brow. âWhy would you think that? Heâs a new student, right? We just met him for the first time yesterday. It isnât that unusual for a student to miss a class.â
âIâm not sure why, but when he didnât show up yesterday, it made me nervous.â
âBut weâve had students drop out of class before. I donât get it.â
âI donât know. I think my motherâs health condition has me all out of sorts. Itâs nothing to be worried about.â
Savannah rubbed Amandaâs arms. âIâm sorry. He seemed like such a nice young man. Anyway, Iâll be working with Detective Parker as a consultant to help identify any leads that may be connected to the bottles. By the way, theyâre at the studio now. I needed them for comparison.â
Amandaâs head drooped. âI canât get it in my mind that Martinâs gone.â
Savannah patted her on the back. âAmanda, are you going to be all right? You need to get ready for class. Everyone will be here inââ
Just then the bell jangled as the front door opened, announcing the noisy entrance of the Rosenberg twins.
At the sight of the twins, Savannah let out a chuckle, which she lamely tried to hide with a cough. After composing herself, she greeted the twins. âGood morning, ladies.â They were dressed in matching orange today. The cartoon image of a huge pumpkin turning into Cinderellaâs coach caused Savannah to hold her breath until the urge to laugh went away.
âDid you see the morning paper?â said Rachel. âThey have identified the bodyââ
âOf that diver who washed up on the beach,â Faith said, finishing for her.
âNot on the beach. It was in the Intracoastal, down by Park Street,â Rachel said, correcting Faith.
Faith nodded her head. âOh yes, pardon me. Right near all the fancy houses. Did you all see it in the paper?â
Rachel handed two papers to Savannah. âI thought you might like to have these. I know youâre an online readerââ
âBut itâs nice to have a real paper sometimes.â Faith patted Savannah on the forearm.
âWhy two papers? You live in the same house,â Savannah said.
Faith looked pointedly at Rachel. âSome things just canâtââ
âBe shared.â Rachel returned the hard stare.
Amanda, who had made a sudden appearance, was just staring at the twins.
Addressing the twins, Savannah said, âI didnât see the paper, but yes, the diver was our student Martin Lane. Iâll tell the class when everyone arrives. I would appreciate it if you could keep this to yourselves until weâve made the announcement.â
Amanda turned without speaking and quickly ducked into the classroom.
She must be extremely upset. Iâve never seen her speechless.
âI must say, there always seems to be a crime connected with each of your classes.â Rachelâs tone was church-lady stern as she looked over the top of her glasses. âIâm beginning to have grave concerns about your associations, young lady.â
âI know.â Faith clapped her hands in joy. âYour classes have been full of the most excitement weâve seen in years. You must surely admit that Savannahâs murder investigations have livened up our evening conversations. You have to admit that, Rachel.â
Rachel lifted her head up and walked toward the classroom. âWe donât have to seek out notoriety, Faith. Itâs not Christian.â
Faithâs eyes flashed her satisfaction. âSheâs embarrassed by her curiosity.â She looked at Savannah. âI think it does us both a world of good.â She followed Rachel into the classroom.
As soon as the rest of the students had arrived and settled nicely, Savannah motioned for Amanda to stand next to her at the front of the classroom.
âExcuse me. I have a sad announcement.
RICHARD LANGE
Anderson Atlas
Michael Wood
A.W. Hartoin
PJ Strebor
Miranda Neville
Simmone Howell
Anne Lamott
Laura Lippman
Diane Chamberlain