Old Friends and New, Another Murder

by Christa Nardi

“She wanted to know when Maddie’s vacations were. She wants me to send her to Europe.”

  His grip on the wine glass was turning his hands white and I pried them off. “Before you snap it in two and bleed all over the place. You can fight that, can’t you?”

  He nodded. “And I’ll win. I have no doubt of that. If I can put Victoria off until Maddie’s birthday, she’ll be sixteen and be able to speak her mind at a hearing if it comes to that.”

  I wrapped my arms around him. “Did Victoria give any indication of what this was supposed to accomplish? Why she couldn’t be bothered to call her daughter?”

  “Nope. None. She asked about vacations. I asked why. She wants her to go there and she’ll call the school if need be to get the information.”

  I glanced at our bulletin board with the yearly schedule posted. “Did you tell her?”

  “Nope. She wants it, she can do the work to get it. By tomorrow, she may not remember the conversation.”

  “We can only hope.”

  We moved to the living room with our wine and turned on the television. Neither of us was really watching it though. All I could think of was what would happen if Maddie decided she wanted to vacation in Europe and how that would affect all of us. After a while, Maddie stumbled out of her room, dogs following behind her.

  “What do we have for a snack?”

  Brett smiled. “I bet there’s still some of those cookies you made. They were pretty good. Maybe you could bring some out on a dish and we could all have a snack.”

  She smiled and disappeared returning with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. In between munching, she asked, “Don’t you go to the doctor tomorrow about your ankle?”

  “Yes. And new x-rays hopefully won’t show a break. I really want to walk again. The scooter thing is getting old very fast.”

  “That’s right. I almost forgot about that. Fabry is going to be checking with Skinner about your ‘accident’ and I’ll catch up with him after your appointment. Then we will meet with Jarvis and his attorney again. Maybe with more information thrown at him and a little supposition, his attorney won’t be so effective in keeping him quiet.”

  Maddie cleaned up and went back to her room with Bella. Charlie curled up with us as we finished our wine and cuddled.

  CHAPTER 30

  W ith an early morning appointment, we lucked out and Dr. Bregman was running only about twenty minutes late. He sent me for more x-rays and then we waited again. It was worth the wait when Dr. Bergman came in and showed us the x-rays.

  “Here’s your ankle and there is no indication of a fracture. With the immediate swelling, it’s not always possible to tell and the boot was a safety measure. Try putting some weight on it for me.”

  I stood and tentatively put weight on the foot. “Not too bad.”

  “Try taking a few steps.”

  I did, very gingerly. “A little sore.”

  “Okay. Here’s what you need to do. Use the boot and or scooter as needed. In the meantime, for short periods of time, try putting weight on the foot. Gradually increase the time without the boot. If it gets worse, decrease weight bearing, use ice, rest, and your choice of over- the-counter pain medicine. See you in two weeks.”

  I nodded and he left. Brett and I walked to the elevator. I carried the boot and he carried the scooter. Outside, I used the scooter to the car. Brett dropped me off at the house and I donned the boot. With a little luck, I was able to find a shoe for my right foot with enough of a heel that I wasn’t lopsided. As much as I was sick of the boot, I had to admit the support it offered was welcome. Scooter in the passenger seat, just in case, I went to Pets & Paws.

  “Hi, Susie. How’re all the dogs, today?”

  “Good. We homed some of the puppies. New mama, but she hasn’t birthed yet. Dr. Barksdale will be by to check on her. Wait, what’s with the blue boot? Are you making a fashion statement?”

  I chuckled. “Not hardly. Sprained it pretty bad last week. Trying to walk some with the boot for support.” Susie disappeared into the mama and pups area as Mrs. Chantilly greeted me.

  “Hello, Sheridan. No scooter today? Your foot must be better. Though Brett carrying you over the threshold was so cute. Luke’s at school you know. Sometimes he worries me. He’s a good soul, you know. Not like some of those Buchanans.”

  That was the first time I’d heard her mutter anything negative about a Buchanan recently. “Which one upset you, Mrs. Chantilly? Luke’s father?”

