Too Dead To Dance (15 page)

Putting the book back in
the folder, I locked the file cabinet. I pulled the desk drawer
open and shoved the keys toward the back. Tiptoeing to the door, I
opened it an inch and peeked out into the hall, looking for someone
waiting to catch me. All clear.

“Very good class. You’re
learning. But you have to study this week. First Communion is in
eight weeks and you have to know the answers to these
questions.”

I dashed down the hallway.
My shoes tapped on the steps as I ran up the stairway. When I
reached the top, I turned toward the music and knelt down in the
back pew. I needed some divine guidance with this
problem.

I left Mass before the
final blessing, I needed to get an ice pack on my neck. I had just
closed the door behind me when I heard my name.

“Why Jennifer, I’m so glad
to see you at Mass. Did you leave early?”

Oh, crap, busted. “Hi,
Bernie. Yes, I had a little accident last night and my neck hurts.
I need an ice pack.” I always think it’s best to lie as close to
the truth as possible.

“Jennifer, what happened?
Can I help?”

“No, no. I’m fine. I got
run off the road last night on my way home from the Fest Grounds
after the closing ceremony. But I’ll be fine.”

“I thought the Home Arts
building closed at nine o’clock? Why were you there so late? Were
you out festing with Megan?”

“No, I just wanted to talk
to a few people about…stuff.”

“Jennifer, are you sticking
your nose into this investigation? Didn’t the police tell you to
stay out of their way?”

“Yes, and so did you. But I
can’t sit around and watch the cops haul you off to jail. I have to
do what I can to help.”

“You can best help by
keeping your nose out of this. It will all work out. I’m sure no
one really believes that I could kill someone. For heaven’s sake,
Jennifer. I’m a nun!”

“I know. I said the same
thing to the cops. A lot of good that did.”

“Just let it be, Jennifer.
There are things that don’t need to come out. Things that could
hurt innocent people.”

“Bernie, I’ll do my best to
keep from hurting anyone but you have to know that I’m willing do
whatever it takes to prove that you’re innocent.”

“You may be willing,
Jennifer, but you don’t know how much some of the things you do
hurt other people. Please stay out of this. You’re not the police.
It’s not your job to prove anything.”

I gave up, said goodbye and
walked to my Honda. I’d just have to try and stay out of her way
until this was over. I hated lying to Bernie. Not just because she
was a nun, but because she was one of my best friends.

When I got to my Honda, I
noticed the bags from the Christmas Shop in the back seat. I’d try
to remember to take them in the next time I stopped at my
townhouse.

Before I went over to the
Fest Grounds, I decided to stop at Glessner’s German Store. I knew
they would be open on Sunday, because of Polka Daze.

Glessner’s was exactly the
opposite of Bavarian Haus. Roomy floor space with open tall display
towers spaced so it was easy to move between them around the store.
The glass shelves held Hummel figurines, clear glass plates,
platters, vases and decanters.

The inside wall of the
store was completely filled with German nutcrackers. Signs near
each section indicated the manufacturer: Ulbricht, Steinbach, KWO
and others. Each company had its own unique style. Some nutcrackers
reflected professions: fireman, doctor, cowboy. Others showcased
nationalities: Irish, Swiss, even a Native American.

I picked up a wooden
figurine of a Policeman. It was made by Steinbach, but wasn’t a
nutcracker. Looking close I saw that it was an incense burner. Next
to it was an aviator incense burner. I made a mental note; if Megan
and Don were still together next December, I’d get the cute little
pilot incense burner for her Christmas gift.

I found a display case that
held beer glasses and steins. Pilsner, wine, and highball glasses,
as well as clear glass beer mugs. The bottom two shelves held
steins with intricate designs including wildlife, military and city
scenes. No Coca-Cola stein.

On a low built-in counter
under the nutcrackers were more Hermann souvenirs and an array of
German chocolate candy. I pulled myself away and went to the
counter. I knew Mr. Glessner. This wasn’t my first time in this
store. But, it was always a delightful experience.

“Mr. Glessner, do you carry
this stein?” I asked handing him the picture.

“It’s a very nice piece.
But, I wouldn’t carry this here.”

“Why not?”

“Because it was made in
Brazil, not Germany. Almost everything in here is made in
Germany.”

“Brazil? Why would
Brazilian’s make beer steins?”

“There are lots of Germans
in South America. I don’t carry beer steins made in the United
States either, just Germany.”

“Do you know where I might
find one of these steins?”

“Have you tried the
Internet? You might find one on eBay.”

“Already tried that. But
thanks.”

Back in my car, crossing
another store off my list, I wondered if Laura even wanted this
stein if it wasn’t made in Germany. I don’t know where Laura had
seen this stein, but I was beginning to doubt that it was here in
Hermann.

I pulled my cell phone out
of my purse and found Biergarten Restaurant in my contacts list. I
hit the button and a few seconds later Laura picked up her
phone.

“Biergarten Restaurant,
Laura speaking. May I help you?”

“Hi, Laura. It’s
Jennifer.”

“Jennifer! Did you find my
beer stein?”

“No I haven’t but I did
find out that it was made in Brazil, not Germany. I just wanted to
check and see if you still want it.”

“Of course I want it. I
don’t care where it was made or even when. I just want
it.”

“Well, I wasn’t sure so I
thought I’d better check.”

“Thanks, Jennifer, but my
steins aren’t all from Germany. They came from all over the world.
I just buy the ones I like.”

Okay, so the steak and
lobster dinner was still a possibility. I would keep looking.
“Okay, Laura. I’ll check out the rest of the places on my list.
I’ll call you when I find it.”

“There’s no hurry,
Jennifer. I know you’re busy with Polka Daze. Just look for it when
you’re near the places I listed. I don’t want you to go to too much
trouble over this. It’s not that important.”

