Page 20 - Labelle Gramercy, Detective

Road Kill

administration doesn’t seem to be bothered by that. I showed the
damage on his desk to the custodian, hoping he would report it. I
don’t know if he has. Do you?”
“No. All sorts of minor vandalism occur around here, as you
probably are aware.”
Her hand came out of the book bag with a folded-up newspaper.
“Have you seen this?”
I looked at the page she indicated. “That’s the article on Ross
Ewidge in the Sunday edition of the West Valley Reporter, isn’t it?”
“Right. It doesn’t say anything we don’t already know. But the
picture bothers me.”
“Bothers you?” One of the students had snapped a photo of
Ewidge at the ranger station minutes before the group had scattered
on its quest for botanical edification. The instructor was flanked by
Stew Potter and Lisa Kondo, his prize pupils; his neatly-tailored safari
shirt showed his slight figure to advantage, and the Panama hat
cocked at a jaunty angle obscured his receding hairline—as well as
provided him enough height to appear taller than Stew, who was no
giant. The Reporter had purchased (I assume) and reproduced the
photo, over an egregiously sensationalistic caption, ‘Farewell Photo
of West Valley Educator Snapped Moments before Death Plunge.’
“Yes. Like, what’s wrong with this picture?”
“Out of focus?” I suggested, trying to keep it light.
“Not enough to obscure some essential detail that keeps nagging at
my brain.” She shook her head, as if to clear it. “What are the police
up to, Mr. Holloman? Anything new?”
I put my hands on the desk pad, palms up, showing I had nothing
to hide. “Really, Labelle: let’s be serious. The coroner has ruled Mr.
Ewidge’s death an accident. There was no hint of suicide or foul play.
You said yourself he was all alone on the edge of that cliff. What
more do you want?”
“Me?” She seemed genuinely taken aback. “I don’t want anything
for myself. But I don’t think justice is being served, Mr. Holloman,
when the police won’t perform a thorough investigation.”
“So you are certain they have overlooked something?”
“I am. Really! I suppose they won’t reopen the case just because
some high school student wants them to, unless I can show them
new evidence or point out an inconsistency. But you can help: you’re

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