than she had the previous night, morning came far too soon. Even Tee, who was cuddled against her, seemed to agree because she burrowed under the pillow when Doro arose.
After getting ready for the day, Doro took the puppy out. Since the campus was stirring, she exchanged greetings with a handful of folks. Most smiled and greeted Tee with a pat on the head, but, as Doro and the dog passed College Hall, they encountered Trudy Carstairs, who offered a faint, fake smile.
“You’re spending a lot of time with that dog. When will Officer Mallow take it back?” the other woman asked in a voice filled with contempt.
“As soon as he’s well enough.” Surely, the woman did not think Ev had recovered already.
Trudy pursed her thin lips. “A little arsenic shouldn’t put a healthy, young person out of commission for long.”
The comment put Doro on alert. “How do you know it was arsenic? And just a little? Not even Doc Silven is sure. He mentioned mercury as a possibility.”
Color surged into the professor’s angular face. “I’ve heard folks talking about it, and that’s what they’re saying, and it’s far more likely than mercury.”
“Why?”
Trudy cleared her throat. “If you had paid more attention in your science courses, you’d know.”
Doro opened her mouth to say the town physician didn’t know, so how would she? Then, she thought better of it. Instead, she repeated an observation. “It’s not like you to accept and spread rumors.”
A harrumph left Trudy. “You were raised around this campus, so you ought to realize a lot of information is first passed as gossip.”
Since Doro could not deny that fact, she shrugged. “Maybe so, but I hope you won’t repeat talk that may not be factual. Ev and Wade will investigate as soon as they can. Then, the truth will come out, and the guilty party will be held to account.”
“Held to account? I’m surprised you want your friend’s mistake to lead to culpability. Aggie would be wise to stop pursuing the constable and concentrate on her career.”
The older professor’s demeanor disturbed Doro. If she asked what the campus gossip mill was churning out, she would be as bad as those she had just criticized. If she didn’t ask, she wouldn’t find out much. In the end, Doro defended her friend. “Aggie didn’t make a mistake. I’m sure of that.”
“Even if you thought she had, you wouldn’t admit it.” Trudy switched her briefcase so that it was in front of her. “I need to get to my laboratory, but I suppose the two of you will snoop around most of the day. You care more about playing amateur sleuth than you do about being head librarian. That could come up when your tenure does.”
The thinly veiled threat had Doro grinding her teeth to keep from snapping back at the woman, who turned on her heel and strode off. For several moments, Doro fought to regain her composure. When Tee whined, she bent to pet the dog’s ears. “I know. I’m not sure what to think, but I need to talk with Mrs. Jones about her.” Doro headed toward Wheaton Hall. The telephone was ringing as she entered, so Doro rushed to answer. Surprise and relief collided when Doc Silven’s voice came across the line. After a brief conversation, she returned the earpiece to the cradle and addressed Tee. “Ev and Wade can leave Doc’s place today.” A sharp yip left the puppy, who seemed as happy as Doro.
When Doro went to her friend’s apartment, Aggie was equally pleased to hear the good news. “Are they going to the Lammers’ boardinghouse?”
“No, Doc doesn’t think that’d be a restful place, and I agree. With students in and out and two of Wade’s children needing to stay for a while, there’s a lot of commotion. Mrs. Lammers and Mrs. Islington will look in on the men at Wade’s house. Mostly, they need more rest, but they can be up and around a little. They both had toast and a little oatmeal this morning, and they’re sitting in chairs. Big improvements.” Doro was not sure if that was good or not. If they were a lot better, both would get involved in the case, and as lawmen, they had every right. “After lunch, Doc is going to drop them off on his way to make house calls. He’ll check back later, but he wondered if you and I could stop this afternoon. Adora is staying with Mrs. Islington, but Mrs. Lammers has the boys and her boarders to take care of. She’s dropping off bread and soup for Ev and Wade.”
“You told him we’d go over, right?”
“Sure,” Doro replied. “The library isn’t open yet, but I’m going to ask Floyd if I can take off early and work on Saturday instead. You don’t have an examination to give until tomorrow, right?”
“No, but I planned to be in my office for a couple of hours between ten o’clock and noon. We have to do a lot already.”
“We sure do,” Doro agreed. After a glance at her watch, she sighed. “I could smell the aroma of breakfast downstairs, so we better go before people start leaving. I’m hoping we get some additional details.”
