Judging Joey (11 page)

Heels clattered in the distance and grew louder as they neared the supply room. The sound saved her from making a decision and Madeline tore herself from Joey’s warm embrace. “Elaine is on her way. She can’t know.”

Joey smiled, his eyes sparkling. “You
do
worry too much.”

She smoothed down her hair.

“You’re perfect,” he said.

Madeline got the distinct impression he wasn’t referring to messed-up hair. Then he opened the door to greet the middle-aged office clerk. “There you are, Elaine. Seems we have a dilemma. Don’t worry, Miss White. Elaine and I will take care of this, won’t we, Elaine?”

A smile grew wide on Elaine’s chubby face and she adjusted her suit jacket. “Officer O’Neill, how wonderful you’re here. Not to worry Madeline.”

Madeline nodded her gratitude to both and headed back to her classroom. When she arrived, her first graders waited in a neat line against the hallway wall, their colorful backpacks placed by their feet. Madeline’s proud smile vanished when she spotted Vanessa Booth hovering near her son, Derrick. Why was this woman still in the building? Parents were not allowed to linger in the building when school began. And why wasn’t she wearing a visitor’s pass? Apparently since Vanessa Booth was great friends with the principal and she was a board member, the rules didn’t apply to her.

Madeline forced a smile back on when she reached her students. “Good morning, children. You may enter and go to your cubbies. After you read the morning message and write your response in your journal, please begin your math worksheet.”

As each student entered, Madeline said hello. Madeline guessed that Vanessa decided to remain with Derrick until it was his turn. Madeline immediately noticed that Vanessa had a shopping bag near her feet. The same brand as the four from the party store she had dropped off earlier. Madeline clenched her teeth together determined not to show that she feared the woman had another bag of decorations. Vanessa did not seem to be acquainted with the term ‘excessive.’

Madeline ambled up to Vanessa about to tactfully, but firmly, say goodbye, when she caught a glimpse of the contents of the shopping bag. Madeline’s eyes widened in utter confusion, then shock as Vanessa seized the bag from the floor and clutched it close to her body.

Vanessa stared her down, daring her to comment on the bag’s contents. Madeline clamped her mouth shut, not trusting any words that might slip from her tongue. All she could do was stare back, a slew of questions threatening to escape.

Madeline remained frozen, gaping into the eyes of a thief. A robber dressed in a thousand-dollar designer outfit, one who wore shoes that cost hundreds, and drove a Jaguar. One who could stoop so low as to steal school supplies. Vanessa, her lips thin and sharp against her face like a new credit card, tightened her grip on the shopping bag filled with brand-new Number Two pencils.

Madeline remained wide-eyed and opened mouthed as she stared at one of the pillars of the community with stolen goods in her possession. To say she was speechless was an understatement. Seconds flew by as the children filed in and she contemplated how to confront the woman, clueless as to how to accuse Principal Denby’s close friend without more facts. Not to mention taking a chance at jeopardizing her job. She pressed her mouth closed even tighter.

Vanessa followed Derrick into the classroom. Before Madeline could object, someone tapped her on the shoulder and she twisted around.

Joey grinned at her and held up a box of pencils.

“Uncle Joey!” Christopher hopped out of line and tugged on Joey’s leg.

“Hey, sport.” Joey ruffled up Christopher’s hair. “Stay in order with your class.”

Madeline stood by the door and watched Vanessa assist her son in getting unpacked by his cubby.

Joey leaned over and lowered his voice. “Elaine delved into the office’s secret stash. For now, the supply room is locked and she’s informing Roger of the missing pencils.”

Madeline narrowed her gaze on Vanessa and drew in her brows. She was uncomfortably aware that Vanessa had moved to the front of the classroom and could easily overhear their conversation.

Vanessa licked her glossed lips and came closer to them. “How disturbing! Officer O’Neill, do you think someone is stealing school supplies?”

Madeline could have sworn his brown eyes darkened.

“Don’t know right now, ma’am,” Joey said, his tone taking on a more official manner. “At first we thought the students might be playing pranks because some insignificant items have been reported missing, but this is more serious. It will be addressed at the Safety Assembly on Wednesday. Want to keep it under wraps for now. You understand,” he said curtly.

