Hopscotch Homicide (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 16) Read Free Page A

skin.”
    I wanted to point out that it was a little late for that, but I really did want to go home to change into some dry clothes. Besides, I knew Zak and the kids planned to order pizza and watch a movie, and with all the rain, staying in sounded just about perfect.
    “I’ll have a chat with Bower once I’m done here and call you if I have any additional questions,” Salinger added.
    “You know where to find me.”

Chapter 2
     
     
    I left the campus and headed over to the high school gym to pick up Scooter from soccer practice. Normally practices were held outdoors, but with all the rain we’d been having lately the coach had decided to move things indoors. I still needed to confirm the snack schedule for the following month with the team mom, which is where I was headed when I was intercepted by Trenton Field, a local psychologist whose son Devon was on Scooter’s team.
    “Kids are looking good,” I commented as Scooter dribbled the ball across the wooden floor and successfully kicked it into the net that had been set up at one end of the gym.
    “They really are. It looks like you and Zak have done an amazing job with Scooter. He listens and follows directions, and he seems to get along well with the other kids. He seems like an entirely different kid.”
    “Zak gets all the credit for that. He’s really taken him under his wing. I think all Scooter needed was an adult in his life who would provide a steadying presence.”
    “That’s pretty much what most kids need.” Trenton looked around the crowded gym. “Can we chat in the lobby for a minute?”
    Uh-oh. Those words were never good.
    “Sure.” I plastered on a smile.
    I followed Trenton to the gym’s lobby, where we would be alone. “What’s up?”
    “I heard about Evelyn Brown.”
    “How did you hear already?”
    As far as I knew, Salinger was still at the crime scene, and other than the other emergency personnel who had been called in, no one else had been notified of the woman’s death.
    “She was a client and I was listed as an emergency contact. One of the new deputies at the local office called and filled me in about what had occurred.”
    “Mrs. Brown was in therapy?”
    “I’m afraid I can’t say anything about her therapy, but I do want her killer found,” Trenton shared. “I can’t provide any specifics, but I know you like to investigate. If you do decide to work on the case it might serve you well to speak to Mike Parks.”
    Mike was the groundskeeper at the cemetery.
    “Do you think he might know who would want to harm her?” I asked.
    “Like I said, I can’t tell you anything specific, but having a chat with the man could prove to be helpful. I suppose I could mention this to Salinger, but he’ll only push for information I’m uncomfortable providing. I figured you would take my suggestion for what it is, just a suggestion.”
    “Okay, I’ll talk to him tomorrow. Any other helpful hints?” I asked as a loud cheer sounded from the main part of the gym. Someone must have done something awesome.
    “Not for now. I’ll go back through my notes to see if I can find anything relevant. Evelyn had some issues, but she didn’t deserve to die the way she did. I do have certain therapist-patient limitations to consider, but I’ll help in any way I can.”
    “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
    I returned to the gym, where Scooter’s team had divided up into two groups for an impromptu scrimmage. Scooter had a lot of energy to spare and he put that energy to good use on the soccer field. While his tendency toward hyperactivity was a disadvantage in the classroom, it was proving to be a huge advantage when it came to sports. If his performance during this practice were any indication, it looked like he had secured himself a spot in the starting lineup.
    When Scooter was finished with practice the two of us picked up a couple of pizzas and then headed home for a quiet night with the family. Trying to find a movie that