were back in the passageway. “Before we go, let me make sure the door on this side is the way it was.”
“Good idea,” Doro replied. While Mallow climbed the steps, she waited at the bottom.
Before heading to the main tunnel, he paused. “I’d sure like to know how many people realize there’s a little passage from the president’s office to the tunnel.”
“Me, too,” Doro said. “I never heard anything about it. Winwood must know. Pottiger, too. The janitors come to the basement regularly, so they might.”
“And they might’ve told others.” Mallow released a long, low breath. “Mrs. Jones could be aware it’s here.”
Doro’s stomach clenched. “She wouldn’t kill anyone. Besides, she has an alibi witness because her neighbor dropped her at work shortly after seven o’clock.”
“I know. I spoke with the man, and he confirms those facts,” Mallow replied. “But I wasn’t fingering her as a suspect. I’m wondering if she has some idea of who else knows about the secret panel and has access to the president’s office.”
The explanation relieved Doro’s mind. “The janitors would, but they wouldn’t be around early in the morning. They come to work at noon and leave around nine in the evening. Besides, what motive would either one have?”
“None that Wade or I could find, and we checked to make sure they had alibis, which they do. I just want to cover all the bases. Maybe you could ask Mrs. Jones about anyone else who might have access. I’d do it if I wasn’t working my other job tonight.”
“I’ll be happy to ask her,” Doro replied.
“Great. Now, let’s get going.”
Ten minutes later, Doro and Mallow were inside the library. Getting out of the cramped, clammy tunnel made her breath more easily. Since only one light was left on overnight, the area laid in shadows. But it was a familiar area. “The back door is here.” Doro pointed to the right.
Mallow, who had gotten the flashlight from her in the tunnel, focused the beam in the same direction before surveying the entire space, which was narrow. “Do students and faculty enter this way?”
“No, it’s used for deliveries, mostly. Sometimes, boxes get put here. Like now.” Doro gestured toward three crates sitting against a wall. “The card catalogues are through that door.”
“I’d like to take another look.”
Doro led the way and pointed toward the catalogues. “Someone who came this way would’ve been close to where I found the body.”
“True.” The officer took a few steps before stopping again.
“If Professor Corlon was checking the catalogue, his back would’ve been to the tunnel door and to the circulation desk. He might not have even heard his attacker.” She turned toward Mallow. “Do you think the killer came in this back way?”
“It’s a possibility. Since there were puddles near the front door and back here, we know some person came in, or out, or both through the two places.” Mallow made a 360-degree turn. “Corlon could’ve come in the front. His attacker might’ve followed him and left out the back. Or the killer entered on this side and left on the other. It’s hard to know for sure without more witnesses or evidence. I want to speak with Coach Ayers in the morning. He might reveal something important.”
“As a witness or as a suspect?” Doro asked.
Mallow shrugged. “Not sure which yet.”
His answer provided food for thought. “I hadn’t considered the killer coming in the back and going out the front. Kitty and Pierce wouldn’t be able to do that. At least, not easily, since neither has a key. The same with Coach Ayers.”
“True, but any of them could have a lock pick.”
The statement surprised Doro. “I’ve read mysteries where one was used. Is that common in real life?”
Mallow shook his head. “Not common, but it happens. Ayers has locked himself out of the locker room on multiple occasions, so he may have one. Evidently, he’s lost his keys, and Winwood doesn’t want him to get another set.”
“Interesting,” Doro murmured. And troubling on two counts. For one, she liked the coach, but he was well-known for his hot temper, especially where his players’ eligibility was involved. For another, the president refusing to give Ayers another set of keys indicated hostility. Could he be trying to provoke the coach? If so, to what end?
“It’s definitely something to keep in mind. But so is the likelihood that Corlon and his killer argued. Like I said, clues point to the murder not being planned, so a lockpick being used isn’t at the top of my list of possibilities.”