“Glad to hear you’re on top of it, Officer.” Vanessa turned to leave, ignoring the wave her son gave her from inside the classroom and the look of bewilderment on some of the children’s faces who heard Vanessa’s questions.

Madeline was about to stop her from leaving, still not sure what she was going to do when she did, but then she spotted Caitlin down the hallway waving to get her attention.

With Kylie in her arms, Caitlin bobbed and weaved through the crowd of cheerful children walking to their classes. “Oh, I’m glad I caught you,” she said to Christopher, who hadn’t yet made his way into the classroom. She gripped a Spiderman lunchbox in one hand and shifted Kylie in her arms with the other. “Sorry, honey. I forgot to pack this in your backpack. Go on in now and get started.”

Madeline let the rest of the class go inside as she kept a lookout. Caitlin wore a visitor’s pass clamped to her collared shirt. At least she had taken the time to sign into the office first, Madeline mused. She crossed her arms, suddenly aware of increased level of tension between Caitlin and Vanessa.

Caitlin tried to peer into the shopping bag being manacled by Vanessa. “More decorations? Really, Vanessa. Four bags full weren’t enough?”

Vanessa swallowed and gave a nervous chuckle. “You know me. I’d rather have more than not enough.”

Caitlin shook her head in disbelief. “I’ll be here right after school on that Thursday to help you set up.” She swept a glance at Joey, then Madeline. “I still think Friday at lunchtime would have been fine.”

“I can manage by myself. No need for you to drag your baby out.”

“Not a problem. My mom has offered to watch Kylie. And I wouldn’t dream of shirking my duties. Vanessa, sometimes I think you forget, I’m a class mother, too. I agreed to let you run this party, but don’t forget I get the holiday party in December.”

Vanessa bristled and went pale, obviously not accustomed to such frankness. “Thursday before the party then, at three-thirty.” Not waiting for a response, she waltzed off, the shopping bag like an appendage shooting off her hip.

The minute Madeline realized she missed the opportunity to question Vanessa about the true contents of the bag, a flush of heat crept through her system. She felt the rush pass up through her throat and knew she must be as red as a fire engine.

She tried to plaster a smile on her face. “Time for morning routines. Have a nice day,” she said to Joey and Caitlin, giving a wave to Kylie, and with that, she relocated into the classroom and addressed her students. They were nearly all seated, waiting for her to take attendance and lunch count as they tackled their morning work.

Joey studied the change in her expression and body language as she stood in the front of her class. Her voice was gentle, affectionate, not strained like earlier. Her coloring was beginning to return to normal.

He turned to his sister. “Did Maddie seem upset to you?” He heard the woman in question laugh at a student’s comment, and something tugged at his chest.

Caitlin arched a brow. “Maddie, is it?”

He ignored the warning bells in his head that a lecture loomed dangerously close. “She was already distressed this morning, but just before you got here something set else her off.”

“What happened this morning?” Caitlin said.

Joey reached out to take his niece from Caitlin’s arms. “Here, let me hold Kylie while we walk together down the hall.”

He filled her in on the missing school supplies. As Caitlin processed that news, it occurred to him that Maddie had tensed up when Vanessa Booth appeared.

“What do think about our friend, Vanessa?”

Caitlin stopped in her tracks. “First off, she’s no friend. I don’t think she’s anybody’s friend in this school. More like some people’s nightmare.”

Joey put a hand on Caitlin’s shoulder. “I’m messing with you. You already made it clear you never liked her.”

“Let’s just say being pals with the principal has its perks. When it comes to this school, what Vanessa wants, Vanessa gets.” She patted his hand. “Want to come for dinner tonight? Christopher’s been wanting to show you his new video game.”

He shook his head, continuing their walk toward the office. “I promised Alex I’d move some furniture. That loser George really left a mess for her. She’s stuck with this three-bedroom townhouse that she can barely afford on her own. He was supposed to move in after the big day.”

“I still can’t believe she almost married George. They didn’t click together.”

