The Class Menagerie

“Naturally.“
    Mel was drumming his fingers on the library table. “Jane, if you’d even told me this yesterday, I could have searched the house for it and probably found it. Nobody had gotten away. But today, they’re scattered to the four winds.“
    That was true. It was a gorgeous day and even the most sedentary had gone for walks. Avalon and Pooky had breakfast dates with friends in town. The notebook could be miles away by now.
    But at the same time, investigating this murder was Mel’s job. His only job, while Jane’s jobs had included taking care of her three children, cleaning up and helping with cooking at the bed and breakfast, trying to sneak time to write a few pages of her novel, and attending Back-to-School night. Plus, although it was not an assigned job, she had been on the spot for most of the jokes. Her brain was completely overloaded. But, in the interests of her relationship with Mel, she didn’t say any of this. Instead, she just said, “I’m really sorry.“
    She’d hoped to ask him what he and the police department had found out about the women, but this wasn’t the time. Besides, he was pretty good at being discreet himself. She knew what he’d say: “Jane, if a person doesn’t have any criminal record, they hardly exist as far as we’re concerned. I can dig up everything on a person’s life, but not until I have them identified as a strong suspect.“ They’d had this conversation once before.
    So she let him go, still angry, and went to help Edgar with lunch preparations. “We’re almost done,“ Edgar said. “Only a light supper tonight; they’re going to a cocktail party at the community center.“ He shuddered at the thought of what kind of foodstuffs would be served at the community center. “So for lunch we’ll have baked sole, a nice Welsh rarebit, and a Boston lettuce salad with a lime/yogurt dressing. All fairly light and feminine. Then tonight, I thought chili and sandwiches. That’s macho. Lots of celery and crackers. Cheeses and onions on the side.“
    “I’d reconsider the beans,“ Jane said.
    Edgar laughed. “I’ll go easy on the beans. Is Shelley ever coming back?“
    “Not if she’s smart,“ Jane replied.

    They’d just started cleaning up lunch when the phone rang and Edgar handed it to Jane.
    “Oh, Mom!“ Katie wailed.
    “What’s wrong!“
    “I forgot my gym shoes!“ .. Jane let out her breath, relieved. “I’ll run home and get them. You be watching for me at the front door.“
    “Run along,“ Edgar said. “I can finish this up. And I don’t need you back for dinner. I can manage it fine by myself.“
    Jane made a pitiful, insincere offer to come back anyway, but Edgar brushed it off and she took her chance to escape.
    Katie bounded out to the car when Jane arrived at the junior high. “Guess what, Mom! Jenny and I have dates tonight!“
    “No, you don’t.“
    “Now, Mom, just listen for a minute. Jenny’s dad is driving and it’s okay with Jenny’s mom.“
    This surprised Jane. Jenny’s mother was as determined as Jane that the girls wouldn’t date until they were thirty-five if she could manage it. “Jenny’s mother agreed to this?“
    “Yes, she says it’s okay. Just talk to her, Mom. It’s this really neat guy and, Mom, you have to face the fact that I’m not a child anymore.“
    It was tempting to point out that Katie was the living definition of a child, but Jane just said,- “I’ll talk to Jenny’s mother. Do not take this as agreement.“
    But she had; she went tearing off like a happy gazelle. Jane glanced around, preparing to pull out, and noticed Shelley’s car. And a second later, Shelley coming out of the school. Jane waved and went to meet her. “What are you doing here?“
    “Some idiot decided this was a perfect day to annoy me about the children’s vaccinations. I had to take a record to the office.“
    “You don’t look very rested,“ Jane said.
    “Rested! I’m the top contender for PMS Poster Girl! By the way, you don’t need to go with me to that damned thing at the community center tonight.“
    “Geez, Shelley, I hadn’t planned to. You seem to have come out of your shell.“
    “Shell? If I had a shell left, I’d use -it to brain somebody with.“
    “There, there,“ Jane soothed. “As they say in the delivery room: It’s almost over.“
    “With just the worst to come,“ Shelley said with a laugh.

- 16 -

    “Hazel, have you lost your mind?“ Jane was saying a few