A Hint of Magic (17 page)

“Well that was a waste of time,” Parker grumbled a couple hours later. 

He had been outside on his phone having a private conversation with a police officer he knew in Green City.  Clarissa, meanwhile, had been inside attempting to make the couch less lumpy.  Her efforts basically consisted of folding up a couple of duvets and hoping for the best.

“It can’t have been worse than all the time we wasted at the local precinct,” Clarissa replied. 

She and Parker had gone down there and attempted to tell the police what they knew.  Their concerns about Shane had been dismissed.  Clarissa had been disappointed by the reaction – or lack thereof – but she couldn’t say she was terribly surprised.

“My buddy said he’s far too swamped to do any off the record police work at the moment,” Parker sighed.  “He did check to see if Shane has a criminal record – he doesn’t.  But beyond that, we’re on our own.”

“Maybe I should find an excuse to go over there and pay Shane a visit,” Clarissa suggested.  “We have to get more evidence.  If he already knows I’m onto him, then what’s the harm in ringing his doorbell and trying to get him to talk?  Maybe he’ll slip up.”

“Right now you’re reminding me of a kid I knew who poked a hornet’s nest with a stick.”

“Why would anyone do that?” she asked.

Parker shrugged.  “He wanted to see what would happen.”

She winced.  “I don’t suppose I need to ask what happened.”

“I developed a lifelong fear of hornets,” Parker admitted sheepishly.

“The kid was you?”

He nodded and pulled out his car keys.  “Let’s go talk to Shane.”

“Okay.  Let me put on my shoes.”

As Clarissa knelt down to tie her sneakers, Parker began to laugh.  “What’s this?” he asked, gesturing to the folded duvet on the couch.  He pulled it up to reveal that underneath it was a second folded duvet. He was thoroughly amused.

“What’s so funny?”

“Should I start wearing a tiara?” he snickered.

“Huh?”

“It was a reference to The Princess and the Pea,” he explained.

“Ah.  You laugh now, but you’ll thank me in the morning.”  Clarissa paused and took her earrings off.  She slipped them into her pocket.  Then she slipped on her jacket.  “I’m ready if you are,” she announced.

“Not wearing your earrings?”

“Nope, they’ve caused enough trouble for one day.  Besides, why give Shane the satisfaction of seeing me react to his creepy threatening letter?  I’m going to pretend I didn’t even get it,” Clarissa announced.

“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Parker replied.

“Come on, Princess,” she said, linking her arm through his.  “Let’s go catch a killer.”

***

“What should we say?” Parker asked a short time later.  They were parked outside the Klassen residence.  They were about to go confront a young man who had murdered his own brother in cold blood.  Making sure they were on the same page with their story seemed like a good idea.

“Let’s play the reporter card,” Clarissa suggested.  “We’ll tell him we want an interview.  I’ll say I’m working on a human interest piece about the effect violent crime has on victims’ families.  I’ll say I want to see how the Klassen family is coping and make sure Greg isn’t forgotten.”

“Heh, like anyone in this town would forget about Greg?  I think his murder is about the only thing anyone is talking about these days,” Parker observed wryly.  “But your idea is a good one,” he added.  “Let’s do it.”

They walked up to the front door and rang the bell.

After a moment, the heavy, reluctant thud of footsteps could be heard on the stairs.

The door opened and none other than Shane himself stood there looking at them. 

He appeared dazed and there were potato chip crumbs on the front of his sweatshirt.  Maybe it was a bad thing that Clarissa could instantly recognize potato chip crumbs on a sweatshirt.  Or, maybe all her late night binges had been preparing her for this very moment…she preferred to look at it that way.

Shane appeared confused at first.  Then, as he looked from Clarissa to Parker and back again, recognition came over his face.  His demeanor didn’t change, though.  There was no nervousness or agitation.  He remained completely stoic, if not somewhat distracted.

“My mom isn’t here,” he said.  Then, without being asked for more information, he volunteered, “Aunt Linda took her to the spa for a couple nights.  I have the house to myself until then.  Do you want me to give my mom a message when she gets back?”

“No thanks,” Parker replied.

“Okay, well my mom isn’t home,” Shane reiterated.

“That’s okay,” Clarissa assured him quickly.  “Actually, we’re here to talk to you.”  She hastily took a step forward and stuck her foot out so that Shane couldn’t shut the door.  It wasn’t the time to be a shrinking violet.  Right now, she needed to be assertive. 

Thankfully, her cat had taught her how to be bossy and demanding.

“You’re here to talk to
me
?” Shane asked in confusion. 

“Yes.  We’ve been thinking about you and your family a lot.  The whole town is concerned,” Clarissa said – and it was the truth. “If I could have a few minutes of your time, I’d love to discuss writing an article about your family in the newspaper.”

