Getting Closer

Welcome back to DAAG! We’re closing in on the murderer. Let’s see what happens in…

Chapter Fifty-three

Taking a deep breath, Ben got up from his desk and opened the door. In the outer office, Janelle sat at her desk, studying the green notebook. The one with her notes about the murder.

         Ben rolled his eyes. She would pursue this case until she solved it. Hopefully she would forget all about the murder during a romantic dinner.

         “Janelle?”

         She looked up, her pretty eyes wide.

         “It’s after five o’clock. How would you like to go to Hillaker’s Restaurant tonight? Just you and me?”

         He thought she would smile and agree. Or maybe jump up and say, “Let’s go!”

Instead, she frowned and looked down at the notebook. “I have to get back into the passageway, Ben. The sheriff will need to dust the place for fingerprints, but my fingerprints are already there. I might as well keep searching.” She looked up at him. “I believe the murderer didn’t just kill your father because he hated him. He wanted something—something your father had.”

Ben huffed out a breath. “Why do you have to do that tonight?”

“Because my dad’s coming back home tomorrow. He’ll ask me about the case, and I can’t lie to him.”

Unlike my family. Ben rubbed a hand across his forehead. At least Janelle was not a liar.

“Will you wait for me?” Her smile came then. “Just an hour, okay? I’ll see what I can find, and then we’ll go out to eat.”

The outer door opened, and Howard walked in. “I missed my bus! And I saw it pulling away. Can you believe that?”

Ben glanced at Janelle, then did a double take. She gaped at Howard, her face a chalky white.

Ben walked toward her. “Janelle? Are you okay?”

“Huh?” She tore her eyes from Howard to focus on him. “Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” She looked back at Howard. “When does the next bus come?”

“Not until eight o’clock.” Howard opened the door to his office. “I might as well do some work while I’m waiting.” The door closed.
         Janelle bit her lower lip. “Uh, Ben, would you come into the passageway with me?”

“What?” Didn’t she remember he was claustrophobic?

“I would feel safer if you were there.”

“Janelle, I…”

She motioned toward Howard’s office. “You never know who you can trust.”

“You think Howard—”

“Sh-h!” Janelle grabbed his arm and propelled him to the door. Together they walked to Jed’s office and went inside.

Janelle closed the door. “Remember how Howard and your dad had that argument?”

“Right.” Ben frowned. “But Howard recorded the whole thing, even the deadbolt locking in place.”

“Yep. Good evidence for him.” Janelle lowered her voice. “But what if Howard came back through the passageway later—without his tape recorder?”

The hairs on the back of Ben’s neck stood up. “You think he killed my dad?”

“It’s possible. My dad thinks Howard’s the murderer. Dad doesn’t put any stock in the recording, and I just realized Howard could be using that as a ruse.”

Ben shook his head. “I just don’t know.” He’d known Howard for a long time. Wouldn’t the man act guilty if he was a murderer?

“That’s why I want you to stay with me in the passageway, Ben. What if Howard comes in from the other way and finds me snooping around?” Janelle walked to the chair rail and pressed the panel open.

Ben glanced at the small hole in the wall and took a deep breath. “How about if I stay here in my dad’s office? Call out if you find anything suspicious.”

“Or any one.” Janelle bent down and squeezed into the passageway.

Ben dropped into his dad’s office chair. All he wanted was a quiet, romantic dinner with a pretty girl.

Unfortunately, she was a Nancy Drew wanna-be. 

* * *

         Until tomorrow, God bless!