“I do, too.”
When Tee yipped, Doro ruffled her floppy ears. “Sorry, sweetie. We can’t take you down to breakfast, but I’ll bring a treat, if I can.”
Aggie chuckled. “She’ll be spoiled by the time Ev gets her back.”
“When he cooks eggs, he makes enough for Tee, and he shares his toast,” Doro replied with a grin.
“Then, we must try to get both for her,” Aggie said, her laughter increasing.
As the two friends descended the staircase, they heard a plethora of voices. “It sounds like we’re among the last to get here.”
The statement proved accurate, since the large dining room across the main hall from the reception area, was filled. A chorus of greetings rang out as Doro and Aggie entered.
“Help yourselves,” Mrs. Farmer, who stood beside the massive buffet, said. “There’s plenty.”
“As always,” Gladys Hollingsworth, a laden plate in hand, put in.
Since she wanted to talk with Gladys, Doro rushed to get food and hurried to grab the seat next to the other woman. The offerings from Mrs. Farmer were safe, and Doro was glad because hunger pangs gripped her. “I hope you aren’t saving this chair for someone.” Trudy was not present, but she could be coming.
A slight smile moved Gladys’ full lips. “No, I’m not.”
After seating herself, Doro aimed for a casual tone. “Trudy isn’t coming.”
“No, she’s busy with end of the semester tasks. She performs most of the department chairman’s duties,” Gladys replied.
“I’ve heard that,” Doro said. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Aggie settle at the other end of the table, which was a sound strategy. With luck, they would double their cache of information. Since pelting Gladys with direct questions would be a foolish ploy, Doro tried for a casual note. “Trudy mentioned having a garden at her cottage. Is she growing flowers?”
“No, but there are forsythia bushes around the house.” Gladys took a bite of eggs.
Asking outright when the woman had taken her May basket to the auditorium could trigger suspicion, so Doro was cautious. “I love forsythia. It looks pretty with other spring flowers.”
“It does,” Gladys agreed.
When the science professor did not continue, Doro focused on Trudy’s garden. More information about when Gladys dropped off her basket, and how long she had stayed in the auditorium, would have to come from someone else. “Trudy sounded happy about having a garden.”
“It’s an advantage that we don’t have here,” Gladys said, “and it will be helpful for someone to grow plants we can use in our teaching.”
“It would make botany more interesting. What kinds of plants is she growing?” Doc Silven had mentioned toxic plants, but he’d indicated getting them into jam would be challenging. Trudy, being a science professor, might have the knowledge to hide flora in food. If she did, Doro wanted to know the possibilities.
“Various types.” Gladys stopped to study Doro.
“I see,” Doro murmured, but she did not see much because the other woman was sharing little. After a big bite of eggs, Doro tried another foray. “Trudy has a lot of responsibilities. When I was a student, the chairman unlocked the supply cabinet before our laboratory sessions. I suppose she does it now.”
Gladys did not stop buttering her toast, but she nodded. “She does, and she has to go back at the end of every laboratory class to ensure the room is locked again. Some instructors aren’t responsible enough to do it themselves, and it wouldn’t do to have dangerous chemicals stolen.”
“Of course not,” Doro said. “But that makes me wonder.”
Gladys’ beady black eyes narrowed on Doro. “About what?”
“Doc Silven thought Constable Lammers and Officer Mallow might’ve been exposed to mercury. Maybe a student took some from the lab closet,” Doro said.
With a piece of toast halfway to her mouth, Gladys paused. “Unlikely, but mercury is in thermometers, so anyone could break one and get the substance out. They’d have to be cautious, though. Touching mercury is dangerous. Besides, it wouldn’t dissolve into jam like powder would.”
Since Trudy had said much the same thing, Doro made another suggestion. “Powder like arsenic.”
“Yes. I thought arsenic was the cause. That’s what I’ve heard,” the older woman said as she went back to eating.
“Perhaps,” Doro replied, not willing to give a lot away, either. “I don’t recall it being used in science classes when I was a student.”
Gladys sent Doro a look of disbelief. “It isn’t, but it’s available in many places, as I’m sure you know.”
“True, which will make it difficult for the lawmen to find the culprit.”
“You don’t believe your friend made a mistake? I like Aggie, but she’s not an experienced homemaker.”
