“Only rumors. One student hallucinating with evidence of drugs in his system a month ago. Another found unconscious with opioids in his system. Some tension among groups…” He shrugged. “…no clear indication it is drugs, but it comes up in cycles, usually around party times. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.”
I shook my head. “Not good.” An undercover officer might be needed at colleges, not just high schools.
“Anything else to share?”
“Not really. Things change and yet they’re still the same. It’s good to see you. I do have a staff meeting in a few minutes.”
“Not a problem. It’s good to see you and I hope you and Dora get to enjoy all your travels. You’re looking great.”
Mitch walked me out and gave me another hug with a cryptic “I’ll be in touch.”
CHAPTER 16
I t was almost time to meet Kim, but I couldn’t resist. With a lingering sense of nostalgia, I had to walk through the Arboretum. It was one of the things I really missed about Cold Creek. It was as calm and quiet as I remembered it. The fall flowers and turning leaves added to the beauty.
I’d leaned over to get a better look and smell a flower I didn’t recognize, when I sensed someone coming up behind me quickly. The person plowed into me, knocking me off my feet. As I rolled away, I caught a glimpse of black boots and a purple motorized skateboard as the person took off. No one else was around and I tried to shake it off, only to catch my breath and not scream when I tried to put my weight on my left foot, and fell back down. My phone beeped. It was Kim.
“I’m out of class. Where are you?”
“In the Arboretum. Someone knocked me over and I think I sprained my ankle when I fell.”
“Stay there. I’m on my way.”
I twisted around so I would see if anyone approached and texted Brett, “Clumsy as always. May have a sprained ankle. Will update you.”
Brushing leaves and debris off my jacket, I tried to keep my leg and foot still and checked myself for any other injuries. My left elbow was sore and likely would be bruised, but I had mobility. After a quick look in the mirror app of my phone, I worked on getting leaves out of hair, finger combing as best I could.
Kim jogged toward me. “Are you okay? You’ve only been here less than a day.”
“Accidental I’m sure. The guy was on one of those motorized skateboard things, in a hurry, and the skateboard probably hit a twig or something and lost control of it.”
“Sheridan, anyone else knocked over? It could be an accident, but not you. And, if it was an accident, why didn’t the person at least yell ‘Sorry’ as they glided away? Let’s get you up and checked out.”
We got me standing and then with Kim’s help made it to a bench. I sat down and started to take the shoe off.
“You know, if you take the shoe off, you might not get it back on. Leave it. It’s only a short hop to the entrance.”
I nodded, thinking to myself how much longer than that it was to her car or my car. We slowly made it with me hopping and Kim lending support. I gave her a look as I spotted a student and a collapsible wheel chair at the entrance.
“You can’t hop all the way to the car, now can you? Last year, it was decided every building should have a wheel chair. I thought it was pretty silly at the time. Now, it seems very convenient. This is my student and grad assistant, Alissa. Let’s get you settled and we’ll be on our way.”
“Thanks, Alissa.” I moaned as my foot touched the foot rest. Kim thanked her as well and took control of the wheel chair.
Getting to the car was not a problem, except when the chair bounced. Getting into the car was another story. Kim rambled on about Alissa and the class she’d just had until we were in the car and on our way.
“Okay, so where were you today and who could have followed you into the Arboretum. I’m not buying this was an accident.”
“Honest, I didn’t bug anyone. I sat with Max while they searched his office. Saw you and got coffees, talked to you and Brett in the hallway, went to Max’s new house. Before you ask, they didn’t find anything anywhere to implicate Max. Hirsch and I left there and we met up with Brett and Fabry at the Grill.
With a shrug, I continued, “We ate lunch and then they took off. I walked around the town center and then visited with Mitch at the counseling center. His student worker and two students saw me there. I had time before meeting up with you and went for a walk in the arboretum.”
“Why did someone knock you over?”
“Kim, I told you. Accident and rude. They didn’t apologize or ask if I was hurt. They also didn’t threaten me in any way.”
“Okay, okay. Here we are.” She pulled into the drive-up entrance and helped me get out of the car and back into the wheelchair. “I’ll meet you inside. Wait, you don’t have your purse? ID?”
I smiled. “All under control. Wallet.”
She nodded, hopped back in the car and took off and I entered the hospital. By the time she joined me in my cubicle, I was in the ever-stylish gown, my pants and boots removed with cold packs on my ankle and wrapped around my elbow.
Kim carefully folded my pants and I thought to myself “No way are skinny pants going to make it over that ankle.” She looked at my leg and shook her head.
“You should’ve worn a skirt. I’ll call Marty. I know just what he needs to bring.”
An orderly came in. “Mrs. Hendley, we’re going to x-ray now.” With that, he wheeled me away and Kim added, “I’ll find coffee.”
And she did. Sort of. Marty and Kim waited for me back in the cubicle with coffee and a variety of clothes from Kim’s house. We chatted and discussed the clothing options. A loose-fitting dress was the most likely solution, even if it would clash with my jacket.
