Smoke in Mirrors

“I get it,” Leonora said. “The administration was afraid that if this donor discovered that Sebastian Eubanks had been involved in an affair with another man, he would pull his funding and take it elsewhere.”

“In a nutshell, yes.” Margaret hesitated. “I heard that the police chief did question Andrew. Supposedly he had an alibi for the time of the murder. But most of those in the know remained convinced that he had killed Eubanks in what amounted to a lovers’ quarrel.”

“What happened to Andrew Grayson?” Deke asked.

“I have no idea. He packed up and left very quietly and was never seen in Wing Cove again.” Margaret looked pensive. “I’ve thought about him from time to time over the years. He was so very smart. His departure was a great loss to the college.”

“Do you believe that he murdered Eubanks?” Thomas asked.

“Absolutely not,” Margaret replied. “I didn’t believe it then and I don’t believe it now.”

“Why not?” Cassie asked.

“Because I knew for a fact that Andrew Grayson had ended his relationship with Eubanks almost a month before the murder. I also know that it was Andrew’s decision, and that he made it because Sebastian Eubanks’s behavior had grown so extremely bizarre.”

Deke took out a pad of paper he had brought with him and started to make some notes.

They left half an hour later. On her way to the door Leonora paused at the dainty little desk where the computer sat.

“I see you’re online,” she said to Margaret.

“Yes, indeed.” Margaret’s eyes brightened. “Can’t imagine life without my email account.”

“Do you, by any chance, subscribe to Gloria’s Gazette?” Leonora asked.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. How did you know about the Gazette?”

“My grandmother is the publisher and editor,” she said proudly.

“You don’t say. Please tell her for me that I look forward to every edition. My favorite column is ‘Ask Henrietta.’ ”

“I’ll tell her,” Leonora said.

Thomas got behind the wheel. Leonora sat beside him. Deke and Cassie slid into the back. Wrench rested his head on the rear seat. All four doors closed. Belts were buckled.

“Okay.” Thomas started the engine. “I admit it, I’m impressed. If all academic department secretaries are like Margaret Lewis, they are a force to be reckoned with.”

“Every college and university in the nation would fall apart without them,” Leonora said.

“Now what?” Cassie asked.

“That’s easy.” Thomas put the SUV in gear and drove out of the parking lot. “Now we see if we can track down Andrew Grayson.”

“No problem.” Deke reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a wireless palm-sized computer. “If he’s alive, I’ll find him. Heck, I’ll find him even if he’s dead.”

Thomas drove in silence. Thinking. Everyone else seemed to be doing the same thing.

A few minutes later Deke looked up from the tiny screen. “Got him. Or at least a current address.”

Leonora turned in the seat. “So fast?”

Thomas glanced in the rearview mirror. “You’re sure it’s our Andrew Grayson?”

“Age fits.” Deke worked on the computer for a few more minutes. “He’s retired now. Got his social security number from the college records. It all matches. Says right here that he was employed at Eubanks for two and a half years. Yep, he was there at the time Eubanks was murdered.”

“He’s our guy.” Urgency moved through Thomas. “What’s he been doing for the past thirty years?”

“Figuring out what Grayson has been up to for the past three decades will take some time,” Deke said. “But I can tell you one thing, he sure as hell isn’t trying to hide. And judging by the address I’ve got here I’d say that whatever happened to his academic career at the time of the murder, it didn’t ruin his life.”

“Where’s he living?” Cassie asked.

Deke looked down at his screen. “Mercer Island. It’s in the middle of Lake Washington, between Seattle and Bellevue.”

“Expensive neighborhood,” Thomas said. “You’re right. He must have done okay for himself.”

Leonora put one arm on the back of the seat. “I vote we talk to Andrew Grayson. As soon as possible. Probably better to do it in person. We can be in Seattle in less than two hours.”

Thomas flicked a quick glance at his watch. “It’s a waste of time and energy to have all four of us move in lockstep like this. We need to get more efficient. I suggest that Leonora and I drive into the city to see Grayson. Deke, now that we’ve got some new leads, I think the best thing you can do is concentrate on digging up whatever else you can find online that concerns Grayson and Eubanks.”

“Right,” Deke said. “Cassie’s got classes to teach this afternoon so she can’t go with you either.”

“That settles it.” Thomas slowed for the turn that would take him to Deke’s house. “You and Cassie stay here. Leonora and I will head for Seattle. We’ll call you as soon as we’ve talked to Grayson.”

Chapter Sixteen

Cassie halted in the short, shadowed hall. Deke closed the door slowly and tried to find words for what she had done.

“Thanks.” That sounded pretty lame. He tried again. “If you hadn’t come up with Margaret Lewis’s name, we wouldn’t have any of this new information.”

“I hope it helps.”

“I don’t know where this is going, but at least we’re no longer completely stalled.”

She made no move to take off her coat. Instead, she glanced at her watch. “It’s nearly noon. I’d better be on my way. Busy class schedule at the studio this afternoon. I want to get a bite to eat first.”

She was going to leave. He didn’t want her to go. Not yet. He wanted to talk to her. Discuss what they had learned from Margaret Lewis. Tell her how he planned to pursue his online search. Hell, he didn’t care if they made inane conversation about the weather. He just wanted her to hang around for a while.

He groped for inspiration. And found it when he saw the half-finished loaf of bread on the counter.

“I’ve got to get to work, too,” he said. “But we both need some lunch.” He tried to sound casual. “I’m going to make a sandwich. Just as easy to make two.”