  “Him and Del, even Lila though I get why she might not visit Shane.”

  “Has anyone visited Shane since he went to jail?”

  “Blake. And each time he gets upset that no one else will visit. This time he checked with the guards. What’s wrong with Sebby? Shane was his link to the Buchanans. And his other college friends? Only one of them has been to visit. Sebby owes Shane. If not for him, who knows what would have happened to him.”

  “Not a lot of people like to go visit people in jail. Usually only the spouse or parents. Does Sebby work up in that area?”

  “Of course not. His office is in the southern part of the state. Shane’s horse farm was in the northern part of the state. Geography. Even Blake’s wife – Shane’s mother – hasn’t been to visit him. The man is lonely and a ghost of himself. Family is family. I wouldn’t desert Blake …”

  Ignoring the reference to Blake and family, I tried to find out who the college friend was. “You’re very supportive of others, Luke and Lacie and others who have troubles, Mrs. Chantilly. And you did mention at least one friend who visited Shane.”

  “I always knew Shane was trouble. Sebby would have gone to a foster home. We’re having a hard time finding a foster for Cocoa. I hope we can help the poor girl. Help her like Luke and Lacie. Oh, my, I have cookies in the oven.”

  She turned and shuffled off. I’d noticed her movements getting slower and wondered about her health. On the other hand, we’d just had one of the more lucid conversations since I’d been volunteering at Pets & Paws. I shook my head and texted Brett to check on Shane’s visitors. Grabbing a cup of coffee, I got busy with the dogs, Cocoa especially.

  I was almost done when I got a text from Kim. She’d spotted Jared Skinner on campus and notified Hirsch. I copied the message to Brett.

  The rest of the morning went quickly with only eight dogs to care for. I checked in on Susie before I left. She let me know Mrs. Chantilly had rushed off to lunch somewhere. With Blake, no doubt. I took care of errands and then worked on my lectures for Wednesday.

  Over dinner, the conversation focused on the winter concert the week before Thanksgiving. Maddie auditioned for one of the solo spots, as did Alex. I smiled as I recalled the two of them singing together the year before.

  “I was so nervous. There were a lot more people and more pressure here at the high school. And I found out, this is partly how Mr. Contralto decides who will be in the show choir – the Chorale – and part of the summer program.”

  “Were you planning on doing that, Maddie?”

  “I don’t know that much about it. It’s a big honor to be asked though. You have to be good.”

  I shook my head and Brett asked, “Why is it called a ‘show’ choir? Do you travel to give shows?”

  “Yes and no. It’s called a ‘show’ choir because most of the pieces are from Broadway plays. And, sometimes they do performances at other schools around the state.”

  “Something to think about then.”

  “For sure. I told Alex he needs to come visit Pets & Paws and play with Cocoa, Karla, too. I think she’d like the farm, don’t you?”

  “I don’t know and that would be up to Angie. Cocoa takes a while to warm up to people. And to avoid situations like at the corn maze, it would help if she were officially trained as a support animal. Huh. Maybe we could arrange that anyway. It might help her and help her get adopted.”

  “I know.” She picked up dishes and put them in the sink. “Homework.” And she disappeared. As Brett and I cl
eaned up after dinner, I shared with him the high points from my conversation with Mrs. Chantilly.

  “I guess I understand how she may think Sebby owes Shane. On the other hand, wouldn’t it raise flags given his investment and securities position?”

  “Probably. And it could trigger a deeper investigation by the SEC. Or not. It would be a gamble. Fabry is going to visit Shane and check the visitor list. Blake shouldn’t have had access to that information.”

  “I wondered. I guess his name has a lot of clout. It would be interesting to see which of his college friends visited him, when, and how often.”

  “Fabry is on it. Your good friend Dr. Antos was arrested – he’s out on bail, though. A search warrant yielded large quantities of designer drugs, as well as cocaine and other prescription opioids. It didn’t take much pressure for him to give up the name of the prescribing physician. That doctor also was charged.”

