Poison Ivy by Cynthia Riggs Read Free Book Online

dignity. After all, she was an adjunct professor.
    Her student chatted amiably. “That’s really something, Mrs. T, about that body you found turning out to be a professor at CCU. Did you know him?”
    â€œThat was before my time,” said Professor Trumbull.
    â€œThat first day of class, you were really cool, Mrs. T. We were all wondering what the cops were doing here. And about the stink.”
    Victoria allowed herself a smile. She was cool.
    Jodi was driving the back way, on the road that went past the old waterworks. Through the trees, Lake Tashmoo sparkled below them in the afternoon light.
    After a respectful silence, Jodi said, “You know, Mrs. T, I’ve been interviewing the families you suggested, and I’ve got awesome material. All original. They have the most amazing stories. No one ever interviewed them before.”
    â€œWe never considered Chilmarkers handicapped,” said Victoria. “They were like people with different hair or eye colors. Chilmark was five miles from my house. A great distance in those days. How’s your thesis coming along?”
    â€œGreat. Original material no one’s ever written about. Dr. Wilson knows a couple of scholarly book publishers who might be interested in looking at my finished work.”
    â€œProfessor Chadwick must be delighted.”
    â€œShe is. Definitely. She wants me to prepare a short paper based on my thesis, and she’ll help me get it published.” Jodi looked away from the road briefly. “You can’t imagine how much this means to me.”
    â€œYes, I can. I’m proud of you, Jodi.”
    *   *   *
    Victoria heard her phone ringing as she got out of the car. She waved thanks to Jodi, hurried inside, and lifted the receiver before the answering machine kicked in.
    â€œHello?” she said, out of breath.
    â€œGood afternoon, Victoria,” said Casey, “although I’m not sure how good it is.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œI hate to tell you this, but they’ve found another body at Ivy Green.”
    â€œWho is it this time?”
    â€œNo identification as yet.”
    Victoria took a deep breath. “Where was it found?”
    â€œBehind the administration building.”
    â€œI’ll need to get back to the college, right away,” said Victoria. “In my teaching capacity, not as your deputy. Will you give me a ride?”
    â€œI’ll be right there,” said Casey. “No need to ask.”

 
    C HAPTER 6
    When they arrived at the college, two state police cars, a Tisbury Police cruiser, and the hearse from the funeral parlor were parked in the space reserved for faculty. Casey slipped the police Bronco between the hearse and a Harley-Davidson and they got out.
    As she sidled around the motorcycle, Victoria patted the leather seat. She’d never ridden on a motorcycle. This, she knew, belonged to Doc Jeffers, who must be this week’s medical examiner.
    Sergeant Smalley greeted them. “Not pleasant, Mrs. Trumbull, Chief. The victim’s been dead a while. Doc Jeffers is at the site.”
    â€œWho found the body?” Victoria asked.
    â€œWalter’s dog, Brownie, unearthed him.”
    â€œIs the victim another man?” asked Casey.
    â€œWe’re assuming male because of his clothing and hair. Doc Jeffers can tell for sure.”
    â€œMurder,” said Casey.
    â€œAgain, we’re assuming so. We won’t know for certain until they do the autopsy.”
    â€œIs Thackery here?” asked Victoria.
    â€œHe’s in his office. He’d called us to complain about the dog being loose.”
    â€œHe called the state police?” Casey laughed and hitched up her belt with its assortment of tools. “Mind if we take a look?”
    â€œNot much crime scene to disturb after all this time,” said Smalley. “But I’ve called forensics. They’ll do what they can. The body is on the