Murder Is Elementary (5 page)

Chapter 14

Susan woke up early as usual. She hopped on the treadmill while she watched the morning news.
I’ll use a little incline since I had that sweet and sour chicken last night,
she thought. She hit a button and the treadmill rose slightly. She jacked up the volume on the TV so she could hear it above the sound of the motor.

“Bye, I’ll see you at dinnertime,” said Mike. “I’d kiss you goodbye but I just took a shower.”

“Okay; you owe me then,” said Susan. She wasn’t looking forward to sharing what she’d learned about Javier with the police. The morning show was featuring a chef demonstrating how to make a cake using black beans and Diet Coke.
How disgusting
, she thought.
I’d rather eat mud.
She took her shower, ate breakfast (oatmeal again), and then headed to the station where she was greeted by Jackson.

“Hello, Jackson. Can I please speak with Lynette?”

With his doughy face, Jackson reminded Susan of a gargoyle. “She’s not here right now. She had a doctor’s appointment. She should be back anytime. Can I help you?” He emphasized the word
I
.

Susan didn’t want to talk to Jackson. He was so condescending whenever she mentioned anything about a case.
Lynette was so much better at being a detective than Jackson could ever hope to be
, thought Susan.

“I’ll wait.” Susan took a seat on one of the hard plastic chairs in the waiting area.

“Have some insights for us? Playing Jessica Fletcher again? You should be playing bridge and knitting.”

Just then, Lynette came in. She didn’t look happy. She and Jason had been trying to have a baby for a while now. Susan could see by her expression that things hadn’t gone well at the doctor. Susan couldn’t wait to have a grandchild, especially now that she had the time to enjoy one, but all in good time. Maybe they’d wind up adopting. Her dental hygienist’s daughter had recently adopted a little girl from China. She had shown her a picture. Susan was fine with the idea of a delicate little granddaughter with a mop of black hair. They could go to the park and go shopping. She smiled inside.

“Hi, Mom; what can I do for you?”

“Can we talk in private?” She darted her eyes in Jackson’s direction and back, hoping Lynette would get the hint.

“Sure, come into my office.”

Susan followed Lynette. Lynette’s office was cozy in spite of the utilitarian desk and chair. A wedding picture and a colorful, hand-painted paperweight that said
Acapulco
helped personalize the space. Susan wanted to start by saying how sorry she was that things hadn’t gone well at the doctor but she knew from experience that Lynette would just get more upset.

“Carolina and I went through some of Vicky’s things. We found out that she’d taken out a restraining order against Javier and that she’d filed for divorce.”

“We knew about the restraining order. The husband is always on the suspect list when the wife has been murdered. We also interviewed a neighbor who says she heard screaming coming from the house on more than one occasion. She says they fought a lot. No one saw Javier at the crime scene though. We have no reason to believe he was anywhere near the school that night.”

“Well, actually…” Susan wrung her hands in her lap. “Carolina and I found a receipt showing that he was at the gas station around the corner that night.”

“You
found
a receipt? How did you happen to find it and why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“I promised Carolina we’d look for more information first.”

“Go on,” said Lynette.

“Well.” Susan squirmed in her seat. “When we went through Vicky’s things, like I said, we found the restraining order and divorce papers.”

“Divorce papers?” said Lynette.

“Yes. I think you should dig a little deeper. At best, you can prove he’s innocent.”

“Thanks for telling me how to do my job, Mom. I’ll get on it. No more snooping though. How’s that scrap booking project coming along? “

Susan knew this was a good time to make her exit. She walked out of Lynette’s office. Jackson was sitting at the front desk.

“Thanks for stopping by Mrs. Wiles. What would we do without you?”

 
Susan wanted to wipe that sarcastic grin right off Jackson’s face but all she needed was to be locked up for assaulting a police officer. Instead, she said, “Bye Jackson, have a Merry Christmas.”

