Murder Is Elementary by Diane Weiner

extended her hand. Susan could definitely see the family resemblance, especially around the chin area.
    “I’m Susan and this is my husband Mike. I worked with Antonio.”
    “Glad to meet you. I’m so happy that Antonio finally got a principal job. No one can support a family on a teaching salary.”
    Susan was thinking that you indeed could if you could live without up-dos and granite countertops, but she refrained from voicing her opinion. Just then Theresa and Jody arrived.
    “What an incredible spread,” said Jody. “And this house is gorgeous.” They assembled heaping plates of food and came into the living room.
    “Hi, Susan. You look great. We miss you at school. My kids don’t come back from music as excited as they did last year. They miss you,” said Theresa. She sat on the leather couch next to Susan.
    “Thanks for telling me that,” said Susan. “I miss them too, although I can’t say I’m not enjoying all the free time I have now.” I’ve lots of time to paste pictures into scrapbooks and organize the refrigerator , thought Susan. How did I ever survive having the mayonnaise thrown into the crisper drawer?
    “You’re lucky you’re gone,” said Jody. “Kids today are crazier every year. Their parents are too. I wish these parents weren’t so clueless. If it’s your kid you should know if they are heading into problems, don’t you think?” She took a bite of her egg roll.
    “Yes, I saw a lot of changes in the years I taught. When I first started teaching most of the kids wouldn’t dare talk back to a teacher or a parent. There’d be maybe one bad seed in the bunch. It’s all technology’s fault. They just play those video games and text all day long,” said Susan.
    “I think it’s because families don’t eat dinner together anymore,” added Theresa.
    Antonio came over in the middle of this conversation.
    “Don’t worry, I’m cleaning up the behavior now that I’m in charge.” Antonio chuckled but Susan knew there was some truth in that. Or, at least Antonio believed it was true.
    “I’d like to propose a toast.” Hayley’s father clinked a fork against his champagne glass. He was tall and handsome with the same dimples that Antonio had. Hayley had hired a helper for the party. She came around with a tray of champagne. “To Antonio and his new position. I knew it would happen eventually.” Glasses were raised and the guests drank to Westbrook Elementary’s new principal.
    “Come get some dinner,” said Hayley. The appetizers had been replaced with trays of lasagna and carved ham. There were dinner rolls still warm from the oven, and the butter was shaped into little rosebuds. Susan and Mike helped themselves and sat down at a folding table covered with a linen tablecloth.
    “This is delicious,” said Mike. “I haven’t had ham in a while.”
    “It sure is. I love this lasagna. You know me and Italian food; we’ve had a love affair all my life,” said Susan.
    Jody and Theresa set down their plates and had seats at the table with Susan and Mike. “These rolls taste like they just came out of the oven,” said Theresa. They cleaned their plates while conversing. All four of them went back for seconds.
    “Excuse me, but I need the ladies room,” said Susan. She rose from the table and felt how full she was. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Susan tried the bathroom door but it was locked.
    Hayley walked by. “There’s another bathroom in our bedroom,” said Hayley. It’s just at the top of the stairs on the right.”
    Susan found the bedroom without a problem, but when she opened what she thought was the bathroom door, it turned out to be a walk in closet. She flicked the light on. It’s at least as big as a bathroom , thought Susan. She couldn’t help rifling through the clothes on Hayley’s side of the closet. Hayley had impeccable taste. Lynette would have called this snooping, but really it was just research. Who knew when she would have a fancy