In His Sights. Carol Steward

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СКАЧАТЬ to update the public on evidence found in relation to the unidentified woman’s skeleton. A charm, found during the planting of the Scott Winters Memorial Garden, is now believed to be key evidence. Crime-scene investigators have determined a set of initials on the charm and believe it will open up new leads. If you have information related to any of these cases, you are asked to contact the Magnolia Falls Police Department directly.

      “Magnolia College will continue to provide our students with an excellent education and will maintain a normal schedule. Thank you.”

      Television stations from all over the region had come to cover these events, and the room was filled to capacity. Dee shifted behind the podium and pointed to a reporter who refused to be ignored.

      The young man looked to be about Scott Winters’s age. “Miss Owens, what is being done to ensure student safety?”

      “I will point out that Magnolia College has the second lowest crime rate in the region. We have not seen any increase in crime on campus since the skeleton was found. However, we are taking every precaution possible. In addition to seminars on personal safety, new emergency phones have been installed along the inner-campus walkways, and patrols have increased. The college did go through a major security upgrade just two years ago.”

      She glanced to the back of the room and saw Edgar leaving before the press conference was finished. While she couldn’t help but feel she’d let him down, she was also furious. He’d touted her as the “Queen of Spin” when it came to recovering from bad publicity. But what did he expect after a second murder connected to Magnolia College?

      Dee regained her composure and continued. “The upgrade included key cards for external entrances to every dorm and building holding evening classes. Security cameras are in place in many undisclosed locations. The college is in the top ten on safety studies. The board of trustees is gathering information on whether further changes need to be made.”

      Hands shot up, and Dee nodded to another reporter. “I’ve heard rumors that some Magnolia College staff are involved in the point-shaving scheme. Are they going to be fired?” she asked.

      Another reporter stood up. “What about the coaching staff? To what extent is Coach Nelson involved?”

      Dee held up one hand until the room quieted, regaining control. “One question at a time, please. Chairman J. T. Kessler has called for a special session of the board of trustees this week to discuss possible disciplinary action for any involved faculty and coaching personnel. Until then, no further details will be released.”

      As she answered each question, her mind drifted back to Edgar. Though he had been forced to reduce their recruitment team, the two of them were working hard. She had thought they were becoming close, and she realized, with disappointment, how much his approval meant to her.

      What more did he expect of her?

      TWO

      “I told you to stop calling. In case you missed it, I have enough problems without…” The deep voice growled.

      “And I thought you were going to scare Dee Owens off. We can’t have her sticking her nose into the investigation!”

      “You’re getting paranoid…”

      “Well, now, that’s like the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it?” There was an awkward silence, filled with tension as one waited for the other to continue. “I need more money. If you aren’t going to get rid of Dee, I’ll have to find someone else to do it.”

      “Dee Owens doesn’t know anything more than what the cops tell her. Quit worrying. I’m keeping tabs on her—and that ridiculous Web site. Just lay low! Stop sending e-mails. If I were you, I’d get out of the country while you can.”

      “I would if I could, believe me. If I could count on you to clean up this mess once and for all, that is. Dee may not know anything yet. All she needs is another chance to dig deeper. Get rid of her. Now!”

      THREE

      Dee and her friend Steff Kessler, director of alumni relations, spent the afternoon brainstorming ideas to counteract the scandals. They figured out a way to pull a list of distinguished alumni from the college database and they drafted a letter requesting alumni get involved. Dee hadn’t been this encouraged in weeks. Excited to move forward with the campaign as soon as possible, she left a message for Edgar.

      She tidied her desk after Steff headed back to her office in the library. Dee reviewed her notes, jotting additional suggestions in the margins as she waited for Edgar to return her call. At a little after five o’clock, she decided Edgar wasn’t going to call. Dee placed the drafted letter into her briefcase.

      As soon as Dee closed her office door the phone rang. She hurried back inside, dropped the purse back into the chair and lifted the receiver, hoping it was Edgar returning her call. “Deandra Owens, how can I—”

      The caller interrupted Dee. Static mingled with hushed words. “Miss Owens, you must help—” the woman said before her Southern accented voice cut out.

      “What?” Dee waited a few seconds then tried to get the caller’s attention. “Hello?”

      “Those…on the reunion Web site—” The caller was interrupted by yelling and commotion on her end.

      Dee could hear doors slamming, then more static. “Hello?” She considered hanging up but couldn’t. Two words had her hooked—Web site. How could anyone know she’d just taken over as Webmaster? “Hello, are you there?” She looked down at the caller ID, which read “unknown number.”

      “Just a moment, please,” the caller whispered, “Mother and Father don’t want me calling, but something is wrong.”

      “Who is this? Are you okay?” Dee heard the squeak of metal on metal. “Hello? What’s your—”

      She heard someone in another room yelling, but couldn’t tell what was said.

      “Miss Owens,” the caller whispered, “you must find out who is pretending to be Josie.”

      “Pretending? What makes you think—”

      The caller was gone.

      Dee stared at the phone, willing it to ring again. Surely the caller would phone back. She had to. Dee needed more information.

      Josie? Racking her brain, Dee recalled a girl in her dorm with the name Josie. What was her last name? Were there other Josies at Magnolia College ten years ago?

      There was something familiar about the caller’s voice. Logically speaking, it could be any well-bred Southern woman, but Dee couldn’t shake the feeling that they knew each other.

      She waited a few moments, hoping the mystery woman would call again. When it was clear that wasn’t going to happen, Dee logged into the Web site and reread all of the posts. The only Josie to leave a message hadn’t given a last name. Dee had assumed at the time it was from the Josie she remembered, but maybe there had been another Josie enrolled at Magnolia College. The post said Josie had taken a whirlwind tour of Europe after graduation and mentioned a daughter. But why would someone pretend to be someone else on a college reunion Web site? And why was this caller so sure it wasn’t the real Josie? Maybe it was simply a case of mistaken СКАЧАТЬ