The assertion galled Doro, who fought back a harsh retort. “I’m sure she didn’t make an error.”
“Friendship can blind one to faults.” With that, the woman shifted to talk with the person on her other side, leaving Doro to chat with two other Wheaton Hall residents, neither of whom had useful knowledge, only gossip. When Aggie rose thirty minutes later, Doro excused herself and met her friend in the main hall.
“Let’s chat outside,” Aggie said.
After they had walked twenty yards, Doro could no longer withhold her question. “Did you learn something?”
“Not a lot, but Trudy was upset when she first got here, just as Mrs. Jones said.”
“Due to what happened at her old school?”
“Yep,” Aggie replied. “She talked a lot about not trusting men, and how marriage is a trap for women.”
“That meshes with what Mrs. Jones told us, but we can’t discount Betty.”
“No, we can’t. I noticed you sat by Gladys. Was she any help?”
“Not really, although she said much the same as Trudy about mercury. She also said Trudy was busy with end-of-year work, which is why she didn’t come to breakfast.”
“She always has, even when she’s busy.”
Doro shrugged. “Maybe she didn’t want to talk to me again. I couldn’t get Gladys to admit she made a May basket, although we know she did. Finding out how long she was gone from Wheaton Hall on Saturday morning was impossible, because there was no opening. She said there’s forsythia at Trudy’s house.” Doro summarized the rest of her conversation with Gladys and finished with a conclusion. “The other part that seems important is arsenic not being used in the labs. Trudy might’ve put the items in a department purchase order. If not, we can check with local merchants. Trudy rarely leaves town during the school year. Only in the summer and then, not for long. She had to get the items locally or place an order.”
“If she’s the culprit.”
“She’s slipped with some of her comments.” Doro searched her mind for ideas on how to catch Trudy, if she was guilty. “She’s not only focusing on you not having good domestic skills, she mentioned campus gossip about Parker and Harland. Maybe to keep attention off herself, especially after I called her on identifying the amount and type of poison.”
A worried expression crossed Aggie’s face. “You didn’t say the boys are in the clear?”
Doro shook her head. “I didn’t want to alert her. It’s better if she thinks we have several other suspects.”
“Good, because she might try to harm you, if she believes you’re on to her.”
“That’s possible but not probable. Since she mentioned a little poison not having long-term effects, Trudy might’ve only wanted to cause trouble for you. Doing something to me is more apt to create a problem for her. A big one.”
“In any case, we need to be extra vigilant. We’ve already decided not to eat anything stored in the kitchen downstairs,” Aggie warned. “I’m going to dump my other jam jars, in case she tinkered with them.”
“Let’s keep them in your place. When the test comes back, Ev and Wade may want all of them tested.”
“I hadn’t considered that,” Aggie murmured.
“You had the one in your basket, which indicated you were taking back. But she couldn’t know for sure you wouldn’t switch it out. Remember her advising you to dump all the jars?”
Aggie’s face went pale, leaving her freckles standing out in stark contrast. “There are only four left. Let’s get them now.”
After putting the remaining jars in Aggie’s apartment, the friends went to Mrs. Jones’ office, only to find the woman had driven into Toledo to pick up items for the dance on Saturday night. As they stepped back into the main corridor, Aggie looked at her watch.
“I should go to my office for a couple of hours.”
“And I want to report to the library early, so I can leave before three o’clock and get to Wade’s house about the time he and Ev do.”
“I’ll come by shortly after two-thirty.”
Doro rushed to get to work on time. Because her desk was piled high with paperwork, she sat down and sorted through it. Concentrating proved difficult, as her mind kept straying to the case.
Floyd Quartine agreed to Doro taking a few hours off, so, when Aggie came to the library at quarter before three, the two young women made their way to Wade’s house. They barely got off campus when her friend addressed Doro. “You don’t think it’s inappropriate for us to be in the house with two unmarried men, do you?” The question was barely out, when she chuckled. “Of course, you don’t.”
“I’m not completely lost to propriety, you know,” Doro said with a trace of asperity. “Wade’s mother wants us to help, and Doc seemed all right with us checking on them. We won’t stay long, if that eases your mind.”
“I suppose it’s fine,” Aggie said.
“Before we get there, did you hear anything else worthwhile?” Doro asked.
