Holly Grove Homecoming (24 page)

“I’m glad you’re coming along. It’s no fun, swimming alone.”

Carly regarded him with narrowed eyes. “I can just imagine how boring that would be for you with no one around so you could frighten them with tales about imaginary alligators.”

Trooper heaved an exaggerated sigh. “You wound me, implying that I would lie about something as dangerous as that gator.”

“Keep it up and I won’t go in the water,” Carly warned him.

He threw his hands up. “Okay, I’m shutting up about the gator. Let’s go before you change your mind altogether.”

Laughing, they hurried outside and toward the car. When Trooper glanced up at the house next door and saw Marge Abbott peering out her window, he paused to wave. After a few seconds, she raised her hand and awkwardly waved in return before letting the drapery fall back into place.

C
arly leaned back
in the car seat and relaxed while Trooper drove toward his uncle’s farm. She could gauge from his tone of voice and the half smile on his face that he was feeling good about his conversations first with the elder Mr. Underwood and then with Tommy.

“I’m so glad you’re going to have an opportunity to look through Tommy’s old papers,” she said. “I hope you locate something useful. Do you suppose, if you find the suicide note, that they’ll let you take it with you?”

“I don’t see why they wouldn’t. I know they’d at least let me have it long enough to scan it. And if I find it, I’m eager to share it with you and see if you can make any determination about the probable age of the writer. In fact, I wish you could go with me this afternoon, but I got the feeling this morning that Mr. Underwood didn’t particularly like the idea of me poking around in Tommy’s closet. I’m afraid he’d really object if I took you along.”

“No doubt he would. He comes across as a bit of a curmudgeon.”

Trooper glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “I wasn’t aware you’d met Mr. Underwood.”

“I did a few times when I first moved to Holly Grove. It was early spring and the weather was mild, so I walked around the neighborhood a lot, trying to familiarize myself with the area. Mr. Underwood was out in his front yard a few times as I approached his house, and I’d stop to chat with him. He wasn’t particularly friendly, but he wasn’t rude either. Later Myrna told me he’d lost his wife not long after he retired from the post office and that his personality had changed. Apparently they’d had plans to travel when he was no longer working, and her death had really thrown him for a loop. Instead of traveling, he’d almost become a hermit.”

“It must have taken a toll on his health too, Trooper said. “He’s certainly more feeble than I would have expected for a man his age.”

“I didn’t notice that particularly, but then I had no idea what his age might be. Besides, he pretty much just leaned on his fence while we visited. He seems like a nice fellow.”

“He is,” Trooper responded with a wistful smile. “He was always teasing me and Tommy when we were in high school. He seemed to enjoy being around young people.”

A minute later, Trooper braked and turned into his uncle’s drive. “Looks like Roy has company,” he said.

Carly looked toward the house. Sure enough, another vehicle was parked under the shade of one of the oaks. “Do you recognize the car?” she asked.

“Not for sure, but that looks like Charles Graham walking up from the lake with Uncle Roy.”

“I think you’re right. He’s probably back trying to talk Roy into running for the school board. Are you going to set up a meeting with him soon?”

“Actually, I ran into him earlier today when Tommy and I were having lunch. He assured me that he hadn’t remembered anything that wasn’t in the initial report he gave the sheriff, so we agreed that there is no need for us to relive that afternoon.”

“Oh,” Carly murmured. She was a little shocked that Trooper wouldn’t want to at least hear the principal’s story again. She considered reminding him that she suspected Pap might be an educator. After all, Eric had definitely depicted his abuser as an authority figure. But she decided to hold her tongue. She didn’t want to voice suspicion based on a mere hunch.

Soon it was too late to say anything anyway. Trooper had pulled into the shade beside Mr. Graham’s car and was now climbing out to greet the two men walking toward them.

Carly sat where she was, pretending that she was searching for something in her tote bag while surreptitiously watching Mr. Graham. Was it just coincidence that he was showing up wherever Trooper happened to be?

Or was she being ridiculous? Mr. Graham wouldn’t have any way of knowing Trooper was coming swimming this afternoon. On the other hand, perhaps Trooper had mentioned something to him when the two ran into each other at the restaurant earlier today.

Trooper had greeted his uncle but was now turning around to see what was keeping Carly. She pulled a tube of sunscreen out of her bag and held it up as though she’d found what she had been searching for. Then she opened her car door and climbed out.

