated in order to get back into his uncle’s good graces.”

  Dora put her salad fork down momentarily. “Yes, I think that is very likely. Edith is convinced Dustin loves her, but I’m not so sure he does. He seemed pretty upset about breaking up with Miss Quiche. During the interview, he spoke fondly of their time at Seven Feathers. He hardly mentioned Edith or their baby. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask them about the diamond ring we found on Penny’s hand. I still don’t know if Dustin and Penny were engaged. However, Fanny did mention Edith was wearing a diamond ring the first day of school. She was so busy that first week; she didn’t have a chance to ask Edith about it. A few days later, when she looked again, the ring was missing from Edith’s finger.”

  Jerry questioned, “Did Fanny mention whether it resembled the ring Penny was wearing when Sadie found her?”

  “Fanny saw the ring only once on Edith’s hand.” Dora replied. “Since she never wore it again, she figured it was a cocktail ring meant for special occasions. Fanny couldn’t say it was the same ring Penny was wearing but, she did remember it had red stones.”

  Dora finished her salad just as Zoe came around with their entrees. Everything smelled delicious and all three took a few minutes to sample their food while it was still hot. Jerry placed a few ravioli on his daughter’s plate and she gave him a bite of her lasagna.

  Sadie was the first to resume the conversation. “Okay, so Dora, do you suspect either one of them right now or both? Are they still on your suspect list? What about motive? What about means? I suppose Edith might have a motive. Revenge. Revenge for stealing her boyfriend…and the father of her child.”

  Dora took a sip of water before speaking. “True, she does have a motive. I’m not crossing Edith off the suspect list, yet. She has a very black and white perspective of things and a personal sense of justice. I also picked up on a victim mentality. Edith admitted she had that white gardening book Mrs. Quibble told us about. When I asked her about it, she started to complain and whine. She charged you for the book because she was angry with you.”

  Sadie was completely taken aback. “What? I had no idea she was angry! About what?”

  “She complained about your noisy students, saying she got a headache every time your class visited her library. She wanted to get even. She didn’t show any remorse either. In her head, you deserved a fine! She tried to justify her action by saying she’d mentioned the noise level several times, but thought you never did anything about it. It’s always the quiet ones you have to look out for, Sadie. Honestly, I think she’s passive-aggressive, not just OCD. As for Dustin, I’ve pretty much erased him from the list. I don’t see a motive and I think he loved Penny.”

  “Well, that mousy librarian has a real nasty streak! I’ve volunteered my time this year to help in the library. Stacking books is not much fun,” fumed Sadie.

  “Yes, but she’s also ticked-off about your volunteer work. She complained that when you’re in the library students seek you out and, “Yap, yap, yap!” She groused how your volunteer days filled the library with extra noise. She also mentioned how the students kept you from completing the work she assigned.”

  “Sounds a bit ungrateful to me,” commented Mr. Sunshine.

  Annoyed, Sadie added, “In her world of black and white, she figured I deserved a punishment. But the irony is, her true colors are making themselves known. Additionally, she did take an interest in that gardening book. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been hand written notes and earmarked pages.” Dora agreed.

  Feeling full, Sadie pushed aside her half eaten lasagna. She asked Zoe for a take-home container, wanting to eat the remainder for lunch the next day. Her dad plopped the last of his ravioli inside it as well. Dora however, was true to her word. She really was hungry and cleaned her plate of every bit of manicotti.

  “So what’s next?” Questioned Sadie. She knew Dora was running out of time to solve the murder mystery. There were just two school days left before the School District announced classes were canceled and students would be bused to surrounding schools. The staff from Fort Follyfield would go on paid leave until they were officially cleared from the suspect list, and the murderer was identified.

  Dora frowned. “Geesh, things are a bit on hold right now. I want to know what you learn tomorrow from your visit to Kathy Crispman’s garden. I don’t want to tag along and arouse suspicion, but she invited you…so you’re in the clear. It’s best she doesn’t know she’s a suspect. Kathy was pretty aloof at the funeral today and I noticed Edith and Dustin kept her at a distance. Edith confided she was close to Kathy. She visited her almost every day this summer. Ms. Crispman is pleased about the baby and excited about becoming a grandma. So, it doesn’t make sense Edith avoided her at the funeral.”

  Sadie added, “We still need to find out about that diamond ring on Penny’s hand. I’m going over to Kathy’s house around 4 pm. By the way, she grows poisonous plants. There’s a possibility she conspired with Edith to knock Penny off. I’ll call you after my visit with Ms. Crispman and share all the details regarding her garden. And yes, I’ll take my pepper spray,” reading the officer’s mind.

  Sadie’s dad paid their bill and walked both ladies to the front door. “Sadie Sunshine, you be careful tomorrow! I know you like to garden, but this Ms. Crispman sounds like a strange bird. Don’t eat or drink anything she offers, just in case.”

  Sadie smiled at her Pop and promised she’d watch her step. Hugging him in the parking lot, her eyes followed the lively 80 year-old (his birthday was last month) as he got in his Nissan and drove away.

