Later that afternoon Olivia had a few minutes before meeting up with Anais. On her way to the auditorium, she spotted the grands, who spoke animatedly to the very person she wanted to talk to.
Rather than join them, she ducked aside to keep out of sight, wanting to observe the three in line. She focused on Anais, checking for any clues in her behavior.
What would guilt look like on a seventeen-year-old girl?
Anais didn't pay attention to her grandparents. Instead she looked down at her feet, lifting one boot then the other, seeming to admire them. By keeping silent and disinterested, she deflected all efforts from her grandparents to engage in conversation.
Anais looks like a normal teen to me. I'm just like her. If it weren't for Janis's assignment I'd be by myself on the back deck looking at the woods, perfectly content to be on my own.
Maybe if I go around the side of the building I can slip in the back door and grab some cold bubbly water. Ol' blue eyes won’t mind, so long as I stay out of his way.
As nonchalantly as possible, Olivia slowly circled to the left, taking a page from Anais's playbook. She stared at her feet, walking with slow deliberate steps, until she was out of earshot.
The gentle sway of leaves in the grove caught her attention. Kicking the toe of her boot into a pile of decomposing leaves brought the ever-present odor of pine up to her nose. She sniffed and sneezed, then inhaled deeply.
Pausing a few moments to appreciate the quiet, she circled back, arriving at the back door of the kitchen uninterrupted. She ducked into the back door and stopped at the threshold.
"Sit pretty, Mayor," came Cookie's voice.
Mayor Maguire stood on his back legs in front of Cookie, eyeing a piece of meat in his hand.
"Good doggie. Okay!" Cookie gave the universal release command of dog trainers. Mayor Maguire leapt from his pose to snatch the meat right out of his hand.
Cookie likes the mayor.
Olivia smiled at them. Cookie came right over. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked.
She retied her hair into an informal ponytail and then spoke. "I'd like to walk in the front entrance, but I'm so tired of making small talk. If you point me in the right direction, I'll find a bottle of sparkling water on my own and then get out of your way."
"Do you want lemon or lime with that?" he asked with a grin.
"Lemon would be wonderful," she said. She watched him open the industrial-sized refrigerator and pull out a sparkling water. He poured it into a glass and then reached for a lemon stored on the carving island. With three quick slices he created wedges, one of which he slipped over the edge of her glass. "Here you go," he said, handing the glass to Olivia.
"Thank you so much," she replied, squeezing lemon juice into the water and taking a quick sip, appreciating the cool water sliding down her parched throat.
Cookie watched her with a smile. "You're pretty thirsty. It's hot in these parts. Don't forget to hydrate."
The aftertaste of lemon tingled her lips as Olivia took another drink. She finished the entire contents of the glass. "When I drink water my thoughts clear up," she commented. "Ever happen to you?"
Cookie laughed. "Not with water, it doesn't. I have had some pretty big insights over a neat glass of Scotch though."
"I remember that feeling," she told him. "Scotch was my drink of choice a few years ago. But now I stick to water with bubbles." She placed the glass on the counter, watching Cookie.
"I understand," he said softly. "A lot of guys I served with in Afghanistan are the same. Clean and sober, water only."
"Are you enjoying parent weekend?" she asked, adroitly changing the subject.
"Twice as much food to prepare, but not a problem. I have lots of help in the kitchen and with serving. Plus I've been fending off complaints with a certain amount of…if I say so myself…finesse." He pretended to polish the nails of his right hand on his immaculate white apron. "How about this? I'll put several bottles of cold sparkling water into an ice chest and I'll send Brad up to your room to deliver them. He should be about done at the front door."
"Oh, that would be wonderful," Olivia said, smiling. "I can't thank you enough."
"Do you want any food with that?" asked Cookie. "Any food preferences or allergies I should know about?"
"I am an omnivore, full-on dairy-product-consuming, embrace-the-sugar kind of woman," announced Olivia with pride. "But I do appreciate how you take all of the food requirements of every person into consideration."
"It's part of my job," he commented, pointing toward the pantry in the back. "If my food safety isn’t enough, I keep medications for the students in the back, just in case someone needs an antacid or something to soothe their stomachs. Everything's checked with the nurse, of course. That makes the parents very happy." Cookie nodded.
"Thanks for the offer of extra water. I would appreciate a small cooler in my room. Hopefully I can return home in a couple more days."
"Jets mentioned that to me, how she's holding people in place until they can decide if Dave's death was an accident or deliberate."
Sensing that Cookie might connect her with Janis's investigation, Olivia quickly interjected. "I'm just here for the kids. Sage wanted me to step in. The old resident advisor left last week before Dave died. She needed a temp until they vetted another person."
"I see," said Cookie, staring her straight in the eye.
