Gabbie suppressed the anger she felt toward Fred Leverette as best she could. Still, her voice had an edge when she said, "Does he know what happened with Charlie?"
"Mmm, I didn't go into it when he called. Dad doesn't like it when I get involved with Charlie's problems. He thinks he should fight his own battles."
"I see."
Theo's words came in a rush. "Do you think I could spend the night with you? I won't be a bother, I promise. I'll sleep on a couch. I just can't stand to stay here another minute by myself."
"Of course you can, Theo. Gather up your books and clothes for tomorrow, and leave your dad a note. I'll come by for you in just a few minutes."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Gabbie went into the den and called out to Cam. He didn't appear. Dammit, where was he? He always showed up when she wanted her privacy, and now--
"What's the urgency this time?"
She heard his question before he materialized.
"Theo's coming to spend the night. I'm putting her in the den, so please--"
"How did this come about" His wide grin showed his curiosity. "Are you taking up the role of substitute mother?"
"Don't be absurd!" she snapped. "She was out of her mind worrying about Charlie because he ran off with a gun. Darren found him minus the gun. He seems to be okay, but the whole ordeal's left her feeling spooky--er, nervous, about staying alone."
"Alone? Don't tell me Fred's gone away and left her too."
"He might as well have. He's staying with his girlfriend."
"The bastard," Cam said, without heat. "I'll watch over Theo all through the night."
"Cam, that's precisely the point. I don't want you around."
"And I don't want anyone breaking in while Theo's asleep in this cottage. I promise she won't even sense my presence."
Gabbie threw up her arms. "I haven't the time to argue, but, for God's sake, don't upset the poor child. She's had enough to contend with, without seeing you, too."
"Always a woman of tact, Gabriela," Cam chided as she fled the room.
* * * *
Theo was waiting for Gabbie outside her house, looking like a forlorn waif.
"Did you leave your dad a note?" Gabbie said, as Theo tossed her knapsack into the back seat. "We don't want him to worry if he should come home and not find you here."
Theo got into the passenger seat and closed the door. "Sure, though he'll probably go straight to the lab tomorrow morning with his girlfriend."
Gabbie didn't like Theo's pallor. She wished she had some hot chocolate at the cottage, but tea would have to do. But when they got there, Theo refused her offer. She followed Gabbie into the den, and curled up on the couch.
"Bathroom's upstairs. I'll go get some linens," Gabbie said.
When she came down again, Theo was fast asleep. Gabbie tucked a blanket around her and retired to her bedroom. She read a few pages before she turned out the light. Hours later, two sharp sounds interrupted her sleep. She sat up, terrified, but then realized the noise had come from some distance away. Must be a car backfiring. She snuggled deeper under her quilt.
When the alarm went off at seven-thirty, Gabbie sprang out of bed, intent on preparing Theo a healthy breakfast before she drove her to school.
"A cup of black coffee will be fine," Theo told her. "I can't eat early in the morning. It makes me nauseous."
"No cereal?" Gabbie said, disappointed. "I could scramble you some eggs."
Theo flashed one of her rare smiles. "I wouldn't mind a piece of toast."
"A piece of toast it will be."
Gabbie dropped her off at school and came right home. She considered stopping by Sonia's house to see how Charlie was feeling, but his aunt would probably resent her appearance and think she was intruding.
I am intruding. She chuckled, realizing how far afield she'd wandered from her original plan. Her intention to lead a quiet, solitary life had gone up in smoke, now that she was involved in her neighbors' lives, deaths, and love affairs.
She straightened up after her overnight visitor, musing that she was growing fond of Theo Leverette. Beneath her sarcastic, explosive veneer was a warm-hearted, loyal young woman. Gabbie was glad she'd been able to offer her shelter and comfort.
The phone rang as she was carrying a pile of soiled clothes and linens to the tiny laundry room off the kitchen.
"I can talk for five minutes," Darren told her by way of a greeting. "I'm driving Roland over to the ME where they're performing the autopsy."
Her stomach lurched. "Don't tell me you're going to watch."
