Murder is Academic Read Online Free PDF Page B

on its scaly face?
    *
    With the exception of Der’s grumbling about his ruined suit and shoes, neither of us spoke as we paddled home. But as we stepped out of the canoe and pulled it ashore at my dock, Der broke the silence.
    “If what you were implying back there was that Will Stanford was the unidentified science person who met with the president and killed him, you’re wrong. Talbot’s office schedule indicated he had a meeting set up with Stanford early the morning after the murder. It looks as if he never had the opportunity to break the news to Stanford before he was killed.”
    “So the mystery remains as to the identity of the ‘science’ person on his schedule. I guess you’ve got a whole lot of footwork to do today.” I walked behind him listening to the squishy noises emanating from his footwear with each step up the path to the house.
    “Not in these.” He pointed at his shoes. “And not dressed this way. I’ve got to get home and change. Why didn’t you tell me those fish would bite? I may need a Band-Aid.” He examined his finger, which looked undamaged to me.
    “If you’re so scared of fish, you shouldn’t be out on the water.”
    He stopped walking for a moment, squared his shoulders and squished on.
    We were almost at the top of the path, when I heard laughter. I looked up to see Guy standing there, hands on his hips, mouth wide open as he guffawed at our appearance.
    “What did she do to you?” Guy asked.
    “Me? He’s the one who tipped the canoe because a little fish nibbled on his finger.” I pushed some tendrils of wet hair off my face and tried to look dignified. My sodden pants crept up between my legs, making it difficult to walk.
    “Never mind about the fish.” Der pushed past Guy.
    I left the two of them on the back deck with coffee while I ran to the linen closet and got towels for Der to put on the seat of his cruiser.
    I walked with him to his car.
    “You’ll be at the funeral tomorrow, you and Annie?” He threw his wet suit coat in the back of the cruiser. “Can you kind of circulate at the house following the burial? Keep your ears open?”
    I leaned into the car window and clasped my hands together in delight.
    He wrinkled his nose in distaste. “Better jump in the shower before you get too close to Guy. You smell like fish.”
    Der backed out of the drive, waved to me, then rolled down the car window before he took off. “I’ll send you the cleaning bill.”
    The shower seemed like a good idea, and since Guy had a few minutes before he had to leave for work, I convinced him we should get pruney together.
    *
    I was working in my downstairs office when Annie arrived.
    “I see you can still walk.” I shut down my computer.
    “It’s not the walking that’s the problem. It’s the arms and back that are sore. Don’t you ache?”
    “A little, but I worked out the kinks this morning.”
    Annie pushed a lock of damp hair off her forehead. “It’s been so hot lately I could go for a dip in the lake.”
    “I already took one this morning.” I explained to Annie about her paddling stand-in and his encounter with the fish.
    “Der complained all the way home, but I think I’m the one who’s suffering most. I’ve been plagued with these earaches this summer, so I haven’t felt much like swimming. And the last thing I needed this morning was an ear full of water. As a matter of fact, I have an appointment with the doctor this afternoon. She prescribed antibiotics several weeks ago for the infection, and I seem to be better, but she wanted me back for a check. Want to come with me?”
    “Sure. I’ll take a quick dip while you get ready.” Annie grabbed a towel out of her car and headed down to the lake.
    *
    Dr. Marion Davis’ tall frame hovered over me as she looked into my ears. I asked how her two kids were doing this summer.
    “Kids’re at camp and hubby is off again on one of his consulting gigs in the city.” She stepped back and removed her