“Not really. Just speculation.”
“Since Mrs. Jones is working late, due to being away for a while, we can stop at her office later. I’d like to see the purchase orders from the science department. Doc mentioned plants being toxic, and Trudy’s growing some for the botany classes. Maybe she made the leaves, or berries, or stems, or whatever into a paste or liquid. She is a science professor.”
A chuckle emanated from Aggie. “It’s clear you aren’t. I’m not, either, but I feel pretty sure whatever isn’t toxic.”
Doro rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“I know.” Aggie’s expression grew somber. “If Trudy ordered toxic plants, she might’ve been planning ahead, which is awful.”
“Or she had them for classes and got the idea when she discovered you were in the baking contest. That seems more likely.” Doro chewed on her lower lip. “Contestants were announced almost a month ago. If she ordered arsenic and paraffin about that time, we’d have some powerful evidence.”
“We would, along with other bits and pieces,” Aggie agreed.
Within a few minutes, the two friends were on the front porch of Wade’s white frame two-story cottage. A knock at the door brought him within moments.
“Ma said you two would check on us,” the constable said as he let them in. Stubble lined his face, but he was dressed in pants, a shirt, and shoes. “Come on. Ev and I are sitting in the parlor.”
Ev heaved himself to his feet as soon as the women entered the room, but he wobbled enough that he braced one hand on the chair arm.
“Sit down,” Doro said without forethought. “Both of you.” Although dressed similarly to Wade, Ev looked worse. Not only did multiple days’ growth of beard obscure his square jaw, his eyes remained heavily shadowed and red-rimmed. Why had Doc released this pair? Due to their insistence? Doro would not be surprised.
“Ma left some food for us, but she said you two would be over and heat it up,” Wade said. “It’s just soup and bread she made.”
“I can do that,” Aggie said. “Why don’t you sit at the table while I fix a light meal?”
“Sounds fine,” Wade agreed.
After Wade followed Aggie into his kitchen, Doro sat across from Ev, who finally collapsed into his chair. Anxiety constricted her insides as she studied his countenance. “Maybe you should’ve stayed at Doc’s place another day or two.” Or more.
His dark lashes fluttered down before opening again. Ev shook his head, as if trying to fend off fatigue or clear his mind. “If you’ll give me a ride after supper, I’ll be fine at my apartment.”
The urge to chastise him for being foolish hit Doro hard, and she took a deep breath to rein it in. “I doubt if you can climb a flight of stairs when you can barely stand up.” Getting to his garage attic apartment would be a sore trial.
Color seeped into his face as his gaze skittered to a point past her. “I can manage.”
The protest came from bravado, not honesty, but Doro’s intention was not to shame him. She wanted Ev hale and hardy as soon as possible. Seeing him laid low had evoked deep-seated anxiety and something more, something she did not stop to examine. “You don’t need to manage on your own. Wade invited you to stay here, and Doc released you based on that.”
Ev’s head fell back against the chair, and his eyes again closed. Every line of his body radiated frustration and fatigue in equal measure. “We need to find out who tainted the jam. I don’t like Aggie being under suspicion, and neither does Wade. Or Colleen being scrutinized.”
His vexation, a palpable force, resonated inside Doro. “You’ll be back to normal soon. If you follow Doc’s orders. If not, you may prolong the problem. You don’t want that.”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t. I hate being incapacitated.”
Doro thought back to the previous October when Ev, still working his old job as a Prohibition agent, had been shot in the thigh. Despite the wound, he had insisted on investigating a campus murder, even though he had not officially started as the Michaw College security officer. “I know. You revealed that when you were limping around last fall instead of resting your leg.”
His lips flattened. “The former president put pressure on me, and I wanted to get off to a good start here.”
“You hadn’t officially left the Prohibition Bureau,” she pointed out.
“No, but it all turned out fine. We caught the killer, and I kept my new job.”
“Two new jobs,” she added.
One of his shoulders rose and fell. “Being a deputy constable doesn’t add much work, and Wade needs help at times. Like now. Unfortunately, neither of us is able to do a lot, and it annoys me not to be out investigating.”
Since his frustration was back full-force, Doro pointed out a fact. “Your ideas have helped us put the situation into perspective. That’s really important.”
