Read Online Cold Case by Kate Wilhelm - Free Book Online

some of his students over here for evening seminars, and David and Robert were both in his class. That’s when I met David.” She thought that needed a bit of explaining, and added, “Dr. Elders couldn’t do it at his house because his wife was ill.”
    â€œHe’s a family friend?” Frank asked.
    Amy felt confused, not really sure how this whole line of explanation had come about, but she continued. “He lives next door and was here a lot. He still comes over frequently. He had the students come here, had caterers bring in something, and had discussions. He’s retired now. Mother and Dad were happy to have the sessions here,” she added. She had not given it much thought before but, saying it, she realized how peculiar it must sound for a professor to meet with his students in a neighbor’s house.

    Barbara parked behind David’s car and entered the apartment. She walked straight through to the sliding door and opened a drape, then looked around. David had already packed most things apparently. A large suitcase was closed, and a smaller one nearly filled. Of course, she thought, he had originally planned to be in San Francisco for ten days at least, and then fly to Britain. He would have needed a lot of things. The apartment was very clean and neat, the bed made, nothing on the floor. It would be hard for her to even pretend to be busy for very long.
    â€œThis is very nice,” Frank said, on entering and glancing about the apartment. He went to the sliding door and said softly, “That’s a beautiful garden. Mind if I have a look?”
    Amy glanced at Barbara, who shrugged and nodded.
    â€œI’ll show you,” Amy said. “It’s my mother’s garden.”
    They walked out to the deck, and Barbara began looking into the dresser drawers. She found little to add to the suitcase, clean clothes for one day, today. His shaving gear in the bathroom, other toiletries there. A robe hanging on the door. It didn’t take long to gather everything and pack it. A laptop computer was on the table, the carrying case on a chair near it, with a notebook and some papers. Later she would look through them all for addresses and whatever else might be helpful, but for now she simply packed the papers and notebook in the computer case and added the laptop. After finishing with the suitcases, she took them to her car and stowed them in the trunk. David had left little for anyone to clean up after he was gone. Empty refrigerator, no dirty dishes, a little coffee, enough for one pot, and nothing else. He was a considerate tenant, a neat person. Too neat? Compulsive about it? Hard to say, she decided. But certainly considerate. Leaving the laptop to take out later, she stepped onto the deck. To her surprise, Frank was seated with Amy, another woman and an older man at the far end of the deck. They were having a drink together, chatting.
    â€œMiddle America on a lazy summer evening, sharing a little good cheer,” she muttered under her breath, and walked over to join them.

7
    A s Barbara approached the small group at the table, Frank and the other man rose. Frank introduced her to Chloe McCrutchen and Dr. Elders. Chloe nodded without speaking, then nodded again when Barbara repeated her condolences. Chloe appeared absorbed in the contents of her glass, uninterested in guests. With her black glossy hair, olive complexion and dark eyes, she was very attractive, but she also looked pinched and pale. Shadows made her eyes appear almost sunken, as if sleep was elusive.
    â€œWould you like a gin and tonic?” Dr. Elders asked. “Your father opted for water, but I’d be happy to mix you a drink.”
    He looked ready to audition for a role as prissy headmaster for a movie about a boy’s misadventures in a British school, Barbara thought. He said he would be happy to mix a drink, and apparently meant it. He seemed ready to leap to his feet to go do it. His