Purl Up and Die (9 page)

Kelly stopped tracing the stars in Orion and turned her head toward Steve. “Where did you change in the mornings?”

“At the Colorado State University gym. Membership was cheaper for grad school alumni. They had good showers and locker rooms. You'd be surprised how many guys use those places every morning. Home away from home.”

“Boy . . . that feels like it was ages ago, but it was only two years. And look what you've done in those two years. Partner in the business. Kaufman and Townsend Construction.”

“Two and a half.” Steve grinned.

“Two and a
half
,” Kelly emphasized, then looked upward into the stars once more. “How many apartment units does Arthur want in the new building?”

“That's what I'm figuring out. I can squeeze in four units in that original building footprint. But if I can expand that footprint, then we could have six. It depends on what Arthur wants.”

“If it's that property on the corner of Pecan and Overland Trail, you could probably expand it.”

Steve glanced at Kelly. “You've actually checked out Housemann's properties?”

“Oh, yeah. It was easy to do, since they're mostly in Fort Connor or Loveland. I wanted to be able to compare them to his other rental properties in the city. See what difference location made on rental revenue.”

“Smart. Tell me, where are some of Housemann's Loveland rental apartment buildings? I checked out all of his properties in Fort Connor, but I'd like to take a look at those Loveland units, too. I'm already getting ideas.”

“I'll bet you are,” Kelly said, smiling up at the Big Dipper. “You started drawing yet?”

“Just a sketch or two.”

“I've got an idea. Why don't you check with Jennifer. She could get you inside some of the newer rental apartments in town. That way you could see what some of the other builders have done lately.”

“That's a great idea. I'll call her tomorrow. See? That's why I love you. You're smart.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Kelly grinned up at the dark sky. Another thought occurred. “A lot has changed these past two years. Jayleen's ranch is just about recovered from the High Park wildfire damage. You're now a partner with Sam. And Jennifer and Pete are parents of a thirteen-year-old.”

“And it looks to me like they'll be raising Cassie all by themselves. From what Lisa says, Grandpa Ben will probably be an invalid the rest of his life.”

“Sounds like it. You know, Jennifer and Pete both stepped up when Cassie suddenly needed a home. I think they have done a great job this last year. Cassie is a lucky girl.”

“Cassie's a great kid, too. Some teenagers are a pain. I've seen too many like that. Always complaining about something.”

“You know, Jennifer told me that Cassie asked them both about sexual assault. They were all three having dinner at home. Cassie had overheard several of the knitters talking about it at Lambspun. I'm sure they were probably talking between themselves, but Cassie has good ears.” Kelly smiled. “And she pays attention.”

“Wow, that's a big topic. How'd they handle it?”

“Really well, judging from what Jennifer told me. Cassie wanted more details than what she read in the Denver newspapers. Apparently she and Grandpa Ben read the newspapers together every evening.”

Steve chuckled. “I wish I'd known Grandpa Ben. He sounds like a good guy. Cassie said he took her to every museum in the Denver area.”

Old memories popped up in the back of Kelly's mind. “My dad and I used to go to museums all the time. In every city we lived in when I was a kid. Dad was in seventh heaven when we lived in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington, DC. Museums were everywhere.” She laughed softly, remembering.

“I wish I'd met your dad, too. He sounds like a really good guy.”

“He was,” Kelly said in a quiet voice as memories filled her mind. Remembering.

Thursday morning

“What
a good boy,” Kelly said, rubbing that sweet spot behind Carl's right ear. “Carl's such a good dog. Good dog, Carl,” she chanted in the singsong fashion that her Rottweiler recognized.

Carl, for his part, joined in the song with a little doggie moan of ear-rubbing pleasure.
Yes, yes, right there!

Kelly gave her dog another rub on the opposite ear and watched Carl sing along in pleasure. “You're a silly, dog. Yes, you are. There you go.” She gave Carl a couple of pats on his muscular shoulders, signifying that Ecstatic Ear Rub Break was over.

“Okay, you've got two big bowls of water, Carl. You're set for the morning. Go get those squirrels!” She pointed toward the corner of her backyard where Carl's nemesis, Brazen Squirrel, had just landed on the top rail of the chain-link
fence and was headed east. No doubt aiming for the hanging branch of a maple tree that was outside the fence.

At the mention of the word “squirrel,” Carl's head swiveled to the left, spotting Brazen.

“And he's off!” Kelly said with a laugh, watching her dog aim straight as a bullet for the scampering Brazen. Carl hit the fence with both front feet, barking furiously as the wily squirrel jumped straight to the ground outside the fence and scampered to the nearby maple tree. Escaped, yet again!

The sound of her cell phone's music enticed Kelly inside her cottage again, as she slid the patio screen door shut. Lisa's name flashed on the phone. “Hey, there. Are you at the university or the sports clinic?”

“I'm on the way to the parking lot to drive over to the clinic, so I thought I'd give you a call,” Lisa said. Kelly could hear outside noises coming over the phone. “I talked to my friend in the graduate programs office, and she was able to tell me that Laura Brewster was enrolled in the graduate program that's offered in the Anatomy and Physiology Department. The second year of the three-year program.”