For a long moment, he studied her face. “Wade believes the two of you aren’t digging deeply into the case. He thinks you’re just discussing ideas and doing a cursory investigation.”
The statements hung heavily in the air between them for several seconds. His insights were not surprising, but they were alarming. Doro refused to reveal all her suspicions until Ev was stronger. Poisoning was serious. Although he was no longer at death’s doorstep, he was far from well. “I suppose the two of you kept discussing the case when you should’ve been resting.” The comment did not answer his implicit query, but she had no intention of doing that. Even the tiniest tidbit would evoke more questions.
A scowl formed on his handsome face. “Of course, we did. We’re lawmen, and it’s our responsibility to solve the crime. Something we haven’t even started. Now that we’re on our feet, we have to investigate.”
She did not point out that he could barely stay on his feet. As Doro studied Ev, she searched her mind for something to say that would help. When he did not speak or move, Doro tried again. “It’s a temporary situation. In a few more days, you’ll be back to normal and on your own. For now, both you and Wade require rest and help. The two of you are no longer bed-ridden, but you’re not ready to go out and investigate. That’s why you need to stay here, not in your own place. How would you manage?” Doro hoped Ev would respond to the immediate issue of the two lawmen still being out of commission instead of prying into exactly what she and Aggie planned to do.
After a long moment, Ev met her gaze. Although exasperation still shone in his silver eyes, resignation joined it. “You’re right. Doc lectured us about not doing too much, too soon.” A rueful grin tugged at one corner of his mouth. “He doesn’t want to see us back in his patient rooms because we didn’t listen to him. His words.”
Relief filled Doro, and she smiled in return. “I’m sure he doesn’t. Neither do Aggie and I.” She bit her lower lip. “It has to be hard for both of you to be laid low.”
“It’s tough. I’ve hardly done a thing for myself since the baking contest. I can’t even shave.” A harsh exhalation left him as Ev ran one hand over his stubbled jaw. “I’m afraid to look in a mirror.”
Doro had to hold her tongue not to say he was still too attractive for her peace of mind. She and Ev were friends, good friends, but they would be nothing more. How could they when marrying would end her dreams of being head librarian? “Shaving isn’t important. Regaining your health is. A few more days of rest won’t make a big difference in pursuing justice, because it’s unlikely the perpetrator will go after anyone else or try to commit murder.”
His gaze narrowed on her. “What have you uncovered?”
While Doro inwardly chastised herself for the slip of the tongue, she weighed how to proceed. Luckily, Aggie’s appearance offered a delay.
“Supper is ready, and we’re going to eat in the kitchen,” her friend said.
“Great.” Doro jumped to her feet and headed to the other room because she wanted to avoid more queries from Ev. Not that he wouldn’t pose them at the table, but she needed time—and Aggie’s support—to consider her responses.
Wade, already seated, gestured to the chair next to him. “Sit down, Ev.”
After waiting for Doro to take a chair, Ev did, too.
“Your mother said Doc Silven advised bland foods for a while longer,” Aggie, an expression of concern on her face, observed.
A smile tugged at one corner of Wade’s ample mouth as he stood and held a chair for Aggie. “Truth be told, I couldn’t face anything too heavy or spicy yet.”
Doro could not help noticing Ev failed to admit such weakness, which was typical. Once again, she was reminded of how solitary his life was. What if he had succumbed to the arsenic? Would she have been the one to contact his sister? A shiver rippled through her at the idea.
“Doro, are you cold?” Aggie asked.
Immediately, Doro strove for a casual expression. “Not really, but a hot meal will taste good.”
“It sure will. Chicken noodle soup is heartier than bowls of broth and cups of tea,” Wade said as he smiled at Aggie, who placed a bowl in front of him.
“Start with that,” she said with a smile. “If you’re still hungry, there’s plenty more.”
After a quick nod, Wade picked up his spoon. Meanwhile, when Ev reached for the plate of bread, which Aggie had sliced. She hesitated for a heartbeat before passing it to him. Doro noted her friend hung on to one end of the plate. “Just take however many pieces you want,” Aggie suggested with a benign smile.
Relief filled Doro, who feared Ev remained too weak to hold the platter.
“Thanks,” Ev said before taking one slice.
Doro followed suit, and Aggie served herself. Once they all had food, the group ate. Within moments, Doro felt some of the tension seep away. Perhaps, they could bypass a further discussion of the case until another day.