Since Mallow had shared so much, Doro pursued a deeper examination of the evidence. The officer might balk, but he might open up even more. “You know Aggie and I talked to Stanley Gibling, and what he told us about seeing President Winwood. You didn’t comment much on that.” With the heel of one hand, he rubbed his temple. Doro wondered if he was fighting a headache, fatigue, or both.
Mallow took a deep breath before responding. “As you know, he said the same to Lammers and me, but I’m not sure I believe him on the time element. In any case, Winwood has claimed a reason for retracing his steps. He said his watch chain broke a few days ago and, when he pulled it out to check the time, he didn’t get the timepiece back in his pocket. With a loose chain, it fell to the ground.”
“And he found it.”
“He did,” Mallow said. “I’ve seen the watch and the chain, which is broken.”
“So, Winwood isn’t a suspect.” Doro couldn’t keep the disappointment from her voice.
“I wouldn’t go that far. After all, he could’ve broken the chain at any point and never lost his watch at all. Before I’d move him to the top of my list, I need more evidence. On the other hand, he isn’t in the clear, which is why I don’t want to turn lights on. He might be able to see that from his residence.”
Doro had thought the same thing, so she hadn’t balked at using only the flashlight.
“The hidden door and tunnel may be important, or not.” Mallow paused a heartbeat before saying, “It won’t come as a surprise to you that Professor Gibling is a top suspect.”
A sigh escaped Doro. “No, it’s not a surprise.” Should she reveal Stanley’s outburst and anger? Not yet. Surely, he wasn’t the killer. Doro posed another question designed to take a different direction. “What about your talk with Mrs. Jones? Did she mention Winwood unlocking the doors for her very early? Long before I saw him.”
He nodded. “She did, and so did he—even before I asked.”
“When I saw President Winwood at seven-thirty, he was on his way to his office. After I found Professor Corlon and called, Winwood was furious about me interfering with his planning for a meeting.”
“I’ve noted that.” Mallow moved toward the library’s back door. “I want to look around here a little more. Hold on to the flashlight while I move the crates.”
“They were in the same place yesterday morning,” Doro said, as she took the lamp.
“Even so, it won’t hurt to check things out.”
While Mallow shoved the crates away from the wall, Doro kept the beam on the area. When something shiny reflected back, she murmured, “I wonder what that could be.”
“Let’s find out.” Mallow crouched down and picked the item up. When he rose, the officer extended his hand.
Doro studied the object in his palm. “It’s a cufflink.”
“I don’t suppose it looks familiar to you.”
Uneasiness plagued Doro as she reached for the sterling silver jewelry. “There are initials on it.”
Mallow bent his head. “There are. In a very fancy script, which makes it hard to discern the letters.”
Doro stared at the inscription. “SPG. Stanley Palmer Gibling.”
“He’s the only one on campus with that monogram?” Mallow asked.
“Maybe not, but Aggie gave those to him last Christmas, when she figured he was going to propose. He never did, but at the time, I went into the city with her to pick them up.”
His sharp intake of breath echoed in the room. “You’re sure this is one of them?”
“Very sure,” Doro said, but she wished she wasn’t. For several moments, she struggled to regain her composure. Now, she had to reveal all of what Stanley had said a few hours earlier. After she finished, Doro ended with, “I should’ve told you, but despite his anger, I couldn’t believe Stanley would kill Corlon. Or anyone.”
A moment preceded Mallow’s response. “Understandable. He’s a colleague and your friend’s former beau.”
“Maybe so, but it’s important to the case, just like this cufflink is.” She chewed on her lip.
“I’m surprised the janitors didn’t find it when they cleaned Monday night,” Mallow put in.
“They were focusing on the public part of the library. This back area got spruced up before the semester started. It’s impossible to keep neat during the term.” She handed the cufflink back to Mallow.
“Does Professor Gibling have a key to the library?” he asked.
“No, he doesn’t.”
Mallow glanced around the small space again. “Does he ever come back here?”
