Braxton Campus Mysteries Collection - Books 1-4

Chapter 6-2

“True. I just meant how were you handling it from Braxton"s perspective.” I signaled to the young waitress clearing a table nearby that we wanted two more cups of coffee. If Connor would share any information, I knew from experience, he needed caffeine.

“Sheriff Montague wants everyone to think it was an accident. Braxton"s public relations department was quite pleased to take that approach.” Connor slurped the remnants of his coffee.

“Murder won"t help the upcoming admissions cycle,” I said with a laugh. “Did you know her?”

“Met at a few college functions. She stopped in to discuss things from time to time. Abby had it in her head that because I was from the Caribbean, my family practiced voodoo. She wanted me to hook her up with my shaman. What a kook! I don"t even know what a shaman is.”

The waitress dropped off the coffee refills and asked, “Who do you think will end up leading Saturday"s big game, Director Hawkins? Striker our man? Or is Jordan gonna overtake him?”

I"d not been sure which sport they were talking about until remembering Eleanor"s story at the Pick-Me-Up Diner about the baseball team. “Those the two choices for pitcher?” I tossed out my question, though her gaze barely left Connor"s lips.

Connor replied, “Yep. Striker was last season"s star, but his teammate, Jordan, suddenly jumped into the race based on his new curveball in the pre-season games. It"s a close match.”

When I went to hand her a ten-dollar bill, she waved me off. “Nah, we don"t charge Director Hawkins. He checks on us from time to time to make sure we"re doing okay.” She backed away, nearly tripping over her own feet because she couldn"t peel her focus off Connor.

“Someone thinks you"re cute, huh?”

“Drop it, Kellan. She"s a kid.”

“I know. Seems like you"re king of the hill around here these days. I"m happy for you.”

king of the hill“Yeah, I didn"t ask for it. Just doing my job. I should head back soon. You need a lift?”

I declined. I planned to find Abby"s house, and the access road to her neighborhood was closer to South Campus. “Before you go, do you think there"s any chance I could look in Abby"s office? It sounds funny, but I was supposed to meet her about some information for my boss, and I didn"t get to before she died. We think it"s somewhere buried on her desk.” I felt awful asking for a favor from Connor after all these years, but I wasn"t doing anything overtly wrong. Abby did the research for us, so we were getting back something owed to the network. I couldn"t convince myself I wasn"t stretching my justification, especially since the contract had never been signed.

“I don"t have a problem as long as Sheriff Montague clears it. She might want an officer to be present.” Connor stood, then smiled as someone walked to the table. “Speak of the devil.”

“Devil? Something you care to explain, Connor?” Sheriff Montague"s arms were crossed against her chest with the look of a woman ready to pounce. Whether it was to kiss or chastise him, I couldn"t tell. Based on appearance, she was only two or three years older than us.

Connor excused himself, indicating I could fill in the blanks. As I pointed a hand to the open seat across from me, Sheriff Montague sat and said, “That is one fine man there.”

I spat out a mouthful of coffee, then apologized and made excuses about it being too hot. “What Connor meant, Sheriff Montague, is I need to collect some papers from Abby"s office regarding a project we were working on together. May I get in there?”

The sheriff had only moved to Braxton two years ago. I never got to know her. Did she remember me from the one time I bailed out Nana D? It didn"t seem like she"d made the connection, but I"d think someone in her position as county sheriff wouldn"t forget too many faces, especially not one associated with the frequently vocal Seraphina Danby. I got my answer rather quickly, after soaking up the spilled coffee and stopping myself from commenting on her motorcycle helmet hair.

“Your family might have some control in Braxton, Little Ayrwick, but let me assure you, I won"t be pressured into any special circumstances or favors. I"ve got a murder investigation to lead, and I will run down anyone who gets in my way.” When she finished, she stared at me like I might be dinner that night. I wasn"t sure whether to wet my pants or put up a fight.

“You don"t mince words, sheriff. I"m sorry if I came across the wrong way. When it became clear this wasn"t just an accident, I worried it might have something to do with research Abby Monroe was handling on my television show, Dark Reality. Are you familiar with it?”

Dark RealitySurprisingly, that loosened her attitude. “That"s your show? I watched the whole first season. My girlfriends and I can"t get enough of it!” she replied in a syrupy tone as her eyes bulged wider.

Wow, I"d lucked out in that department. If I played my cards right, I could make an ally out of Sheriff Montague. “Yeah, definitely, I could get you a couple of tickets—”

“Cut the beeswax, Little Ayrwick. I don"t watch the show. I"ve got better things to do than burn my eyes to their core from reality TV garbage. No offense since that"s your thing.”

Ouch, did I misjudge that one! “You got me there,” I replied with my tail between my legs. “Seriously, I"ll help the investigation however I can. Do you have any suspects?”

“A few. I"m not here to give you a tough time. I"ll take all the help I can get, but you"re a private citizen. We"re not usually in the business of giving out that kind of information.” She cupped her hands together and cracked both sets of knuckles, considering my offer as she stood. “We"re focusing on a few people who had the means and the opportunity. We"re still searching for the motive. I"m meeting with a witness who overheard a fight between Lorraine Candito and the victim.”

I couldn"t hold back my shock. “Lorraine? She wouldn"t hurt a fly. I"ve known her for years, and I can vouch for her. Gentler than a Girl Scout or a newborn puppy. She might nibble from time to time, but there must be some misunderstanding.”

Sheriff Montague shook her head vigorously. “A student worker Connor met this morning claimed to overhear the words "over your dead body" coming from Lorraine Candito"s lips.”

over your dead bodyI"d been certain the fear on Lorraine"s face was genuine. Could it have been guilt? “I"m meeting with Lorraine this afternoon. I can ask her about it if you"d like a second opinion.”

“Leave the investigation to us, Little Ayrwick. I"ll be in touch about access to Abby Monroe"s office. Have yourself a good day.” She adjusted one of her sleeves, glared at me a second time with laser eyes to ensure I got the message, then idled toward the counter to order something to go. Her sturdy gait and minimalist approach to dressing or wearing any makeup clearly showed she"d cared little about her appearance. Would it be wrong of me to ask Eleanor to give her a makeover in the hopes she"d win Connor"s affection? I could think of no one else better to put a smile on the sheriff"s face.

I wanted to warn Lorraine, but it wouldn"t put me in good standing with the sheriff. It seemed most advantageous to give April Montague time to meet with the student worker and Lorraine before I dug any further. I"d pissed off enough people since returning to Braxton. It was time to let my spectacular curb appeal charm the rest before I found myself on the wrong side of town and living in a doghouse. In ten years, I"d foolishly forgotten what went on in a remote village.