Mistaken Character Read online

  “I don’t think I have any memories of that,” Ariana laughed. “I think I was just starting kindergarten or something when she graduated.”

  “Well, it will give you two something else to talk about,” Inez said before moving on to the next student.

  Ariana continued working on her project until just before the bell rung. At that point, she began putting away her materials and the project to free up the space for the next class of students. She glanced at the clock and realized that she still had a few minutes to spare. Her eyes fell on Ms. Chen at the front of the room. Ariana smiled as she crossed the room.

  “Need help?” Ariana asked.

  The frustration on Ms. Chen’s face was evident.

  “I don’t know why computers always seem to defeat me.” She gave Ariana a wry smile. “I think they have it out for me.”

  “Did you remember to change directories?” Ariana asked.

  It was a common problem with Ms. Chen. Ariana knew that the art teacher preferred a more graphical interface. The computer network at the school sometimes required her to navigate directories to find the files she needed to access. The concept of mapped network drives appeared to confuse her.

  Inez expelled a breath of exasperation. “Why can I never remember that step?”

  Ariana watched as Ms. Chen navigated to the directory she needed and successfully found the file.

  Inez flashed a relieved smile. “Got it, thanks.”

  Ariana waved when the bell rang and left the room to get to her other class. Her day passed much like any other. Just after the final bell of the day rang, her friend stopped her in the hall.

  “Are you going to go?” Taylor asked.

  “Go where?” Ariana asked.

  “You didn’t hear? They suspended Ms. Chen.”

  “What! Why would they do that?” Ariana could tell by the look on Taylor’s face that she wasn’t kidding.

  Taylor looked around them. She took a step closer to Ariana even though the hallway currently resembled chaos as the students all struggled to get out of the building first.

  “Some of us are going to stage a protest after school,” Taylor said.

  “Where?” Ariana was still trying to understand why the school would suspend the art teacher.

  Taylor grabbed Ariana’s arm. “Come on. I’ll tell you when we get there. I don’t know when it’s going to start and I don’t want to miss it.”

  Ariana followed Taylor to the front of the school where a large group of students was forming. Some had signs referring to Ms. Chen.

  “What happened?” Ariana asked Taylor again. She had to raise her voice to be heard.

  Taylor shook her head. “They said someone found files on her computer that shouldn’t be there.”

  Ariana’s eyes widened. “What kind of files?”

  Another student stepped closer to them and joined the conversation.

  “They won’t say but I heard it was pornography.”

  “What?” There was no way Ariana was going to believe that.

  Someone else joined the conversation. “I’ll bet they planted them on her computer. We need to tell the administration that it won’t be allowed.”

  Ariana looked around. The crowd in front of the school had grown much larger in just the few minutes she had been there. Students were shouting but she couldn’t make a lot of it out. The front doors of the school opened. Ariana thought she saw several administrators come out above the crowd of students between her and the school building. The security guard was with them.

  At first, Ariana thought that was a good thing. Until she realized that the voices closest to the building were getting even louder. Some sort of pushing competition broke out. Some students began trying to run away. Others were getting caught up in the struggle with the school employees.

  Just as Ariana turned to find Taylor and tell her that they needed to get out of there, she felt someone grab onto her arm.

  ***

  Callie waited outside of Randy Albright’s house again the following day. She knew that the wife worked the day shift and that both children were in school. The man had remained at home, alone, while his family had been gone during the day. It wasn’t until md-afternoon before he emerged from the house. This time, he was wearing a ballcap, a colorful tee shirt, and shorts.

  She followed him from his house to the middle school. She realized immediately that he was there for some sort of sporting event. Other parents were also parking in the lot near the soccer field. Most dragged chairs from the cars to the sidelines and set them up. Many had umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. The parents formed groups, keeping each other company as they waited for the game to progress.

  At first, Callie couldn’t spot Randy among the other parents. Finally, it occurred to her to look out on the field. In addition to spotting Randy’s daughter, she saw that Randy was also out on the field. Or on the sidelines, at least. Apparently, he was one of the coaches.

  Callie smiled to herself as she dug her camera out of her bag. She spent the next hour or so trying to get a photo of Randy doing something that a man with his back injury shouldn’t be doing. Unfortunately, he never gave her the shot.

  She waited until the entire game was over and the parents were leaving with their children. The coaches began gathering the balls to stow them in large, heavy bags. Again, Callie got her camera ready. She watched in dismay as the others did all of the work.

  Although Randy and his daughter stayed behind, he didn’t help with any of the cleanup activities. Instead, his daughter happily collected some of the balls and passed them to the other coaches. Randy walked back to his truck with his daughter at his side as the rest of the coaches lugged the large bags of balls to their vehicles.

  When the Albright truck left the parking lot, Callie drove away in the other direction. She knew that the mother and son would also be home around the same time. She assumed that Randy would be spending the after-school hours with his family. Callie had some other cases that she needed to work on before she tried tailing Randy again.