The question made Doro pause. “He was here before classes started, because we ordered some books for him. Stanley had the janitors haul most of them to his office, but he took a couple of copies himself.”
“The term began about six weeks ago, didn’t it?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“Is it possible the cufflink wouldn’t be discovered in all that time?”
Doro stared into the corner. “These crates weren’t here then, but others were. Those were hauled off. Considering how far in the corner it was, I’m not surprised it wasn’t noticed.”
Mallow swung the flashlight around. “Gibling could’ve followed Corlon in the front door and left this way. If the two struggled, the clasp could’ve gotten caught on something and fallen off as Gibling ran out.”
Although Doro hated to consider that scenario, she had to be honest. “If Stanley was here, that seems most likely.”
“I’ll talk with him again, but it’ll have to be tomorrow.” After checking his wristwatch, Mallow went on. “I don’t have a lot of extra time. I’ll walk you back to your residence before I get on the road.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
His expression grew solemn. “There’s a killer on the loose. It’s dark, and many people know you’re digging into the case. Ease my mind by letting me escort you home.”
The reasoning left little room for complaint, so Doro led the way out of the library with the officer at her side. Normally, she enjoyed walking around the campus at any time of the day or night. The post lights, spaced at twenty-foot intervals, gave a warm glow, but shadows were on each side of the path. Deep shadows where a killer could hide. A shiver rippled through Doro.
“Are you cold?” Mallow asked.
Because she didn’t want to admit her anxiety, Doro hurried to agree. “A little, but we’re almost there.” When they reached Wheaton Hall, she turned to Mallow. “Before you leave, why don’t I try to call my friend, the one who lives near the Tensengs’ store? The connection shouldn’t take longer than thirty minutes.”
Mallow glanced at his watch again. “All right. I can wait that long.”
Doro went to the wall phone, lifted the earpiece, and waited for the operator to come on the line. After explaining her task, Doro hung up and glanced at Mallow. “She says to wait nearby for a few minutes. She may get through quickly. A couple of earlier calls to the city did.”
“All right,” he replied.
“Let’s sit on the bench.” Doro suggested that primarily because the officer looked ready to drop. How he could drive to town, take part in a raid, make arrests, and come back by morning, Doro didn’t know.
He nodded and crossed the wide hall to where an upholstered bench sat. A sigh left Mallow as he settled back and thrust his long legs out in front of him.
Before joining him, Doro made another recommendation. “There are usually cookies or cupcakes in the kitchen. During the day, they’re in the main reception room, but whatever’s left gets put away. Some milk is often in the icebox, too.”
“Sounds good,” he replied, “but don’t go to any trouble. I had a wonderful dinner, thanks to you and Miss Darwine. And Mrs. Fields.”
“It’s no trouble.” Doro hurried off and returned within moments. “Here you go.” She handed him a plate of cookies and a tall tumbler of milk. “I’m afraid it’s not as cool as it could be, because most of the ice has melted, so one of us will have to fetch some from the icehouse tomorrow. We were supposed to get electric refrigerators last year, but President Winwood nixed the idea.”
After expressing his thanks, the officer bit into a cookie and followed it with a slug of milk. “Very good,” he said with a smile. “There’s an electric refrigerator in the president’s house. I was there when he showed me the garage apartment. I had the impression the faculty residence buildings have them, too.”
Another wave of annoyance swept through Doro. “Madden Hall, where male faculty live, got electric appliances, as planned. Updates to the women’s areas are on hold.”
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. But wouldn’t men move in here if all women leave campus?”
“I’m sure they would,” Doro replied, “and I’m equally sure Winwood would immediately do modernization.” The ringing of the telephone interrupted, so she hopped up.