"No, we won't, but we want to be there. Gabbie--"
"Theo spent the night here. She told me you found Charlie and took him to Sonia's. What on earth happened?"
"Barrett's dead."
"What!" Gabbie sank into a kitchen chair. The dirty laundry tumbled to the floor.
"Terry discovered the body early this morning while he was jogging down at the beach."
"The beach. You mean, where you found Charlie last night?"
"Actually, closer to your cottage. The body was half hidden by bushes. Terry claims he saw a boot sticking out, so he went to take a look. Poor guy was still shaken when I got there. Nearly tossed his breakfast."
"How was he killed?" She had to know yet dreaded to hear his answer.
"Two shots to the chest. No sign of the weapon."
The dread turned to terror. Her heart thumped against her ribs.
"Is it the gun Charlie took from Sonia's house?"
"It's possible, though Charlie swears up and down he didn't shoot Barrett. He claims Barrett took the gun away from him and told him to scram."
"Charlie said?" Then it dawned on her. "You've been questioning him. Don't tell me you dragged him down to the station to give him the third degree."
"You've seen too many bad movies, Gabbie. I secured the scene with Lionel on guard, and called the Suffolk County police. Again." He laughed without humor. "They must think Chrissom Harbor's turned into a war zone. Then I stopped at Sonia's. Had a devil of a time convincing her to wake up Charlie, but he must have heard us, because he came into the kitchen to see what was going on."
Gabbie struggled to shake off the apprehension pressing down on her shoulders. "Charlie's not your suspect," she shouted. "He'd no more kill Barrett than set the school on fire."
"My sentiments exactly. Trouble is he has motive, opportunity, and possibly had the weapon."
Darren's logic was like an ice cube sliding down the back of her shirt. "I know he threatened Barrett, but he'd never act on it. I bet someone killed Barrett while Charlie was sound asleep in his aunt's house. Can't you tell by rigor mortis?"
Darren laughed. "It takes four hours after death for rigor mortis to set in, Miss Marple, so there's a good chance you're right. Unless Charlie has the stamina of Superman and snuck out of Sonia's house, which she claims he didn't. When we found him last night, he was all tuckered in. And he didn't look much better this morning."
She suddenly remembered the sharp noises that had interrupted her sleep. "Darren, I may have heard the shots. There were two of them."
"There were two bullet holes," he said grimly. "What time was this?"
"I've no idea," she admitted, "since I went right back to sleep." She thought a moment. "But it must have been near dawn because I remember seeing a glimmer of light along the side of the shade."
"Just a second."
She heard voices in the background, then Darren was back. "I have to go. Stop by the station later, if you can. I should be back around two."
"I will. And thanks for letting me know about Barrett. I didn't mean to yell at you before."
"Forget it." She heard the smile in his voice. "I'm used to getting flack from friends because I'm the law and order man. Couple of times, Cam came close to throwing me a punch."
"I can believe that," she said. "Don't worry. I won't get physical."
"Hmm, that might not be a bad idea."
She sm
iled as she put down the phone. It was a good thing Darren had a sense of humor. The poor guy. She'd gone and spilled her anxieties all over him, when he was only doing his job. Playing the role of policeman to his friends and neighbors had to be sticky at times.
Her smile disappeared when she remembered why Darren had called her. Barrett was dead. Someone had shot him. Her eyes stung with unshed tears. She hadn't liked the boy. In truth, she'd feared him. Still, the death of someone so young, so full of potential, was terribly sad.
Barrett had hassled a number of people in CH. Gabbie couldn't keep track of all the comments she'd heard: he had to be stopped, he had to be punished. No doubt, someone finally decided he'd gone too far and killed him.
But it wasn't Charlie. Charlie had insisted Barrett and Todd had taken the gun from him and ordered him to move on. Maybe they got into an argument and the gun went off. Darren hadn't mentioned Todd. Surely, he intended to question Barrett's sidekick. Todd held several pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. And he was bound to be more talkative, now that Barrett wasn't around to lead him into trouble.
