Deadly Mistakes by J A Whiting & Nell McCarthy

Author:J A Whiting & Nell McCarthy [Whiting, J A & McCarthy, Nell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J A Whiting Books and Whitemark Publishing
Published: 2022-09-01T22:00:00+00:00

12

Detective Robinson assigned a uniformed policeman to take Cori and Jasmine home and wait outside the house until Hope returned. That left Hope free to examine the murder scene with the detective.

“She’s been dead awhile,” Derrick said. “You were the first to discover her.”

“Jasmine called Margaret’s phone several times. I was concerned that Margaret wasn’t in school today and that she didn’t answer her phone. I worried that she was sick and might need help. Since the TV was on, and no one answered our knock or calls, I tried the door and it opened. I saw her on the floor. Then, I called you.”

Derrick nodded. “Looks the same as the last one, doesn’t it? No forced entry. One quick shot. What do you think it took, less than a minute?”

“If it was dark, no one could see the shooter come or go, not back here. Like the first one, the house is isolated.”

“And, the victim is a teacher. So, what’s the connection between Antonya and Margaret?”

“None that I know of. They were different ages, and they taught different students. I can’t think of someone who was taught by both of them.”

Derrick stared down at the dead teacher, even as the forensic techs came through the door.

“We won’t know if the same weapon was used until ballistics has had a go at the bullet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same gun.”

Hope shook her head. “Two single teachers living alone. One might think that the shooter has revenge on the mind. What could have happened at school that primed the pump?”

“The school years are always filled with ups and downs. Some people never get over it. The middle school and high school years follow them around like a parrot on their shoulders.”

“Sometimes, those years never let go,” Hope said softly. “I don’t understand why. I wonder if Antonya and Margaret are connected in some way outside of school. In the same club? Attend the same church?”

“We’ll look into that. The techs are going to take over here and process everything,” Derrick told her. “You can head home. Thanks for taking a look with me. If you think of any tie between the two victims, call me.”

“I will, but I honestly can’t think of anything just yet. I’ll give it some thought.”

On the drive back to her house, Hope couldn’t help but wonder if the murders were the product of some deranged mind. Would it surprise her if the killer had been the loneliest boy or girl in school, the one who was bullied, or just ignored? No, some wounds didn’t heal. Sometimes, they festered into more pain than the sufferer could endure.

Hope found the girls sitting in the kitchen sipping sodas. The aroma of beef stew filled the room.

“Hungry?” Hope asked.

“Starving,” Cori answered.

“Mrs. Herring,” Jasmine said. “Do you have any ideas about what to do about the signature?”

“I was thinking about that,” Hope answered. “I’ll sign the form, and you can attach a note stating that Ms. Cook died unexpectedly and could not sign it for you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.