  Dora echoed his words of warning and told her to keep both eyes open. “Call me if you sense any danger. It’ll take me less than 10 minutes to reach you. I’m pretty sure Edith is behind all of this, but I can’t say for sure. We’ll know a lot more tomorrow. I’ll ask Daniel if he knows anything about that ring on Penny’s hand. My gut tells me it’s an engagement ring. I’ll also stop by Mandy Golden’s house. I keep forgetting she was Penny’s grade level teaching partner, she might know something that’s helpful.”

  Dora had to stop by the police station and file her daily report, so Sadie drove home without an escort. She never imagined going back to work would be filled with so much drama. Feeling especially tired, she went to bed early. Slipping into her four-poster bed felt really good. She fell asleep thinking about the beautiful Oregon coast. This time, there were no salads chasing her around and Bosco actually got some beauty sleep.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Again, The Ring!

  Dora knocked on Mandy’s door hoping she wouldn’t wake the newborn. Sadie had told her the cute name the Goldens picked out for their baby daughter. She was looking forward to meeting the little one…and peeking in on the nursery. Sadi
e was convinced it was sporting an Oregon Ducks theme and Dora suspected she was probably right. Both Mandy and her husband Teddy were graduates of the University of Oregon and tried to attend all the home games.

  Mandy answered the door wearing an Oregon Ducks sweatshirt and matching sweatpants. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a high ponytail and her usual pristine application of makeup was MIA. She looked tired, but a giant smile lit up her face when she recognized Dora inside her uniform.

  “Shhh, Beaker-Polly is sleeping. I was just about to lay down myself for a quick nap. That little duckling of mine is eating every two hours!”

  Dora felt bad for keeping Mandy from some much-needed sleep. She’d be quick and visit with the baby later. However, Mandy had other ideas. She wanted to show off her beautiful prize and made Dora follower her into the nursery.

  Sure enough, the Oregon Ducks theme Sadie had predicted was covering every inch of the nursery. Not only was the room painted yellow and green, but painted on the main bedroom wall was a giant Duck sitting inside an O. A bright yellow rocker was positioned next to the changing table. The baby’s dark green crib sported yellow polka dots. Inside the little nest, Beaker-Polly was swaddled with a bright yellow wrap and a stuffed duck sporting a cute cap was her guardian. The mobile above Beaker-Polly had alternating ducks and footballs of various sizes. The shag rug on the wood floor was a bright orange.

  “Well, what do you think of the baby’s room?” Mandy was obviously happy with the end results and Dora had to admit it was lively and fun. “It’s crazy fun and cheery, Mandy. Your daughter will love hanging out in this room, especially once she’s learned to waddle over to that bookcase filled with toys and books!”

  Beaming with pride Mandy waved Dora over to the crib so she could get a good look at the baby. “Isn’t she beautiful? She has so much hair for a newborn!” Dora nodded and smiled back at the exhausted mother. Not wanting to rob Mandy of any more sleep, Dora motioned that she should follow her back into the living room.

  “Mandy, I don’t want to keep you from your nap. I just have a few questions. Did Penny mention who gave her the diamond ring on her right hand?”

  Mandy blinked. “Well, she had two engagement rings, one from Thomas Blahart and the other from Dustin Ferril. I guess she had some special fairy dust that made both men fall in love with her instantaneously. It took me a year to snag my Teddy!” Mandy snorted out a laugh. Then, “Right hand? Um, yes. Now I remember. Dustin gave her a beautiful heart shaped engagement ring with two rubies. They were engaged for less than a week. Dustin dated Edith Wisp on the sly for several months last school year, and throughout the summer, while Penny enjoyed a summer romance with our dear Mr. Blahart.

  Two days before Sadie started her subbing job with my class, so I guess that makes it a Saturday, Penny called me. She was crying. Dustin wanted to break off their engagement and asked her to return his grandmother’s diamond ring. She refused. She told him to take the weekend to rethink things. She switched the ring over to her right hand as a sign they were reevaluating their relationship.

  ‘If he still wants to end things, I’ll give it back to him on Monday,’ were her last words before hanging up. I guess she died before Dustin had a chance to speak with her on Monday.”

  Dora gave Mandy a hug and told her to get some sleep before the baby decided she was hungry again. “Tell Sadie I want to see her real soon,” Mandy yawned.

  Dora nodded and closed the front door behind her.

  Dora could understand why Edith might have been angry with Dustin and Penny. After all, she had dated the custodian for over six months and then discovered he was engaged to the pretty new teacher just a few weeks after their break up. She was also pregnant and probably a bit hormonal. Mrs. Quibble was positive Edith poisoned Penny, but Dora still wasn’t sure. There was definitely motive, even if she was dating Dustin again. Jealously and revenge were killer motives.

  Sadie had mentioned Edith looked upset the first day she went back to work, before and after the body was discovered. Dora wondered what personal matter she needed to discuss behind closed doors with Daniel Pardon. Dora decided to stop by Fort Follyfield and have a chat with the Principal.

