I've Got My Eyes on You(38)
“Yes, I know it is, Jamie.”
The reporter was speaking while footage of Alan at the courthouse was shown in the background. “Rumors are swirling that Lester Parker, attorney for accused killer Alan Crowley, has approached the Bergen County Prosecutor about a plea bargain. We contacted Lester Parker and he adamantly denied that rumor.”
“Why is Alan on TV?” Jamie asked his mother.
“The police think he hurt Kerry the night she died in her pool.”
“He went home.”
“I know, Jamie. They think he hurt Kerry and then went home.”
“No. Alan Crowley gave Kerry a hug and a kiss and then he went home. The Big Guy hurt Kerry.”
Aghast, Marge stared at him. “Jamie, are you sure Alan didn’t hurt Kerry and push her in the pool?”
“No, the Big Guy did. Alan went home. I’m hungry. What’s for dinner?”
48
Aline was worried about Valerie Long. Something was not quite right about the girl, and it was more than just the loss of Kerry’s friendship. The word that came to Aline’s mind was “despairing.” In a meeting with Pat Tarleton, Aline shared with her how concerned she was about Valerie after their talk.
“I think you should speak to the parents and get their version of what is going on,” Pat told her.
“I agree, but I have a feeling Valerie would be very unhappy if she knew I was planning to meet with her mother and stepfather. Do you think I should arrange to see them someplace outside of school?”
“No, I don’t. It’s against our school’s policy to have this type of meeting away from our building. It’s the parents’ decision to tell or not tell Valerie that they’re coming in to talk to you. If she finds out they were here, they’re on their own to come up with an explanation as to why.”
Glad to have Pat’s approval, Aline looked up the contact information for Valerie’s parents. She decided to start with the mother and dialed her cell phone number. It was answered on the first ring.
The screen on Marina Long’s phone showed that the call was from Saddle River High School. Her first words were “Is Valerie all right?” The question made it easer for Aline to go directly to the reason for the call.
“Mrs. Long, everything is okay. Valerie is in class. My name is Aline Dowling. I’m Valerie’s guidance counselor at school. But I have some concerns about Valerie that I want to talk to you and your husband about.”
“Aline, I’m glad you called. We have concerns too, and we’re not sure what to do. Wayne and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you.”
It was agreed that the Longs would meet Aline the next day.
? ? ?
Later that day Aline heard a knock on her office door. When she called, “Come in,” she was surprised to see Scott Kimball enter and settle into the chair opposite her. Her first thought was that she had not invited him to sit.
“Aline,” he began, “I know you’re annoyed at me, and you have a right to be. That was a big faux pas on my part the other day in the teachers’ lounge. You had made it clear that there was to be no talk of our having socialized off school property. As the saying goes, ‘loose lips sink ships.’ I’m here to apologize.”
Aline wasn’t sure what to say. She had rehearsed a speech where she was going to blast him for talking about their dinner in front of another teacher. Now he had apologized and seemed genuinely contrite.
“Okay, Scott. We all make mistakes. Let’s let it go.”
“Thanks Aline. I really appreciate that.”
He hesitated. “Aline, I want to ask you to do something with me. It would be strictly on a professional basis. Tomorrow night at seven there is a seminar at Montclair State about the stresses faced by high school student athletes. As a teacher and a coach, I’m obviously interested, and I’m planning to go. I assume this type of presentation would be of interest to you as a guidance counselor. Would you like to go?”
Aline started to answer, but Scott kept talking.
“Just so you know, we’ll be doing this as two professionals. I know better than to ask if you want to ride over with me. You don’t even have to sit with me when we’re there. But I warn you. I’m going to be hungry when it ends at eight-thirty. There’s an excellent chance I’m going to ask you to join me for dinner. As professionals, of course.”
Aline found herself smiling. Scott was a charmer. Three minutes ago he had been one hundred percent in her doghouse. Now she found herself looking forward to spending time with him tomorrow night.
“All right, Mr. Kimball,” she said, “I’ll meet you at the seminar. Regarding dinner afterwards, let’s see what tomorrow brings.”
49
After a sleepless night, Marge knew that she had to talk to Father Frank again. As soon as Jamie left to walk to Acme, she called him. He said, “Marge, come to my office right now. I’ve been thinking a lot about our last discussion.”
Marge had not expected to be invited in so quickly. She had wanted time to plan what she would say to Father Frank about what Jamie had told her. Now she only had the ten-minute car ride to the rectory to organize her thoughts.
The priest answered the door himself and escorted Marge to his office. They sat in two chairs facing each other.