Gabbie turned on the washing machine and glanced down at her watch. She'd better get moving or she'd be late for her first class. She was reaching for her school bag when the doorbell rang.
Without thinking, she flung the door open, and gave a start at the sight of Fred Leverette looming in her doorway. Gabbie had never noticed his resemblance to a grizzly bear before--the large, shambling physique, the broad shoulders hunched up beneath his brown parka.
"Ms. Meyerson, Gabbie. I'm so glad to find you in."
"Er--good morning."
His closeness made her uneasy. She stepped back. He moved forward and entered the cottage.
"I'm just on my way out," she said quickly. "I have to go or I'll be late for my first class."
"I stopped by to thank you for looking after Theo last night. This business with Charlie Russell has gotten her rattled."
Then why weren't you there for her? Gabbie considered asking. Instead, she merely nodded.
"I saw the police were at Sonia's, no doubt to question Charlie about that Connelly kid's murder. Jeez, I don't know what this town is turning into."
She marveled how, even though Fred had spent the night with his girl friend a few towns away, he'd managed to get the latest CH news flash.
"Excuse me, but I have to leave now."
Fred was oblivious to both her dismissal and her frosty tone. "Poor Charlie's afraid of his own shadow. He hasn't the guts to kill anyone. If you ask me, I'd put my money on his aunt Sonia."
"Sonia?" Now Gabbie's curiosity was aroused.
Fred gave her a smug smile. "Yessiree! I know she looks fragile, but the woman's crazy. And fierce as a lioness when it comes to that nephew of hers. I wouldn't put it past her if she decided to stop his tormenter once and for all."
Gabbie suddenly realized she'd followed Fred into the den. His eyes darted around the room. "Nice and cozy here. I bet this was their little love nest."
Her anxiety, which had abated when the subject changed to Sonia, returned. She drew back her shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. "Mr. Leverette, I need to leave now."
He shook his head as though waking from a dream. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to keep you. Thanks again for letting Theo spend the night." He lumbered out the front door and backed his old jalopy down the driveway before Gabbie finished locking the front door behind her.
What was that all about, she wondered as she drove to school. A sincere gesture of appreciation? A chance to see where his wife had cheated on him? Or--her pulse raced--was Fred Leverette the intruder who had struck her, and was still after whatever he'd been searching for the other night?
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Gabbie signed in at the main office and headed for the faculty lounge. When she entered, Suzanne called her name and pointed to the vacant seat beside her on the couch. Gabbie poured herself half a mug of coffee and sat down.
"Did you hear about Barrett Connelly?" Suzanne said in a half whisper.
Gabbie nodded and caught the tail-end of a story Andy Gorsky was relating to five of his colleagues at the far end of the room.
"And no one's going to tell me he didn't put sugar in my experiment, screwing up two weeks of work," he declared.
"Tsk, tsk," Suzanne chided, a twinkle in her eye. "Speaking ill of the dead, Andrew?"
Andy scowled at her.
"My sympathies are with Charlie Russell." Barbara Chin, the art teacher, cast down her eyes in sadness. "The poor kid was driven to an act of desperation."
Gabbie nearly overturned her coffee. Was there a spy system running through Chrissom Harbor? How on earth did they connect Charlie to Barrett's murder?
"Charlie would never kill anyone, and that includes Barrett Connelly," she declared.
George Breck, the guidance counselor, chortled. "Do you need a photograph of what happened? Get real, Gabbie. We all like Charlie, but you have to face facts. He grabbed his aunt's gun and went after Connelly. I heard he admitted all that when they found him last night."
"He was angry, yes. But if you know so much, you also know Barrett and Todd took the gun away from him."
Oscar Tweeney laughed. "Well, sure, that's what he told the police. That's what anyone would say."
Gabbie glared at the math teacher. "Interesting, how you pick and choose your facts. I wouldn't want you on my jury."
"Now, now," Suzanne murmured. "Let's not go to battle over this."
Before either Gabbie or Oscar could respond, Mac Debrowski, the assistant principal, strode in.