  “Did he acknowledge knowing Landry, Jarvit, Cabot or Shane Buchanan?”

  “All but Shane. He was a year behind the others, so Shane wasn’t around though he admitted hearing the name. He knew about Landry’s death aand didn’t seem particularly upset by it. Didn’t have much to say about Jarvit or Cabot. He smiled when he was asked about Jarvit and shrugged at Cabot.”

  “Anything else? What about the meeting with Jarvit to rile him up? Checking with Skinner?”

  Brett groaned. “Meeting with Jarvit was rescheduled to tomorrow. Skinner admitted to knocking you over. Said Jarvit directed him to follow you and send you a message to butt out. That was Skinner’s version of ‘a message’ though he didn’t really think you’d been hurt. Up to you whether to press charges.”

  “I’ll think about it. If it ends up he was truly being helpful? I’m a believer of second chances after seeing the difference in Luke.”

  “He also admitted he threw the brick, again in response to an order from Jarvit. He saved the email.”

  We decided to watch a Hallmark movie and cuddle. Forget about the murder and drugs for a while. Charlie came out to join us and curled up with us.

  CHAPTER 31

  D r. Addison was at the door when I arrived and he didn’t look particularly happy. He grimaced as I approached.

  “I gather your foot is doing better.”

  “Yes, sir, it is. How are you today?”

  “I’ve had better days. Things will sort out and all will be well. Millicent College will be better when the dust settles.”

  I nodded and walked past him, wondering at his sour disposition and optimism. Leah wasn’t in the lounge and her door was closed. I fell into my normal pattern and was off to teaching. After class, I refilled my coffee and was working on my next class and grading when Leah came in and closed the door.

  “Everyone is in an uproar. I think the shock of Monday has worn off. Kiera’s aunt is beside herself and Kiera resigned. And is out on sick leave. And the rest of Austin’s fan club? They can’t say anything good about him. Somehow as they talked about him Monday afternoon and yesterday, they realized how many of them had believed his lies.”

  “I imagine they are all feeling betrayed and blaming themselves for not seeing through him. Too bad.”

  “Umm… I tried to distract them and talked about the murder and concerns with drugs. I don’t know who talked to whom. The other thing that came down on Monday was a requirement for all the teachers and staff to be trained on types of drugs and an educational program for students. That’s happening in English classes. Were you on that email?”

  I shook my head. “As a temporary, I’m not on the main listserv. And Mrs. Sinclair must not have remembered to put me in as an add-in.”

  “Any comments on that from the rest of the faculty?”

  “There were lots of looks and confusion, maybe. We watched the training in groups during off periods yesterday. Dr. Addison kept a list of who attended. Some of Austin’s admirers were in my group in the morning, and I saw a few of them pale or clap a hand to their mouth. Kiera was in that group and ran out of the meeting. I think that put her over the top.”

  Nodding, I picked up my phone and texted Brett. “Other than Kiera, anyone else have an extreme reaction?”

  Leah provided me with two other names and I passed them on. Sooner or later, someone would be talking to them. By then, it was time for me to teach my last class. I was thrilled with no scooter on the one hand. On the other hand, my discomfort had imploded to pain. Ibuprofen and home with the foot up was the plan after my class.

  I’d fallen asleep on the couch with both dogs and only awoke when Maddie got home. She bounced around the room singing her songs. I smiled.

  “Good news?”

  She stopped singing and jumped up and down. “Got the solo. Alex, too.”

  “Congratulations to you both. What about Chorale?”

  She sat down on the couch with me, mostly to give the dogs some attention. “He won’t make those decisions until January. I’m so excited though. This is a high school performance, you know.”

  She went on to talk about how high school was so much different than middle school. Inevitably, she got around to the extra rehearsals and the “once I get my license, you or Dad won’t have to drive me or pick me up” promotion.

  I chuckled and picked up the cold pack off my ankle, returning the foot to the boot. “We need to get the meatloaf in the oven and finish making dinner.”

