Chapter 24 School Days

New York

"The bottom line is looking healthy as usual, this is what I like to see", Terry commented with a huge smile to a room full of persons who really were only listening to him with half an ear. He was looking over the firm's finances. Business was good, profit margins were healthy, bonuses will be very generous this year, and all was well with the world from his firm's perspective. Terry looked up from his report at his staff and smiled even wider. Everyone worked together as a family rather them just a team. It was the inter personal relationships that made the investigation business thrive. That along with the technical support that Kami provided to the firm when she joined them a year ago. As Kami crossed his mind, thoughts of his work sister Hildy was right behind.

"Hey guys", Terry spoke a little louder to catch everyone's attention. One by one the team looked at him.

"I spoke to Hills last night. They were scheduled to return to New York this morning, but they will be arriving tomorrow instead".

David frowned as he asked "Isn't this the second arrival changed they made? They were supposed to be back here since about four days. Isn't that right?"

"Yep", Edgar responded. "I remember because Hope and Faith were a part of a … and I quote, musical recital, and our lady loves promised to be back in time for it. Unfortunately, their plans changed, and I had to explain to disappointed four-year olds that their aunties Hildy and Kami really wanted to come but could not".

Just then Abby walked into the room and said "Ah come on Edgar, they were only disappointed for a little while. Remember Hildy asked Nana and Pappy to represent them at the recital. Nana came with homemade goodies and the twins were happy with all the additional praise, attention and finger foods they got".

"That's right Edgar, we were all there, things worked out well after the initial disappointment", Jim added to the discourse.

Nodding his head in agreement Edgar said "That's true, it's just that while children will be successfully distracted for the while, the following day they come back to the same questions. But it is all good, Hildy text me a couple days ago. We are taking the girls over to their home on the weekend and the children will perform their song for them. Hildy even said that Ellen and her children will drop by. Who knows it may end up being more enjoyable to just listen to my children rather that an entire cast of pre-school students giving their versions of the songs we had to suffer through a few nights ago".

The team of investigators all had a good laugh as they reviewed the performances of the children who were involved in the recital. They all gave the young students A's for effort but in talent they all hoped that over time the children would naturally gravitate to areas in music they were genuinely gifted in.

"Speaking of school, I have a buddy named Phillip, who teaches in a private school in Manhattan, and he asked me if I could discretely check out the parents of one of his students", Jim informed his work family.

"Why? What's going on?" Terry asked.

"According to Phillip, one of the top students in his chemistry class is a girl named Judy. He said she also gets good grades in her other subjects. However recently there was an incident at school where a student snuck alcohol into the school building and shared it with a few friends. They had for want of a better expression 'a class party' and the person who brought the liquor to school turned out to be Judy".

At this description there were a few chuckles around the table as one or two investigators were reminded of some of their own misadventures at school.

"Jim, we all know kids should not do things like that but in reality, it happens. We all went to high school, I am sure everyone of us here knew someone who indulged in drinking and smoking during their high school years. Gosh, some of us took a chance or two", Edgar confessed.

"I never drank or smoked at school, as a matter of fact I can't remember ever skipping classes either", Abby chirped in.

The guys all turned and looked at her.

"Well we all know you were Ms Perfect Student", David teased her.

"I would expect nothing less Abby", Terry smiled at her.

Jim and Edgar just smiled at their youngest member of the investigation team as they shook their heads.

Terry turned his attention back to Jim as he asked, "What is your friend really concerned about?"

"Based on what Phillip told me, he is getting a funny vibe about the parents. He said they look like the perfect couple, with a perfect home and perfect children. Phillip said he can't put his finger on it but something is wrong in that home. He spoke to the school's guidance officer and she has been speaking with the children but so far she has not been able to identify anything out of the ordinary with either Judy or her younger brother".

The investigators sat back and mulled over this information, then Terry asked. "What reason did Judy give for bringing alcohol into the school".

Jim sighed, "Apparently she said she wanted to impress her friends".

"Hmm, well she is a teen. You know how it is … image is everything. It is not farfetched to think that she really wanted to impress her school buddies. So far, I am not really hearing anything to make me think we have a case to investigate", Terry replied to Jim's response.

The guys all sat quietly for a few moments. Then Terry said "Tell you what, the ladies will be back in New York tomorrow. Let's use today as we do not have any pressing cases at the moment and see if we can find anything out of the ordinary about the parents. By tomorrow we move onto something else if nothing turns up. How does that sound? "

The team were all in agreement and set about with their investigation of Judy's parents.