Free Dead Deceiver by Victoria Houston

really don’t think so,” said Charles. “Patience, I think you should tell them about your office at the college.”
    “Oh, well, I’m not sure about that.” Patience threw a look of dismay at her husband.
    “Tell them anyway.” It was the first time Charles had sounded authoritative.
    “Well … okay. Chief Ferris, I am pretty sure someone goes into my office at the college when I’m traveling, away at meetings or in the evenings after hours. But,” she shrugged, “thing is that could be a staff person who just needs a computer. We have an open door policy at the college and nothing has ever been missing.
    “What about the college security?” said Lew. “You must have security personnel and cameras there?”
    “No security cameras. We’re a college, not a shopping mall,” said Patience. “You have to realize my father endowed the college because he wanted a comfortable setting in a region that desperately needed a technical college where students can learn construction, plumbing, electronics, computer repair, CAD/CAM design, welding—all the basic building trades and skills that rural communities need. We have only three hundred and fifty students who all work hard and our faculty has impeccable credentials. These are not people who would steal or hurt one another.”
    “So you have an honor system,” said Lew.
    “Yes. I can’t think of anyone at the college I don’t trust. Even our maintenance crew has been with us since we opened the campus five years ago.”
    “All right. Let’s go back to square one. You have no tangible evidence or sightings of a specific individual following you but you are convinced that you are being watched, correct?”
    Patience nodded.
    Lew continued, “Do you have a sense they mean to do harm?”
    “If you’re wondering am I fantasizing a guardian angel, no,” said Patience. “I feel threatened. I don’t even walk after dark anymore.”
    Lew set down the pen with which she had been taking notes and said in a kind voice, “Dr. Schumacher, I suggest you hire a private security firm to keep an eye out for anyone approaching your property. I’m afraid that until you have something more concrete, we can’t help you.
    “The Loon Lake Police Department— and the county sheriff’s office—we are all severely understaffed for the next ten days with the international fishing tournament taking place. While we have reinforcements from the surrounding towns and counties, we just don’t have the personnel—”
    A sudden buzzing from the purse alongside Patience’ chair prompted her to reach down for her cell phone and check the incoming call.
    “Oh, dear, it’s my lawyer,” she said. “I really must return the call and arrange to speak with him later. Would you mind? I promise it won’t take more than a few minutes.”
    “You’ll need to step into the hall and use the conference room across the way if you want privacy,” said Lew.
    “Thank you,” said Patience, getting to her feet.
    The room seemed half empty after Patience left. No one spoke. Lew gathered up the papers Ray had dropped on her desk and set them to one side. Osborne cleared his throat. Ray checked his watch, then his cell phone.
    “May I share something before my wife returns?” asked Charles, getting to his feet and walking across the room to close the door she had left open. He walked back to Lew’s desk before saying in a low voice, “You should know that my wife is under tremendous stress right now. There are budget problems at the college, which are the result of a series of computer malfunctions that are costing a fortune. Patience feels wholly responsible even though it is certainly not her fault.
    “The call from the lawyer? She’s trying to convince the executor of her father’s estate to release more funds to the college endowment in order to cover the costs of new equipment.
    “While that situation is getting worse by the day, she is a nervous wreck when she is home, too.”