CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Even after two years, Nora still found the drop-off line at Greens Farms Academy intimidating. It was like a Range Rover convention, with the long line of Carpathian gray, Santorini matte black, or Belgravia green cars—hundred grand a pop—occasionally broken by a huge shiny black American SUV, which meant a hired car some families used to deliver their children to the small private school with the gorgeous view of the Long Island Sound. GFA offered a great education, and worked hard to attract low income students on scholarships, but Nora often wondered whether the motto, Quisque Pro Omnibus—“each for all”—meant that everyone got a fancy car.

“Love you, Mommy!” Sophie shouted as the school staff member at the head of the line opened the rear door of Nora’s rented Honda Accord.

“Love you, bug! Have a great day!”

“Have a lovely day,” the woman said in a British accent before gently closing the door.

Really from the UK or is that just a thing here? Nora didn’t have time to answer her own question because her cell rang. It was Abe.

“Hey, assistant,” Nora answered, “I’m just leaving GFA. Be to you in ten. What’s up?”

Abe was whispering. “You should know people here are talking about you. And it’s not good.”

“Say more,” Nora answered quietly. “Who’s saying what?”

“Well, everyone, near as I can tell, is talking about Helen being found in your canoe and her blood being found on your car. You’re the prime suspect, is the word.”

“How . . .” Nora began, but she stopped.

“You there?” Abe asked.

“Yeah, just thinking. That son of a bitch Louis must’ve told people. David and Marcus are the only other people who knew those two facts and they wouldn’t talk about it. And I thought the one thing we weren’t supposed to do at this place was gossip about shit like this.”

“Yup,” Abe said. “But I heard it in the break room, at the gym, and two guys from trading were talking about it while playing Ping-Pong in the lounge. Like high school, for God’s sake, except Mr. High-and-Mighty would probably say he’s just being transparent.”

“Okay, thanks for the heads-up. See you in a few.”

“Hey Nora?” Abe asked. “You gonna be okay?”

Nora exhaled. “I sure hope so, Abe. One thing’s for sure: I didn’t kill Helen, but the way things are going I’m gonna have to figure out who did—before I get arrested or I lose my job.”

“I know you didn’t. Anything you need, I’m here. See you soon.”

By the time she had driven the four miles to Saugatuck, Nora was hot. She walked quickly to her office, closed the door, and dropped her bag on the desk. She wasn’t going to talk to him in his office because he might tape her, so she looked directly at the wall and shouted. “Louis! Please come in here, now!”

In about ten seconds her door opened and a surprised looking Louis Lambert appeared, in his usual tucked-in flannel shirt and belted blue jeans.

“Yes, Nora, what is it?”

“Please come in, and shut the door.”

She paused and touched a hand to her mouth, then dropped the hand and looked at Lambert. “I only need you to listen. It’s a firing offense to gossip at Saugatuck, an offense made worse when the information is confidential and obtained in the course of employment. If I can prove you have done that by spreading malicious gossip about me, I’ll burn you to the ground. Am I clear?”

He looked almost hurt, but his answer came out in a Saugatuck-style monotone. “Yes, you are, but may I ask you a clarifying question?”

“Of course,” Nora answered.

“If it is true that Helen was found in your canoe and that her blood was found on your car, how can saying that be inconsistent with our values? People are saying what is true, as I understand it.”

“I don’t blame those people,” Nora said.

“Well, I suppose that will be a relief to them.”

She couldn’t tell from his tone whether he meant to be sarcastic. She pointed at him. “I blame you. I know you fucking told people. I know you are spreading information to make me look bad. You’ve wanted to get me since the moment I set foot in this place.”

Louis didn’t respond. After two beats, he simply turned and left the office, quietly pulling the door closed as he left.

Dick, Helen would have said. At least he didn’t lie, Nora thought. Seconds later, there was a quiet knock on the door. Maybe he’s come back to offer transparency about what a prick he is.

“Come in,” Nora said angrily.

The door moved slowly, guided by two slender hands gripping the moving edge. The pleasant face of Tracey Stein, Helen’s assistant, came into view. She was squinting and moving cautiously.

“Nora?”

Nora moved toward her. “Oh Tracey. Come in, come in.”

Nora extended a hand and guided Tracey to a chair in front of the desk. She pulled the other guest chair close and sat next to her.

“What is it, Tracey? You should have called and I would have come to you.”

“No, no,” Tracey said, “I wanted to talk privately.”

Nora looked at the wall to Lambert’s office. “Okay, but we need to keep our voices down because these walls are so thin. What is it?”

“First of all,” Tracey said quietly, “I don’t believe you would ever hurt Helen. She thought the world of you and I know what you thought of her. I’ve heard what they’re saying this morning and I know someone else did it.”

Nora sighed and leaned back in her chair. “Thank you for that.”

Tracey was speaking in a barely audible whisper now. “I know there are people here at Saugatuck who really didn’t like Helen. And I know there were things about some of those people that Helen really didn’t like.”

“Why do you say that?” Nora whispered. “Did Helen tell you that?”

“No, no,” Tracey answered, “because of the files.”

“What files?”

“I think I mentioned them last Monday. Helen kept personal files with things she learned about people here. She told me they were confidential and sensitive and it was important to protect them. She said they didn’t belong to Saugatuck, that they were hers. It was all hard copies—nothing electronic—and she kept them in a locked drawer in her credenza, where she also had her workout stuff and a change of clothes. She kept that key taped to the underside of her middle desk drawer.”

Nora wasn’t sure what to say. “What was in them, do you know?”

Tracey shook her head. “I don’t. I never looked. And not because of my sight. I can actually read text if I hold it very close, or I could have used the magnifier, but I didn’t, because Helen said they were private and her personal property.”

“And where are they now?”

“Monday when we all learned about Helen, I put them in my backpack and took them with me when one of the drivers took me home. You know Rob and Helen got the company to pay for my transportation to and from work, every day. Anyway, I took Helen’s files to my place. And they’re still there.”

Nora paused and exhaled before whispering, “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I think she would want you to have them. Especially given what people are saying about you. I know you didn’t kill her. Helen knows. I can feel her. You wouldn’t, you couldn’t. Maybe there’s something in those files to help you figure out who really did.”

Tracey paused before adding, “And to be honest, I’m telling you because Rob said I should. I went to him first about the files. He said he wanted no part of them, but that I should definitely tell you. So this is me doing that.”

“Okay Tracey,” Nora said, “I’m really glad you did. I’ve got a few things to finish up here, then maybe we could go to your place so I can get them?”

“Sure,” Tracey replied. “Just come by my cubicle when you’re ready.”