I don't think he believes a word I'm saying. I wonder if he'll report back to Simon Court.
"I better go now," Olivia hastily added. "I want to put together a set list for tomorrow's recital."
"Your water should arrive within the hour. See you later, Olivia."
By the time Olivia reached her room, exhaustion had traveled from her head to her shoulders and back. Stretching out on her narrow bed, she tightened her shoulders and released them, repeating the same pattern with her chest, back, then legs and feet. Tense, hold, then release. After scanning her entire body she inhaled and then exhaled three times, when a knock at the door disrupted her concentration.
It must be Brad. I almost forgot about him.
She stood, stepping over to open the door, revealing Brad holding a small cooler.
"Here's your water," he said with his usual lazy smile.
Olivia reached for the cooler, gesturing for Brad to enter the room. She gasped as someone else followed him into her room.
"Cayenne!" she cried. Setting the cooler at her feet, Olivia reached up to hug her tall friend.
"It's wonderful to see you," Olivia added, dropping her arms.
Brad laughed, spinning the desk chair around to sit down. "I called her and she came right away," he explained.
"Why did you call Cay? Not that I mind." She turned back to smile at Cay, who seated herself on the edge of the bed.
"I saw you doing that weird thing in the woods—you know, skittering toward the cafeteria and then changing your mind…and then you thought no one could see you and you walked to the back entrance? Anyway that looked suspicious to me, so I called Cay. I knew she'd talk to you woman to woman." Brad grinned as if he'd figured out a really difficult math problem even though no one thought he could.
Olivia sat on the bed, bringing her legs up to her chest as she propped her back against the wall.
"Anyone like a water?" she asked.
"I'll take one," Cayenne said. Then she stood and walked to the window. Since she didn't say any more, Olivia turned to Brad.
"So how are things going with parent weekend?" she asked him.
He frowned. "Okay except for Dave." Brad glanced over to Cayenne, who continued to look out the window, her hands clasped behind her back.
"Were you and Dave friends?" asked Olivia. "I didn't realize."
"I knew him from high school," explained Brad. "Everyone who lived in Lily Rock was bused down and we'd sit next to each other on the ride. I knew him before he played drums, if you can believe it."
"Then do you know his wife?"
"Linnea? Sure, I know her. I haven't talked to her for a while though, and now it's just too hard." Brad's face softened.
"It's very hard to talk about death," admitted Olivia.
Cayenne turned abruptly from the window. "Death is the only important topic to discuss. Everything else has little to no significance."
Not knowing what to do with Cayenne's assessment, Olivia nodded. Before she could comment, Brad spoke.
"So let me tell you about my last conversation with Dave. He was worried, you know." Brad's voice grew insistent.
"About the baby?" Olivia asked.
"Not the baby, about his job of tutoring and teaching test taking."
"He didn't say a lot about the tutoring gig to me," Olivia admitted.
"That's just it, tutoring wasn't his whole job, at least as he explained it," Brad said. "Dave was prepping the students for their college admission tests. And get this, he wasn't just prepping the kids. He took the tests for them."
Olivia pushed her back harder against the wall, feeling her gut clench. She glared at Brad. "What do you mean he 'took' the tests?"
"Abbey's dad would pay for plane tickets and he'd go to other parts of the country where he'd pretend to proctor the students. Each student took the test in a different location, prearranged by that Court guy. Parents took the kids to Dave and then he'd watch the kids mark the answer sheets, making sure they used a certain number two pencil. Afterward he'd mark another test himself with the same pencil, putting in enough correct answers, forge their signature, and turn it in as their work. A guaranteed high if not perfect score."
Olivia stared at Brad, momentarily shocked.
What a diabolical plan. No wonder Dave was so upset. I wonder if his conscience finally got to him—a motive for suicide, if that's actually what happened.
"So tell me, what are those parents thinking, using their money to subvert the system and get their kids admitted into college? I feel sorry for the regular students who play by the rules." Olivia couldn't keep the indignation from her voice.
"College isn't like that anymore," said Brad. "According to Dave, as long as you have the money, anything goes."
"I have trouble believing things have gone that far." Olivia shook her head.
She glanced at Cayenne, who stood quietly in the corner, her hands still clasped behind her back.
Is she planning on joining this conversation?
"I had an idea I wanted to run past you…" This time Olivia spoke directly to Brad. "Let's take up a special collection for Linnea and the baby at the student recital tomorrow. The parents can afford to donate. And then maybe you could deliver the money to her since you’re old friends from school."
"I would do that for sure," Brad said with a nod. "Just don't forget, you always think the best of people. The parents may not like it when we ask for money. All they care about is getting their kids into college. Anything that distracts from study, exams, and practice for their next competition is considered unnecessary."