The doctor came in, took in my visitors, and provided the findings. “Ms. Hendley, your right elbow is bruised, and you have a sprain with a possible hairline fracture of your left ankle. Here are your prescriptions, including one for a brace of sorts to keep your foot and ankle aligned, for crutches, and one for a knee walker scooter.
He paused and then continued, “I’d recommend the latter so you don’t aggravate the elbow. Ibuprofen for pain. Ice, elevation and no weight on the left foot. You should follow up with your PCP in a few days if the swelling doesn’t go down, in a week or two for updated x-rays.” He turned around and left.
I looked at Kim and Marty. “Doc didn’t know much medicine toward the end there, but he was more personable. Is Dr. Personality always like that?”
The nurse walked in and gasped as she caught the conversation. “Dr. Trask is not known for his bedside manner, if that’s your question. Medically, he’s good though.”
She brought what I would best describe as a cast that you could strap on. Navy blue, soft and stiff at the same time. “I need to put this on. Your pants?”
“No. I’ll be wearing a dress, I think. Can I take that off and on, like to take a shower?”
“Yes, but only with help. No weight bearing at this point as per the doctor’s orders.”
Marty stepped outside the curtain. The nurse made sure the curtain was closed and put the navy boot on and secured it. I clenched my teeth as she moved my foot.
“Thank you, I think.”
She nodded and disappeared. Kim helped me change. By the time I had on her dress and one regular boot along with the blue one, the nurse returned with crutches, the knee walker scooter, and a wheelchair. She and Kim helped me stand so the dress would cascade down. Wincing, I was situated in the hospital wheelchair and on my way to Kim’s. Marty followed behind with the collapsible wheelchair, the crutches, and the scooter. He also called Brett to tell him the status and where we’d be.
CHAPTER 17
W ith my foot raised and wrapped in ice, plus ibuprofen, I lounged at Kim’s while I waited for Brett. He had texted twice already, and although I wasn’t in the mood for socializing, skipping dinner was not an option. I texted Melina and Maddie to let them know it would
be after dinner before we got back to Clover Hill.
While the three of us waited on Brett’s arrival, we caught the updates on the news. Not very informative and that made sense. Global statements about possible leads in the case, undisclosed persons being investigated, updates as possible. I shared what I knew and hoped Kim or Marty could add to it.
“Have you been to Max’s house? It is huge and beautiful and fully landscaped. He – no, Stella – said it was a Moss Builders home. And that it was less than what they’d have paid for a house here in Cold Creek.”
Kim shrugged. Marty tapped his chin and opened his mouth. “I’ve heard of them. They bought up land and subdivided it into different lots. A client asked about them and the restrictions.” He paused. “What I remember is the usual language about mineral rights and ease ways. Then restrictions on how much of the land could be cleared. The bottom line was that although the buyer owns the land, the only trees that could be eliminated is what was needed for the house.”
“I don’t understand.” It sounded very complicated to me.
“Effectively, the owner is restricted from adding on or even chopping down a tree – unless it is determined to be dead – to build anything else. Greens protection. Moss can build there, but not beyond limits set to preserve nature.”
“How many houses have they built?”
“What Stella said was six. As we drove there though, we only spotted one. She said they were well hidden. I guess that’s part of keeping much of the forest intact.”
I shrugged, hit my elbow, and cringed. Kim got me another ibuprofen and I took a short nap. I awoke to voices, including Brett’s and Fabry’s, and momentarily forgot why I was napping as I tried to put weight on my foot. Not happening. I used the scooter to reach Brett.
“Woah! On that scooter you could be dangerous.” Brett took me in his arms and shook his head. He was right though. If not for the pain in my foot, the scooter was much more fun than a wheelchair.
“Come on, you two. Marty put the steaks on and everything else is on the table. Sher, can I get you a glass of wine?”
I nodded and Brett arched his brows. “No pain meds, only ibuprofen. Besides, I’m not driving.”
As we waited on the steaks, I repeated the story of the person on the skateboard. It didn’t make any sense to me, but I had to agree, with my history, it probably wasn’t an accident.
Over dinner, Brett and Fabry brought us up to date. Sebastian Cabot lawyered up and wasn’t saying a word. Skinner was nowhere to be found. They’d gotten a search warrant for the Cabot house but that was not productive. He worked in securities and getting a search warrant for his office was taking longer.
“The only person we talked to was Mrs. Landry. Mrs. Celeste Landry. Now, she’s a looker and Zoe was right, she dresses in designer clothes, not kind of stuff you’d buy in a small town for sure.” Fabry commented between bites and nodded to Brett. Not much got between Fabry and his food, though where he hid it was beyond me.
“She played the part of the grieving widow with the ‘we were working things out’ explanation of their relationship. Said she didn’t like that Landry spent more time with his male friends than with her. She says she moved out to get his attention.”
“Are you buying that?” Marty asked.
“Heck no. But her comment gave us an invite to talk about his male friends without giving up any information.” Brett grinned and Fabry nodded.
“What did she have to say about the trio?”
“She didn’t particularly like Jarvit. Described him as wild and into lots of things she didn’t want to hear about. When asked, she said he was always talking about women, drinking, and cavorting with famous people.”
“Wasn’t that true for Landry, too?” I asked.
