The Class Menagerie

1
    “Rule One of Reunions, Jane. Nobody is what they seem.“
    “Including you?“
    “No, I’m the exception,“ Crispy said with a wry grin. “Actually, I came looking for you to ask a favor. The Joker has been at it again and all my underwear is missing.“
    “You’re kidding. This is ridiculous. And stealing underwear is nasty and creepy. Why is somebody doing this stuff?“ ,
    “Who knows? Somebody apparently thinks it’s funny. Would you drive me to a mall to pick up a few things?“
    “Sure, but we’ll have to make it fast. I’ve got to get all the rooms cleaned.“
    Elegant nails flashing, Crispy waved this away as a minor consideration.
    Mel was gone. Jane reported where she was going to Shelley, then asked permission of the police who were still working around the carriage house. After taking their names, the officer in charge let them leave.
    They were only halfway to the mall when Crispy said, “Oops, I’ve lost my earring. Would you mind stopping to let me look for it?“
    Crispy didn’t even bother to look around the front seat, but stepped out and started searching the back. Jane watched her.
    “Maybe you should look in your purse, Crispy,“ she suggested.
    “Purse?“ Crispy answered, her voice muffled as she rummaged under the backseat.
    “Yes, I saw you put it in there as we started out.“
    Crispy lifted her head and grinned. “I should have known you’d be too smart to be fooled. I do like you.“
    “What are you really looking for?“
    “That notebook.“
    “Notebook...? Oh, yes. The one Lila was looking for last night.“ Jane should have mentioned that to Mel. There was probably a lot she should have mentioned to him, come to think of it. She hadn’t even told him about Dead Ted.
    “Uh-huh, that’s the one. She had it out in the car yesterday. I noticed it was just like mine, so I managed to shove it off the seat and replace it with my own.“
    “So the one she brought inside and put on the hall table was really yours?“
    “I just scooped it back up when she wasn’t looking.“
    “But why?“
    “Curiosity. I just wanted to see what she kept in it and the opportunity presented itself.“ She leaned back over and reached farther under the seat. “Ah, here it is.“
    “We’ll go back and give it to the police,“ Jane said.
    “Why on earth would we do that?“
    “Because, in case you hadn’t noticed, the owner has been murdered!“
    “By drug dealers roaming the neighborhood. The notebook has nothing to do with it. And I will give it to them anyway. After I’ve taken a look at it. Now, lead me to the lingerie!“
    She hopped back into the front seat and sat there looking like a happy puppy getting to go for a ride. Jane started the engine. “I’m going to tell the police you have that.... after you show it to me,“ she said.
    Crispy grinned. “A woman after my own heart— such as it is.“

- 9 -

    Jane let Crispy out at the mall and cruised the parking lot. She hoped Crispy had left the notebook in the car so she could take a quick look, but there was no sign of it. Crispy emerged in a remarkably short time with a shopping bag and they drove back to the bed and breakfast. There was still one police car in the back drive, so Jane parked in front. Crispy hopped out of the car, gushing thanks, and Jane followed more slowly. She wished she could stay outside and enjoy the day. September could be a replay of August, hot and oppressive, but today was one of those September beauties that made a person remember how nice autumn could be. The air, while not chilly, was fresh and clean-smelling. Jane could imagine, if not actually smell, woodsmoke and the tang of apple cider.
    As Jane reached the front door, she nearly collided with the mailman, whom she hadn’t noticed approaching. There was a slot next to the door and he was struggling to force a large, stiff envelope into it. “I’ll take it in,“ she said, taking the wad of mail from him.
    She automatically sorted the mail into a pile for Gordon, a pile for Edgar, and an enormous stack for “Occupant,“ and set the three stacks on the front hall table as she passed through. Mimi came down the stairs wearing a red silk tunic over black trousers and clutching a school yearbook. “I hear you had to take Crispy shopping,“ she said. “That must have been a thrill. I bet she goes through a department store like the plague.“
    “I was spared the sight,“ Jane said. “I drove around looking for a