All too soon, Wade laid his spoon aside. “It’s a wonderful meal, but my appetite isn’t as good as I thought.” He glanced at Aggie. “You knew I couldn’t eat much.”
One of her shoulders lifted and fell. “Doc warned about the two of you needing to build up slowly to a regular diet and normal portions.”
Although Ev had not consumed as much as Wade, he also laid his utensils down. “I hate to admit he’s right.”
For a moment, Doro studied his expression. “So, you’ll stay here for a few days and take it easy, like Doc ordered.” She put a slight emphasis on the last word.
“Both of you,” Aggie added, her attention on Wade.
The constable grinned. “Yep. Doc and Mrs. Silven took great care of us, but I don’t want to go back anytime soon.”
“Or ever,” Ev muttered. After a moment, he glanced around the table. “He didn’t say we couldn’t discuss the case more. I don’t have to remind you about Wade and me being lawmen.” But he was reminding them. All four of them, and most especially Doro, since his attention riveted on her.
When a potent silence filled the room, Doro glanced at Aggie, who looked as guilty as she felt. They had extended their investigation beyond the parameters set by the men, but they had not gone too far afield. At least not in her opinion.
“We can’t chase down leads or suspects,” Wade said in a benign tone. “We just want to know what you two know. Maybe a discussion among the four of us will move the investigation forward.”
Again, a period of quiet ensued before Aggie, concern shadowing her face, focused on Wade. “We told you about the various suspects. Since we last spoke, we got additional information.” After sharing the news about Parker and Harland leaving the tent well before the jam might have been poisoned, she said, “That clears them.”
“It does,” Wade agreed. “Any other progress?”
Doro took up the response by reporting on Lila before making a final observation. “The timeframe is too narrow for her to get back to the tent and taint the jam before people started returning from the park. In addition, she took a hot meal for the auction, which meant she had to be home cooking for a time.”
Ev focused on Doro. “Let’s get corroboration, but Miss Billings is way down my list now. That means we’ve got Betty Stanley and Professor Carstairs.”
“And you’re sure the Fultons should be off the list, too?” Doro asked.
Wariness put gray clouds in Ev’s eyes. “Why is this coming up again? Have you been asking about them? Or talking to them?”
“No,” Doro replied.
His gaze narrowed. “Why do I not believe you?”
The skepticism annoyed Doro, who laid down her fork. “We didn’t go around inquiring about the Fultons, and we definitely didn’t confront them. Why is that so hard to believe?”
A snort of laughter escaped Ev. “Because I’ve gotten to know you over the past eight months, and you love to pursue your hunches.”
“You can’t deny that,” Wade added with a chuckle.
“No, you can’t,” Aggie said.”
A look of triumph crossed Ev’s face. “See. We all agree you’re inquisitive, sometimes too much for your own good.”
Doro shot her friend a quelling glare. “I didn’t ask until someone shared information with us,” she said in a stiff, stilted tone.
“That’s true,” Aggie agreed.
“Who told you about them, and what was said?” Ev asked.
After glancing at Aggie, who gave a slight nod, Doro responded. “Wade’s mother mentioned having concerns.”
Wade sat up straighter. “What did she say?”
Aggie shifted to face him. “That she’d told you about Mrs. Otten’s worries concerning the Fultons, but you said to forget about them.”
Silence echoed in the room. Doro looked from Wade to Ev. “Neither of you has anything to say about that? I assume you discussed what Mrs. Lammers and Mrs. Otten talked about.” The men failed to meet her gaze.
“The four of us discussed them as possible poisoners,” Aggie said. “You two let Doro and me believe there wasn’t sound evidence of their involvement in rumrunning.”
Wade slumped back in his chair. “Gossip about the Fultons died down over the past few months, and I wanted to keep it that way.”
“Your mother and Mrs. Otten talked at Christmastime,” Aggie pointed out. “You must’ve been told soon after.”
The constable ran one hand over his face. “I was.”
When Wade did not continue, Ev jumped in. “When he told me, I said we should keep it to ourselves. And I didn’t say there was no evidence at all.”
Doro ignored his last comment and focused on the first. “Because you didn’t want me finding out.”
Ev picked up his spoon but didn’t continue eating. “You’re an intelligent person, so you know bootleggers can be dangerous.”