  Fanny greeted Dora with a big smile the minute she walked into the school office. Daniel was in front of his computer, so she escorted the policewoman to his door. Looking up, Principal Pardon waved her to a seat inside his office.

  “Hi there, Officer Flores. What can I do for you today? How is the investigation coming along?” Daniel came out from behind his desk and sat beside her. Dora found the student-sized chairs slightly uncomfortable.

  “I need to follow up on something Sadie told me the other day. She mentioned Edith Wisp appeared distraught the morning she started her long-term subbing job. She also said Edith asked for a private moment in your office to discuss a personal matter. What did she tell you behind the closed door?”

  Daniel cleared his voice, “Officer, I don’t want to break a confidence. But the District Office gave me clear instructions to provide the police department with everything they needed, so, you’ll have my full cooperation. Edith was distressed because she’s pregnant. Dustin Ferril is the father and they’re engaged, although I don’t think she has a ring yet. Anyway, she was concerned about her job security, since she’d begin to show long before their summer wedding. She was afraid the School District would terminate her employment.”

  Dora figured the engagement ring in Edith’s future was still on Penny’s right hand that Monday morning.

  “Were you able to reassure her regarding this matter?” Dora was curious about the School District’s policy regarding pregnant single women.

  “Yes, indeed. I told her she was within her legal rights to keep her position, but I also told her she needed to grow an extra skin. We live in a small town and folks can be heartless. There is bound to be some gossip and nasty comments headed her way.”

  Dora noticed the papers piled high on Daniel’s desk and figured he was swamped with work. She thanked him for his cooperation and left the school building with answers to some questions, but still not knowing who should top her suspect list…Edith or Kathy. She decided to rule Dustin out since he had no good reason to kill Penny. Calling off their engagement would have pacified his uncle and secured his inheritance. Besides, her gut was saying he loved Penny, just not enough to give up his future millions.

  Quietly mulling over the new information, Dora pieced together the facts. “Edith was upset before Penny’s body was discovered, due to worries concerning job security and malicious gossip regarding her pregnancy. Her anxiety after the body was discovered was simply a natural reaction to shock. It’s not every day you learn a co-worker has passed away unexpectedly. I’m getting close, but I need to focus on motives and opportunity. I’ve got to think clearly! If Edith is the murderer, I believe bitterness and jealousy are the motives. She still has that white garden book to help with identifying hemlock plants and free access to Kathy’s back garden.

  But what might Kathy’s motive be? Why would she kill Penny? I’m drawing a blank on a possible motive for Ms. Crispman, but she certainly had opportunity. She works in the school cafeteria and makes all the salads. She grows poisonous plants, including hemlock. She could have added the hemlock to Penny’s salad, but why? Why would she poison Penny?

  Would she kill Penny simply to bring Edith and Dustin back together? There was no guarantee they’d reconnect, even if Penny were no longer in the picture. She also knew Edith was pregnant. Did she resent Penny for leaving her future grandchild fatherless? But wait! Dustin broke up with Penny days before the murder. There was no need for Kathy to kill Penny. Geesh, one suspect has a strong motive, but little opportunity. The other suspect has a weak motive, if any…but all the opportunity in the world.

  It was 4:30 pm when Dora pulled out of the school parking lot. Sadie was already at Ms. Crispman’s house. Concerned for Sadie’s safety, she texted her friend a short message, “All Good?” />
  Dora needed to catch up on her own paperwork and write her daily case report. She wanted to drive out to Kathy’s house and check on Sadie but figured she could handle herself, especially since she was manned with pepper spray. Dora pointed her vehicle towards G Street and made it to the police station in good time. “I’ll have Sadie stop by the station on her way home. I want to add any useful information she collects to my report. I sure hope she remembered to take her iPhone.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Kathy Crispman

  Kathy wasn’t sure if Sadie Sunshine suspected her of murder. She was best friends with that pesky policewoman and might know something she didn’t about the investigation. Unknowingly, Mrs. Quibble was doing a great job keeping her informed. It paid to befriend a gossip with a cousin on the police force! Kathy heard, through Suzie, that the coroner found hemlock in Penny’s stomach. No surprise there, heh, heh, heh! But, she was kicking herself for carelessly mentioning her special plants to Miss Sunshine. She shouldn’t have told her about the hemlock, even though it is one of her most precious holistic plants.

  She also wondered if Officer Flores and Ms. Sunshine knew about the salads she prepared for Penny, including the one she ate in the early morning hours before her death? Hemlock looks a lot like a radish, so she dug one up from her garden and chopped it into bite size pieces. She added it to Penny’s salad, knowing that within an hour or two she’d be dead. Things were really busy first thing in the morning, so nobody would have noticed Penny lying paralyzed on her classroom floor, unable to breathe. With the ranch dressing Penny loved to smother over the greens, she’d never notice a bad taste coming from the special ‘radishes.’