The Silent Boy (Emma McPherson Book 1) by A.J. Flynn (people reading books txt) 📕

police procedure to check the whereabouts of everyone who was connected with the murder victim. It’s nothing personal.”

The teacher appeared to be somewhat mollified, but it was obvious that he still felt a little insulted.

“A concert was scheduled for the University String Quartet at Grover Hall. I went, but they had a power failure, and the concert was put off. So I decided  to take a walk around town for a little while, then finally went to the library. As long as I was downtown, I used my time to do some research for one of the papers I’m working on.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your co-operation.”

“You’re welcome. If there’s anything else I can do, feel free to give me a call.”

McPherson was fairly sure the faculty hadn’t mentioned her presence, but she was growing aware of the inquiring stares of the students as she walked down the hall. The grapevine flowered early, even among the young.

Taylor had spotted her coming and already had the engine running. “I haven’t had spectators like this since I won my first sack race back in fifth grade,” he said, motioning toward the playground fence.

McPherson looked and sighed. There were at least thirty children standing almost motionless, staring at them like they were animals in a cage.

“Let’s get out of here. They’re looking at us like we’re a couple of circus freaks.”

The car crept slowly out of the parking lot and into the street.

“Find anything useful?” Taylor asked.

“Not much. Just that Charlie was human enough to prefer his own way, and he could be quite hardheaded about getting it.”

“Well, that’s a whole lot better than having to listen to how good and sweet he was. He was starting to sound like a wind-up toy or something—hardly a living human being.”

“Yeah, I was getting a little tired of it myself. Better make a stop at the drive-in. We can grab a couple sandwiches, then head back to the Turners.” McPherson handed Taylor the piece of paper Mrs. Helen had given her.

Taylor glanced at it. “That isn’t too far from here. Who lives there?”

“Charlie’s science teacher—a guy named Nerdelbaum. He’s ‘trapped’ at home sick, so I’ll have to catch him there.”

“OK. The drive-in is only a few blocks over. We can grab a bite if you want, but I don’t think I’ll have much of an appetite.”

McPherson stared at the young man with exaggerated disbelief. “I can’t believe it. With the way you sniff out food, I figure you could live though a five-year famine and come out ten pounds heavier.”

“Not when my aesthetic sense is wounded,” he answered, “and every time I stop by the Tasty Top, it gets a little more distressed.”

“Fine, tell me about your troubles, but don’t mind me if I take notes while you talk.”

“That’s fine… My main trouble has to do with shorts, and the fact that it’s too cold around here.”

McPherson didn’t bother opening her notebook. She’d listened to Taylor before and understood that it would be useless to try to think until she had finally heard him out.

“If you find shorts are too cold for you, why don’t you try pants?”

“I’m not talking about my shorts. I’m talking about the waitress’ shorts.”

McPherson turned and stared at the driver’s bland expression. “It’s probably not wise of me to say this, but haven’t you been married for two years?”

“It all started on my vacation last summer. Bella and I took a trip together down to California. They had drive-ins down there, too.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“It’s not enough just to hear about it, you know. A man has to see in order to appreciate it. There was one about two blocks from our motel in California. The New Frontier, they called it, and all the carhops were dressed like pioneers.”

“I’ve seen plenty of pictures of pioneer women. If they ever wore shorts, you sure couldn’t tell from the outside.”

“Yes, but The New Frontier improved on the costume—they cut off the skirts to about halfway between the waist and the knees. That way the poor girls didn’t have to suffer the heat. Up here, though, they’d probably freeze to death.”

McPherson rolled her eyes and sighed. “Did you and Bella go to this place a lot?”

“Not exactly. The change of climate seemed to make Bella sleepy, so she wound up taking a nap every afternoon. Meanwhile, I’d take a trip down to the drive-in just to kill time.”

McPherson shook her head dejectedly. “I gave you a good review on your last report, and now I find out you’re a Peeping Tom.”

“I never said I was a Peeping Tom!” Taylor defended himself. “Their skirts were like that to make the girls more comfortable, and I showed my gratitude by giving them my business.”

“Well, as you said yourself, it’s too cold for them to dress that way up here, so what’s the problem?”

“They’ve got a little blonde over here that would look fantastic in a short dress, but because of the weather she’s forced to wear pants.”

McPherson didn’t bother replying. Taylor pulled into one of the marked parking spots at the drive-in and killed the engine.

“She should be working today. Just wait until you see her.”

They waited a short while, then a girl dressed in blue pants and shirt appeared at the window.

“What do you want?” the girl demanded in a voice that showed she still had possession of her adenoids. She couldn’t have been much over seventeen or eighteen. She still had adolescent skin, complete with blackheads and pimples. Sure, her figure may eventually fill out, but for now she looked flatter than an upended ironing board.

“Burger and coffee,” Taylor said in a tight voice.

“Both of you?” she squeaked.

“I’ll take the same,” McPherson struggled to suppress a smile as she watched Taylor, who diligently looked the other way.

“You were hoping for shorts,” McPherson said, gravely, “but I gotta say, I’m willing to bet she has kneecaps like doorknobs.”

“She’s not the one I was talking about,” Taylor snapped.

“I think you should give this some deep consideration,” McPherson