It Should Be a Crime by Carsen Taite Read Free Book Online Page A

not helpless.”
    “Who’s the one with the puffy eyes and no cure?”
    Parker lay still while Erin applied moist cotton discs to her eyelids. “What are those? They smell nice.”
    “Cucumber eye pads. They’re great, even better if they’ve been in the fridge, but you’ll have to make do. Keep your eyes closed for fifteen minutes, and then you can get up and throw the pads away. You should look much better.”
    “Thanks, Erin.”
    “You’re welcome, sweetie.” Erin sat on the edge of the bed and shook the newspaper in Parker’s direction. “Did you hear about Camille Burke?”
    The name sounded familiar to Parker, but she couldn’t quite place it. “Not sure I know who you’re talking about.”
    “You know—the Highland Park Burkes. Camille is Lester Burke’s daughter.” Erin waited till Parker nodded in recognition. “Camille was murdered Friday night at the Burke mansion.”
    “How did she die? Was it a burglary? Right there in the house?” Parker fired off questions faster than Erin could answer.
    “Slow down. I can’t read that fast.” Erin skimmed the paper. “The story’s shy on detail.”
    Parker nodded. “Cops are probably holding back a lot of the facts.”
    “I knew her,” Erin said quietly.
    Parker sat up and pulled the pads off her eyes. “I’m sorry, Erin. Were you close?”
    Erin shook her head. “No, not really. At least we haven’t been for a while. We were in a lot of the same classes as undergrads, but lost touch when we started different graduate programs.”
    “What was she like?”
    “Sweet girl. Quiet. Not what you’d expect coming from a filthy rich family.”
    Parker curled Erin into a strong hug. “Funny, no matter how much we think we know, we still have the capacity to be surprised.”

    *

    Morgan’s first class of the day wasn’t until ten thirty, but she still arrived early to review her lecture notes for Criminal Procedure. In addition to Criminal Procedure, she was teaching an Advanced Evidence practicum this semester. Two classes wasn’t much, but it was what Yolanda was able to conjure up on short notice. The Advanced Evidence course was one not usually offered except when a willing professor stepped up to take it on, and she certainly qualified for the task. The practicum was a hands-on class for third-years, focusing on practical application of the legal skills they had acquired in their Evidence lecture classes. Morgan’s years in the courtroom gave her plenty of footnotes to make the class colorful and interesting.
    Satisfied her notes were in order, Morgan wandered from her office in search of the snack bar. The small eating venue hadn’t changed much since she’d been enrolled as a student, with the exception of the addition of a few new vending machines. Steaming cup of coffee in hand, she wandered out into the common area, finding a place to take in the sights. The first-year students all invariably had a look of awe on their faces, as if they couldn’t quite believe they had been welcomed into this elite society yet. Morgan knew it wouldn’t take long before lines of stress would replace the surprised looks, and she didn’t envy them. It was her first day too, but she’d commanded both courtrooms and classrooms before, and her fear was limited to the fact this was her alma mater and she wanted to do it justice.

    *

    At the far end of the common area, Parker glanced at her watch. She spent the last thirty minutes patiently answering last-minute questions from her mentees, Henry and Nicole, but now it was time for her to head to class. She asked the two if they had anything else they needed.
    Henry spoke first. “Nope. By the way, you missed quite a party at the dean’s house Saturday night. The new criminal law professor, Morgan Bradley, was there. Damn, she has some great stories to tell.”
    Nicole chimed in. “You’ve probably seen her on Court TV, she does a lot of commentary. She’s one of those perfect people, beautiful,