Chapter 15

On the way home, Susan decided to stop at Safeway to buy groceries for Christmas dinner.
Let’s see, I’ll need a turkey, a small honey-glazed ham, potatoes, stuffing, and green beans,
thought Susan. Maybe she would also buy some refrigerated cinnamon rolls and bacon to have for Christmas breakfast. The store wasn’t very crowded judging by the abundance of parking spaces. There was a display of fresh Christmas trees at the store entrance. Susan took a deliberate breath and drank in the aroma of fresh evergreens. She grabbed a grocery cart, wiped it down with the sanitary wipes the store now provided, and headed for the cinnamon rolls. Of course, she first had to stop and admire the poinsettias at the store entrance, rifle through the bin of colorful wrapping paper rolls, and check out the display of frosted Christmas cookies. She couldn’t help thinking that even grocery shopping was more fun during holiday time. Maybe she’d buy a tray of those cookies to send to Evan. He always did prefer store bought cookies to homemade. She wished that he could get away from med school for Christmas this year but it wasn’t possible.

Susan grabbed the cinnamon rolls and bacon. As she headed to the meat department, she saw a familiar face. At first she couldn’t place him, but then she realized that it was Blaze Conrad. He’d helped her set up the stage when Ryan was in the kindergarten program. Why is he grocery shopping in the middle of the day? Shouldn’t he be at work? Maybe he’d lost his job. Maybe he’d lost his job because he got angry and punched a coworker. See, there was that violent streak again. He probably did kill Vicky. And who’s that blond woman he’s with? I remember his wife and that isn’t her. I’ll bet Javier is innocent after all. That would be a huge relief for Carolina.

Susan decided to follow Blaze and the blond woman into the bakery section where an elderly woman in a Santa hat was handing out samples of fruit cake.
Oh, my gosh,
thought Susan. Did she just really see what she thought she saw? The blond lady had taken a sample of fruitcake and fed it to Blaze. Yep, she put it right into his mouth. If Blaze was capable of cheating on his wife then maybe he was capable of murder too. Susan remembered how he’d been quoted in the newspaper as saying what a stable and happy home life Ryan had. He had insisted that Ryan’s behavioral problems were due to being molested at the school. This was during the time when the lawsuit against Vicky and the school district was happening. She decided to keep following them.

Blaze and his girlfriend turned down the cereal aisle. Now they appeared to be arguing. Susan didn’t want to get too close. She couldn’t hear what they were saying but could tell by their body language that something was going on. Susan tossed a box of Kashi cereal into her cart. Then she followed them down the bread aisle. Blaze put a loaf of Wonder Bread into his cart.

“Don’t you dare tell me what I should or shouldn’t do,” Blaze shouted to the blond.

“I’m not, but you know better,” she responded.

“Shut up right now or you’ll be sorry,” said Blaze.

“But you…” said the blond. Before she could finish, Blaze hauled off and smacked her right across the face. The blond woman’s hand went immediately to her cheek. Susan could see that she was in pain but the woman held back her tears. She left Blaze with the cart and started toward the store exit. Blaze caught up with her.

“I’m sorry. Are you okay? I didn’t mean to do that. Come on, baby, I said I’m sorry.” Blaze pleaded with his girlfriend. After a few minutes, they were hugging and going back into the store.

At the checkout, Susan chose a line adjacent to the one Blaze and the mystery blond were in. It was as if the smacking incident had never happened. She nonchalantly watched as Blaze loaded a bottle of wine, strawberries, and a hunk of imported cheese onto the conveyor belt.
Hmm, I don’t see any Oreos or Frosted Flakes
, thought Susan. Obviously Blaze wasn’t shopping for his son. As she was watching, Blaze suddenly turned and glared at her. She quickly turned her head and pretended to be choosing from the rack of disposable razor blades next to her. She doubted that Blaze had gotten a good look at her. Even if he had, it had been over a year since he’d last seen her and she was wearing a hat. Did she dare follow him in her car? Maybe she’d discover something that would tie him into Vicky’s murder if she did. She owed it to Carolina. She had to prove that Javier was innocent for Carolina’s sake.

