by Peggy Dulle
A few minutes later, Jimmy joined us. “Hey, Liza. How’s it going?”
“Fine. But I’m a little surprised you guys are already done at the mine.”
“There wasn’t much to find.”
“That doesn’t seem possible, since there was a murder there.”
“We don’t know that it was a murder.”
“What else could it have been?”
“A lost tourist who fell, hit her head, and then drowned in a stream.”
“She drowned?”
“I don’t know. I was just speculating. We don’t have the autopsy results yet. We just took the body over to Doc Gordon an hour or so ago.”
“Do you know who she was?”
“No. Her wallet was missing from her purse.”
“What was in the purse?”
“Not much, just a couple of pens, a makeup case, and a small note pad.”
“No cell phone?”
“Nope.”
“Did you find any fingerprints?”
He laughed. “It’s a mine. It’s not easy to get fingerprints off sharp rocks.”
“What about other evidence around the body?”
“More rocks and dirt — that’s all there is in a mine.”
“When I left, you hadn’t moved the body yet. So was there anything under the body?” I wanted to get him to talk about the journal, but didn’t want to get Kate in trouble for sharing that information with me.
He raised his eyebrows. “Yes, there was.”
“What was it?”
“A journal.”
“What color?”
“Red with some kind of white lace top.”
“Could you read anything that was in the journal?” I asked, hoping for some information about why Danielle was investigating Sally’s death.
“Not much. It looks like it sat in the muddy water too long. You couldn’t read anything on the pages.”
“Could it have been Danielle’s journal?”
“It’s the right color and has the lace top like hers. But I never saw her journal.”
“Edith did. She might be able to identify it. Danielle had it with her when she was interviewing her.”
“I’ll take it over to her tomorrow.”
“I’d love to take a look at it, too.”
He cocked his head and grinned. “Then I’ve got a proposition for you.”
“Excuse me?” I raised my eyebrows.
“Not that kind.” He blushed and shook his head. “My girlfriend, Maggie, is in charge of the children’s eating contest tomorrow morning.”
“I didn’t know they even had a children’s contest.”
“It not official, just something we do with the local kids.”
“That’s nice.” I said, although I thought the idea of letting kids stuff their face with food didn’t sound good to me.
“But she’s got a problem I think you can help her with.”
“What?”
“She’s got a terrible cold and she doesn’t think it’s a good idea for her to be around the kids.”
“Okay.” I had a feeling about what was coming.
“I’ll let you take a look at the journal if you’ll organize the kids for the contests.”
My eyes went wide. “Jimmy, I have no idea what to do with kids at an eating contests!”
He pulled out a piece of paper from his jacket. “It’s all here. Maggie wrote it down. All you have to do is follow the list.”
“Did you specifically come looking for me tonight?”
“Yes, and I didn’t know how I would convince you to help me.”
“And then I just opened the door and walked right in, didn’t I?”
His smile broadened. “Yep.”
I took the paper from Jimmy. He started to say something, but I put up my hand. “Wait. Let’s see what I got myself into.”
The list was very detailed. At eight in the morning the kids would arrive at the fairground. They had to be at least seven years old to participate in the contests. There were three eating events: granola bars, bananas, and ice cream. The kids sign up for the event they want to participate in and then they’re put into groups of five, similar to the adult rounds. The contests are organized by age: seven to nine, ten to twelve, and thirteen to sixteen.
The kids are given a minute to eat as much of the food as they can. The top five winners in each of the events come back for the finals, which are held at five o’clock on Saturday, right before the adult apple pot finals. It didn’t sound too complicated. But I still had a few questions.
“How many kids participate in these events?”
“Almost every kid in town.”
“How many is that?”
“About a hundred.”
“How much help do I have?”
“Two adults for each of the three contests.”
That’s approximately twenty-five kids to each of the adults. It sounded like pandemonium in the making. Not to mention the kids who would get sick from eating too fast or too much food. I set the list down.
“What do you think?” Jimmy leaned forward, his smile hopeful.
“I’m going to need more help.”
He leaned back. “Do you think so?”
“Oh yeah. Can you round up another couple of adults to help with the kids and some to serve as first-aid for those who get sick?”
“Maybe I can get a few of the officers to volunteer.”
“That would be nice.”
“But you’ll do it, right?”
“Yeah.” I nodded my head. “I’ll do it.”
“Great!” Jimmy stood. “I’m going to tell Maggie.”
“What about the journal?”
“I’ll take it over to Edith first thing in the morning. If she thinks it’s Danielle’s, then I’ll bring it over to you in the afternoon.”
“I’m going to be reading to the kids in the library around three.”
“Okay, I’ll bring the journal to you after that.”
“Thanks, Jimmy.”
“No, thank you, Liza.” Jimmy practically skipped away. It was nice that I had made him so happy.
