Free An Indecent Death by David Anderson Page A

she was fun, too. You should have heard some of the things she said about the Bitchin’ Crew, especially if she’d had something to drink.”
    “Could it be that she was hurting from the break-up with her husband? That had to be difficult. Maybe the flirting and casual sex were her way of getting over it?”
    Lynnette nodded slowly. “Could be, yes. I’ve thought along those lines myself, for sure.”
    “You were a good friend to her.”
    “Maybe. I hope so. We talked a lot, anyway.”
    “Anyone else who was interested in Sarah at the school, Lynn?” Lori asked.
    Lynnette thought for a few seconds. “Well, there’s Mr. Pepin.”
    “Who’s he again?” Lori was trying to visualize the staff list but she couldn’t remember any Pepin.
    “He’s the custodian. Pierre Pepin, the janitor, and he’s creepy.”
    Lori was making more notes. “Creepy? What do you mean?”
    “He’s been around forever. He just looks weird. He’s got a missing tooth and a strange smile. He’s quiet, kind of sneaks up on you. One minute you’re alone, next thing, you turn around and there he is. Creepy. And some of us think that he kind of deliberately hangs around the doors of the bathroom and change room. The female teachers, I mean. Like he’s trying to get a peek.”
    “How can he be working in a school if he’s suspected of doing that?” asked Lori.
    “It’s nothing definite, it’s just the way some of us feel. And he’s nice enough when you talk to him, and he does his job, I guess. And I know the kids like him – they like his grin! I think it’s nasty. I don’t know, maybe I’m exaggerating it a little. Maybe it’s just me. Anyway, I don’t like him.”
    Lori sighed. She had a headache and way too much to think about. She left her card with Lynnette Cranston. She hated to do it, but she asked her last question, “I’m sorry, Lynn, but I need to ask you what you were doing Friday night. It’s routine.”
    Lynnette took it well. “I know. I was here, at home, watching a movie, until I fell asleep.” She pointed out at the living room. “One of my own, French Kiss, with Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan. But unfortunately I was by myself.”
    Lori stood up and made ready to go. “Here’s my card, Lynn. If you think of anything else, please give me a call. You’ve been most helpful. Thanks for being so candid.”
    “I hope some of it is useful to you,” said Lynnette.

eight
     
    Drumm, Karl Wesson and Lori Singh met briefly in Drumm’s office to review their progress to date. Wesson had filled Lori in on the Noonan interview; Lori had summarized her lengthy conversation with Lynnette Cranston.
    Drumm said, “So, we have Terry Noonan who has attacked his wife in the past. He wants to get back together with her and she says no. He has a temper and no alibi. He’s got motive and opportunity.”
    Wesson nodded, “On the other hand, the wife was strangled, not beaten. That’s not his style. If he lost his temper with her, he probably would have used his fists, or picked up something handy and bashed her with it. And if he did strangle her, he likely would have used those big hands of his, don’t you think?”
    Lori looked doubtful. “Not necessarily. He might have deliberately set out to kill her because he knew about her behaviour. And if it was premeditated, then he could have planned to do it in a way that would deflect suspicion from himself. And another thing: it looks like she was strangled almost in her sleep, and with a scarf or something similar. It’s more the way a woman would do it, don’t you think? Points to someone completely different.”
    Drumm said, “Maybe. Maybe a woman, maybe not. A clever man might have chosen that way deliberately, to mislead. It’s all just speculation at this point.” Drumm went on, “I think Noonan has to be our prime suspect for the moment, but who else do we have?”
    Wesson said, “Most of the men from Elmdale, it seems. Donald Musjari, Bill Deans, Kevin