“I do,” Doro agreed, “so I wouldn’t take chances.”
A look of incredulity shadowed Ev’s features. “You wouldn’t have poked around to learn more about the Fultons?”
“I would’ve observed but not inquired,” Doro replied, although she might have asked a few questions around town. Ev need not hear such an admission.
He shook his head. “In any case, I’m to blame for Wade not saying anything about his mother’s concerns. We haven’t dismissed them, but if I thought there was a bootlegging run coming near here soon, I’d say so.” Ev inhaled and exhaled sharply. “My old boss would alert me if there was a possibility. No one wants innocent folks to run afoul of rumrunners, so Wade and I need to know what might happen.”
For a long moment, Doro studied him. “You’re confident that nothing is.” It was a question and a statement.
“I’m confident nothing is going on in the immediate future,” Ev replied. “I can’t say it never will.”
The response made Doro sit up straighter. “So, you think the Fultons are involved in the illicit liquor trade?”
With one hand, Ev rubbed his forehead. “That’s quite likely,” he admitted before hesitating for a moment. “There will be signs if a run is coming near here, and they’re involved.”
“What kind of signs?” Doro asked.
Ev shook his head as a rueful smile formed on his face. “If I tell you, you’ll be on the lookout, which could get you into trouble. Suffice it to say, I’m on alert for them.”
Disappointment hurtled through Doro, but she let the subject drop. Their present concern was identifying the poisoner. Later, she could learn more about the Fultons. “So, we’ll take them off the list,” she said.
After the group agreed, Aggie turned to Wade. “We haven’t learned much about what caused Mr. Stanley’s death. I wasn’t here when it happened.”
“My first wife was ill at the time and passed only weeks later, so I had my hands full,” the constable said.
Doro noted he used the term first wife, which indicated he was considering a second. Had Aggie noticed? If so, her friend made no sign. “Betty isn’t originally from Michaw,” Doro said.
“She came here shortly after her marriage,” Wade said. “I didn’t know her well, but Betty brought meals to us often, following Margie’s passing. Her son Mathias and my Davey are the same age,” Wade replied.
“She looks to be close to forty,” Doro said.
“About that,” Wade agreed.
“So, she was older than her husband,” Ev observed.
“I hadn’t thought about it, but probably so. He met her during his law school days,” Wade said.
“Was she married before?” Aggie made the query.
“No,” Wade replied. “Betty taught school in the city. She thought about going back to it after Mr. Stanley passed. She spoke with the principal recently, because money is a concern for her.”
The information prodded Doro to put forth another question. “What did she teach?”
“I don’t know.” Wade paused a moment. “Why so many questions about Betty?”
“Just wondering, since she’s still a suspect,” Doro replied.
“What about that woman professor?” Ev asked. “Any more from or about her?”
After exchanging a long look with Aggie, Doro revealed what she saw as Trudy’s slip-ups and ended by saying, “It bothers me.”
“She’s a concern to me, too,” Wade agreed. “For one, I don’t like her attitude.”
Aggie patted his hand. “She’s outspoken with everyone, but it’s hard to believe she’d taint my jam. Maybe I don’t want to believe it.”
“I don’t, either,” Doro put in, “but the circumstantial evidence gives me pause.”
“Me, too,” Ev said. “As a science teacher, she’d know how much arsenic would sicken but not kill. The fact that she could also reseal the jam jar with paraffin is another clue against her. Is paraffin used in the science lab?”
“It wasn’t when we were students,” Doro replied. Then, she revealed Trudy’s ability to order and store supplies, as well as her tending plants for classes.
“Interesting,” Wade said.
“It sure is,” Ev added. “Can you find out what she’s ordered recently?”
“Department chairmen approve supply orders, but the records go to the president’s office before payments are made,” Doro replied. “I’m not sure if we could get the paperwork or not.” She didn’t say she planned to try, because Ev might object to her methods. Better to present information after the fact than to reveal her strategy now.
Wade ran one hand over his face. “Unless we have more evidence against her, we can’t get the information. President Adams is a good man, far better than his short-term predecessor, but he won’t like us implicating a professor without sound reasons.”
Ev shifted to face Doro. “Do the two of them get along?”
“Pretty well,” Doro said. “President Adams fought for Trudy to be hired and to get tenure.”