It certainly wasn’t what I had in mind for my first week of vacation. I was here to catch a killer, not organize kids at an eating contest. No matter where I go, I seem to end up being a teacher.
Chapter 18
When Shelby and I got back to the inn, she went directly to the bed and lay down. I went to the table and got out my new journal. It was after ten but I was too restless to sleep, so I decided to make some notes about the deaths in Clainsworth. I started writing down what I knew about Danielle’s death when the phone rang. It was a little late for a phone call.
“Hello?” I answered tentatively.
“Sorry Teach, I know it’s late.”
“That’s okay, Justin. I was just about to write in my new journal.”
“Keeping track of the investigation?”
“Yes. What’s up?”
“Well, I might have figured out who thanked Danielle in that announcement in the Seattle paper.”
I set the journal down. “Tell me.”
“I took the two first names, Tony and Ann, and did a search. I found several couples with those names.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“But then I narrowed it down to the cities near where the paper was from.”
“Seattle, right?”
“Yes.”
“What did you find?”
“Tony and Ann McLowe.”
“Are you sure they’re the two who thanked Danielle?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure.”
“Did you figure out why?”
“Not yet, but I’m still checking.”
“Maybe they were friends of Danielle.”
“Actually, I’m sure they weren’t. I’ve done massive searches into both their lives and there isn’t any connection.”
“Maybe Danielle went to Seattle on vacation one year.”
“Nope, I checked into all of her credit cards and she’s never been there. Most people don’t pay cash for airplane tickets or gas to drive someplace that far away.”
“I’m surprised just anyone can access another person’s credit card. It doesn’t seem very safe.”
“Not just anyone can, Teach.”
“You better be careful, Justin. I don’t want my Super Cyber Sidekick hauled off to jail.”
“I’m always careful, Teach.”
“What about Tony and Ann’s family? Could Danielle have taught one of their kids?”
“Nope. They only have two kids and they both went to local schools. They’ve also lived in the same house in Seattle for thirty years.”
“I can’t see any reason why they’d be thanking Danielle.”
“Me neither, at this point. But I’ll keep looking. I’ll search the kids next. Maybe it has something to do with one of them instead of the parents.”
“Could be.” I yawned, then tried to stifle it.
“It sounds like you’re tired, Teach. I’ll call you when I have more information about the McLowes.”
“Thanks for all your help, Justin. Good night.”
I closed the phone and stretched my back. I was suddenly very tired and achy, probably from the fall earlier. In my bag I found the pills Doc Gordon had given me. I took two, changed into my pajamas, and climbed into bed. Tomorrow was soon enough to write in my journal about the other deaths in Clainsworth. I set the alarm for six so I’d get up and be at the fairgrounds before the kids showed up.
I was just dozing off when the phone rang again. When I reached for it, I knocked it off the side table. As I leaned over the bed, I rolled off trying to reach for it. I sat against the side of the bed and answered the phone.
“Hello?”
“Hey, honey. How are you feeling?” Tom’s voice was low and full of concern.
“Tired and achy.”
“A car accident will do that to you. You’re probably going to hurt for quite a while. I wish I was there to help massage those aching muscles.”
“Me, too.” I closed my eyes and started to drift off to sleep.
“Car accidents are not fun.”
“No and the fall down the mine shaft wasn’t, either.” As soon as I said it, I sat up, wide eyed. That was a stupid thing to say. What was I thinking?
His voice was still low but with a stern edge to it. “What fall?”
“Oh, it was nothing.”
“Falling down a mine shaft isn’t nothing, honey,” He said, emphasizing the last word.
“Well, I’m exhausted,” I replied, accentuating my last word. “And if you’re going to be upset with me for not calling you about my accident in the mine, I’m going to hang up and go to sleep.”
His tone softened. “Okay, I’m just concerned. That’s two accidents in just a few days, are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“How did you fall down a mine shaft?”
“I was walking backwards and fell through a hole.”
“How’d you get out of the mine?”
“Kate and Ted found me.”
“Is that the same Kate and Ted who found you when you crashed your car?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a good thing those two are around. How’d they know where to find you?”
“I took your advice.”
“What advice?”
“I sent up a smoke signal.”
He paused, then said, “a smoke signal?”
“I lit some clothes and wood on fire and the kids saw the smoke. You know, it was really good advice. I was thinking that you should teach me some survival skills to go along with those defensive moves.”
“Are you trying to change the subject, Liza?”
“No, I’m just telling you how smart you are and that I have more to learn from you.”
“Yeah, right. You’re just avoiding the fact that since you’ve been in Clainsworth, you’ve been in a major automobile accident and fallen down into a mine.”
“But I’m fine.”
“It’s a wonder you are, honey.”
“I’m just lucky.”
“I might have to send Kate and Ted something as a thank you for looking after you.”
“I took them all to dinner already.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.”
“Including Bill?”