Fabry snorted. “I’d say so. Though she denied any knowledge of his involvement in drugs or anything illegal.”
Marty shook his head. “What about Cabot? What did she say about him?”
“She didn’t know him as well. She knew he was always part of the weekly breakfast and dinner meetings, but he didn’t usually party with the other two or socialize. Mrs. Landry described him as laid back and easy to get along with. She did mention that the three men had been friends since college. They all attended Presidio College in Maryland. When I asked about who else he partied with, she clammed up.”
“That’s odd, don’t you think?”
With a shrug, he replied, “Not so. From her expression, the person or persons who came to mind were of the female persuasion. If he was cheating on her, she didn’t want to acknowledge it.”
“No mention of drugs – other than alcohol?” Brett redirected the conversation.
Fabry paused in his eating to answer. “Nope. Like I said she denied that. But she did mention that sometimes he acted wired and must have started drinking before he got home.”
“What about Jarvit?”
“Her description of him as wild could lead in that direction. The problem is, other than his association with Landry, we have no direct connection to the drugs.”
“Presidio?”
Fabry grinned. “I looked it up. It’s a very small private college that calls itself prestigious and clearly states not to be confused with the graduate school in California.”
I shook my head. Brett cleared this throat.
“Speaking of college, did you manage to find out anything before you went to the arboretum?”
“I had a great visit with Mitch.” Turning to Kim, I asked, “Did you know he’s retiring the end of the year? Have you considered taking over the counseling services?”
Kim’s jaw dropped and then she smiled. “No, I hadn’t heard. Once he got that gig, he escaped the department craziness. I’ll have to talk to him about that. He will be missed for sure. Did he know anything?”
I nodded. “Definitely some drugs at parties, for sure. He said there was only one instance with ecstasy that landed the student in the hospital that he knew about.”
Fabry and Brett exchanged glances. “Two students ended up in the ER after taking a combination that included ecstasy in the past six months. The ER had Mitch’s name on a handful of cases seen after parties. Mitch apparently brought one of the girls there and she was hysterical, in shock.”
“He said the police investigated where the party was, but didn’t get the impression – and had no evidence – that the boys who threw the party were involved or in the know.”
“That’s what we found out as well.”
“Who else did you bother today, Sher?”
“I didn’t bother anyone. Remember, I was with Max, and then Max and Stella. I walked around after lunch, visited with Mitch, and took a walk in the arboretum.” I shrugged. It didn’t make sense.
“You do have a reputation around here, you know? Someone could be spooked just by the fact you’re here. Did you get a good look at the guy? Impression?”
“Black boots, purple motorized skate board, both feet on the board and he didn’t stop when he hit me. My sense is that he was my height and maybe a little heavier, but not much. It was the momentum that knocked me over.”
“Anyone see you leave the Grill?”
I shrugged. “No clue. But… Is there any indication of these designer drugs elsewhere? When I mentioned a possible drug connection – after it was on the news – one of the new profs at Millicent reacted and then found me later in the day to introduce himself. Asked questions and it seemed like he was fishing for information, but not doing a good job of it.”
“Looking into all areas. Tomorrow, we’ll be staying local in Clover Hill and checking with some of the students in the local high schools to see if anyone will tell us what we need to know. And checking with other townships and local police to see how widespread this is.”
Kim nodded. “I can add a lecture on designer drugs to my next health lecture. Maybe that will prompt someone to come forward if they know anything.”
“Education is important. Whether anyon
e will come forward as a result is another thing.” Fabry shook his head.
“Hard to figure out. I still think the key here is Skinner. He’s the weak link. Already been to prison. He won’t want to go back.” Marty added quietly.
We continued to chat as we finished eating. Brett tapped his watch.
“Hate to break this up, but we need to get on the road. We need to pick up Maddie and get Sheridan settled in at home.”
“But I haven’t had dessert yet!”
We all laughed. “I’m afraid there’s no dessert in this house. Kim keeps us both on a diet. I’ll help get all Sheridan’s stuff from our car and into your car, Brett.”
Marty stood and cleared away dishes as he spoke and Kim did the same. Fabry pouted, but soon we were all outside.
“I wish someone had shown me the easy way to get in and out of the car without banging my foot in the process.”
“Hold on.” Brett slid the passenger seat back as far as it would go. “Now try. Slowly.”
“It was great to see you and I’ll get your dress back to you, promise.” Hugs all around, I carefully climbed into the car. Thanks to the wine, I immediately fell asleep.
Brett woke me up when we got to Melina’s to pick up Maddie. I opted to stay in the car and they all came out to see me.
“Sheridan, are you okay? What can I do to help? Can I sign your cast?” She gave me as much of a hug as she could with me sitting in the car.
I chuckled. “Maddie, I’ll be okay, but, yes, I may need some help. I’m not sure if you can write on it or not. We can try when we get home.”
Melina and Nedra took their turns at hugs. “Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help as well. I’m happy to help transport Maddie wherever she needs to go.”
“Thanks, Melina. I’ll keep you posted.”
CHAPTER 18
Old Friends and New, Another Murder Page 7