The next day Jonathan was going to do a little snooping around and in an effort to distract Julie, Jennifer suggested they go to the library. Jennifer needed to do some research on an article and she thought it might help for Julie to assist her in the research. They were of like minds in many ways. Julie was curious, tenacious and very bright. She had grown up at her mother's feet, if you will, watching her, learning from her, how to go after a story. Jennifer Hart was tenacious with class and Julie had learned well, a lovely blend of her mother's class and charm and her father's clever wit. It worried Jennifer how quiet and withdrawn she had become over this. Julie normally couldn't wait to delve into the stacks at the library but today she mostly hung back and watched her mother, mumbling responses whenever Jennifer said anything.
Jennifer scanned the shelves and finally found a book that she thought might help with her article. It was on the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. She was writing about the new Russia and before she and Jonathan had been traveling the South of France she had spent several weeks there but she needed more of the history.
"Well, I think this should do it." She said turning to Julie who just mumbled and 'uh huh'. Jennifer sighed, "Sweetheart, I brought you here to help get your mind off things."
Julie turned to face her mother, "I'm sorry, Mom. What did you say?"
"Julie, I'm very worried about you." Jennifer said, "I know this is bothering you but this isn't healthy."
She looked down, "I know, Mom. It's just that I saw him one day and he's dead the next."
Jennifer could see the troubled look in Julie's eyes, they may be Jonathan's eyes but they too, told you everything, "Listen, why don't I check out this book and we'll go somewhere and talk. It's almost lunch time."
Julie nodded and they walked to the front of the library. After they got outside they both turned their cell phones back on. Jennifer had a message from Jonathan. She smiled as she heard his voice. It was still the sexiest she had ever heard.
Hi, Darling, I hope you got what you needed for your article and that Julie is feeling better. I'm on my way to the police station to talk to Lt. Morris. Why don't the three of us meet for lunch? Call me when you get this. I love you. Bye, Sweetheart.
"That was your father." She informed Julie as they got in the car, "He wants to meet us for lunch. I need to call him back." She punched the speed dial number and waited for him to answer
"Hi Darling." He said
"Hi, lunch sounds great." She told him, "How about 12:30 at Jonny Rockets? We haven't pigged out there in a long time."
"Sounds great, I'll see you there."
They said their good byes and Jennifer looked over at Julie who was reading something on her phone, "Are you alright?"
She looked up at her mother, "Yeah, Brian just text me and asked me to have dinner tonight and go to a movie."
Jennifer smiled, "That sounds like fun." She said, "It will do you good to get out, Julie."
"Yeah, I guess so." Julie shrugged as Jennifer backed out of the parking space. When she pulled out into traffic Julie just looked out the window then finally spoke, "Mom?"
"Yes?" Jennifer replied turning right onto a side street
"How did you know Daddy was the one?"
The question seemed out of the blue but in a way Jennifer was glad because it meant she was thinking about something other than Professor Wakefield, "I take it this question has something to do with young Brian Palmer."
"A little, I guess." She admitted, "So how did you know?"
Jennifer sighed a little, "Well, I suppose it's different for everyone but that day when he proposed to me with those banners on the bridge something just told me this was it."
"Did you know right away you loved him?" Julie asked
"I think I did." Jennifer replied, "But I guess what did it was that day when I looked into his blue eyes, I saw my present and my future. He was the only one whose eyes said forever."
"You realize how corny that sounds, right?" Julie said teasingly
"Corny, huh?" Jennifer arched one of her eyebrows, "So what about this Brian?"
She shrugged again, "We've been friends since the beginning of the semester since I was in Professor Wakefield's class. He would lecture for him if he was out of town."
"Ah, so that's why the sudden interest in Ancient Egypt." Jennifer teased her daughter back
"Mom!" Julie feigned horror at the suggestion underlying her question, "I honestly am interested in it. But Brian is really nice."
"Then go out with him tonight and enjoy yourself." Jennifer said as they pulled into a parking space at the boutique where she bought her clothes, "And to give you a little lift, let's get you something amazing to wear tonight."
Julie smiled slightly, "Okay."
POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Jonathan sat in Lt. Morris's office waiting for him to get off of the phone. He hoped there might be some answers to what really happened to Professor Wakefield but he wasn't holding his breath. After a few minutes Morris finally hung up and turned his attention to Jonathan.
"Sorry Jonathan."
"It's alright, Burt." Jonathan assured him, "Please tell me you found something."
Morris rubbed his chin, "Sorry again, I talked to the Palo Alto police and they insist it's a straightforward case of a robbery being interrupted and the suspect panicked and shot Wakefield."
"How do they explain nothing being taken?" Jonathan asked
"Well, they say, and it makes sense, that after the guy shot him he just wanted to get the hell out of there and forgot about whatever he wanted."
"And the police won't even entertain the idea that it could have been staged to look like a robbery and what they killer really wanted wasn't there. They probably ransacked the place looking for something specific and didn't find it?"
"Jonathan, I'm not saying that isn't possible." Morris replied, "But it's not my investigation. The evidence they have has them fairly convinced."
"Well, maybe I'll have to convince them otherwise." Jonathan said
Morris sat forward in his chair, "Why are you so interested in this? Aside from the fact that your kids knew him, what's the interest?"
"I really don't know." Jonathan admitted, "But something doesn't fit.
"Well, your gut is usually right, but please Jonathan, tread lightly." Morris warned him, "And if you do go up there, don't tell them you know me, please."
Jonathan stood up, "I'll be as discreet as possible, don't worry."
"Thanks." Morris said
Jonathan left the police station and headed to Johnny Rocket's. He had hoped to have better news but he planned to drive up to Palo Alto after lunch to see if the police would listen to him. He walked in and found his two favorite ladies waiting for him in a booth.
He gave Julie and kiss on the cheek then sat next to Jennifer and gave her a warm kiss. It never failed that when they kissed his lips tingled, "So, did you girls get anything accomplished thus far?"
"Well, I got the book I needed from the library and Julie got a date." Jennifer said looking over at her daughter
"I'll kill him." Jonathan joked
"Daddy!" Julie whined, "It's just Brian." She said pausing a moment, "Did you find out anything?"
"No, the police up there are convinced it's a robbery gone wrong and nothing more." He replied taking a drink of water, "But I'm going up there after we eat. It may not do any good but if I could see the evidence and talk to them maybe things might start to make sense."
"Can I go with you?" Julie asked
"No, baby, I don't think so." He answered, "I think I should do this by myself. If the three of us showed up asking questions it might ruffle too many feathers. Besides don't you have a date to get ready for?"
Julie sighed and nodded, "Please be careful, Daddy."
"I will kiddo. I will." Jonathan assured her
After lunch Jennifer and Julie headed home. Jennifer planned to finish her article and Julie talked to a couple of friends from school and took a nice hot bubble bath then prepared for her date. Jonathan drove the four hours to Palo Alto and pulled into the police station parking lot. He got out and walked into the plain brick building and asked to speak to whoever was in charge. He was told to take a seat and after a few minutes a fairly young guy came out and introduced himself.
"I'm detective Fowler. What can I do for you?" He asked
Jonathan stood up and shook his hand, "I'm Jonathan Hart and I'd like to know what's going on with the Wakefield investigation."
"Well, we really don't have any leads yet… and what is your interest in the case?"
"My daughter was one of his students and I just want to see justice done." It was kind of a lame explanation but he couldn't come up with anything better
"Oh, well like I said, not much to go on." Fowler reiterated
"Have you considered that the victim may have known the killer? Or that this wasn't an ordinary robbery since nothing was taken?" Jonathan asked
"Doesn't seem likely, Mr. Hart is it?" Fowler asked and Jonathan nodded, "Well, Mr. Hart what makes you think that?"
"My gut." Jonathan responded, "Could I possibly see what evidence you have?"
Fowler shook his head, "No, I'm sorry but you know we can't do that."
"Right, of course." Jonathan smiled, "Can't blame a guy for trying. Thank you for your time, Detective."
Fowler nodded and Jonathan turned and walked out of the station and as he approached his car he noticed a piece of paper on his windshield. He smiled at first thinking Jennifer had left a love note on his car. They often did that for each other. He picked it up and read it. It was no love note.
You better stop snooping around about Wakefield or you and your pretty wife and daughter could join him…