“Okay, anatomy and physiology. Sounds like she was working toward a master's degree.”

“Possible. Anyway, I called another friend, Sandy, who's also taking courses in anatomy and physiology and working on the master's program. I asked Sandy if she knew this Laura Brewster, and she did. She even had classes with her.”

“Did she get to know her well?”

“I don't know. They shared a couple of classes, and Sandy said she was also in a study group with Laura. Said she was ‘really intense.' Those words exactly.”

“Hmmmmmmm, sounds interesting.”

“Yeah, well, here's the
really
interesting part. My friend Sandy went on to say that this Laura had some problem with one of the anatomy professors. Sandy knew because she was outside in the hallway one time when Laura came out of the professor's office. Sandy said it sounded like Laura was arguing with this professor.”

“Even more interesting.”

“Apparently there's more. Sandy said you can call her or e-mail her if you have more questions. I'll text you her phone and e-mail after we hang up.”

“Thanks, Lisa. I appreciate that. I'll send her an e-mail and see if she wants to meet for coffee.”

“Oh, and there's something else that makes it really strange. The anatomy professor Laura was talking to was the professor who was accused of sexual assault by one of his students. Sandy said she always wondered if the student involved was Laura Brewster.”

“You're kidding!” Kelly said, her little buzzer inside going off.

“Nope.”

“That's one heckuva coincidence, don't you think?”

“Agreed. But you can find out all the details from Sandy yourself. Then you can tell me. Gotta run. See you at practice tonight.”

“Tonight,” Kelly promised before Lisa's phone clicked off. She shoved her phone into the back pocket of her summer white capri pants and returned to loading accounting files into her briefcase bag.

“Strange” didn't begin to describe what Lisa told her.
Neither did “coincidence.” Kelly had always been suspicious of coincidences.

Her cell phone buzzed with a text alert, and Kelly checked the screen. Lisa's text with her friend Sandy's e-mail. Kelly didn't waste a moment. She clicked on the e-mail address and quickly keyed in a brief message.
Meet outside in the University Quad for coffee?

Kelly's curiosity was bubbling, urging her to find answers. And her little buzzer was definitely going off. She had questions. Lots of questions.

•   •   •

“Do
you need a refill, Kelly?” Julie asked as she approached the café table where Kelly was working that afternoon.

Kelly looked up from the computer screen, which was filled with multiple spreadsheets. “No, thanks, I'm still good. Another benefit to working inside in the air-conditioning.” She smiled at Julie.

“Well, let me know if you need anything. We'll head into the midmorning slowdown in a while.” Julie raised her pitcher of iced coffee before she scurried back to the main part of the café.

Kelly glanced around the café alcove where she had settled in at the small table in the corner. Not as many customers seemed to use it. Smaller than the other tables and tucked into a corner, it seemed to be isolated. However, those same qualities which made regular customers shun the table made it attractive to Kelly. It was the perfect size for her to spread out her laptop and a file folder and settle in
to work on client accounts. She was about to return to recording utilities expense onto a spreadsheet when her cell phone buzzed. A text message coming in.

Kelly checked the screen and saw an unfamiliar name. Sandy Atkinson. That had to be Lisa's university friend. Kelly clicked on the message and read it in full. Sandy could meet tomorrow afternoon at 2:30
P.M.
in the University Student Union café and lounge, first floor. Kelly mentally checked her daytimer to make sure she was free that next afternoon, then she texted a reply to Sandy.
I'll meet you there at 2:30
P.M.
Coffee, lattes, whatever are on me.

She sent the text message on its way through the invisible connection of electronic cyberspace that they'd all become dependent upon, then returned her attention to Don Warner's construction spreadsheets once again. Warner had lots of projects, so there were a lot of spreadsheets.

Several minutes passed, then her cell phone buzzed again. Another message from Sandy.
Great. I have a weakness for those caramel macchiato lattes. Thanks.
She'd concluded the text with that familiar little combination of keystrokes called a “smiley face.” It worked. Kelly smiled as she returned to the expense spreadsheets and her more plebeian iced coffee.

•   •   •

Kelly
stood up from her chair beside the library table in Lambspun's main room the next morning and stretched—a long, deep stretch. A big yawn escaped then.
Funny how yawns sneak up on you
, she thought.
That's it. Time for a coffee
break
. She grabbed her mug beside her open laptop and headed for the café. Midmorning, and the delicious breakfast aromas were floating down the hallway enticing Kelly forward. Eggs, bacon, cheese. All those delicious combinations that grill cook Eduardo created.

As she walked into the café, Kelly spotted Jennifer loading several tempting dishes onto her tray. “Hey, Jen, can you give me a refill once you take care of the hungry customers?”

“Sure thing, Kelly. Be back in a minute,” Jen said as she walked over to a nearby table.

Kelly moved out of the way so the waitstaff could move freely. The café was packed and Jen, Julie, and part-timer Bridget bustled about serving all the hungry customers. Kelly checked her watch. Ten thirty. Maybe she could justify half a cinnamon roll. She could take the yummy snack and her coffee outside and sit on one of the cement benches in the garden. No need to occupy an entire table when hungry customers were showing up at the door.

