Julie Hart drove up the circular drive to the sprawling five bedroom ranch house just outside Los Angeles, returning from her junior year at Stanford University. She got her bags out of the car and unlocked the front door.
She called out, "Mom, Dad…Justin." No answer. She hung up her purse and took her bags upstairs then came back down. As she walked into the living room someone came up behind her and grabbed her. She gasped and turned around, "Oh, you jerk, you scared me."
He smiled mischievously, "Sorry Jules, I couldn't help myself." He admitted, "How are you, Sis?"
"Fine, except for a minor heart attack, why didn't you answer when I called out?"
"I was outside." He told her
"Are you the only one here?" She asked, "Where are Mom and Dad?"
"You know Mom and Dad. They're traveling in the South of France or somewhere. Their plane should have gotten in earlier but I haven't heard from them." He informed her
"Well, they were never ones to stay home very long, especially with Dad retiring and selling the company." She said, "Is the bar stocked? Do you want a drink?"
"Yes and yes, a gin and tonic." He said and they crossed the room to the bar
She poured the drink and handed it to him, "Here you are, brother dear." She said, "So how is the big time world of oil futures?" Justin was two years older and had just started a job with the financial services company run by one of Jonathan's friends.
"Oh, you know, sell, sell, sell, buy, buy, buy." He quipped, "How are things at my old alma mater? Didn't you have Professor Wakefield this past semester?"
She nodded, "Hmmm, yes and he sends his regards. I wasn't sure if telling him I was your sister would help me or not."
"Very funny." He smirked, "He was my favorite professor. He's an institution himself at that school."
"Ah, well he hasn't lost his touch. He had our class utterly fixated on Ancient Egypt." She told him
"Well, Mom will be pleased to hear that given her lifelong hobby of studying Egyptology." Justin replied
"You know, I'm beginning to think they forgot I was coming home." She asked, "You would think I'd merit meeting me when I got here."
Justin smiled, "They'll be here soon…" He began but was interrupted by the door opening
As if on cue their parents walked in the living room, "Julie!" they exclaimed almost in unison
Julie came out from behind the bar and walked over to her parents, "Well, it's about time you two showed up." She said hugging them both, "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten I was coming home."
Jennifer smiled at her daughter who reminded her so much of herself at that age, "Oh, sweetheart, you wouldn't believe what happened. We missed our connection in New York and that messed everything up."
"You know we wouldn't forget about you, kiddo." Jonathan said, "Hey, Justin how about helping me with the bags."
"Sure, Dad." He said and they walked out through the foyer and out of the house
Jennifer walked back into the foyer and hung up her purse. She walked back into the living room and looked her daughter over thoroughly then drew her into a warm embrace, "It is so good to have you home, Julie."
Julie hugged her mother tight, "I'm glad to be home, Mom."
Jennifer pulled back, "Well, let's sit down and you can fill me in on everything."
"Alright." She said and they made their way over to the sofa and sat down, "Let's see…I dropped out of school, got pregnant and I'm marrying a guy who I hitched a ride home with."
Jennifer gave her a look meant to betray admonishment but came across more as amusement. Julie may have her mother's good looks but her sense of humor was definitely her father's, "Well, I at least hope the guy has a decent job."
Jonathan and Justin came back in with the bags, "Darling, we'll just take these upstairs."
"Alright." Jennifer said, "Say, why don't we forget trying to make dinner and go out tonight."
"Sure, how about La Scala?" Jonathan suggested
"Great, I'll call in a minute." Jennifer said and Jonathan and Justin headed upstairs
Julie watched them walk away then turned back to her mother and smiled, "Everything's good, Mom. I loved that class on Ancient Egypt. I can understand why you've been so fascinated by it all these years."
"That's wonderful. Maybe we can spend some time at the library this summer." She suggested
"I'd like that." Julie replied
LATER THAT EVENING
After dinner the four of them gathered in the living room to play board games, an after dinner tradition started when the children were young. The games had changed but not the fun they had spending time together.
Jonathan looked at his watch, "Well it's time for the news why don't we take a break and see what's going on in the world, or at least California."
"Sure." Justin agreed and went over to the bar and turned on the television
This is KRDB ten o'clock news, I'm Jack Slaton. We begin tonight with a report from Palo Alto. A Stanford University Professor has been found dead in his home…
The four of them immediately turned their full attention to the news
Hanson Wakefield, a history professor was found dead in his home tonight by a colleague. Police aren't releasing any information at this time but we'll bring you all the details as soon as we know them. In other news…
A thick silence filled the air. Hanson Wakefield had been a professor at Stanford for more than twenty years. He was beloved by his students and faculty alike. Julie was the first to manage to speak.
"Professor Wakefield is dead?" She couldn't believe it, "How…why?"
Jennifer patted her daughter's hand, "Sweetheart, I'm so sorry. It's a terrible loss for his family and the school."
"I wonder how it happened." Justin mused, "I mean could it have been…"
"Murder?" Jonathan finished for him
"Jonathan!" Jennifer scolded
"Darling, unless he had some kind of health issue, a man in his fifties doesn't just die like that." He explained
"He's right, Mom." Julie spoke up again, "I just saw him two days ago and he was fine. He didn't have any medical problems that any of us knew about."
Jennifer exhaled sharply, "We don't need to get carried away with this. Let's see what comes out."
After the news of professor Wakefield no one felt like playing any games so Justin went back to his apartment and the others headed for bed. Julie just lay in bed unable to get to sleep. Jonathan and Jennifer shared privately what they didn't want to say in front of the children, that they seriously suspected murder.
Jonathan came out of the bathroom and slid into bed beside her, "Darling, I know you're thinking the same thing I am."
Jennifer put down the book she was reading, "Yes, but I don't want to scare them. Besides we could be wrong." She pointed out, "Not every death involves foul play. We spent too much time playing amateur detectives it's colored our outlook."
"I know." He sighed leaning back against the pillows
She looked over at him and smiled slightly, "Well, aside from all that, it's nice to be home isn't it?" She moved closer to him and rested her head on his chest
He wrapped his arms around her, "Yes, it is." He started to kiss her but the shrill ringing of the phone stopped him mid kiss
"I got it." They heard Julie call out from the hall
"I hope she'll be alright." Jennifer said
He gently rubbed her back, "She'll be fine. She's a Hart, after all."
Jennifer pulled back and smiled, "Well we've managed to dodge more than one bullet over the years."
There was knock on the door and Julie opened the door, "Mom, Dad that was Brian Crawford. He was Professor Wakefield's teaching assistant, the one who found him." She began, "He told me Professor Wakefield was shot."
TBC…