  We got everything going and she disappeared back to her room. I checked my messages and worked on grading until Brett came home. After dinner and congratulations again on the solo spot, Maddie disappeared. Brett shared the new information, or at least what he could share, as we cleaned up the kitchen.

  “The names you sent me, starting with Kiera? They all dated Antos. When asked about him and drugs, they all acknowledged times when they had dinner with him and felt funny, usually blaming it on the wine or something they ate. After the training and hearing some effects, they wondered if he’d drugged them. The man is total slime. All of them were referred to support services locally and we asked them to share the support services widely.”

  I cringed. What they must be going through and thinking. Brett interrupted my thinking with more information.

  “I did follow-up today with Cabot and his attorney, the focus on what he could tell us about the relationship between Jarvit and both Connor and Celeste Landry. He denied any knowledge of a drug business, acknowledged his suspicion they both used. When asked about Celeste, he smiled. Celeste and he had dated once or twice before she met Connor and married him.”

  “How’d he feel about that?”

  “He seemed okay with it. Cabot describes himself as ‘happily married, with two kids, a dog, and the white picket fence’ though the fence is actually not white. He had the most traumatic childhood, yet survived.”

  “You realize, his choice of profession and the structure is probably his way of controlling his future?”

  Brett nodded. “True. More to the point, Cabot admitted he’d sensed tension between Landry and Jarvit at dinner. Based on what he said, and the official documents, Landry put up part of the money for Moss Builders and some of the money for Jarvit’s real estate office. Cabot figured it was a money thing. He didn’t think it was ever a good idea to lend money to a friend. It didn’t bode well for the friendship. Have to say, I agree with him on that. He said they were still talking to each other in the parking lot when he left.”

  “Did he sense anything different with Jarvit at breakfast?”

  “He said Jarvit seemed more relaxed and he assumed they had settled their differences.”

  “What happened with Jarvit’s interview? Don’t tell me it was rescheduled again.”

  “Nope. Jarvit’s attorney was not a happy camper. This time Fabry’s questions were pointed and intended to let Jarvit know it was time to pay up. He started with his relationship with Celeste, assuming she would have already told him what she disclosed. She hadn’t.”

  “What happened?”
>
  “When Fabry asked him about their relationship, Jarvit tried for the business side until Fabry told him she admitted they were having an affair. His attorney answered ‘no comment’ but when Fabry added that she was having said affair to make her husband jealous, Jarvit lunged for him, yelling about how she loved him, not Landry. It was downhill from there as he tried to make Landry out to be the bad guy and dug himself a very large hole.”

  He paused and shrugged his shoulders. “The short story is that Landry found out about Jarvit’s relationship with Celeste and threatened to pull his money out of Jarvit’s business and turn him over to the authorities for drug dealing and distribution. According to Jarvit, Landry dabbled in the drug businesses, mostly as a user, while Jarvit was the prominent one and the one with connections up the line. He was also the only one of the four men who ever visited Shane in jail.”

  We talked a bit more and settled down with a glass of wine to wait for the official news. It was the big story of the night. Chase Jarvit was arrested in the murder of Connor Landry, with drug charges pending. The next few days included drug busts in Cold Creek, North Shore, Alta Vista, Clover Hill, and the greater Lynchburg area.

  EPILOGUE

  K im and Marty came up to Clover Hill over the weekend just in time for what now had become a tradition – a picnic in the park with old friends and new. We even sprung Cocoa for a day away from Pets & Paws. The group was getting larger and more interesting, to say the least, and everyone had questions. With the kids all playing football, the adults made introductions all around and the conversation shifted to the arrest of Chase Jarvit for Landry’s murder.

  “Can he get out of it? Say the comments he made were under duress?”

  Brett shrugged as did Marty and Lee. “The search of his house was finally conducted and though he had lots of time to ‘clean’ the house, he was arrogant enough to think the search would only uncover obvious things in visible places. In addition to the drugs, a small caliber gun was found that matches the type used to kill Landry. The ballistics test results are still pending verification.”