Sugar and Spice - Chapter Twelve

 Chapter Twelve

October 17 Friday Afternoon

Cambridge Police Headquarters

Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

AMANDA LANDER ENTERED the police station with her father.

Patrick Kelley noticed he wore a gray Armani business suit with a black turtleneck. As a student at Boston University, he worked in a men’s clothing store featuring only expensive brands. He’d found many of the clients arrogant. Don’t let this influence me, he thought.

Unlike the other parents, Mr. Lander, Patrick didn’t know the man’s first name, held his daughter’s hand. He’s protective of her, he thought.

Amanda’s baby blue dress could have come from a fashion magazine. She had tiny pearl earrings. Her long blond hair, parted in the middle, fell over her shoulders almost to her waist.

Patrick knew his daughter would love to have hair like that. However, his own daughter who, when she wasn’t in her school uniform, wore jeans and sweaters. Violet considered dresses a liability to freedom. Then again, Patrick never had to bring her for a police interview for a pre-murder.

Samantha took control, asking the same questions, only this time she added, “Why do you think someone thought you were planning to murder Clay Walker?

Amanda laughed, she actually laughed, Patrick noted. Her behavior differs from the other three girls. She doesn’t appear nervous. She makes eye contact with Samantha, smiling at her regularly. She kept her hands in her lap, a regular little lady.

“It’s so stupid,” she said, “we were working on a play. Or at least what we would put in the play. Someone must have overheard us and thought it was for real.”

“I hope that clears everything up now,” Mr. Lander stood.

“If we have any more questions, we’ll get back to you.” Robert Bunker stood also.

Bunker and Lee joined Patrick and Bill. “I guess that’s it,” Bunker said.

“I’m not so sure,” Lee said. “Emma Jackson acted very nervous. Gloria’s mother was really defensive. Juliana could win a sullen award, and Amanda Lander was just plain weird. What do you think, Patrick?”