One Grave Too Many

her.
    “Thanks for coming,” said Diane.
    Chanell smiled and looked as if she didn’t quite know what to say.
    “I wanted to know if you’re interested in the job as head of security here at the museum. It would mean a substantial raise in pay. It would also mean taking some classes we’d set up for you.”
    Chanell put her hands to her face. She looked like she’d just won the lottery.
    “I take it you’re interested,” said Diane.
    “Yes, oh, yes, ma’am. I’m interested.”
    “Good. Andie will give you the details and tell you where to go to fill out some forms.” Diane stood up and held out her hand. “Congratulations.”
    Chanell took her hand and shook it. “Oh, thank you, Dr. Fallon. I’ll do a really good job for you. I will.”
    “I’m sure you will. You can start today.”
    As she was congratulating Chanell, Diane heard Leonard Starns in Andie’s office through the crack in the partially open door.
    “Payroll called and said I had to pick up my check from you.”
    “Yes,” said Andie. “This way.” She led him into Diane’s office.
    “How you doing, Leonard?” said Chanell.
    He looked from Diane to Chanell. “What’s this about?”
    Diane picked up the envelope with his check in it. “I’ve just made Chanell head of security. One of the things she’ll be investigating is who’s been forging my name to order over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of supplies and exhibits.”
    Andie and Chanell were both completely caught off guard. But not Leonard. He stood, stiff and frowning, in front of Diane’s desk.
    “Was anything actually stolen?” he managed to say.
    “An attempt was made to steal over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars from the museum through fraudulent purchases. That carries with it more impact than simple mischief. I intervened in the middle of one attempt and prevented it. I suspect the purpose was actually to deprive me of my job.”
    “Do you have my paycheck?” Leonard’s lower lip stuck out like he was about to pout. Diane smiled. “You think that’s funny?” he said. Leonard was becoming belligerent.
    “Considering I was paying you to guard the place, yes, I do. Were you also involved in the break-in of the conservation lab?”
    “You can’t prove anything.”
    “I just sent a set of fingerprints off to the crime lab.”
    Leonard grinned broadly. “You can’t prove anything.”
    To Diane, that was like an admission of guilt. But, unfortunately, an inadmissible one. She opened a drawer to her desk and pulled out a pair of surgical gloves and pulled one on over her hand and held it up.
    “What I think, Mr. Starns, is that you made those fake orders, and you did it for your son, who works for Mark Grayson. Were you helping him get some brownie points?”
    Leonard’s attention was focused on the gloved hand.
    “I think you were involved in the break-in,” said Diane. “You used the master key to let whoever it was in. If you were alone, you wouldn’t have bothered to wear these gloves. You could just say you were checking things out if we found your prints. Was it your son?”
    “You can’t prove anything.” He was sounding like he was caught in a loop.
    “Did you know that this kind of glove fits so tight it can leave fingerprints through the latex? I lifted some from the break-in, didn’t I, Chanell?”
    “She sure did. Nice clear prints too.”
    Leonard’s smug expression started to collapse.
    “If your son’s prints are anywhere on file and there’s a match, I will prosecute, vigorously.”
    “You think this place is so important. It’s just a collection from somebody’s attic. There’s other things more important, and you’re too stubborn to see it.”
    That was quite a long speech for Leonard. And another bit of admission.
    “Like the bonus your son would get if he brings Mark Grayson my head on a platter?”
    Diane could see the uncertainty in him. The snide facade was cracking under the gentlest pressure she was putting on him. She could almost read his thoughts in his eyes as his gaze darted from one point in the room to another. Indecision—say something to defend his son, or stay quiet until he could get advice? Leonard was a follower, not a leader, and she suspected it was his son who was doing the leading.
    “You going to give me my paycheck?”
    “Yes, Leonard, I am. We’ll just see what happens when the report on the prints gets back. Don’t think for a minute I won’t follow