  ***

  Greyson made another trip back to the department secretary’s office to learn more about Adelaide Carson. They were unable to find a current address for her, but Carol’s search did turn up a roommate’s name. Lisa Arnold was also a grad student at the university during the same timeframe. Greyson was able to get current contact information for her. An hour later, he walked into a coffee shop to meet with her.

  A single woman sat watching the door as he entered. He smiled and approached her.

  “Lisa Arnold?” At her nod, he introduced himself and explained again why he’d called her.

  “I was surprised to get your call after all these years. It’s so sad that Gale is still missing. I can’t imagine how difficult it’s been for her family.”

  Lisa Arnold was in her mid-thirties and reminded Greyson of a university professor. She’d told him on the phone that she currently taught for one of the local community colleges. He asked Lisa if she had any information about Gale Winslet that could help the investigation.

  She shook her head. “I didn’t work with her like Addie did.”

  “Do you still have contact information for Addie?”

  Lisa made a face. “Not really. We lost touch shortly after Dr. Winslet went missing. I think it was really hard on Addie, you know?”

  It wasn’t the answer he was hoping to hear. He saw a flash of hesitation cross her face.

  “Did you think of something?’ he asked.

  “I did get a Christmas card that first year. It was so long ago, I’d forgotten. I remember being jealous at the time.” Lisa gave him a wry smile. “The thought of being in Florida at Christmas sounded really good to me when I was stuck in a Colorado winter.”

  Greyson smiled. “By any chance, do you remember where in Florida?”

  Chapter Five

  Sierra looked at her in surprise when Callie entered their office late Wednesday afternoon carrying an
umbrella. She’d hadn’t been in the office since earlier in the morning. Her day was spent running down facts for one of the attorney’s offices.

  Callie held the umbrella up. “I still need to work the insurance fraud case. I’m going to try to follow him later to see if I can catch him doing something he shouldn’t be doing. I’m hoping that if I remember to carry the umbrella with me, it will mean we won’t get rain.”

  “I hope it works too. I didn’t bring an umbrella with me today.” Sierra swiveled around in her seat to look at the coat rack behind them.

  “I think you’re out of luck,” Callie said as she crossed the room to her desk. She set her purse and the umbrella down.

  “I think I am too. I was hoping there was one lying around back there that someone forgot.” Sierra looked over at Michael.

  He was completely focused on his computer. The earbuds in his ears leaked music. He appeared to have a sixth sense when it came to Sierra, however. He glanced over at her. When he saw her staring, he pulled one earbud out.

  “What?”

  “Do you have an umbrella in your car? Callie said it’s supposed to rain.” Sierra looked hopeful.

  “There’s one in your trunk,” he said.

  “There is?” Sierra frowned. “Why is there one in there?”

  “I put it in there the last time I checked your spare tire.” Michael stuck the earbud back in and turned back to his computer.

  Sierra remained facing him for a few moments, a pensive look on her face.

  Callie almost made a comment about Michael checking Sierra’s tire before remembering that it was none of her business.

  After another moment, Sierra shook her head as though clearing it and turned to Callie.

  “Did you get the specs from Lazlo & Fornelli?” Sierra asked her.

  “Specs?” Callie eagerly began searching her desk. She found a print out mixed in with her mail.

  “This?” she asked as she picked up several sheets of paper.

  “Yeah. It has the measurements you asked for. You know, for the windows and all that. They dropped it off earlier when you were out working on cases.” Sierra turned back to her computer and began reviewing her code.

  “Excellent. I’ll drop these off before I follow the insurance fraud guy.” Callie reached for her mail and began opening it. She didn’t get far before the front door opened again.

  Ariana stepped inside and looked around.

  “Hey.” Callie stood from her desk. “What brings you in?”

  Ariana took a few steps toward her. “Do you have a minute?”

  Callie glanced at Sierra and Michael. They were both watching Ariana. Michael slipped the earbuds from his ears.

  “You remember my sister, Ariana? And this is Sierra and Michael.” Callie watched her sister closely. She could tell that Ariana was tense about something.

  Sierra and Michael both greeted Ariana. Callie waited until they caught up with each other before suggesting that she and Ariana sit over on the one side of the office. There were chairs grouped there. Ariana sat on the edge of one.

  “What brings you in?” Callie repeated.

  Ariana frowned. “I didn’t want to bother Mom and Dad with this.”

  Callie forced the smile to remain on her face. She didn’t want to ruin the efforts both she and Ariana had been making to act like sisters by sounding like a parent now.

  “Okay,” Callie said, prompting her sister to continue.

  “Something happened at school,” Ariana said.

  “Are you okay?” Callie asked.

  “Yeah.” Ariana slid back in her seat. “It wasn’t me, it was one of my teachers.”

  “Okay.” This time when Callie said it, she dragged the word out. That hadn’t been what she’d expected Ariana to say.

  “The thing is, I can’t believe she would do what they’re saying she did.” Ariana began fidgeting with her purse strap.

  “What are they saying she did?” Callie hoped it wasn’t bad, for Ariana’s sake.

  “They’re saying she had some files on her computer. You know, ones that involve someone underage,” Ariana hedged.

  “Like photos?” Callie guessed.

