Deadly Deceit

By LaVerne Shaw

Young high school teachers, Amy Randall and Zan Knox, take teaching jobs at Covington, New Mexico, High School. Here they encounter an ineffective principal and a football coach who seems to rule the roost both at school and downtown.

Set to meet the son of her mother's old college roommate, Wilt Benson, Amy draws the unwanted attention of Coach Cal Marley instead while Wilt finds six foot tall Zan attractive.
Attempting to escape the clutches of Coach Marley, Amy mistakes oilman, Kent Madison, for
Wilt. Kent helps her avoid the coach by becoming her date for the Homecoming Dance she is sponsoring.

Amy is forced to teach art to the football team - boys who are not interested in art!
But the coach insists that they receive good grades by doing little work. Amy is disgusted with this arrangement and feels it is bordering on being illegal.

Murder raises is ugly head when one of the football players is found dead beneath the ball field bleachers. Who could have committed such a crime? Several weeks slip by and another football player is murdered in the art room. WHO is zeroing in on these young athletes?

Several strange incidents occurring on campus make Amy and Zan suspicious and uneasy. The football quarterback is found floating in the pool at the natatorium. He has been struck on the head and left to drown but he is revived and remembers nothing about how he fell into the water. However, the murderer is watching and vows to complete the job.

Amy plans to leave when the year is over but Zan has fallen for Wilt Benson. Zan, upset at this turn of events, wonders how Amy will view the situation as she was designated to be Wilt's love. But Kent Madison has become larger than life to Amy even though he is always too busy to be counted on. She wants a settled husband and family - not a roamer. When one of his oil wells catches on fire, he is more distracted than ever.

As the school year ends, Amy is caught alone in the art room when Coach Cal suddenly appears - and the killer is revealed.

Now both girls wonder how to break the news of their choosing separate ways. Zan worries that she has taken Wilt when he should have chosen Amy. Amy determines to leave Covington - and Kent. But will he agree? Or will he suggest a gypsy honeymoon?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483667362

LaVerne Shaw

A third generation New Mexican, La Verne has spent her life living in the southeastern comer of the state surrounded by Texas. She calls herself a New Texican. Writing mystery romance novels is a hobby along with water coloring and piecing quilts. She and her husband were married for 65 years, raised two sons and helped raise two granddaughters all now married. In retirement, she lives alone and spins her talessometimes late at night. She can be contacted at [e-mail] and would love to hear from YOU!

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Zan Knox’s beige SUV ate up the miles into the flat lands of New Mexico’s border with the state of Texas. The long road unrolled beneath them like a silver ribbon. Sand hills and scrub mesquite dotted the landscape as they moved swiftly along.

Doesn’t look much like our Hill Country of Texas does it? Amy Randall adjusted her sun glasses as she peered out the vehicle’s window.

Not much, Zan glanced about her ruefully. After the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, my family would be aghast at the barren look of this area.

Amy stretched her arms above her head and smiled. But what a fun adventure to be going into a new location. I was really tired of Austin and teaching there.

So was I. I think this new school will be just the thing to sharpen our wits and give us a fresh outlook.

Fresh outlook? I’m hoping there will be some handsome young men around. My folks weren’t too pleased at my leaving their area. How about yours? Amy peered at Zan for her reaction.

Well mine weren’t either. But my two brothers have taken over Dad’s farm, married and given them some grand kids to spoil so that let me off the hook a little.

I know what you mean. My Dad’s still practicing dentistry and my two brothers have a computer business in Austin as you know. My sister, Meg, married a pediatrician and they have all had kids. I’m the last one left and my Mom isn’t happy with me. She wants me to settle down, marry and have some grand babies too. But—I haven’t found any guy who heated my chili yet… .

Zan gave a gamin grin. I know for a fact that you’ve had three offers. What seems wrong?

Oh, I don’t know. I guess I’m still waiting for that knight on a white charger to come riding by one day. Amy gave a soft giggle at this imagery.

My family will be surprised if I ever marry. Zan frowned at this thought. My Dad is six foot two; my Mom is five foot three—quite a match. My brothers took after Mom and are all short. Then I came along and inherited my Dad’s height. I’m six feet tall in my stocking feet. That’s a real problem.

But you do have your Mother’s gorgeous red hair! added Amy.

I was always a disappointment to her. She wanted me to dress in ruffles and lace and I always hated that. I remember she gave me a birthday party the year I was five. She had bought me a ruffled pink dress to wear. Just before everyone came I snitched her scissors from her sewing basket and cut all the ruffles off the sleeves and around the skirt. Needless to say she was less than pleased—but I thought the ‘tailored look’ was much more my style. Zan gave a merry laugh at the memory. Never mind the spanking she had received as a reward for her daring behavior.

You rascal! I’ll bet you were in trouble!