She quickly loaded her groceries into the Prius and slumped behind the wheel. When Blaze pulled out of the parking lot, she followed, keeping a safe distance between them. She got caught at a red light but was still able to catch up to him. Eventually, he pulled into an apartment complex. Susan followed him and pulled into a visitor’s parking space. Blaze and the blond grabbed their bag of groceries and started down the sidewalk. They were obviously together. Susan craned her neck out her car window to see which apartment they were going to. Then the unexpected happened. Blaze handed the grocery bag to the blond, did a 180, and ran down the sidewalk toward Susan’s car. Susan’s heart pounded. She briefly fumbled with the car key, then started the engine and high tailed it out of the parking lot. She could see Blaze running after her. He appeared to be yelling.
There was that violent streak again,
thought Susan. When he was clearly out of sight, Susan began to breathe normally and headed home. She had a moment of panic when she realized that Blaze had gotten a good look at her car. She’d have to be more careful. Blaze was looking pretty suspicious and she had no idea what he might be capable of.

Chapter 16

The sun glistened on the shimmery snow outside the Petrocelli house. The sky was clear and blue. It was a perfect day to celebrate Christmas. Tony came running into his parents’ bedroom. At least he’d waited for the sun to come up this year.

“Mommy, Daddy, Santa came!” Tony bounced on the king-sized bed trying to get Antonio and Hayley to wake up.

 
“Okay partner, we’re coming,” said Antonio. Hayley tied her satin bathrobe and put on her gold toned slippers.

“I think I’ll make us some pancakes and bacon. Maybe I’ll go buy some oranges and squeeze them into juice. Then we can open presents.”

“No, Mommy, no! I want to open them now.”

“I was just kidding, honey. You know I wouldn’t make you wait.”

“I kind of like the fresh-squeezed orange juice idea though,” said Antonio. Hayley gave him a playful swat on the head. “I hear the baby. Go on down and I’ll get him. Then we can open presents.”

Hayley went into the baby’s room. She scooped him up and put him on the changing table. “Your first Christmas, kiddo.” After she changed his diaper, she snapped him into a onesie that said ‘Baby’s First Christmas.’ She thought about the day Cory was born. Antonio was at school when her water broke. She called his cell but he didn’t answer. Then she called the school. He was supposed to be helping Vicky that day but no one could find him. She actually had to ask her neighbor to drive her to the hospital. Antonio didn’t show up until hours later. She’d had a good idea where he was. She was sure he and Vicky had slipped out for a long lunch followed by a nap in the motel by the mall. Antonio had no idea that she was on to him. He was going to pay for cheating on her and he wouldn’t even see it coming.

***

Jody Decker woke up early to a clean blanket of snow outside the window. Later in the spring it would look all dirty and slushy. Dirty snow always put her in a foul mood. She put on the new gray sweater dress she’d bought while Christmas shopping with Theresa. Theresa always teased her about being such a girlie girl.
Love the way this hugs my curves,
she thought––even if I am only going to visit my mom.
And I love this new gel polish
. She fanned her nails out in front of her.
I can’t believe this French manicure has lasted almost two weeks now.
Next she fussed with her hair
. Hmmm,
thought Jody.
Up in a loose bun or flowing down my back?
Jody decided to put it up. It would stay neater during the long drive. She put on some fashionable boots. She preferred heels but the snow made it a little hard to walk outside in them. She decided to throw a pair into her overnight bag just in case. She called her Mom to tell her she was about to leave.

“Hi, Mom. Yes, I had a nice time with Theresa and her family last night. Midnight Mass was beautiful. Theresa’s family took up an entire pew. I’m about to leave. I know, I haven’t been home since moving here but I’ll see you in a few hours.” Jody and her mom had gone through some stormy times in the past. Jody was glad that they were able to maintain a relationship now that she was an adult. Jody ended the call and closed her suitcase.

Then she gave Theresa a quick call to say goodbye and wish her a Merry Christmas. Theresa was a good friend. It was nice that she included her in her family’s plans. Jody didn’t make friends that easily. Ever since childhood, she’d had trouble fitting in with others. For a while she really tried to be like the other kids. She even pretended to care about watching football games and buying the latest CDs. Then she gave up. Theresa understood her though. There was a real connection there. Jody got into her car and started on her trip.