  Ariana nodded. “Those too, but I guess there may have also been some documents.”

  “What makes you think she didn’t put them there herself?” Callie asked.

  “I know she couldn’t have put the files on her computer.” Ariana’s voice had gotten louder as she spoke. She glanced over at Michael and Sierra. Both were pretending to ignore the conversation Ariana and Callie were having.

  “I’m afraid sometimes things like this happen. People do things that we don’t expect them to. It’s disappointing, but there’s really not much we can do about it.” Callie made an effort to speak gently.

  Ariana shook her head. “I don’t believe it. Ms. Chen would never do that. She’s a good person. Really. She doesn’t deserve to lose her job over something she didn’t do.”

  “I’m not sure there’s much you can do about that. The school has to do what they think is best for the students,” Callie explained.

  “You aren’t understanding. Someone had to have put those files on her computer,” Ariana insisted.

  “How would you know that?” Callie asked.

  Ariana motioned with her hands. “The woman is totally clueless about computers. She doesn’t know how to save a file to a computer.”

  Callie glanced over at Sierra and Michael. They were no longer pretending to ignore the conversation.

  Ariana gestured to them. “It’s possible for someone else to put a file on a computer, right?”

  Callie began to shake her head no.

  Both Sierra and Michael said ‘yes’ at the same time.

  Callie stopped shaking her head and looked at them.

  “What do you mean?” Callie asked.

  “It depends on how the security on her computer is configured,” Michael began saying.

  “Michael, you know Callie isn’t going to understand that,” Sierra said to him before turning back to Callie and Ariana. “If her teacher used a public WiFi, like in a coffee shop or something, it’s possible.”

  “Seriously?” Callie asked.

  “I knew it,” Ariana said emphatically. “That’s probably what happened. She can barely bring up the screen to enter our grades into the system at school. She’s an art teacher. She’s into colors and images and things like that. She just doesn’t understand technology and file directories.”

  “There are a lot of different ways someone could have gotten a file on her computer.” Sierra shrugged at Callie.

  Callie sighed. “What are you hoping I can do?” Callie asked Ariana.

  “Could you talk to the principal? Please? Maybe you could explain that to her.” Ariana pointed at Sierra, referring to her comment about getting files onto computers.

  Callie started to say she should probably stay out of it, then looked at the despair on her sister’s face. She caved.

  “Okay. I’m not making any promises,” Callie said as Ariana reached forward and hugged her.

  Ariana jumped up from her seat. “The principal’s name is Mrs. Torres. Thanks, Callie. I really appreciate it. I know Ms. Chen is innocent.”

  Callie watched as Ariana bolted from the office, no doubt wanting to escape before Callie could change her mind. Callie glanced over at the clock as she stood.

  “I should get going. I need to follow the insurance fraud guy and I have a stop to make on the way,” Callie said as she gathered her purse and umbrella.

  “Let us know how it goes with the principal,” Sierra said.

  “Yeah, thanks.” Callie wasn’t looking forward to it.

  She noticed that the sky was getting darker as she drove to Gemma’s shop. She grabbed her umbrella and brought it inside with the print out.

  “Hey, I think you brought the rain,” Gemma said as Callie entered.

  “I think you’re right.” She held up the print out. “I a
lso have the measurements you need for the curtains and blinds for my new office.”

  “Excellent.” Gemma took the papers from Callie and looked around her desk for someplace to put them. She had other papers already spread across the desk.

  “Are those still bills from the doctors?” Callie asked.

  “Yes.” Gemma let out a frustrated breath. “I’m still fighting them on the procedure they didn’t do.”

  “I thought you said it was just a clerical error of some sort,” Callie said as she moved back toward the door.

  “It was. That’s the frustrating part. Someone just made a mistake when they entered the code.” Gemma tucked Callie’s print out under her keyboard.

  “Sorry. I’m sure you’ll get it figured out.” Callie looked through the glass door. “I’d better go before it starts coming down.”

  She made it to her car just in time. It took her a little longer to get to Randy Albright’s house. He was pulling out of his drive as she approached the house in her car. She slowed to allow him to get out onto the road in front of her then followed his van.

  She wondered, at first, why he was driving the van instead of his truck. She knew that his wife usually took the van. The mystery was solved soon after when Randy pulled into the school campus. Callie parked in a side lot and watched as he waited in front of the building. One figure emerged and entered the van. By the size, Callie assumed it was the daughter. About five minutes later, his son joined them and jumped into the van.

  She then followed him to the other side of town where he pulled into the lot of a dentist’s office. Callie wasn’t surprised. She knew that his wife worked there as a dental assistant. Mrs. Albright came out of the dentist’s office soon after Randy arrived. He pulled up to the front door so she wouldn’t have to go far to get into the van. Once she was safely inside, Randy pulled out of the parking lot and returned to the road. Callie continued to follow at a safe distance.

  She had no idea where the family was going. They went onto one of the state routes for a while heading south. She assumed they were heading to the next town over and prepared to follow them for the next fifteen or twenty minutes to get there. Soon after, they were pulling off to the side of the road.