“Yeah, finding him with another woman finally convinced her of what the rest of us were trying to tell her all along.”

“Guess so. He may not have been a great boyfriend, but he seemed to be an attentive father. I saw him once at the pediatrician’s with his son. He doted on the boy. If you change your mind about dinner, you know where we live.” She reached for her baby, gave him a wave, and drifted into the main office to sign out.

Joey wandered in the opposite direction toward the principal’s office. After he spoke with Roger about the assembly and the missing school supplies, he decided it was time he dug up what he could on Vanessa Booth. Better late than never.

Chapter 10

“What’s that I smell cooking?” Madeline asked as she entered her house. Whatever it was, it smelled delicious and unusual. Her uncle’s culinary fare normally ranged from burnt toast to Tuna Surprise. To her delight, the aroma wafting from the back end of the house was neither.

Rusty’s paws pounded with steady clicks against the oak wood floors in the hallway, signaling he was bounding toward her. She reached down to pat him as he greeted her, even though her hands were full.

She and Rusty followed the enticing smell. Although she appreciated Uncle Mark’s efforts to give her a home-cooked meal after work, his creations were frequently bland, overcooked, or absolutely inedible. After several futile attempts and her pleading on her hands and knees, they had had a good laugh and had made a pact that only she would do the cooking and he could help with the dishes. Now she was glad he was home, not only because the scents of garlic and tomatoes more than intrigued her, but she needed to confide in him about what she witnessed at school.

Madeline picked up her pace. “Uncle Mark, what’s that delectable smell?”

She came upon their next-door neighbor, Laura, making herself at home as she stirred a pot on the stove. With Rusty jumping up at her, Madeline stood rooted in the middle of the room balancing the school bags she still held in both hands, and took in the unexpected scene.

“Just spaghetti sauce. And meatballs. I made so much, I decided to bring some over,” the older woman said, wiping her hands on the apron she wore over gray slacks and a pink blouse, an outfit far too dressy to cook in.

Madeline arched a brow, starting to read more into Laura’s casual comment of accidentally making too much food. If her neighbor was interested in Uncle Mark in more than a neighborly way, Madeline couldn’t blame her. After all, her uncle was a widower for a year now, and he was a catch if she did say so herself. He took care of his health, he was fun to be around, and he was the kindest man she ever knew.

And he was lonely.

Her uncle sat at the table and looked up from his paperwork. Madeline studied his somber face and didn’t need to see the papers up close to know they were bills. “I asked Laura to join us for dinner,” he said.

Madeline dropped her bags on an empty chair and, ignoring the bills, brightened her smile and gave her uncle a peck on the cheek. “Of course, Laura, the more the merrier.” She went to Laura and gave her a tight hug. “Thank you,” she whispered into the woman’s ear through her salt-and-pepper hair. Laura squeezed her back with a grateful nod.

Madeline peeked over Uncle Mark’s shoulder at the bills. Hospital bills, to be exact. And probably a mortgage payment. Her Aunt Patty had been sick for years with Parkinson’s disease and her illness had eaten away at their savings. Insurance covered a portion of it, but not all. Not enough. If only he hadn’t taken out a second mortgage to pay for Madeline’s college, they wouldn’t be in this mess. Madeline had wanted to take out student loans, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Her uncle’s fixed income left little extra to pay the medical bills. She had insisted he accept her help, and Madeline picked up any extra tutoring jobs she could when she realized it was a lucrative sideline.

“Smells delicious. Can’t wait to eat. What kind of pasta do you want, Uncle Mark? Linguini? Angel hair?” She tried to muster up her cheeriest voice as she flung open a cabinet in search of pasta.

“Honey, Laura’s got everything under control. She brought salad, too. And pie. Her scrumptious apple, I think. Maddie, you’re never home this early. Everything okay?” Uncle Mark’s brows grew together in concern.

“Everything’s fine.” Even to herself her voice sounded strained. It suddenly dawned on her that up until recently the only people she would allow to call her Maddie were her aunt and uncle because Allison had called her that in high school. After their friendship ended, she’d insisted others call her Madeline. Now Joey had started the nickname again. And for once she didn’t mind.