Trooper’s uncle spoke first. “Welcome back, Miss Morrison. It sure is nice to see you again. I was just telling Chuck here that I’ve got a bushel basket full of tomatoes and a market basket full of cucumbers fresh from the garden if any of you want some.”

Carly smiled at Roy but quickly cut her gaze toward the principal. “Chuck? Is that your nickname?”

He spread his hands in front of him. “Yep, that’s me. My parents wanted to call me Charlie, but when I started school, the kids called me Chuck, and that’s what stuck.”

“No other nicknames?” Carly asked.

The principal raised his eyebrows. “Aren’t two enough?”

She forced a laugh and improvised. “I was just thinking of my cousin who is named Charles. Everyone calls him Chaz, and I’ve also heard people shorten the name to Chad.”

Graham shook his head. “I wasn’t labeled with either of those names, thank goodness. Plain old Chuck is good enough for me.”

Carly forced her smile a little wider. “I’ll remember that, Chuck.”

He met her smile with a forced one of his own, then turned to Trooper. “I’d forgotten that you and the Underwood boy were such good friends in high school. I’m glad you’re getting to touch base with him.”

“Me too,” Trooper responded, then reached for Carly’s hand. “If you gentlemen will excuse us, we’re going for a swim. The afternoon is heating up pretty fast.”

“Sure is,” Roy responded. “You kids go on to the lake and when you finish your swim, don’t forget to swing by the back porch and pick up some tomatoes and cucumbers to take to Myrna.”

“Will do, Uncle Roy,” Trooper responded, then tugged Carly along with him toward the lake.

They walked in silence until they reached the small building used for changing clothes. “I need to duck in here and change into one of the extra suits Uncle Roy keeps for guests,” Trooper said. “But first…” He grasped Carly’s shoulders and gazed deeply into her eyes while a small frown formed on his brow. “You asked Mr. Graham about his nicknames. Do you suspect him then?”

Carly blew her breath out in a sigh. “I don’t know. As I’ve mentioned before, Eric indicated to me that Pap is an authority figure, which Mr. Graham is, but he didn’t seem disconcerted in any way when I asked him about nicknames.”

Trooper’s frown deepened. “I want you to be careful, Carly. If you were to inadvertently alert the culprit that you suspect him, you could be in real danger.”

She shrugged off his hands. “Don’t forget, Trooper. I have an interest in this situation too.”

He grimaced. “I haven’t forgotten, but we’re both still in the dark, so proceeding with care seems especially prudent at this stage of the investigation.”

She nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just want this to be over. I’ve had it on my mind for years. Of course I realize it’s been even longer for you, and obviously more horrendous, so I’ll remind myself to step back and let you take the lead.”

“I appreciate it.” His smile appeared forced but at least he smiled. “You still interested in that swim?”

Carly winced but shook her head. “Not really. Are you?”

“Nope. So if it’s all the same to you, we’ll put it off until another day.”

“That’s fine with me. I should probably try to write some more this afternoon anyway.”

“Let’s say goodbye to Uncle Roy and I’ll load up on tomatoes to take to Myrna. She loves them.”

“I’ll take a couple with me. Could I interest you in joining me for bacon and tomato sandwiches for dinner tonight?”

“That would work out great because I was planning to stop by your house after I went to Mr. Underwood’s anyway. I know you’ll be curious to hear whether or not I found any useful information.”

“Absolutely. So it’s a date then. I’ll expect you for dinner.”

Trooper reached for her hand, then walked with her toward his uncle’s back porch and the waiting tomatoes.

* * *

T
rooper dropped Carly
off at her house and headed on to Myrna’s to leave the tomatoes and cucumbers Roy had sent her. He also wanted to relax for a while before heading to Mr. Underwood’s. He hoped Tommy wouldn’t be late because he had a feeling Mr. Underwood might tackle the chore on his own if they didn’t get there when he was expecting them.

Two hours later when Trooper approached Mr. Underwood’s house on foot, he was relieved to see Tommy pull up across the street and hop out of his car. Trooper paused to wait for him, then stepped back while Tommy unlatched the gate in his father’s fence. Tommy stepped inside and held the gate for Trooper. His usual cheeky grin had been replaced by a frown.

