The night before, he had been out to dinner with a woman he had dated casually, but regularly, while they were in law school. She was attractive and smart. He had enjoyed her company. But she had never given him the feeling he experienced when he was with Aline.
He reminded himself that his job was to investigate the murder of a young woman. His interaction with the victim’s family, including her sister, should be no more than what was necessary to pursue the case.
Despite that, Aline Dowling was very much in his thoughts. He found himself trying to think of reasons related to the case that would make it appropriate for him to call her and suggest that they meet.
Her image was always in his mind. Her hazel eyes, large with long lashes that framed them, sometimes seemed to reflect the color she was wearing. The first time they were out, she had on a violet blue jacket with matching slacks that showed the elegance of her body and carriage. Sometimes she wore her hair loose around her shoulders. That was when her resemblance to Kerry was unmistakable. Other times her hair was caught up at the back of her head. Mike found himself trying to decide which way he liked it best.
She had told him about her fiancé being killed by an intoxicated driver four years ago. He had the sense that there was no one in her life right now. Her heartfelt defense of Jamie Chapman showed her absolute loyalty to someone who was an active suspect in her sister’s murder. In her talks with Kerry’s friends she was constantly trying to find any clue that might help the investigation find answers.
Besides her reaction to the growing suspicions about Jamie Chapman, it was also clear to him that even though Alan Crowley was under arrest, Aline was not convinced that he was the killer. Whoever murdered Kerry had dealt her a vicious blow to the back of her head. If it was not Jamie or Alan, it meant that a third party who could do that to an eighteen-year-old girl would stop at nothing to escape detection. He knew that Aline was deeply concerned about a student who had been very close to Kerry and was now depressed. Aline had been careful to avoid referring to her by name, so Mike realized she would probably not say much about her to him.
His cell phone rang, and he saw the name on the screen. He grabbed it and said, “Hello Aline.”
“Mike, weeks ago you asked me to keep thinking about what Kerry was referring to when she texted that she had something very important to talk to me about. I might have made some progress.”
“What is it, Aline?” Mike asked quickly.
“Kerry sent that text at 11:02 A.M. I saw on her credit card bill that she went to a diner that morning and met someone for breakfast. The waitress remembered Kerry clearly and said the girl she was with had been crying. I brought pictures of Kerry’s friends. She immediately identified who was at the breakfast with Kerry.”
“Who is it?”
“The name won’t mean anything to you. It’s Valerie Long. She’s the one I told you about. She played on the lacrosse team with Kerry. From what I understand Kerry had taken her under her wing, and she’s heartbroken about Kerry’s death. Judging from the time element, Kerry sent me that text very shortly after the breakfast ended.”
“Do you have any idea what they spoke about?”
“No, but I’m going to find a reason to get Valerie into my office on Monday and see if she’ll talk about it.”
“Aline, if that girl said anything to Kerry that might have revealed something tied into her death, it could be very dangerous for you. My suggestion is that you call the girl into your office, tell her that you know that she had breakfast that morning with Kerry and try to make her understand that Kerry was going to tell you whatever it was that she and Valerie discussed. Tell her that Kerry intended to tell you about the conversation and that Kerry would want her to share it with you at your meeting. We can talk about whether it makes sense for me to interview this girl.”
“That’s what I want to do,” Aline said. “Thank you, Mike.”
“Aline, I’ve enjoyed the times we’ve had dinner together. When this case is over—”
“Yes,” Aline interrupted, “I want you to ask me out.”
72
On Sunday morning, after the ten o’clock Mass, Aline had made breakfast and was enjoying the peace and quiet as she read the papers. She found herself putting off the work she had brought home from school. One more cup of coffee, she thought, and then an hour at the gym, and then I’ll plow through it.
As she was getting up from the table, the home phone rang. The caller ID showed “Private.” She picked it up.
“Aline Dowling, is that you?”
“Yes, it is. Who’s calling?”
“Aline, this is Marina Long. I’m so sorry to call you at home, and I don’t have your cell number.”
“Absolutely no problem, Marina. I was thinking about you and Valerie the other day. She wasn’t in school on Friday. Is everything okay?”
There was a pause before Marina answered. “No, well yes, things are better now.”
“Marina, I can tell you’re upset. What happened?”
“Valerie tried to take her life on Friday—”
“Oh, my God, is she all right?”
“Yes, I was in the hospital with her all day Friday. They kept her overnight. A hospital psychiatrist came and spoke to her the next morning. He said it was okay for us to bring