"They're parents. They have the best interest of their children at heart. Surely they want the town and the teachers to support the students as we all process this death."
Brad's eyes narrowed. Then his face relaxed. "I think it's a good idea. Count me in. I'm just hoping you're right."
Olivia nodded and then turned to Cayenne. "You're awfully quiet over there by the window."
Cayenne unclasped her hands, bringing them to her sides. "I'm just taking things in. Your voice and Brad's," she said, "and the atmosphere, especially in this room. Even the view out the window gives me pause for thought."
Knowing better than to interrupt when Cayenne intuited her surroundings, Olivia bit her lower lip. What's she seeing and hearing that I don't?
"You two can talk. I have to get back to work." Brad rose and made his way to the door. "See you later." He closed the door behind him.
After Brad left, Cayenne sat down in his chair. She spun it so that she faced Olivia. "Why are you here?"
"I'm a temporary resident assistant—"
Before she could finish her undercover explanation, Cay shook her head. "Don't give me that. You're here to help Officer Jets and her investigation. I feel the tension emanating from you, it's thick and filled with fear. Why are you afraid, Olivia?"
With her back against the wall, Olivia knew better than to lie to Cayenne. This wasn't the first time her friend had shared her inner wisdom.
"I'm undercover," she admitted to Cayenne. "Janis put me here to eavesdrop on the Tone Rangers. Plus…" Olivia took a deep breath and continued to explain, "I got my first helicopter ride today. It wasn't anything I expected…"
Cayenne leaned forward as Olivia told the story about her ride with Simon Court.
By the time Olivia finished the story, Cayenne had raised her hands to her chin, holding them together as if in prayer.
She wants to tell me something, maybe a sensation or feeling she's gotten from my story. But there's something I've forgotten… In that moment the image of the key she'd made a copy of came to Olivia's mind.
She turned and pulled out the drawer next to her bedside table.
"There's another thing I want you to know." She held up the key. "Cookie Kravitz, the cafeteria manager, dropped a small key under a bench in the park. He was talking to Simon Court about the students. After they left, I grabbed the key and then had a copy made, which I kept. I gave the original back to Cookie.”
Cayenne nodded. Her fingers intertwined as her face grew serious. "May I hold the key for just a moment?"
Without hesitation Olivia handed the key to Cayenne. Palm open, she closed her dark eyes. Her face relaxed as she inhaled deeply. On the exhale Cayenne closed each of her fingers around the key, beginning with her thumb. Eyes still closed, she took another breath, and on the exhale she released her fingers one at a time in the opposite order.
Finally Cayenne opened both of her eyes, handing the key back to Olivia.
Olivia sighed. "What do you think? Are you getting messages from the key or something?"
Cayenne sat on the edge of the worn chair. "I'm not a psychic. I can't tell your future, but I can help you pay attention to who you are and your situation. The key, as you already concluded, is very important to your work. You instinctively had a copy made, indicating you'd need the key in the future. Put it back in your drawer and wait. You'll know when the time comes.
"I feel danger in your path for yourself and Sage," continued Cayenne. "That was evident in the helicopter ride, when Court threatened you both. I suggest you tell Janis Jets everything that happened in the helicopter as soon as possible so that she can provide protection and know where to look when the time comes."
In an instant Olivia's mind cleared. Fatigue fell away from her body like a snake shedding its skin. She felt tingling in her fingers and at the back of her neck. "I think you're right. I must pay attention to potential danger and not put the helicopter incident aside just because I felt uncomfortable." Olivia dropped the key back into the drawer, sliding it shut.
She felt afraid but confident. She just had one more question for Cayenne.
"Do you know how Dave Franco ended up at the bottom of the cliff?"
The Two-Spirit shook her head. A look of calm came over her face. She closed her eyes, pausing. When she opened her eyes again, she stood up as if to leave. "I'm not a mind reader, but I do feel a shadow here on campus that could turn destructive. Just keep that in mind as you move forward with Officer Jets…and Michael," she added. "He will serve as your protector and guide as he always has."
As if released from a trance, Cay's eyes sparkled and a smile came to her lips. She bent over to give Olivia a goodbye hug. Olivia's cell phone buzzed from the nightstand as Cayenne prepared to leave.
"Go ahead and answer that," Cayenne said with a smile. "It's probably Michael. I'll see you later." She closed the door behind her as Olivia grabbed her cell phone. Michael Bellemare's name appeared on her screen.
"Hello."
"Hey there. You sound sleepy, taking a nap?"
"Just talking to Cay," she answered softly.
"She's in your dorm?"
"Just left. Good to see her. What's up?"
"I'm ready to order burgers and fries for dinner."
"I haven't seen Janis in the last few hours. I guess we're still on."
