Murder in the Dorm Read Free Page B

someone killing Kelsey. I think it would be peanuts compared to drugs so not a plausible motive.”
    “But if he was killed because of owing drug money or maybe skimming, wouldn’t the killer want him to serve as an example? The murder would’ve been premeditated.”
    “Right; that’s a good point. Can you think of anything other than drugs?”
    “A woman?”
    “There’s been no indication that Kelsey was involved with anybody, though I was told his friend McDermott seemed interested in a female student named Kline.”
    “Could they have been at odds about her?”
    “Maybe, but from what I’ve heard it didn’t sound like there was a lot going on between McDermott and Kline. I’m going to talk to her, though, and to McDermott.”
    “You should. McDermott might let something slip he wouldn’t tell the police.”
    Charlie was pleasantly surprised how Kate had responded. She seemed less bothered by his interest in the case and even showed some interest of her own. That was all to the good as Charlie thought she might have some worthwhile suggestions to make. When the pizza arrived Kate further surprised Charlie by returning to the case.
    “How are you going to approach Kline and McDermott?”
    “Not sure. I need to get them to talk and not sure how to best go about it.”
    “You have to milk your involvement in the Wilson case. You have to intrigue them, and that starts with impressing them with what you did for DeVries, which was considerable. Otherwise you’re just another prof and they might not be too willing to tell you anything. Tell them how you helped the police and they’ve asked you to help again. Throw in something about the police not understanding the university milieu and not asking the right questions or not paying enough attention to some things they’re told.”
    “You’re right. I want to engage them, and what you’re suggesting will make them feel like they’re being let in on something and contributing, too.”
      Dropping off that night Charlie realized, or perhaps admitted to himself, that even if he knew next to nothing about Kelsey, he was involved in the case. It was very different from the Barrett Wilson case, but it was still challenging. In any case, the killing of a student on campus demanded quick solution and DeVries and Matson didn’t seem to be doing terribly well.
    Thinking of DeVries, Charlie hoped that even though she intended to be more circumspect than she’d been in the Wilson case, she wouldn’t cut him out entirely. He didn’t want simply to feed her information and hear nothing in return. The only thing he could do to insure she didn’t cut him off was to come up with something she and Matson not only didn’t know but might not learn without his help.
    The obvious place to start was with Lawrie McDermott and Barbara Kline. And Kate was right. He had to present himself as someone helping the police and with a track record in doing so. Talking to Kline and McDermott would have to wait till Monday, but on Monday he’d find both of them and learn what he could.

Chapter 4
    The First Weekend

    Saturday morning was overcast and gloomy. Over his morning coffee Charlie decided it wasn’t a good day to do what he’d planned, which was to have a look at a couple of new cars. Kate drifted into the kitchen and after a cup of coffee she was ready to talk. They decided to stay in. They had enough food and the wine supply was more than adequate.
    After a second cup Charlie went to his computer and searched the social media for Kelsey and McDermott. He went first to Facebook and Twitter, but had no luck. He then tried the LinkedIn site and found McDermott, who seemed to be starting early on making connections and finding a job. His profile, though, offered only his name and computing-science affiliation. The only address given was the Meredith computing department. There were very few connections. Charlie ignored a couple at St. Andrews and copied the names of three at