Sure enough, two people opened the front door of the café then. Standing just inside the door, they did what everyone does: They looked around first, then stared at the large dry board on the wall which showed the daily specials for breakfast and lunch. Plus special coffees and lattes. Chocolate raspberry.
Yummmm
, Kelly thought. She had to try that.

“Hey, Kelly.” Burt's voice came over her shoulder. “You here on coffee break, I bet.” He walked over to stand beside her, out of the path of busy waitresses.

“Yeah, the yawns were attacking. We had a long game last night, so did Steve. So we slept like logs and almost didn't hear the alarm this morning.”

Burt chuckled. “I know that feeling.”

Kelly leaned over closer. “How's Barb doing? Have you seen her?”

“No, I haven't. I've been out since early this morning doing errands. But I'm hoping she's calmed down. After all, the girl was murdered only days after she'd accused Tommy of sexual assault at the clinic.” Burt gave Kelly a knowing look. “Of course the police are going to consider Tommy a suspect. Barb may not like it, but she has to understand police reasoning.”

“Barb's a smart woman. She's just being overprotective as usual. Boy, has she always been like that? Did she hover over him when he was a kid in Little League baseball and stuff?” Kelly joked.

Burt gave a good-natured shrug. “Actually, Tommy never got to play ball or any of those regular sports like the other kids. Barb was afraid he'd break something or lose a tooth. Tommy did learn how to play chess and joined a club when he was in elementary. And he liked puzzles. Loved solving puzzles, as I recall.”

“What about Tommy's dad?”

“Apparently he and Barb divorced when Tommy was real little. Barb said he started ‘running around' with other women.” Burt rolled his eyes. “Age-old story, I guess. I didn't know Barb then, and neither did Mimi.”

“Well, that explains Barb's overprotective tendencies,” Kelly said. “But Tommy should be okay with the police because he works every night 10:00
P.M.
to 6:00
A.M.
at the clinic. That should eliminate him as a possible suspect.”

“I sure hope so, Kelly. One thing I learned as a police
detective was to always expect the unexpected. When it comes to people, anything is possible.”

“Well, let's hope there's nothing unexpected in Tommy's questioning.”

“I've asked Dan to give me a call after they interview Tommy and let me know how it went. I'll let you know as soon as I hear something.”

Jennifer walked up to both of them then. “Two birds gossiping on a wire. That's what you two look like,” she said with a grin. “Kelly, do you want a coffee refill? Iced or regular? What about you, Burt?”

“Iced for me, please.”

“The same for me, Jennifer, thanks,” Burt said.

“Would you please add a warmed cinnamon roll to my coffee?” Kelly asked. “I think I've found the perfect person to share it with.” She smiled at Burt.

He groaned. “Only if we go outside. I don't want Mimi to see me.”

“You read my mind,” Kelly said as Jennifer walked away, laughing.

•   •   •

“Thanks
for meeting me, Sandy. I appreciate it,” Kelly said, setting a medium caramel macchiato on the table in front of the plump blonde with ruddy cheeks. She pulled out a chair at the café table in the midst of the central lounge of the Student Union building. Students filled every table in the large area. Kelly had deliberately chosen this smaller table that was slightly separated from the others. The better for private conversations.

“No problem, Kelly. This is my short interval between classes, so I wouldn't be able to get any real work done anyway.” She took a sip of the sugary latte, closing her eyes in obvious enjoyment.

“Lisa always makes fun of me when I poke around in investigations. She calls it ‘sleuthing around.'” Kelly grinned. “But I can't help it. I'm an accountant in real life and we solve puzzles for a living. So I guess it comes naturally to me.”

Sandy smiled; her ruddy round cheeks gave her face a happy cherub appearance with her light blonde hair falling around her shoulders. “Lisa mentioned once or twice she had a friend who loved to solve mysteries. So I'm glad to meet you, Kelly. I'm a devoted Sherlock Holmes fan.”

Kelly laughed out loud. “Well, I'm definitely not in the master's company. I'm just a nosy but focused accountant. We keep asking questions and poking around until we find some answers.”

“Well, I have to admit that little scene I witnessed three years ago has stayed with me. And I often thought that it was Laura Brewster who lodged the complaint against Professor Paul Smith.” She took another sip. “I didn't have Professor Smith's anatomy class, but I heard from other friends that he was an excellent teacher.”

“Did you know her well? Lisa said you'd had some classes with Laura Brewster. And a study session, I think.”

“That's right. But I wouldn't say I
knew
Laura. She gave the impression of being a very private person. A little standoffish, actually. She didn't sit around and talk with other students after class, like people are doing now.” She gestured
around them at the variety of students sitting and talking, eating and talking, or studying alone.

“Did she have any particular friends you noticed?”

Sandy shook her head. “Not that I ever saw. Laura was always alone. She'd come to class and sit and take notes and ask a lot of questions. But once, I remember her pointing to another girl in that class. Laura said she went to high school with her. Westgate High in Denver, I think she said.”

Kelly filed that tidbit of information away for scrutiny later on. “Tell me about that time you saw her outside the professor's office. Professor Smith. What did you see exactly?”