"I'll call her before I order. Then I'll text you the time and the three of us can meet in her office. Afterward I'll walk you back to your dorm," he said hopefully.
"Is that what you college kids did? Walked each other back and forth to the dorms?"
"Yep. I forgot you didn't go to university. You're so smart. It would have been a natural fit for you. Would we have dated, do you think, if we'd known each other then?"
"You're a bit older, and chances are we wouldn't have run into each other, even if we did go to the same school, which is most unlikely."
"I was imagining a more romantic scenario in my head with less detail, but I get what you're saying."
Olivia sighed. "I hope Janis wants to eat now. I'm starving. I lost my breakfast and didn't eat much for lunch."
"You mean you skipped a meal?"
"No. I actually lost my breakfast behind a tree. I'll tell you later. Bye." Olivia disconnected the call.
She lay her head down on her pillow to go over in her mind what she would say to Janis and Michael about the helicopter ride when the time came.
"Olivia, over here," came Michael's voice. He'd parked at the far corner, in a shadow near the pine trees.
She waved and made her way toward him, her heart skipping a beat.
He stood with one hand resting on the driver's side door, wearing a soft blue T-shirt against worn jeans. Black sneakers and a broad smile completed his confident look.
She walked toward him, aware that his eyes lingered on her smile.
"Hi," she said shyly. "Thanks for bringing the food." She placed both hands on his chest, leaning close to whisper in his ear, "Where is it?"
He pointed toward the back seat of the truck where three bags sat, one filled to the top with french fries peeking out. His arms wrapped around her back to pull her closer.
"Better get moving or the fries will get cold," she said teasingly.
"We could get going or…we could step right under the trees and I could tell you how much I've missed you."
Olivia nodded. "We could do that. And I want to do that, I really do."
"But…" He smiled at her, his eyes bright with anticipation.
Looking over her shoulder, Olivia grinned mischievously as an invitation for him to follow as she walked into the woods. A few feet into the shady grove she turned to face him, placing both hands on his chest. He reached over to push a strand of hair from her face.
"You're so beautiful," he said quietly. "I've wanted to kiss you for over a year. Do you think we could do that now, just once?"
Olivia didn't need another invitation. She reached her hands up the side of his face, staring at his mouth. He ducked his head and caught her lips with his. She felt his tongue caress the inside of her bottom lip gently as he pulled her closer.
"That was more than once," she gasped, pulling away with a laugh.
"I believe it was." He grinned, his arms dropping to his sides. "But now we know one thing."
"What's that?"
"We click just as I've always suspected. In every way, we're meant to be together." His eyes opened wide, daring her to disagree.
"I'm going to change the subject now, not because I disagree, but because Janis expects us," she explained as if to a child.
To her delight, Michael took no offense.
"Of course, we've got a job to do. More about us later, but Olivia?"
She stepped back, still looking at him.
"Not much later."
Olivia chuckled, reaching out for his hand. "Don't you think I want it too?"
A look of surprise came over Michael's face. "You admit that you’re attracted to me?"
"Oh please, I've been thinking about you since the first time I saw you, when I got in that accident and you pulled me off that cliff."
"But you ran away."
"My feelings scare me, always have. But now it's time to find Janis and solve this murder."
They walked side by side toward the admissions building. "Whose car is that?" Michael pointed to a BMW convertible parked in the lot. "It doesn't look familiar."
"Probably the new admissions counselor. His name is Rydell Cox and I think he's the reason Janis wears leather pants to work."
"He doesn't fit in with the rest of the staff. That car belongs in student parking."
Olivia laughed. "You can tell a lot about people by their car choice."
"Like my truck, for example," added Michael with a smile. "Dependable, dusty, and a bouncy ride," he added, watching her laugh.
"Uh-huh, like your truck and every other truck in Lily Rock."
They bantered their way to the entrance door, which Michael opened, letting Olivia step ahead of him. "You look good in shorts," he commented under his breath.
"No more flirting, we have work to do," she insisted, pointing to Janis's closed door.
Michael took a moment to inspect the admissions front office. "Sage in there, Rydell in there, and this is Janis?"
Olivia nodded, reaching out to knock on Janis's door.
"Come in," came the voice.
Michael stepped in front of Olivia, holding up the brown bags. "I've got your dinner, Officer Jets. Plus I brought your assistant. I know you'll be glad to see her."
Janis Jets scowled. "Get in here both of you. Put those bags down. Both of you grab a chair. We have to talk. I've got the information from the coroner."
"Yes, ma'am," they said in unison. Michael scuttled a chair to the desk from the other room. Olivia took another chair from the corner. He closed the door and they both sat across the desk from Janis, waiting for her to tell them the next move.