“It’s no problem, Laura,” I
lied. “Actually, I’m enjoying the stores I’ve been to.” Which was
true. “I’m on a mission now. I will find the stein.”

I put the car in reverse
and turned to look out the back window. When someone tapped on my
window and called my name I almost jumped out of my
skin.

“Jennifer! Jennifer! Open
the window!” Natalie Younger was tapping away on my window. Just
what I needed to make my day complete.

I rolled down the window
about two inches and said, “I can’t talk right now, Natalie. I’m in
a hurry. I have to get to the Fest Grounds.”

“Just tell me what’s going
on, Jennifer. Did Bernie get arrested? Did she whack that
guy?”

I hit the button and rolled
up the window then slowly backed out of the parking space. Natalie
was still asking me questions when I waved at her and drove
away.

On the way to the Fest
Grounds, I called Mark Jensen, one of the college students who
worked for me and asked him to meet me at the coffee booth. It
would be a busy day and I needed extra help to be able to move
around and not leave Sally to do all the work. As soon as Mark
arrived, I grabbed Sally’s hand and I led her out of the Home Arts
Building. We went around the corner of the building to a picnic
table where we could sit and talk in some semblance of
privacy.

“Do you know my friend,
Sister Bernadine, Sally?”

Sally picked at a thread on
her vest. “Of course I know her. I belong to St. Theresa’s. She
taught my Catechism class.”

“Do you know that the
police suspect that she killed Wes?”

“They can’t really believe
that. Sister Bernadine wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“I know. And I’m trying to
prove that she’s innocent. But I need your help.”

“How can I help? I wasn’t
even here when his body was found, you were.

“That’s right. But I have
some information that I need cleared up. Sally, I know this won’t
be easy for you but I need to know how you met Wes.”

“I don’t like to talk about
that. It’s sad and embarrassing.”

I leaned in closer and put
my arm on her shoulder. “I know about your father, Sally. It’s
okay, I understand.”

Sally, took a deep breath,
squared her shoulders and said, “Wes was a friend of my father’s.
Dad was killed during a bank robbery. After that, Wes started
coming around our house almost every day, usually about the time I
got home from school. I was just a kid and the way he looked at me
kind of gave me the creeps.” She shuddered.

“Did you tell you mother
how you felt?” I asked.

“Sure. But she said I was
being silly, that Wes just wanted to be nice to us. I was so angry
that my father had been shot. I even got mad at my mother for
sticking up for Wes. I was mad at the world for awhile.”

“Did your mother finally do
something about Wes?’’ I asked.

“Yeah, finally. He started
following me home from school and when I showed Mom the note he
left in my locker one day, she called the police. I guess Mom
finally figured he’d crossed a line.”

“Did you have to testify at
his trial?”

“Yes, and it was horrible.
The only good thing was that the judge cleared the courtroom and
only the lawyers and the jury were there. But Wes scared me, the
way he looked at me when I answered the questions the lawyers
asked. His lawyer tried to say that I was the one chasing Wes. That
I had a crush on him. That was so creepy.”

“But the jury believed
you.”

“Yes, and I thought that
was the end of it. Until he showed up for band practice when I was
with Bobby. I almost threw up. I just quit coming to the band’s
gigs and stayed away from Wes.”

“Didn’t Bobby wonder
why?”

“Yes. I didn’t want Bobby
to know about the trial. But Bobby thought that I wasn’t interested
in him anymore, so I finally had to tell him about Wes and how he
stalked me. Bobby was furious and I think he said something to Wes,
because he never talked to me or anything after that first time.
So, I started going with the band again. I think Bobby and I are
even closer than before.”

“I’m sure the detectives
have asked you this, Sally. Where were you on Thursday night when
Wes was killed?”

Sally looked down and said,
“We just went home. I mean, he dropped me off at my place then he
went home. I was tired and we didn’t want to stop and eat with the
others and stay out half the night. We both had to work on
Friday—we’ll, I thought I had to work. I didn’t know the building
would be closed.”

“Did your mother hear you
come in? Did she know what time that was?”

“Mom wasn’t there. She went
to Minnetonka to visit her sister. My aunt hasn’t been well lately.
She has cancer and the chemo is pretty hard on her. Mom went to
take care of her for a few days.”

I walked with Sally back to
the Home Arts Building and found Mark having a rush of business. We
all pitched in and after about a half hour business slowed down and
I headed for my car to pick up Megan. When I passed the mid-sized
tent I glanced in, half expecting to see Natalie sitting there as
she was last night. Instead I watched as Clara from Ray’s band
walked toward the entrance.

“Hi, Clara.” I greeted
her.

“Hi.” She walked past me. I
figured she didn’t remember me.

“Clara,” I called to her.
“Do you have a minute?”

“Me? What for?”

“I’m Jennifer. I met you at
the keg tapping on Thursday night.”

Oh, ya’. You’re the one who
found Wes. What can I do for you?” She looked around as if to find
a way to get away from me.

“You know that the police
think my friend, Sister Bernadine killed Wes. Can I ask you a
couple questions?”

“What kind of questions? I
really don’t know anything and I’ve talked to the police several
times.”

“No, not about Wes. I was
at the closing last night in the big tent. How long have you known
Trudy?” I asked.

“Trudy? Oh, gee, we’ve been
friends since high school. She’s a little older than me, so we
didn’t hang around until high school,” Clara answered

“Do you know why she has
such an attitude about the Fest Meister?”

Clara snorted. “You bet.
She and Frank were an item in high school. They were the prom king
and queen. He was the star center of the hockey team and she was
the head cheerleader. It was a storybook romance, without the happy
ending.”