“I didn’t have to tutor today and decided to bring my work home.” She went over to help Laura prepare dinner even though it looked like there was nothing to do. She wanted to talk to her uncle about what had happened earlier that day, but she certainly couldn’t discuss it in front of Laura. Although she was a wonderful neighbor and lately she seemed to be more than just a friend to Uncle Mark, Madeline needed to speak with him privately about her worries.

“If you’re sure you don’t need me, I’ll go change.” Madeline grabbed her bags and hurried up the stairs.

She stopped in the spare bedroom she used as an office and left her bags. Then in her own bedroom, she removed the blouse and skirt she wore to school and slipped out of her low, open-toe pumps. She flung on jeans and a T-shirt and across the hall in the bathroom, she swept her hair up in a clip and washed her face free of the sprinkling of makeup she had put on that morning. Back in her room a few minutes later, she heard the doorbell ring.

“I’ll get it,” Madeline called to her uncle before racing down the stairs, thinking it was probably one of his walking buddies out for exercise before dinner. Instead, Sabrina flew in when Madeline opened the door.

“What happened to you after school?” Sabrina placed her hand on her hips. “I thought we were going to buy pumpkins at the farm for our classes to paint. I tried your cell phone. It went right to voice mail. Left a message here, too.”

Madeline slapped herself upside her head, surprised at her own forgetfulness. “My cell phone’s off and Uncle Mark’s hard of hearing.” Madeline guessed Laura didn’t hear the phone ring either. “I didn’t have a chance to write it in my date book. And with everything that happened today . . . sorry. I’ll grab my bag.”

“What happened today?”

Madeline shrugged. “Nothing, no big deal.”

Uncle Mark called from the kitchen, “Who is it, Maddie?”

Madeline jerked her head in the direction of his voice and grabbed Sabrina’s hand. “Come. Say hello and then we’ll go.”

As they progressed toward the smell of tomato sauce and Italian spices mixing together, Sabrina said, “No worries, but you owe me another one. First, I find your date book and picture frame and now this. I already stopped by the farm and placed an order for forty-six mini round pumpkins. Since they’re so close to the school, they offered to deliver them on Wednesday. Our classes can paint them in the afternoon like we had planned.”

Sabrina stopped short when she reached the kitchen, surely not expecting to see Laura.

“Sabrina, you remember Laura? She lives next door.”

Sabrina nodded and smiled and then gave Uncle Mark a hug.

He patted her hand. “Why don’t you stay for dinner? We’ve plenty.”

Laura clapped her hands together, her eyes beaming with delight. “Yes, are you girls hungry? It’s early, but I could start the spaghetti soon.”

Madeline and Sabrina nodded, and Madeline said, “We’ll set the table.”

As they placed knives and forks, Laura put the plates in a pile on the table. She put on a big pot of water to boil and went back to stirring her sauce. With a sigh, Uncle Mark removed the bills from the table.

Sabrina made her way around the table behind Madeline, and as one put a napkin and the other the utensils, she said, “Hey, what’d you think of that email about the supply room being locked from now on? Doesn’t that stink?”

“With good reason,” Madeline muttered under her breath, then said more loudly, “So inconvenient.”

They finished with the table, and Sabrina secured a chair for herself next to Madeline. “Yeah, especially since they found all the supplies they thought were taken.”

Madeline bolted upright. “Huh? What do you mean?”

Uncle Mark, who sat back at his seat, wrinkled his forehead. “What are you girls talking about?”

Madeline filled him on the missing pencils and glue sticks, leaving out her suspicions that not only did Vanessa steal the pencils, but probably the glue, too.

Laura poured iced tea in all their glasses, and Sabrina reached for her glass taking a sip before saying, “Now Elaine is saying that the supplies were misplaced, not taken, or stolen, as most of us were saying. When the guy from Central Office delivered paper for the machines in the copy room, he found the pencils and glue stacked neatly in some empty copy paper boxes. It raised a red flag because he knew Elaine had just called his office to get an emergency supply of those items.”