Shane appeared to be thinking it over.  “I don’t know…”

Clarissa decided to try harder.  “All too often, the families of victims are overlooked.  I don’t want that.  Look, you and I are both from Sugarcomb Lake.  You know we have good people here.  Everyone wants to help.  What do you need?”

“I don’t know.”

“What does your mom need?” Parker piped up, getting onboard.

“I don’t know,” Shane admitted.  Then he remembered, “She needs someone to clean the rain gutters.  My brother went up on the roof and took a look around.  He said they’re full of leaves and stuff, but it’s too big a job for him.  He has vertigo,” Shane explained. 

“Ah, that’s bad.  That means he and heights don’t really mix, huh?” Parker asked.

“Right,” Shane nodded.  “And I’m scared to go up there…” 

He really didn’t seem like a fighter.  If anything, the kid was a bit of a coward.

“I’m scared of heights too,” Clarissa said, trying to establish some common ground.  “What if I mention in my article that volunteers are needed to help around the yard?” she suggested.  “I’m sure folks are willing to come out and pitch in.”

“They’d really do that?” Shane asked.

“You bet.  Do you mind if we come in?” she asked.  “We can discuss it more.”

“Maybe it’s something you should talk to my mom about,” Shane replied.  “I mean, it’s her house. I just live here until I finish up my online degree.  She’ll be home tomorrow if you want to come back then.”

“Why not surprise her?” Parker suggested.  “Let’s do the legwork for her.”

Shane hesitated and appeared to be thinking it over.

“What do you say?” Clarissa prompted gently.  As she spoke, she edged forward.

“I dunno.  I’m kind of busy,” Shane mumbled. 

Despite his protests, he stood back and allowed Clarissa and Parker to basically push their way inside.  Shane didn’t strike Clarissa as a take-charge sort of guy.  Was he the weak little brother who had finally reached the end of his rope and snapped?  Or was everything she had thought she knew wrong?

“This won’t take long,” Parker promised once he and Clarissa were in the house.

“Okay,” Shane agreed reluctantly.  “But I need to get back to my game soon.”

Parker shot Clarissa an incredulous look.

She knew what he was thinking.  He was thinking it was absurd for a boy whose brother had recently been murdered to be playing video games.  But Clarissa wasn’t so sure she agreed.  She knew the games provided a sort of escapism that could come in handy during troubling times.

The more she looked at Shane, the more she began to doubt that he was the killer.  The kid was sweaty simply from coming down the stairs.  He was passive, unassuming and laid back.  He was no cold-blooded, calculated killer.  No, he was far from it.  He was an out of shape, unassuming video game nerd who probably wasn’t cunning enough to get away with murder.

So what was she missing?

Shane led Clarissa and Parker into the kitchen.  He and Parker sat down at the table. 

Thinking fast, Clarissa excused herself to use the washroom.  She didn’t actually have to use the facilities; she merely wanted to look around some more.  At least this time would be less stressful, as she hadn’t broken in.

Clarissa stepped into the bathroom so as not to evoke suspicion.  She took a peek inside the medicine cabinet but found nothing more sinister than over-the-counter cold medicine and painkillers.  Then she crept down the hall to see what else she had yet to inspect.

She found a laundry room that contained, well, laundry.  A few piles were arranged neatly on the floor, waiting for attention.  Unfortunately there was no bloodstained grim reaper costume in there waiting to be laundered!  That would have made life so much easier.

Next Clarissa discovered what appeared to be a craft room.  Or at least it
had
been a craft room. 

A sewing machine was still visible in one corner and a box of thread, tape measures and needles sat on a shelf above the desk.  But the entire desk was covered with health supplements, steroids and protein bars.

Men’s clothes littered the floor – clothes that were too small to fit Shane’s portly frame.  Off in the corner were handheld weights.  Up against the wall was a pull-out bed.  The sheets were disheveled, as though someone had slept there recently. 

Clarissa took a step closer.

“What are you doing in here?” a deep male voice suddenly demanded.

Startled, Clarissa gasped and spun around, her heart racing.  She had been caught!

“What are you doing in here?” Ted demanded again.

When Clarissa saw it was the eldest Klassen son, she felt somewhat relieved.  It wasn’t Shane.  It was the ‘good’ son, the one who did yard work for his mom and acted like the family rock.  He struck her as someone who was level-headed and reasonable. 

Plus now she had an opportunity to talk to
both
of Greg’s brothers.  That was good news.

“I uh…was looking for the washroom,” Clarissa fibbed.  “I must have gotten turned around.”

“It’s that way,” Ted said with a jerk of his thumb.  He was giving Clarissa an odd look, as if he was suspicious of her motives.  She didn’t like it.  It made her squirm.  It made her think he was fully aware that she had been snooping to find proof that his kid brother was a killer.

“Thanks,” she said, hoping to smooth the situation over.  “I didn’t know you were here.”

“I just got here,” Ted said.

Looking down, Clarissa noticed he was holding several garbage bags in his hand.  “What are those for?” she asked. 

