Oh Inez couldnt finish her sentence.
They cried, then laughed, finished their martinis and cigarettes, and went to bed, as the world outside transformed into a cold but extraordinary winter kingdom.
G
iven that it was going to be a long day, Inez started the meeting at nine. A foot of snow already covered the ground. Still, it kept coming down.
She looked around the room. Lets wait five minutes.
Flo wiggled in her seat but said nothing. She conspicuously checked her watch.
Five minutes passed.
Does anyone have any idea where Mariah is? Inez asked.
We can go on without her, Liz stated.
Yes.
The meeting went smoothly without Flo and Mariah sniping at each other.
Inez wrapped it up in an hour, to her great surprise. Then she walked through the hall to Kenda Shindlers office.
Hello.
Kenda, did Mariah call you to say she wouldnt be attending the meeting?
No.
Thats not like her.
Inez left after a pleasant exchange. She walked along the shoveled paths back to the Fairchild Alumni House. Once there, she pulled out her cell and called Pete, Mariahs husband. Not wishing to worry him,
she asked if he knew where Mariah had stayed last night. He cited a very nice B&B. Then Inez told him that Mariah hadnt attended the board meeting. This surprised him, but he didnt seem alarmed.
Next Inez called Gayle Lampe, because Gayle knew Mariahs habits fairly well; they often traveled to the summer Saddlebred shows together. But Gayle hadnt heard from Mariah after a quick coffee in Gayles office at about 6:00 P.M., the previous evening.
Inez fought a sinking feeling in her stomach. She didnt want to spoil Tallys big day with her worry over Mariah. First she called Jahnae Barnett. Jahnae suggested they should leave a message with the proprietor of the B&B. If Mariah didnt show up by 2:00 P.M., Jahnae would call the police.
D
eputy Knute Sorenson arrived at Jahnae Barnetts office at 3:00 P.M. in a hard snow. Residents of Callaway County might be accustomed to driving in the snow, but there was always a slick spot here or there or the one fool who flew along at sixty miles an hour, only to spin out of control. It had taken the deputy longer to get to the campus than he would have liked.
Inez, tired, waited with Jahnae. The president had also called her husband, Eddie Barnett, a calm figure in a crisis and one not given to flights of fancy. Cognizant of news that the storm would worsen, he was heading home from one of his XVIII Wheelers Truck Washes out on Route 70. While Eddie might not carry an official title at the school, his common sense was appreciated by his wife, who was facing a troublesome, perhaps deeply upsetting situation.
Inez explained to Deputy Sorenson, a competent fellow of about thirty-four, who was missing and why she thought it highly unusual.
Any reasons you can think of concerning her absence? He was a pleasant, respectful young man.
No, Inez replied patiently. She did borrow from the alumnae accounts without clearing it with the board, but she replaced the money quickly. Twenty-five thousand dollars.
Did anyone else know but you?
The president, Dr. Barnett, was informed yesterday.
Did Mrs. DAngelo have enemies that you knew about?
Flo Langston. Perhaps rival is a better term than enemy. They graduated in the same class in 1974. Never did get along.
Did Mrs. Langston know about the twenty-five thousand dollars?
No, Inez crisply replied. Had she known, she would have used it against her. The two have been fighting for control of the board for the last year. It reached a nadir recently. The standing chair had to step down, which is why Im acting chair despite my advanced age.
Which is? Hed been scribbling in his notebook.
Ninety-eight.
He looked up quickly from his notebook, his brown eyes wide. Ninety-eight.
Ninety-eight. Inez smiled, and old though she was, a hint of flirtation infused that smile.
If you dont mind me asking, maam, how have you kept so, uh, fit?
Im an equine vet. Still go out on a case as a consultant. Lots of physical labor and using ones mind. And Im an alumna of William Woods. I like to think Ive kept going because I want to know whats happening at my alma mater.
Jahnae said evenly, I called the bed-and-breakfast where Mariah was staying; she never came back last night. Her car is parked by the barns. She often parks there when visiting here. Shes a passionate horsewoman. We are beginning to worry, obviously.
Inez spoke up, No one has touched the car, for what thats worth.
Might be helpful. He then asked, Did she ever threaten anyone physically?
Well, Inez temporized, not exactly. Two board meetings back, she threatened to tear off Flo Langstons face.
Was Mrs. Langston frightened or angry? He scribbled again.
Angry. She said if she were to tear off Mariahs face, she wouldnt know where to start since she always saw two.
It took the deputy a moment to grasp the insult.
Jahnae said, Officer, is there any way to keep this low-key? Were celebrating the one hundredth birthday of one of our alumna this evening. The weather is already causing some distress. We dont need
she thought for a momentanother problem. Weve assembled the alumnae board so that you might question them as soon as possible. Theyre sworn to secrecy until after the event.
Think theyll keep their promise? Hed seen enough of human behavior to know that most people couldnt resist being the bearer of bad news; the greater the disaster, the happier they were to report it.
I believe they will. Inez smiled. If not, they answer to me.
He studied her for a moment, then smiled slightly. I see.
Before questioning the board, Deputy Sorenson called for a backup. Gina, Im at William Woods. Will you go to the stables on campus and He glanced at Inez.
New Range Rover Sport, black. She supplied the information.
Find a new black Range Rover Sport parked back at the barns. The owner is missing. Ive got some people to question. If theres anything there, I dont want it to walk.
Gina readily agreed. As everyone knew the university, she needed no directions. Deputy Sorenson then walked into the conference room.
Jahnae touched Inez on the shoulder. Would you like me to attend?
No, you have enough to do. If theres any further development, Ill call you on your cell. Inez breathed deeply. Shes dead, Jahnae. I feel it in my bones.
Her face registering not shock but sad agreement, Jahnae nodded. Lets pray shes not.
By 4:00 P.M., nothing new had turned up, and Inez walked through the snow to clear her head, then returned to the Fairchild Alumni House. Tally, Big Mim, and Little Mim were upstairs, getting ready for this evenings festivities. Harry was ironing her skirt in the kitchen. She hated ironing but had dutifully found the ironing board in a hallway closet. Inez told Harry everything, because she trusted Harrys keen mind.
Tally wont find out until after the celebration, hopefully. Harry
set the iron on its haunches. Could Mariah have been involved in something more scandalous than a money problem?
Possible. These days anything is possible. Actually, it was probably always that way. Its just now were badgered by news around the clock. It only makes things worse, I think. Inez sank into a kitchen chair.