“I hope you won’t be disappointed, Troop. I honestly have no idea what we’ll find in those boxes of mine. It’s been twenty years since I looked inside them, and my memory isn’t what it used to be.”

“Don’t worry about it, Tommy. If there’s nothing there, I’m no worse off than I was to start with.”

Tommy nodded, then led the way up the walk to the front porch. He pulled the screen door open and reached for the inner door but it was opened from within before he could touch the knob. Tommy’s father nodded once, then stepped back to let them enter.

Trooper immediately knew that the news wasn’t going to be good. Mr. Underwood’s shoulders drooped, his lips were set in a straight line, and his eyes were unusually bright. Even his voice wobbled slightly.

“I wanted to dust those boxes off before you boys arrived, so I went ahead and got them off the shelf. Trooper, I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am.” He motioned toward two boxes sitting in the middle of the living room floor.

Tommy stepped to his father’s side and draped an arm around his shoulders. “Now, dad, you can’t blame yourself if those boxes don’t contain anything useful.”

Mr. Underwood took a deep breath. “No, I don’t blame myself, of course, but it’s a damn shame anyway. Take a look, Trooper.” He motioned toward the boxes.

Trooper couldn’t imagine what was in those boxes that had upset Mr. Underwood so much. Whatever it was, obviously he’d run into another dead end, but he also needed to comfort Tommy’s dad. The man looked as though he was on the verge of tears.

Two long steps brought Trooper to the first box. He stooped and tentatively lifted the flaps to uncover what lay underneath. A mass of tiny shredded bits of paper covered the bottom of the box and rose halfway up the sides. “What in the world?” he murmured.

“Mice,” Mr. Underwood replied. “They cut all the papers up to make their nests. We had an infestation of them about a year before my wife died. She nearly had a fit until we could get an exterminator out here and get rid of them, then she set out to clean the place and throw away anything they’d gnawed on.” He paused and turned to Tommy. “Your mom got sick before she could go through the stuff in your old bedroom, and I never even thought about it after she died.”

“So they got to both boxes?” Tommy asked.

“I’m afraid so,” his dad responded. “And Trooper, I’m also sorry to tell you that I couldn’t find that yearbook you were interested in, but I haven’t stopped looking. Tommy’s mom must have stuck it away somewhere. She liked to keep a neat house, as she used to say.”

Trooper forced a smile. He was disappointed, but he’d already caused Tommy’s dad enough trouble. “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Underwood. It was a long shot anyway. I’m sorry to have put you to the trouble.”

“No need to apologize, Trooper. It’s my fault really. If I’d gone through those boxes years ago, you wouldn’t have wasted your time coming by here this afternoon.”

Tommy spoke up. “If anyone is at fault, it’s me, for not going through my high school stuff before now.”

Trooper grinned. “I say we place the blame where it belongs—on the mice. Now, Mr. Underwood, can I be of assistance in any way? I’ll be glad to take those boxes to the trash for you.”

“No, no, Trooper. I appreciate the offer, but Tommy and I can handle that chore.”

“Okay, but let me know if you need anything. I’m just up the street and will be glad to help out in any way I can.”

“I appreciate it, Trooper, but I manage just fine most of the time. Tell Myrna I send my regards.”

“Will do.” Trooper knew he’d been politely dismissed. He looked toward Tommy. “Thanks for stopping by. I hope we can get together again before I go back to work.”

“No problem, Troop. Wish I could have been of more help. Any idea when you’re going to be leaving?”

“Not at this point. But I doubt the Bureau will keep me on medical leave forever. I’m probably going to be called back within the next couple of weeks.”

“Give me a call before you leave. We’ll at least get together for a beer or something.”

“Will do.” Trooper turned one more time toward Mr. Underwood. “Thanks again, sir. I appreciate your efforts.”

A couple of minutes later, he was back on the sidewalk headed down Sugar Maple Drive. He knew Carly would be anxious to hear from him, so he hurried his pace. Like him, Carly would be disappointed that he hadn’t at least had a chance to examine Tommy’s papers, but they would simply have to pursue the few other possibilities they’d discussed. He’d go back to the sheriff’s office and ask to examine the files himself. He didn’t question the sheriff’s honesty, but he knew from experience that sheets of paper could be accidentally stuck in an adjacent folder or be overlooked when tucked into a file folder containing dozens or even hundreds of other sheets of paper.