"Todd Ross is missing. He didn't come to school, which is no big surprise. But when Donna called his house, his mother was frantic. She said his bed hadn't been slept in."
Gabbie shuddered. She wondered if Darren had known Todd was missing when he called her. At any rate, she was glad he'd brought the Suffolk Police in on the case. The situation was growing more ominous by the moment.
"Two minutes to assembly time," Mac reminded them.
"Is it really necessary to have an assembly in honor of Barrett Connelly?"
Mac gave Suzanne a wry smile. "Tim's position is any student who dies while attending Chrissom Harbor High School deserves a school-wide tribute."
"Then Tim better be prepared to make a speech full of platitudes," Andy said. "Everyone I spoke to--and that includes the presidents of the school council and the senior class--refuses to stand up and say anything good about Barrett Connelly."
Mac cleared his throat. "I'll be saying a few words. We'll shorten the assembly if things get too awkward." The bell rang. "And remember, you're all expected to show up and help maintain appropriate behavior."
Suzanne stood close to Gabbie as they rinsed out their mugs. "Even Tim, who loves to make speeches, has to find this one a toughie."
As they headed down the hall toward the auditorium, Gabbie said, "I bet plenty of kids are relieved their tormentor won't ever bother them again."
Suzanne opened her eyes wide in mock amazement. "Zut alors. One might dare say we're all better off, now that he's dead."
"Obviously, someone felt strongly enough to take action. Could be Barrett went too far."
Suzanne pursed her lips. "Oh yes, Barrett did many bad things, pushed too many people's buttons. He was bound to come to a bad end, sooner or later."
Clearly, she had a specific incident in mind. Gabbie was about to ask what it was, but they were approaching the auditorium. She and Suzanne separated to usher students into seats.
A heightened sense of excitement made the air crackle like electricity before a thunder storm. Intense whispering rippled along the rows of students. The occasional eruption of laughter was quickly squelched by unsmiling teachers. A hush swept over the student body as Dr. Tim Jordan mounted the steps and took his place center stage.
"As most of you know, Barrett Connelly is no longer with us. His body was found on the beach this morning. The police tell me he died some time before 7:00 a.m."<
br />
Voices rose as students commented to one another. Tim raised his hands, and the room became silent.
"At present we are not concerned with how Barrett died. We must leave that to the police and other officials. Rather, we--Barrett's teachers, friends, and fellow classmates--have gathered here to pay our respects to a member of our community and to mourn his passing."
Mac Debrowski made a few general remarks about the tragedy of a young man's life ending before he could reach his potential. Then Tim asked if anyone would like to say a few words to honor Barrett. Bursts of laughter greeted this proposal. No one volunteered.
From her vantage point near the back of the auditorium, Gabbie observed a few of the girls sniffling and blowing their noses, including Lizzie Terranova. So, she thought, some of them had found Barrett handsome and appealing. A romantic figure, perhaps, rebelling against the status quo. Or it could be they were moved by his sudden death. She wondered if he'd dated any of the teary-eyed girls. If he had, no girl appeared to have played a major role in the last days of his life.
Back in their classroom, her third period students were too charged up and eager to talk about Barrett's murder to settle down to a grammar lesson. Gabbie assigned it as homework instead and let them chat quietly among themselves.
Fourth period, Theo barely nodded to her as she entered the room. Her face looked pinched; her scowl was in place. She's terrified for Charlie.
This proved to be true when Theo jumped down Jed Lancaster's throat for daring to suggest that Charlie Russell had done them all a favor by offing the school bully.
Sixth period was worse because it was Barrett's English class. Gabbie was taken aback when Heather and April suggested that the class plant a tree outside the cafeteria as a memorial to Barrett. The others quickly scotched the idea, and Gabbie was able to steer them to a lesson on writing a business letter.
When the bell rang, she gathered up her briefcase and parka and flew out of the building, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere. It troubled her that one of her students had been murdered, another was a possible suspect, and a third--Theo--was making herself ill by fretting over Charlie.
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