***

Susan had the turkey in the oven and was mashing potatoes. There was nothing like the aroma of turkey roasting in the oven. She loved the holidays. She couldn’t help feeling sad that Evan wouldn’t be home this year but there would be plenty of future holidays. Some day he’d be a world class surgeon publishing in
The New England Journal of Medicine
and flying to Paris to speak at medical conventions. And she’d be getting some really cool Christmas gift from him––maybe a cabin in Rhode Island. Then they could all have family reunions up there in the summer. He’d be there with his future family enjoying a well deserved rest from his hectic schedule and Lynette and Jason would be there with her little Chinese granddaughter. The doorbell rang and she heard Mike greeting Lynette and Jason. They’d stopped to pick up Carolina. Susan didn’t expect that Javier would be cooking Christmas dinner. In fact, she’d invited him to come over too but he had declined.

Susan gave Lynette, Jason, and Carolina hugs and kisses. “Merry Christmas,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re all here.” Susan noticed that Carolina looked even sadder than usual. She wasn’t surprised given that this was her first Christmas without her mom. She led them into the living room.

“Have a seat. Help yourselves to drinks. There’s soda or wine,” said Susan.

Mike brought in a tray of hot canapés. “These are delicious; you have to try some,” he said. He put the tray down on the coffee table.

“Lynette, I could use some help,” said Susan.

“Of course, Mom.” Lynette followed her into the kitchen.

“Lynette, I think you really need to look at Blaze Conrad very closely as a suspect. I happened to see him at Safeway the other day. He was with a young blond woman who I know isn’t his wife. You know how he painted such a Norman Rockwell picture of his family during the trial.”

“Mom, you have no idea who that woman was. She could have been his sister for all you know.”

“No, she most definitely wasn’t his sister. They were all lovey-dovey with each other before the incident.”

“Incident? What the heck are you talking about?” said Lynette.

“Well, they started arguing with each other right smack in the middle of the bread aisle. Blaze hit her right across the face––hard.”

“What does that prove other than that Blaze is a first class jerk?”

“It proves he has a violent streak. He could have easily gotten mad at Vicky and killed her the night of the concert.”

“Mom, we have no reason to believe Blaze was at the school that night. You’re grasping at straws. Leave the investigation to the police. I wish you’d trust me to do my job.”

“Of course, I trust you. You’re the best detective on that police force. I just want to help, that’s all. I know how busy things get for you.”

“I appreciate it but you have to stop meddling.” Lynette opened the oven and stuck the meat thermometer into the turkey’s thigh. “It looks like this bird is ready to eat. I can’t wait. Let’s get dad in here to carve it.”

“Okay, but help me get these potatoes and green beans out on the table in the meantime,” said Susan.

***

While Carolina was trying to get through the day with Susan’s family, Javier was frantically throwing clothes into his suitcase. He searched through the drawer for that business card but couldn’t find it. Then he remembered he’d entered the number in his phone.

“Yes, I’ll be there today. No, no contact information. This has to be discreet.”

Javier grabbed the laptop and his suitcases.
This house of cards was about to be blown down. Carolina didn’t deserve this
. He turned off the lights, locked the door, and loaded his jeep. It was going to be a long drive. He tried to find a gas station that was open on Christmas Day. Eventually, he pulled into a Shell station. The mini-mart was open which was good because by this time Javier was starving. He grabbed a bag of chips, a Snickers bar and a Sprite.
Great Christmas dinner
he thought. It was all Vicky’s fault. When he found out that she was cheating on him he blew up. She literally drove him to drink. The last straw was when he’d gotten the summons about the divorce. Divorce? They’d never even discussed that. Besides, he was the one who should have been initiating a divorce. He may be an alcoholic but at least he’d never cheated on her. A divorce would have been devastating. It was already humiliating that she’d made him move out and had prepaid a rental for him. If they were divorced he didn’t know what he’d live on. When he received those papers he was more than furious. He’d called Vicky’s cell but she didn’t answer.

Then he remembered there was a concert at the school that night. He jumped into the jeep and high tailed it over there. Of course, he hadn’t realized that the gas light was on so he had to make a stop first. Didn’t stop his momentum though. When he arrived at the school, the parking lot was full. He could hear the concert as soon as he walked in the door.
Feliz Navidad…
fat chance
.
Feeling like a volcano about to erupt
,
he went to her office and waited for her. She was so smug. “You’re history, my soon to be ex-hubby. You’re a sorry excuse for a man––alcoholic, you lost your job. You even look like you slept under a bridge.” That’s what she told him. Then he let her have it. Javier got back on the highway and never looked back.