Mallow, another cookie and the glass in his hands, trailed after her. Doro breathed a sigh of relief when her friend came on the line. While she posed her questions and listened, Doro noted the officer watching her intently. As soon as she hung up, she would share additional details with him. Maybe important details. After saying goodbye, Doro turned to Mallow. “Alice says the Tenseng grocery is closed for several days, because Mrs. Tenseng’s mother died. She lives on a farm near here. As far as Kitty, Alice thinks she might’ve gone straight to her grandmother’s home. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know Mrs. Tenseng’s maiden name, but the homestead is outside Richfield Center.”
“We could place a call to the operator there. It’s a little village, isn’t it?”
Doro nodded. “Yes, so the operator is apt to know Mrs. Tenseng. Let me put in a call now.”
“Great.”
While Doro spoke with the local operator, Mallow went back to get another cookie from the plate he’d left on the bench. After hanging up, she joined him. “This connection is apt to take longer. While we’re waiting, why don’t I run upstairs and make coffee? I have a flask you can borrow, if you want to take some with you.”
For a moment, she thought he’d turn the offer down, but he nodded. “That sounds good.”
“I’ll be right back.”
When she returned, Doro had a mug and a flask. “Here you go.”
A bright smile lit his face. “I really appreciate this. I planned to stop for coffee on my way to work. This will give me a little more time, and I’d like to hear if Kitty and Pierce can be located. It won’t eliminate them as suspects, but at least we’ll know they didn’t run off to parts unknown.”
Doro would be relieved to have that possibility removed, too. Their sudden, unexplained disappearance made them look guilty. While they waited, she and Mallow chatted about casual matters. When the telephone rang twenty minutes later, Doro jumped up to answer. Mallow kept his attention on her, especially when she hung up.
“Well?” he asked.
“Kitty and Pierce arrived in Richfield Center yesterday around noon. The operator actually saw the pair getting out of his vehicle. They stopped at the general store for a few items, which is where the switchboard is. She also said the funeral is tomorrow morning at eleven. The kids will head back in the afternoon. Like most little villages, everyone knows a lot about everyone else.”
“Not a bad thing. I want to talk with them, but I’ll be here before they are.” He laid his empty mug on the tray and picked up the flask. “I appreciate this.”
“Of course,” she murmured. Doro cleared her throat. “I’ll discuss everything with Aggie tonight and get her opinion, and I’ll talk with Mrs. Jones tomorrow morning.”
His gaze lingered on her. “That’s fine, but be careful asking questions or even being out alone, especially after dark. If the killer knows you two are digging into the case, he might get nervous.” He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Even worse, you’ve been seen with me. I should’ve considered that earlier.”
The look of contrition on his face convinced Doro to offer reassurances. “Neither Aggie nor I will go out until tomorrow morning. After you leave, I’ll lock the front door behind you. The other women have keys, and the back door is already secured. I checked when I was in the kitchen.”
Mallow nodded. “Just to be safe, could you and Miss Darwine spend the night together? You said some of the women left campus, since classes are canceled. Being alone in an apartment with fewer people around…well, it might not be a good idea.”
Although Doro thought he was worrying needlessly, she agreed to his suggestion. “Aggie’s floor is still filled. I’d be the only one on mine tonight, so I’ll grab some things and head to her place.”
Relief took some of the tension from his face. “Great. When I get back to campus tomorrow, I’ll check with you and let you know if Constable Lammers will be on the case. We still don’t know how Miss Tenseng and young Dudley got word of her grandmother’s death. It’s bothersome she wasn’t at work, and he didn’t meet Gibling.”
Although those points nagged at the back of her mind, Doro aimed for a positive response. “They’ll undoubtedly explain when we talk with them.”
“I suppose so.” He slipped his cap on. “Have a good night, Miss Banyon.”
“You, too, Officer Mallow, and be careful.”
His expression was unreadable, but he nodded. “I will.”
After the door closed behind him, Doro slid the bolt into place but did not immediately turn around. Instead, she laid her palm against the smooth wood and murmured, “I hope you are, Officer Mallow, because I think you’re going to make a better campus security man than I figured at first.”