Madeline pursed her lips together and narrowed her eyes.
Misplaced?
she thought.
No way
. She knew what she saw. Vanessa must have put them back because she knew Madeline caught her. And why would she steal them to begin with? She was no pauper.

“Maddie, what’s troubling you? And don’t tell me ‘nothing.’ Something’s on your mind,” Uncle Mark said.

Madeline bit her lower lip. She needed her uncle’s advice, but sharing the details with her best friend and her neighbor probably wasn’t the wisest action. “It’s a bit delicate,” she admitted, flicking a glance in Sabrina and Laura’s direction.

Sabrina looked offended. “I tell
you
everything.”

Laura chuckled and sat down, waiting for the water to come to a boil. “Honey, you can’t tell me anything I haven’t already heard. I was a family therapist for nearly forty years, had my own practice for thirty of them.”

Madeline compressed her lips together again, knowing once the words came out, there was no taking them back. “Okay, but you have to swear this stays in this room. Besides, Sabrina, you’re my mentor. I think you have to keep what I tell you private.” She stared at Sabrina for emphasis.

Sabrina crossed her arms, but said nothing. Then she pretended to lock her lips with an invisible key.

Uncle Mark patted her hand. “Go on, honey. You’ll feel better if you get it off your mind.”

Madeline sucked in her breath. She couldn’t keep what she knew a secret. The woman was stealing from the school, from the children. How could someone do that, especially since Vanessa did so much for them, too? “I know who stole the pencils, and probably the glue, and most likely the picture frame off my desk.”

Sabrina’s eyes widened. “Who?”

“Sabrina, you’ve got to swear that you won’t say a word. It could mean my job.”

Sabrina sat up straighter, obviously getting the message that Madeline was dead serious. “Pinky swear.”

Madeline’s hands went clammy, and she rubbed them together before revealing, “Vanessa Booth.”

Sabrina gasped.

“Who’s Vanessa Booth?” Uncle Mark asked.

“Her son is in my class and she’s one of my class moms. But more importantly, she’s a member of the Board of Education.”

“And her husband is great friends with our principal,” Sabrina added. “Why would she do that? The woman has loads of money. I even heard she changed the whole theme and color scheme of her home for the third year in a row!”

Madeline crinkled her nose in confusion. Vanessa did seem to have it all from the bits and pieces she had heard from the school’s gossip train. An adoring husband who was a CEO of some major corporation, two kids, one from a previous marriage, a considerable estate home. She didn’t have to work to pay the bills like the rest of them. She had so much money and time that she spent a good deal on personal maintenance and house redecoration. While Madeline was trying to make sense of it, Laura interrupted her.

“She may have anxiety issues or OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.”

They all turned to look at the former family therapist.

“Or she could be suffering from kleptomania. Although people who are true kleptomaniacs are rare. From what you’ve said, she takes things that she obviously doesn’t need, like your picture frame. Kleptomaniacs will do that and sometimes leave the items in another place.”

Sabrina reached over and tapped Madeline’s arm. “That would explain why I found your stuff sitting around like that.”

“Why would they steal something and not keep it?” Uncle Mark asked Laura.

“For the thrill of it. They don’t do it out of anger or revenge. Again, it’s rare. She probably has another mental disorder. Has something traumatic recently occurred in her life that might have triggered this?” Laura searched Madeline and Sabrina’s faces.

They both shrugged. Madeline couldn’t see any reason why someone with everything would do this. Then she recalled the scandal when a famous celebrity was caught stealing from a clothing store and had been arrested.

“Hey, remember that actress . . .” Madeline didn’t have a chance to finish before Laura clapped her hands together in excitement obviously because she knew who Madeline was referring to.

“Yes, exactly. The Oscar winner. Her face was in all the papers and on the television. Many times, wealthy, famous people get caught. They might have what we would consider enough material assets, but they’re in it for the thrill. They can’t stop the urges.”

Madeline folded her arms on the table and let what Laura said sink in. She didn’t think she’d ever understand what possessed someone to behave in such an unscrupulous manner.

Later that evening, alone in the spare room that doubled as her office, Madeline booted her computer. She then searched the Internet for any information she could find on kleptomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She needed to learn all that she possibly could about the behaviors.