A Substitute for Murder

By JB Clemmens

Winburg High School is only 56 miles from New York City but it is typically suburban. When a substitute teacher discovers the body of another teacher in the gym, false rumors spread throughout the school. The victim was a graphic arts teacher who frequented the local casino and had an interesting summer job. Lieutenant Eli James is asked to investigate and he finds that teachers are not exempt from vices, like greed and malice. One of them has committed murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JB Clemmens
• Release date: Mar 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301200160

JB Clemmens

Jeanie Clemmens lives in Pennsylvania with a great dane and her husband, who takes her motorcycling. Her background is in math but she enjoys writing to exercise her right brain. Skype-ing her son in Japan and e-mailing her daughters in California and Virginia keep her close to family that she cherishes.

Book preview

A SUBSTITUTE FOR MURDER

By

J B Clemmens

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Copyright 2013 by Jeanie Bryson Clemmens

Cover by JB Clemmens, photo Dreamstime

Chapter I

Who are you? Where's Mr. Stein?

Evy Babcock took a deep breath and answered the girl who slammed her books on the desk as she whined, Another substitute! What's wrong with Mr. Stein? He promised to help me with my project today.

The girl, Aisha Taylor, spread the word fairly quickly as other students entered the room. Many of them gave Mrs. Babcock a shocked look or frowned as they expected to see their regular teacher. Evy had been through this rude introduction many times. It was always hard when the absent teacher was well-liked. And the students wouldn't be pleased that she was giving them a test today.

As more students came in, Evy recognized a nice boy, Paul, from other classes that she'd subbed for.

Ms. Babcock, are you here today? Paul asked politely.

Yes, Paul. How are you?

Okay, I guess. Are we still having the test? I need to look up something, if so.

Yes you are having a test today, Evy said loud enough for those standing by the window to hear.

Oh man, that's not fair, a popular girl said. We shouldn't have to take it if he's not here. I'm going to tell Mr. Stein that, too," said another.

A red haired kid with a boyish grin said, Can't you just tell him that you lost the test or couldn't find it?

Evy knew what was coming next, so she put her knee against the drawer that held the test papers and seating charts. She had hidden the answer key earlier before anyone came to class. You couldn't blame the students for trying to get out of the test, but she had enough experience to know that was the road to nowhere. No matter how good the students were, in every class they tried things. She anticipated, showed patience, but was constantly on guard for new tricks and attempts. Every day was a struggle of wills, but she liked doing what she did.

It's almost time for the bell. Please take your seats, she said calmly, waiting for at least one student to say, Where should we take them? There was always one. She took roll as they slowly found their seats, noting the names of students with stars beside their name. They weren't helpers, as you might find on an elementary school seating chart, but ones you had to watch out for. The reasons were usually obvious almost immediately. She had had one of those disruptive students before and she gave him a stern look, but left him alone. The other name, Tim Smead, was a new student. He was the last one to take a seat and Evy kept an eye on him as she asked everyone to separate their desks and listen to the test instructions. There was a lot of grumbling and complaining, but eventually everyone was working quietly, except Tim.

Tim, eyes on your own paper. This test is for a grade, you know.

He looked like he had an inspiration and said, Why do I have to take this test? I'm new here; I guess you didn't know that. I shouldn't have to take it.

His tone caused several students to look up from their desks and Evy wanted to nip any problems in the bud.

Mr. Stein left instructions for everyone to take the test. No exceptions. The roster... Evy consulted the class roster which was different from the seating chart, the roster shows that you've been in this class for two weeks. Now get to work.

As Evy monitored the class, Tim was not on task, but was quiet. Suddenly a loud farting noise came from the back of the room where Tim was sitting. Of course there was laughter and disruption. Evy moved to the back of the room to try to get the contraband cell phone causing the noise. She took her own phone with her in her pocket for a surprise of her own.

Turn the phone off, Tim.

I don't have a phone. I'm poor.

Having nothing to say that wouldn't lead to a discussion and further interruption, Evy texted a message on her phone while watching Tim finger his pocket. The loud bathroom sound happened again. Evy Babcock was not about to get in trouble herself for touching a student or his belongings trying to get the phone away from him. She looked toward the classroom door in the front just as it opened.

It's come to my attention that Tim Smead has had an accident in his pants and is afraid to stand up and leave the room. Mr. Zannak, the teacher on hall duty outside, had gotten the text.

I did not Tim shouted as he stood up. See and I'm not afraid to leave. He headed towards the door, followed by snickers and laughter that Evy didn't try to stop.

Instead she closed the door behind Tim, thanking Mr. Zannak for his help. It was easier than kicking him out. Thanks.

There was some talk after she turned around and Paul said, Way to go, Mrs. Babcock. Sometimes teaching can be very rewarding.

Chapter II

It's the parents who let them take phones to school, Patty Defiore of the English department was saying as Evy Babcock entered the teacher's lounge. Apparently, Mr. Zannak had returned from hall duty and told the story of her solution to cell phones in class to the teachers there. As with any topic concerning student discipline, a heated discussion always ensued.

I don't allow them in my class. Wilma Klein-Kurtz was known for strictness in her upper level math classes.

Yes, but your students listen because they want a good grade to get into a decent college. My students live to disobey rules, said Bill Harding, Graphic Arts teacher.

Over in the corner beside the soda machines, Social Studies teacher, Bob Pappas, was listening and shaking his head. He leaned forward and addressed the room in a booming voice.

I just collect everything electronic in a basket when they walk in. If their phone rings while I'm teaching, I make them raise their hand and say either 'That's my ring tone, I'm sorry' or 'That's my ring tone and it might be important.' If it's the first, we ignore it. If it's the second, I make them put it on speakerphone so the class and I can hear. You’d be surprised how much that cuts down on calls during the period.

And it would please the parents that their son or daughter was accessible in an emergency, Evy added, joining the conversation.

Who are you today?

Morey Stein, Evy answered the often asked question with no rancor.

It does help to have an idea that parents would approve, said Wilma.

Mr. Pappas wasn't so concerned about that. He was an egotist and liked to ramble on and on in his class. He was also known for his unconventional methods with students. He used a toilet plunger for a hall pass. A lot of girls complained about having to pick it up and carry it in the hall after some boy had done who knows what with it in the boy's bathroom. Pappas told them to go before class then. A lot of them did just that. He did get some credit from the other teachers for his idea of collecting cell phones, though.

I like that idea, said the young female teacher to his left. They're always hiding their phones in the pockets of their gym clothes. I tell them they'll fall out and break when we play basketball or use scooters, but they do it anyway. Of the twelve teachers in the lounge everyone agreed and nodded except one.

The media teacher, Jack Linzer, was searching the web on his 4G phone. He heard the discussion but wanted to put his unique twist on things. When he found the site he wanted, he turned the phone around and showed everyone.

"This website might interest you. It's a resource library of instructional lesson plans for everything from reading Shakespeare to the mathematics of