A harsh sigh escaped Ev. “Then, let’s not approach him until we know more.”
Not wanting to alert the men to her plan to ask Mrs. Jones, Doro presented a suggestion. “Arsenic is being discussed as the cause of your illness. From what Professor Hollingsworth told me, mercury wouldn’t be easy to hide in jam.”
“I wonder about toxic plants,” Ev said. “I’m sure there are many.”
“Unfortunately, that seems to be true,” Doro agreed. “When I spoke with Professor Hollingsworth, she gave little information, so I don’t know what Trudy is growing. At this time of year, the plants would have to be inside.” She paused for a moment before mentioning Gladys and the flowers. “Ev, you saw Professor Hollingsworth bring a basket. How long did she stay?”
Ev’s gaze skittered away. “I saw her leaving when we came in for the cakewalk.”
“Around nine-fifteen?” Doro asked.
He nodded. “She stayed almost an hour. Why?”
“Gladys wouldn’t have stayed away so long if she knew Trudy was coming to Wheaton Hall,” Doro replied.
“No, she would’ve been there,” Aggie agreed, “although she’s known for being tardy.”
“So, that’s not the final clue,” Ev said.
“No, but it’s another one to add,” Doro replied. "The test results will be, too. When does Doc expect results?” Doro asked.
Ev’s gaze narrowed on her. “You’re giving up on seeing the invoices right away?”
Drat the man. He was far too perceptive. With effort, Doro maintained a calm demeanor. “Wade wants to wait,” she replied before going back to her query. “I hope we won’t have to wait on the test, though.” She turned to the constable and repeated her query. “Do you know?”
“The deputy told us they’d have the jam tested today,” Wade replied. “We could hear any time.”
Doro sat up straighter. “Will the sheriff’s office call you?”
Wade nodded. “That’s the plan.”
Although she wanted to find out more about Trudy’s involvement, Doro also yearned to get details about the test. A quick glance at her watch showed the time to be quarter to five. Mrs. Jones might be back. Would the secretary let Doro look at invoices? “Aggie and I can wash the dishes while you two rest,” Doro suggested.
Wade immediately agreed while Ev, who looked skeptical, followed suit after a moment.
When the two young women were alone in the kitchen, Aggie turned to Doro. “You want to hear about the test, and I do, too. Are you planning to call Mrs. Jones again?”
“You’re reading my mind.”
The ringing of the telephone interrupted. Since it was in an alcove off the front hall, Doro and Aggie hurried to the parlor. Wade’s side of the conversation revealed little, except the caller’s identity. The county sheriff was on the other end of the line. After returning the earpiece to the cradle, the constable shared the news.
“As Doc figured, the substance in the jam is arsenic, maybe in the form of rat poison. In terms of the amount, there wasn’t enough to be fatal.” Wade joined Aggie on the sofa, while Doro took the chair across from Ev.
“Not even if it was ingested over time?” Aggie asked.
“Especially not then,” Wade replied. “We would’ve gotten sick, but not deathly ill.”
Ev braced his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands in front of him. “So, either Betty or Trudy could’ve done the deed.”
“That’s right,” Wade said. “We need to interview them as soon as we’re able and get those invoices. I called the college, and Adams is in Sylvania this afternoon. I’ll try his house tonight. Ev and I might go over to talk with him.”
Doro felt a stab of alarm and when she studied Aggie’s expression, she knew her friend had the same reaction. The men could hardly stand up. How would they question people and gather evidence? But they would not need to exert themselves if Doro and Aggie gathered the right evidence in short order.
“For now, you need to rest,” Aggie said, in a soft tone exuding concern.
As she got to her feet, Doro nodded. “Yes, you do.”
Ev shifted in his chair. “You’ve done a lot of work on the case. Wade and I will be able to take over soon, so you don’t need to do anything now. Except be careful. Narrowing the suspects down to two is important, but we don’t know which of them is guilty. Since we aren’t sure about the motive, either, caution is best.”
“Absolutely,” Wade agreed. “We’re both getting stronger quickly. By tomorrow, we can get back to work. Even later tonight, we might.”
“Let’s hope so,” Doro replied, but she did not comment on the case or that she and Aggie would keep investigating. Instead, she bid the men goodbye before the speculation darkening Ev’s gaze led to him asking more questions or issuing additional warnings.