FM for Murder by Patricia Rockwell

Author:Patricia Rockwell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press
Published: 2011-03-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Present time--Tuesday morning, December 18

“Dr. Barnes,” called out Jane Marie, as Pamela entered the main office to pick up her mail from her cubby hole. Pamela stepped into the secretary’s alcove and tipped her head expectantly to the young woman’s words. “Dr. Barnes, what are you up to?” She pointed another candy cane at Pamela and shook it at her. The small nook that was Jane Marie’s office was a veritable wonderland of Christmas decorations.

“Me?” asked Pamela with a start, clutching her papers, books, and now mail to her chest.

“You were in with Dr. Marks for quite a while yesterday,” continued Jane Marie, a sprig of holly in her silky brown curls bouncing as she gestured authoritatively towards Pamela, “and after you left, I heard him playing a recording of that disc jockey that was murdered.” She stopped briefly when she said ‘murdered’ and quickly looked around, “at KRDN Saturday night. Now why would he be doing that?” Her nostrils flared and her eyes expanded as she waited for Pamela to provide answers. A plastic reindeer played ‘Rudolph’ in the background.”

“It’s no big secret, Jane Marie,” said Pamela. Actually, she and Jane Marie had shared a number of secrets over the years. Jane Marie kept her informed of some of the best—and juiciest—departmental gossip. She was in the perfect location to hear and observe all the comings and goings of everyone. “I gave Mitchell a CD of the murder to see if he might provide some information about the gun that was used. And before you ask, Detective Shoop gave me the original CD; it’s not a secret—anyone who happened to be listening to KRDN Saturday night would have heard the same thing.”

“So, you’re in the detecting business again, are you, Dr. Barnes?”

“Not full-time, Jane Marie,” replied Pamela, turning to go, “just as a side line. I promise I won’t neglect my departmental duties.” She grabbed a cookie from the tray of Christmas goodies Jane Marie had on her desk and gobbled it down. Gym tonight, for sure, she thought.

“I’ll be checking up on you,” replied the secretary, again shaking her pencil at the teacher and smiling. Pamela headed out of the alcove, nibbling on the goodie, and immediately bumped into her colleague Bob Goodman, checking his mail.

“Bob,” she greeted him, licking her finger tips, “Good morning!”

“Hmm,” grumbled the tall professor as he bent low to peek into his mail box placed far below eye level.

“Problems?”

“You should know, Pamela,” he responded, standing upright and turning to face her directly. My goodness, she thought, this was about as curt as Bob had ever been; he was usually gracious and thoughtful. “You and Joan seem to be egging Arliss on in your hen sessions over here.”

“Our what?” Was this the real Bob Goodman? Or had Scrooge taken his place?

“I’m sorry, Pamela, if I seem insensitive (yes, you do! thought Pamela) but Arliss and I were working out our wedding situation and now---now—she’s vacillating.”

“You mean, she’s changed her mind about marrying you?” Pamela asked, aghast.

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