“Of course. I was supposed to go to his house for dinner. But then I fell down into the mine and we found the dead body…”
Tom interrupted me. “Wait!”
“What?”
“I’m not sure what to ask about first — dinner at Bill’s house or the dead body.”
“I’m too tired to tell you about both, so you’ll have to choose,” I teased.
“Okay,” a moment of silence. Knowing Tom, I was sure he was trying to figure out whether his cop instincts about the dead body or his feelings for me were the most important thing to him. “Okay, why were you going to Bill’s house for dinner?”
“Good choice.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just answer the question, lady.”
“Kate was cooking, I was going, and that’s it. Bill knows about you and that I have no intention of dumping you and starting a relationship with him.”
“He asked, did he?”
“Yes.”
“I like him.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“Well, I like a man who asks before pursuing.”
“Maybe I’ve been beating him off with a stick.”
“No, I’m a good judge of character, remember.”
“Ah yes, it’s one of those highly toned cop skills.”
“That’s right.”
“Well, I’m going to bed now. I’m worn out, sore, and the medication I took a little while ago is making me very drowsy.”
“I still want to hear about the dead body.”
“Tomorrow. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.”
“Good night, Liza.”
“Good night, love.”
I climbed into bed and fell asleep immediately. Unfortunately I slept terribly. I tossed and turned most of the night. At least twice I woke up because Shelby was barking at the door. I got up and looked out to find nothing. Maybe being paranoid was catching? But no doubt seeing the dead body was to blame for my bad night.
In the morning I woke up more tired than when I’d gone to sleep. My head was pounding and my body was wracked with pain. I guess falling down into the mine had aggravated all the sore muscles from the car accident. When the alarm went off a few minutes later, Shelby started barking wildly. I grabbed my head. I needed more drugs and a long hot shower.
Shelby jumped on and off the bed. I petted her and got her to lie down. “You’re going to have to wait a few minutes. I’m not sure I can even make it to the door and take you out right now.”
Slowly I got out of bed, took two pills, and turned on the shower. I stood in the hot water for several minutes, hoping to soothe my muscles. Finally I started to feel better, thanks to either the hot water or the drugs, or both. I didn’t care. At least I felt like I had the strength to deal with all those kids now.
I dressed in a long multi-colored skirt, blue tank top, and white sweater. The weather was cool in the morning, heated up throughout the day, and then cools again at night. The sweater would add the layer I’d need to keep warm and the skirt made me look more professional than blue jeans. Kids seem to respond to the way a teacher dresses. Casual dress means casual attitude. I like being in charge, so I dress accordingly, and not like the kids.
I didn’t think having my dog at the fairgrounds was a good idea, so I called the front desk.
Joe answered. “Hi Liza, what can I get for you?”
“I wondered if you had someone who could watch my dog. I have to go to the fairgrounds this morning and I don’t want to take her.”
“Why don’t you bring her down to the office? She
can be my watch dog for the day.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Joe.”
“No problem, Liza. Besides, they’re going to need you at the children’s eating contests.”
“How did you…?” I stopped myself. “Yeah, I know. Word travels fast around here.”
He laughed. “You’ve got it.”
I took Shelby down to the office and she went right to Joe. She doesn’t trust easily, but once she knows you’re okay, she’s your best friend. Then I got Kate’s car and drove to the fairgrounds. When I arrived about seven-thirty, the parking lot had at least twenty cars in it. I was surprised since it was so early in the morning. Being parking lot challenged, I parked near a tree, so I’d be able to find the car again. It seems like every time I park my car, I can’t find it when I come back. The invention of the alarm button on a key ring has saved me many hours of wandering through lots and searching for my car.
The rides were deserted as I walked through them. It was a little eerie, like a ghostly carnival junkyard. When I came around the last ride I saw kids running everywhere. I glanced at my watch. It was only seven-thirty-five. The kids weren’t supposed to be there until eight. I should have known. The kids at school always show up earlier than they’re supposed to. No matter how many letters we send out telling the parents that the kids don’t have any supervision in the morning, they all seem to arrive too early.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my whistle – a teacher’s best friend. I blew it long and loud. All the kids’ heads snapped around and they were all looking at me.
“If you’re here for the eating contest, you need to go over and stand by your parents.”
Several kids started moving, but others remained still. I heard one of the boys shout, “My parents just dropped me off. They’re gone.”
Another shouted, “I walked here. My parents are still at home.”
“Okay. If you have a parent here, go and stand by them. If not, line up with me.”
About a fourth of the kids came with parents, the rest were in a huge line in front of me. Jimmy’s estimate of a hundred kids was slightly off, by a hundred or so.
“Are any of you adults here to help?”
Four of the parents raised their hands.
Then a couple of teenagers walked up and raised their hands too. “My name is Judy and this is my brother Stan. We’re here to help.”