Back To School Murder #4 by Leslie Meier Page A

paper.”
    Lucy shook her head in disgust. “Have you no shame? I’d like this thing solved as soon as possible, so I don’t have to worry about the kids.” She began typing entries into the meeting calendar. After a few minutes she raised her head and asked Ted, “Do you know a kid named Lance? He’s new in town. From California.”
    â€œI think Adam has mentioned him.” Adam was Ted’s son; he was the same age as Toby and the two were good friends.
    â€œHe was at our house last night. Caused quite a brouhaha.”
    â€œI’m surprised. Adam seems to like him.”
    â€œIt wasn’t Lance’s fault. Bill’s not ready for his little princess to have a boyfriend.”
    Ted smiled. “No father ever is. I remember Sue’s father absolutely glaring at me at our wedding. He’s never really accepted me.”
    â€œLance is different from most of the kids around here. He seems older, more sophisticated. Kind of urban. If it was one of the kids, it might have been him.”
    â€œHow could he do it? He goes to the high school.”
    â€œThe elementary school was open all summer while they were doing that asbestos removal project. Anybody, including Lance, could have slipped in and set the bomb. I bet it wouldn’t take more than a minute or two.”
    â€œWhat about the phone call?”
    Lucy leaned forward and wagged a finger at Ted. “I’ve been thinking about that. The person who made the call wasn’t necessarily the same person who set the bomb. The bomber could have gotten one of the students to make the phone call. All a kid has to do is tell the school secretary he forgot his lunch and she’ll let him use the phone.”
    â€œYou may be on to something, Lucy.” Ted picked up the phone. “I think I’ll give Crowley a call and pass along your idea, just in case he hasn’t thought of it himself.” He chuckled. “Especially if he hasn’t thought of it himself.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t tease the poor man.”
    â€œAw, Lucy. I’ve got few enough pleasures as it is. Don’t take this away from me.” He spoke into the receiver. “Chief Crowley? Ted Stillings. How’s the investigation going? Got your bomber yet?”
    The phone interview didn’t take long; Chief Crowley was not known as a conversationalist.
    â€œWell?” asked Lucy when Ted had hung up.
    â€œHe said the dogs didn’t turn up anything. He wants to question the third and fourth grade students, but Mrs. Applebaum won’t let him. He’s going to go over her head to the superintendent, and if need be, he’ll petition the school committee on Monday.”
    â€œThat’s going to be some meeting,” predicted Lucy.
    â€œYou bet,” said Ted, starting to peck away at his keyboard.
    Lucy busied herself with the obituaries. Next thing she knew, it was time for lunch. The afternoon flew by as she organized the old papers in the morgue, answered the phone, and kept an ear cocked to the police scanner.
    Just before leaving work, she called Toby at home and asked him to put the lasagna in the oven. She picked up Zoë at the rec center and proceeded to the middle school, where Elizabeth had field hockey practice.
    That morning, no longer trusting Elizabeth not to sneak off with Lance, Lucy had decreed she would pick her up after field hockey practice. She had instructed Elizabeth to wait for her on the school steps, but they were empty when she pulled up. She drove around the school to the parking lot beside the playing fields, but there was no sign of her there either. Lucy did see the coach, Mr. Cunningham, talking with one of the players. She approached them, all the while keeping an eye on Zoë, who was strapped in her car seat.
    â€œHi!” she began. “I’m Elizabeth Stone’s mother. I don’t see her anywhere.”
    â€œLizzy’s probably in the locker