Chapter 7
A few minutes later they pulled up to the school. They could see some lights on outside and a man standing at the building. They moved to the man who was holding a flashlight.
“I hated having to call you, Jim,” the man said.
“It’s okay, Marcus. What’s going on?”
“We were doing a ‘lights out’ check. A couple of the boys said they heard something outside, but didn’t see anything. Now, if only one of them said they heard something, I wouldn’t have been so concerned, but when four of them said something, I was. They said they heard voices talking so I figured I would check it out.”
“And that’s when you found the vandalism?” Jim asked.
“I’ll show you.” Marcus led them around the side of the school past where the rooms were located. “After making sure all the kids were in bed, I thought I’d take a look around just in case they were being honest and something happened. I wasn‘t sure at first that it was legit after they played that prank on Keith a couple weeks ago saying there was someone outside and then dropped the water balloons on his head. I figured it was another setup, but I could tell something was up from the looks on their faces. They seemed uncomfortable something was happening and they actually looked scared.”
They turned the corner and Marcus shined the flashlight on the outside wall of the gymnasium which was next to the dormitories. Two words had been painted in black. “YOU’LL PAY.”
“Who would do this?” Trixie asked.
“Did the kids see anything?” Jim asked, staring at the wall.
“No,” Marcus admitted. “I asked them after I found this before I called you.”
“Was this here when you returned from the parade?” Jim asked.
“We weren’t near here. We came from the other side,” Marcus said. “The kids had a snack and then were sent off to their rooms. I didn’t see anything until the boys said something.”
“We should call the police,” Jim stated, staring at the writing.
“What am I?” Trixie asked, teasingly. “Chopped liver?”
“No, Trix,” Jim said turning to face her. “But I figured you might not be feeling the best after your fall.”
“Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine,” Trixie said. “I’ll look around. You’re going to have to call your insurance agent about this. “We’ll have to file a report.”
“You’re right.”
As Jim and Marcus talked, Trixie moved to the wall to get a closer look. She looked at the writing and wondered who would have done this. She looked at the ground and quickly spotted a spray can of paint. Whoever left the message had also left the can behind.
“Jim? Can you come here?”
“Sure.” He got beside her. “What is it?”
“I think I found what was used.” She pointed to the can, not touching it.
“At least we know what was used,” Jim said.
Trixie crouched down and saw a couple papers against the wall. She ran her hand through her pockets looking for a pen and found one. Pulling it out, she leaned toward the folded papers and lifted them apart to see what inside, never allowing her fingers to touch the paper.
“Marcus, could you bring that light over here?” Trixie asked. He stepped up to her other side. The light from the flashlight lit up the page.
“What do you have now?” Jim asked.
“It looks like someone’s homework assignment,” she responded. “There’s paint on the paper.”
“Black?” Jim asked.
Trixie nodded. “Along with a name. Brad Malley.”
“Why would Brad do this?” Marcus asked. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“We’ll have to talk to him tomorrow,” Jim said.
“You should probably call the station and get a detective out here,” Trixie said.. “They would want to collect all this for evidence.”
“You don’t want to do it?” Jim asked.
“I can’t,” Trixie said. “If Molinson knew I collected the evidence, he would have a coronary and I would be working the worst shifts in the world for the next six months. As much as I would like to, Sleepyside detectives should be the ones going over this crime scene.”
“I’ll give them a call,” Marcus said.
“Seeing that we have some evidence here, they may want to come out tonight,” Jim said. “Let me take Trixie home and I’ll be back.”
Trixie started to tell Jim it wasn’t necessary, but immediately saw the look he was giving her.
“Let me make the call then.” Marcus headed away from them after getting Jim’s cell phone.
“I could stay if you wanted me to,” Trixie said.
Jim touched her face. “Thank you for coming with me. But I think we should leave it for the detectives.” Jim continued quickly. “I am not discounting your ability to solve mysteries, Trixie. But being that a report has to be filed and I am going to have to deal with the insurance company, I’d really prefer going by the book on this.”
Trixie could feel her heart beating faster from Jim’s touch. “I’m glad I was able to help.”
“Let me give you a ride home. You’ve had a long day.”
Trixie smiled knowing Jim was right even though he didn‘t know how much. “I have to admit, I am a little tired.”
“Let’s go. Just promise me you’ll call in the morning so we can decide what we’ll do tomorrow night.” Jim caressed her cheek.
Trixie’s smile got bigger. “I promise.”
“Then let’s get you home.” Jim took her hand in his and they headed to his jeep.