Free Back To School Murder #4 by Leslie Meier

outfit.
    â€œThat means someone inside the school did it? I can’t believe that.” Sue shook her head. “What do you think about our Ms. Crane? Pretty gutsy, I’d say.”
    â€œYou were on the search committee that hired her, weren’t you?”
    â€œI was,” said Sue proudly. “Did we do good?”
    â€œYou did good,” said Lucy. She watched as Zoë began putting pots on the play stove. “Don’t you want to hear about my class? I think it has possibilities.”
    â€œTo you, maybe. To me,” continued Sue, smoothing her glossy pageboy hairdo, “Victorian literature is about as appealing as doing my taxes. Cleaning the cat box. Washing windows.”
    â€œI get the idea,” said Lucy. “Each to her own. But I bet even you would find the professor rather attractive.”
    â€œReally?” Sue cocked her head to the side.
    â€œâ€˜Dishy’ is the word I heard used.”
    Sue was focusing on two little boys across the room. “Justin, I really like the way you’re sharing that truck with Jason.” She turned back to Lucy. “How old?”
    â€œNot too old, not too young.” Lucy lingered over the words.
    â€œLucy!” Sue’s eyes grew big and round. “You sound as if you’re interested in him. Are you considering signing up for some extracurricular activities?”
    â€œAbsolutely not!” Lucy exclaimed. “I would never, ever do such a thing.”
    â€œMethinks the lady doth protest a bit too much,” said Sue; hurrying over to the dress-up area. “Jill, you can wear the bride’s veil now, but in a few minutes it will be Tiffany’s turn, okay? Tiffany, why not try the policeman’s hat for a few minutes, until Jill is ready to give you the veil.” She turned back to Lucy, a skeptical expression on her face.
    â€œBelieve me, it never even occurred to me. In fact, he asked me out for coffee and I turned him down.” Lucy nodded virtuously.
    â€œIf I were you, I’d keep turning him down.”
    â€œHe’ll never ask again.”
    â€œDon’t bet on it. When I was in college, there were professors who were absolutely relentless. They had to get their hands on as many of the girls as possible—I think it was a contest or something. It was rumored they had a scoreboard in the faculty club.”
    â€œI remember a few professors like that, too. But I think things have changed. They call it sexual harassment and you can file a complaint.”
    â€œMaybe.” Sue didn’t seem convinced. “Is everything okay with you and Bill?”
    â€œSure.” Lucy’s tone was a bit defensive. “It’s just one of those rough times that all couples go through. He’s having a hard time adjusting now that the kids are growing up. He wants everything to stay the same. He doesn’t like me working.”
    â€œYou know, I see that a lot.” Sue grabbed a paper towel and mopped up the snack table, where the little bride had just spilled a cup of grape juice. “When the moms first bring their kids here, they’re happy and excited. But pretty soon they start getting a worried look and the next thing you know we’re getting a letter from the lawyer advising us that divorce proceedings are in progress and not to release the child to anyone but the mother.”
    â€œI don’t think it will come to that,” said Lucy, looking absolutely stricken. “At least, I hope not. I was really joking about the professor.”
    â€œI’m exaggerating,” said Sue, patting her arm. “It’s only happened once, maybe twice.”
    â€œYou had me worried,” said Lucy, laughing with relief. “The way I see it, we’re going to need two incomes. College isn’t that far away for Toby and Elizabeth, you know.”
    â€œDon’t I ever.” Sue’s daughter Sidra had graduated from Bowdoin in June.