Silence Of The Hams

graduated tonight. My older sister.“
    “Sorry. Of course. I was just surprised to see you. I’m sorry about your boss.”
    Emma’s normally pretty features hardened. “Yeah, well. It was a surprise.”
    What an odd reaction, Jane thought. Not exactly remorseful.
    “ Listen, Jane, we need to talk.“
    “Oh? I can’t now.“
    “I didn’t mean here and now. How about tomorrow?“
    “Okay, but late in the day.“
    “What time?“
    “Four?“ Jane suggested. “Want to meet somewhere?“
    “No, come to my apartment,“ Emma said curtly. She took a little notepad out of her pocket to write an address and handed it to Jane. “Be prompt,“ she warned Jane, handing her the slip of paper before turning and disappearing into the crowd.
    “What was that about?“ Mel asked. He’d gone ahead a ways before realizing he’d lost her.
    “I haven’t any idea, but it was rude. I’ve been summoned to her presence. Four o’clock tomorrow and I’m not to dawdle around and be late. She probably noticed the way my skirt fit and wants to harass me into more exercise,“ Jane said, trying to make light of her anger.
    “Don’t go,“ Mel said.
    “Why not?”
    Mel sighed. “I’ll tell you later. When we have some time to talk.“
    “She’s a suspect! You think she killed Stonecipher!“
    “Shh. Keep your voice down. No, she didn’t kill Stonecipher.”
    It took Jane only a moment to absorb the implication of this statement. “If you know she didn’t, then you must know who did. Has there been an arrest?“
    “Jane, keep quiet. Later.”
    She knew that tone. She stopped asking questions.
    Even though she’d worked on the decorations, Jane was astonished when she saw the final transformation of the school. By half-closing her eyes, she could imagine she was in a fancy resort hotel. The materials might be sheets, crepe paper, and dime-store glitter, but the overall look was glitzy and fun. After an hour or so when all the grandmothers, uncles, and little sisters had left, the kids settled in to have a good time.

    Someone had thoughtfully provided comfortable chairs at the door Jane and Mel were to guard, and the two of them settled in. They were, unfortunately, just across the hall from the room where the country music band was playing. Jane wasn’t much of a fan of country music and decided she’d either be a convert or a raving maniac by the time the night was over. She told herself to remember that it could have been worse. They could have been cheek by jowl with a rap group. Mel slouched and took a nap despite the noise and bustle around them. This performance amazed Jane.
    She’d brought along a book to read—one of her many-times-reread Dorothy Sayers mysteries. Comfort books, as she thought of them. None of the kids showed the least interest in trying to go out the door, and she was soon immersed in Lord Peter’s adventures.
    A little before midnight, the band took an hour break, and the hallway emptied. The quiet woke Mel up. He roamed away in search of food and eventually came back with chicken salad sandwiches, chips, and soft drinks. They ate in silence, and when they were done, he said, “You’re being awfully patient. It’s sort of scary.”
    Jane wiggled her fingers as if barely restraining herself from strangling him. “Mel, I can’t stand it anymore. If Emma Whatsername didn’t kill Stonecipher, who did?“
    “Nobody,“ Mel said.
    “What do you mean? I saw him. He was dead. His wife is getting ready to bury him.“
    “He died of a heart attack. Natural causes.”
    Jane sat staring at Mel for a long moment. “But—but if he died of a heart attack, why did somebody make it look like he’d been murdered? Mel, that can’t be right! He must have had the heart attack when the rack was pushed over on him. That caused it.”
    Mel shook his head. “Nope. The coroner was very sure. He had been dead for at least ten minutes, possibly longer, before the rack went over. I got the word just before I left the office for the graduation.“
    “How—why—?“
    “You sound disappointed. I thought you’d be pleased to know,“ Mel said. “You’ve been in such a froth about Mike working where there’d been a murder. Now he’s not.“
    “Oh, I am pleased. But horribly confused.“
    “Me, too. But at least it’s not a murder investigation anymore.“
    “No, it’s even stranger. Considering how many enemies Robert Stonecipher had, you’d think whoever found him dead would have