The Perfect Coed (Oak Grove Mysteries Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

tenure review, Dr. Scott?”
    “Ah, well… yes.” His eyes were fixed slightly over her left shoulder as he deliberately avoided looking at her.
    Here she was on solid ground. “Until it is proven—which it won’t be—that I had anything to do with putting that un… uh, poor girl’s body in the trunk of my car, I am an innocent victim. If you try to use that against me, Dr. Scott, I’ll make a large and legal fuss that will make you wish for early retirement.” Okay, she’d lost her cool at the end of it, but her point was well taken. She almost grinned when she realized that she’d started to use the word “unfortunate” herself, in reference to Missy Jackson, as though she were mimicking Dr. Scott.
    “We just want to see this matter cleared up as quickly and quietly as possible,” Scott said nervously.
    “Nobody wants that more than I do. The death of any young girl is a great tragedy, especially one of such promise and especially in these circumstances.” Susan felt like she was lecturing, but she plowed on. “It has nothing to do with my tenure review or with me.” Remembering the note on the rock thrown through Jake’s windshield, Susan fervently hoped that the last statement was true.
    “We’ll see,” he said, rising and turning his back to her as he looked out the window. “I don’t believe in coincidences. There must be a reason that body was in your car.”
    Ernie gave him that idea, too, Susan thought. He’s really out to get me, so he can get tenure without any complication. Maybe he’s out to get me out of just plain meanness. Nothing like academic competition. Ernie the worm!
    Susan knew dismissal when it hit her over the head. She left his office without another word.

Chapter Three
    Susan promised Jake she wouldn’t be on campus alone after dark, so she dutifully headed for the library about four o’clock. But she found some new research on Zane Grey and stayed longer than she intended. It was dusk when she walked into the parking lot and then remembered that the moped was in her faculty parking spot behind Baker Hall. Darn, a long walk! And she was tired and wanted a glass of wine. She wondered if Jake was looking for her. If so, he’d be mad—again! Trying to keep Jake Phillips happy was on her mind almost as much as solving Missy Jackson’s murder. In fact, she was surprised she’d put both things out of her mind so thoroughly in the library.
    She cut through the library parking lot, headed toward the faculty lot, her thoughts on Jake. But when she heard a car gun its motor behind her, she froze for just an instant and then turned to look. She couldn’t tell what make or model the car was, except that it was small and dark and it could go like hell when gunned. And it was headed straight toward her.
    With a yelp and a loud curse, Susan made a sideways leap between parked cars and landed in a heap. Her purse and book bag scattered behind her. She felt the car go by her and heard its engine next to her ear. Then it roared out of the parking lot, lights off. She lay perfectly still for a moment, afraid to move because the car might come back—and because she wasn’t sure she hadn’t broken every bone in her body. Then slowly, carefully, she began to move, feeling her arms and legs, trying to see how badly she was hurt. She was mostly okay. Her rayon pants were torn on the left side where she landed, and she thought she could feel a large scrape under the torn pant leg. Her silk blouse was torn on the left sleeve, and her arm stung. Her left shoulder hurt like hell, and her hands were scraped and raw. Even the left side of her face hurt, and she wondered if she’d sprout a good-sized bruise there. But she could stand and, after a few tentative steps, she found she could walk.
    She gathered up her purse and books and fished for the cell phone. Then she called campus police.
    “Security,” a bored voice said. It was Melba, the night dispatcher.
    “This is Susan Hogan,”