“I’m cleaning out Greg’s room,” Ted replied.  “You know, so my mom doesn’t have to.”

“Oh.  This was his room?”

“It was my mom’s sewing room,” Ted corrected her.  “Greg was just sleeping in it.”  He walked over to the sewing table and opened one of the garbage bags wide.  Then he tossed each and every one of the bottles there inside.

“Those look expensive,” she commented.  “You’re throwing them all out?”

“They’re garbage,” Ted replied.  “It’s best I throw them out so Shane doesn’t help himself.”

“He really idolized Greg, huh?”

Ted seemed annoyed by that.  “All Greg ever did for him was give him bad advice.  I told Shane if he wants to lose weight, hit the gym and swear off the potato chips.  But Shane wants a quick fix.  He thinks he’s going to get results by smoking and taking diet pills and steroids.”

“That doesn’t sound healthy.”

“He’s a good kid, but gullible.  No way am I letting him take steroids.  I saw what they did to Greg.”  Ted sounded disgusted now, and his temper appeared to be flaring.  He took a couple of deep, calming breaths before speaking again.  “What are you even doing here?” he asked.

“My um…colleague and I are here to interview Shane.  And you, too, if you want,” Clarissa added.  “We’re writing a piece about how the family is doing in the aftermath of Greg’s passing.  Don’t worry,” she quickly assured him.  “I’ll make sure it’s tasteful.”

Ted shook his head.  “No thanks, I don’t want to be interviewed.  Actually, I don’t think you and your colleague should be here at all.  I’m sure your heart is in the right place and I appreciate what you’re trying to do.  But what my family needs now is privacy and time to heal.”

“Okay.  It’s time for Parker and me to leave anyway.  We told your brother we wouldn’t take up too much of his time – he seems eager to get back to his video game.”  Clarissa hesitated and then asked, “Ted…is Shane alright?”

That certainly seemed to get his attention.  His head snapped up.  “Why do you ask?”

“It’s just…has he been acting strange lately?”

Ted thought for a moment.  Then he said, “If you’re talking about the video game addiction, that’s just how Shane is.  He gets very invested in his games.  He’s…well, he’s kind of a nerd.  But he’s a good kid,” he added quickly, sounding defensive.

“I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise.  I’m just…concerned,” Clarissa said.  “Shane was at the party with Greg.  I don’t know what happened that night, exactly, but I know it couldn’t have been easy on Shane.  He left the party without Greg, didn’t he?”

Ted was giving her his full attention now, and he didn’t look happy.  “What are you implying?”

“Is he, you know, talking to anyone?” Clarissa asked.  “He must be traumatized.”

“He isn’t traumatized,” Ted insisted.  “I’m his big brother – I should know.  He’s fine.  Anyway, I really do have to get back to work,” he said, gesturing to the room full of Greg’s belongings. 

“Would you like some help?” she offered.

“No.”  Ted looked over at her sharply.  “You should go,” he said.

“Oh, right.  Okay, I’ll go get Parker.  Thank you for your time.”

Clarissa was halfway down the hall before Ted called after her.

“Hey.  I’d appreciate it if you stayed away from my family,” he told her in a tone that made it clear he wasn’t asking.  “Shane hasn’t done anything to deserve all this,” he said, his protective streak making an appearance.  “Just leave the kid alone, would you?”

Clarissa didn’t answer.  She wasn’t about to make any promises she couldn’t keep.

She returned to the kitchen where Parker and Shane were still talking.  From the sound of it, Clarissa was able to deduce that they were discussing video games – and rather passionately, at that.  Rather than sit down, she stood there next to the table waiting for a lull in the conversation.

Parker looked up.  “Is everything okay?” he asked.

“We need to go,” Clarissa informed him.  Then she addressed Shane.  “Ted is here.”

“Oh.  What does he want?”  Shane’s tone was neutral, neither disproving nor excited.

“He said he’s cleaning out Greg’s room,” Clarissa told him. 

Then she watched carefully for a reaction.

Shane blinked but said nothing.  He ran a hand through his hair and murmured something about needing to get back to his video game.  That understated reaction didn’t give Clarissa a lot to go on – so she decided to do something rather bold.

When Shane had his back turned, she pulled her earrings out of her pocket.  She put one on.  The other, she tossed on the kitchen floor.  Then she pretended to notice her earring was missing and made a big show of hunting for it.  All the while, she watched Shane like a hawk.

He didn’t react.  Even when he saw the earring itself, he didn’t let on that anything was amiss.  That was interesting.  It was
very
interesting.  In fact, it pretty much changed everything. 

Clarissa could have left without incident.  She could have walked out to the car with Parker and quietly discussed matters with him.  She could have handled things much differently than she did.  But adrenaline was surging through her every pore and she was far too riled up to choose the calm, orderly option.

So she turned on her heel and purposefully marched back to where Ted was.