“He had some of the players at the wake with him,” Aline said, her tone noncommittal.
“And I remember Kerry talking about what a great coach he was. Okay, I just wanted to pop by. See you in the A.M.”
The door had barely closed behind Pat when Aline’s cell phone rang. It was Mike Wilson.
“Aline, when Kerry was in touch with you, whether by phone, text or email, did she ever mention somebody stopping to help her with a flat?”
In her mind Aline raced through her recent emails from Kerry. “No, I don’t recall that. I assume there’s a reason you’re asking.”
“I’m just trying to be thorough. One of Kerry’s friends told me that someone who helped her change a flat got a little aggressive with her after she refused to invite him to the party. It’s probably nothing. But I want to find out that person’s name.”
“Do you think he may have been the one who . . . ?”
“Aline, we follow up on anything that might turn out to be relevant. That’s why I need to ask your folks about the flat tire.”
“Of course.”
“How are they doing?”
“I know going back to work is helping my father. My mother is pretty bad.”
“Will they be home this evening? Kerry might have talked to them about the flat and who helped her. Do you know what time might be convenient for them?”
“Dad is usually home by six-thirty. We never eat before seven-thirty. I would say about six-forty-five.”
“Fine. I’ll see you then as well.”
Aline pushed the button to power down her computer. She was about to get out of her chair when there was another knock on the door. Scott Kimball came into her office.
The lacrosse coach was also a mathematics instructor, teaching courses in algebra, geometry and calculus. It was the beginning of his second year at this school. He had been hired a year earlier to replace a retiring teacher, and the athletic director had been delighted to find in Kimball someone who had played lacrosse and was willing to coach it. He was quickly made head coach of the girls’ varsity squad.
“Just a social visit,” he said. “How is it going?”
“My grandparents have gone back to Arizona. I’ll miss them, but in a way it’s easier. My dad went back to work. My mother is having a really hard time. Of course, we all are. But she’s determined to keep as busy as possible.”
“Aline, I know the timing may not be right, it might be premature, but I’m going to plow forward anyway. I would very much enjoy taking you to dinner. I’ve been dying to try a new French restaurant that opened right on the Hudson in Nyack. I’m told the food and the view are both great.”
Aline hesitated. Undoubtedly Scott was an attractive man. But she wasn’t sure if it was wise to socialize—oh come on, call it what it really is—date a fellow staffer. “I’m not ready yet, but can we talk about it in a couple weeks?”
“Absolutely. As you know, I’ll be around.”
With a wave he left her office.
Aline thought of Kerry’s reaction to Kimball at the end of last season. He’s a great coach and a really nice guy. He was so much better than the former coach, Don Brown, who had no idea what he was doing. Score one for you, Kerry, Aline thought. It seems like you would have approved of my joining Scott Kimball for dinner at the restaurant with the great view.
She locked her door behind her and headed out to the parking lot.
24
True to his word, Mike Wilson rang the doorbell at precisely 6:45. Aline had told her parents that he wanted to stop in. Her mother’s reaction was instant. “He’s going to tell us that they’ve arrested Alan Crowley.”
“No, it’s not about that at all. It’s just a question he has for you.”
Steve asked, “About Kerry?”
“Yes, it’s about a flat tire Kerry had.”
“Kerry never had a flat tire,” Steve said firmly.
“Well, tell Detective Wilson that.”
When Mike arrived, Aline wanted to avoid having the meeting in the family room. That was where the three of them had been sitting when Mike told them that Kerry’s death was not an accident. Instead she suggested that they go into the living room.
When they were seated, Mike explained the reason for the meeting, reporting what he had told Aline. Steve said firmly, “Kerry said nothing about getting a flat. But I had told her that the rear tire on her car was looking threadbare. And I wanted her to go to the dealer and have it changed right away. If she had a flat before she took care of it, she would not have wanted to tell us about it.”
“Did she ever get a new tire?” Mike asked.
“She showed me she got the new one about ten days ago.”
“Doesn’t that narrow the time when she met whoever changed the flat and sold her the beer for the party?” Aline asked.
“And then tried to force himself on her,” Steve said bitterly.
“Yes, assuming she got the replacement tire right after getting the flat.” Mike got up. “This could be very helpful in following up on whoever that guy is.”
“The only one you should be concentrating on is Alan Crowley,” Fran said firmly as her eyes filled with tears.
Aline walked Mike to the door. “I wonder if Mom is right about Alan Crowley?” she asked.
“We try to avoid fixating on one obvious suspect. We’re determined to pursue any relevant leads.” He repeated the question Pat Tarleton had asked. “How did your first day go?”
“A little overwhelming, of course. But I have a question. Does anyone else know I gave you the information about the birth dates and where they’re going to college?”
“No one knows where I got that information.”
“Good. If it’s okay, I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Absolutely. Good night.”
Aline watched his retreating figure and waited until he stepped into the car and drove away.
? ? ?
Valerie endured the first day of school as though she was walking in her sleep. Every step of the way it felt like Kerry was there. Kerry on the lacrosse field. Kerry walking with her arm around her as they headed to the locker room.
Inside, Valerie so much wanted to be able to cry. But somehow the tears were all stuck in her throat.
As she was changing classes, she saw Kerry’s sister, the new guidance counselor, in the corridor. She was wearing a dark blue jacket and slacks. As she passed her, Valerie thought she was so pretty. She was taller than Kerry and her hair was dark brown, but they still looked a lot alike.
I’m sorry, Kerry, Valerie thought. I’m so sorry.
25
As they had planned, Alan Crowley’s parents met the well-known defense lawyer Lester Parker. A reluctant Alan accompanied them.
“Alan, let us go over what happened at the party,” Parker began. “Kerry Dowling was your girlfriend, wasn’t she?”
“Yes, she was.”
“How long were the two of you, um, in a relationship?”
“A year.”
“Is it true you two had a lot of arguments?”
“Afterwards we joked about them. Kerry was a flirt and liked to see me get mad. But we always made up.”
“What about the night of the party? Did you have a quarrel?”
“Kerry had had a couple vodkas. She never could handle any liquor well, even a glass or two of wine. So when Chris Kobel started flirting with her, she kept flirting back with him.”
“Had you been drinking?”
“Yes, I just had a couple of beers.”
“A couple?”
“Maybe three or four. I’m not really sure.”
Alan was very aware that his parents were now glaring at him.
“I understand you left the party before it was over. Where did you go?”
“I knew some of my friends would be at a local pizza restaurant, Nellie’s in Waldwick. I met them there.”
“Did you stay with them until you went home?”
“No.”
“Did you go directly to Kerry’s house from the restaurant?”
“Yes.”
“Where was she when you got there?”
“She was out on the patio in back of the house, cleaning up.”
“What did she say when she saw you?”
She didn’t say anything. I said, ‘Kerry, I’m sorry. I just want to help you clean up.’?”
“How did she respond to that?”
“?‘I’m tired. I’m getting up early in the morning. I want to go to bed now.’?”