Big time! Big time! But I never had another ruffled dress.

Amy nibbled a fingernail and mused. I think the only reason my Mom finally okayed my coming to New Mexico was because her former college roommate lives near Granville where we’re going. Madge Benson married a farmer from that area and still lives there. She has one son who isn’t married. I think my Mom secretly hopes he and I will make a match of it. Maybe Madge does too. They correspond all the time. I’m sure Madge knows I’m coming to teach in Granville this year.

Ummhmm—so you may have a ready-made boyfriend. Zan shot a wry grin in Amy’s direction.

Well—maybe. We’ll see. How about you, Zan?

Me? I’ve given up finding a man I can look up to. I realized when I entered the eighth grade that I was taller than all the boys. I had a terrific crush on the head basketball player when I was in junior high school. He was actually taller than I am. But—he preferred the cute little head cheerleader so— Zan’s voice trailed off remembering.

Oh look! There’s the state line sign. We are now officially in New Mexico. Have you ever been here before?

Not me. We always went to Florida in the summer. Zan looked about searching for some type of landmark. Scrubby mesquites still furred the countryside while silver oil tanks dotted the horizon.

Amy grabbed the folded map lying in the seat beside her. How much farther to Granville?

I estimate about fifty more miles. We should be there soon. Zan accelerated as she spoke.

Little traffic impeded their travel as they rolled along. Ranch lands edged the highway while black pump jacks moved up and down in slow precision sucking black gold—oil—from beneath the surface of the flat land. An almost forgotten railroad track crept along beside the highway. Was it ever used?

Amy leaned back and let her mind wander. She had met Zan at the University of Texas in Austin where they had both received degrees in education. They had secured teaching positions in that city and had decided to share an apartment. After three years they had wondered if the salaries they received could be bettered in another location.

Let’s check the head-hunters board, suggested Zan after a particularly trying episode at the high school where they were both employed. A small race riot had been quelled easily that day but tensions still roiled beneath the surface they knew. It was an explosive situation.

I think I’m ready. Let’s do it! Amy agreed and they had proceeded to do just that.

After a short wait they had no difficulty in obtaining positions in the small city of Granville in eastern New Mexico. Salaries there were decidedly higher. Terminating their Austin contracts, they completed their school year in June then made ready for a move to a new destination.

What if we don’t like it? worried Amy as they loaded their clothes plus odds and ends that seemed to be all they had accumulated in the three years they had just left behind them.

Honey, what if we don’t? We’ll like those fat checks that come each month just fine. Why work for nothing? Sounds like they appreciate good teachers in outlying smaller towns. I’m game. Zan had tossed a red curl behind one ear and grinned at the prospect of a new adventure.

Zan was to be girls’ P. E. teacher while Amy was to teach Senior English and lay out the high school annual. Zan’s six-foot slender body reflected her physical activities while Amy was a modest five five with dark hair and big blue eyes. Both girls had come from small neighboring towns near Austin. They had enjoyed their years in the larger city but found themselves yearning for a more adventurous life—as well as fatter pay checks.

Amy had enjoyed dating and the social life surrounding her college years but once involved in her adult teaching world, the selection for dates seemed to have dwindled. Most of her colleagues were either married or on the prowl. That was not the life for Amy. She wanted something more permanent—a husband, a home and a family of her own.

Zan looked up with a grin. Besides you just might find ‘Mr. Right’ out in the boonies you know. She swung her SUV around a large truck bearing equipment bound for the oilfields of eastern New Mexico.

Yeah, right! quipped Amy as she settled her sunglasses more snugly atop her tip-tilted nose.

Little did the girls know that entering New Mexico would alter the fabric of both their lives irreversibly.

CHAPTER TWO

Their arrival in Granville was greeted with both good news and bad. The school board was pleased to have fresh blood on their faculty roster. However, due to the discovery of gas stored deep in the geological formation of that area, the oil boom had created a housing problem. Deep wells were being drilled in the area bringing an influx of workers. Few living quarters were available. The town was booming. A new complex of apartments was being built on the north side of the small town but they would not be ready for occupancy until early in the new year.

Granville High School, home of the Tigers, was easily located. Upon their arrival in his office, Principal George Myers regretfully informed the pair of this dilemma.

For now, ladies, we are billeting our new teachers in the Driftwood Motel here in town. There will be only the two of you so you won’t be in solitary confinement. He grinned around his gray mustache as he facetiously spoke to their disappointment. They had been expecting an apartment of their own.

As they waited, he dialed the motel to make sure accommodations were available for them there. With his assurance that a room was awaiting them, he suggested he show them over the campus. They readily agreed and were soon touring the offices, the teachers’ lounge nearby, and then making their way to the classrooms with their shining tile floors. They scoped out the cafeteria, silent now with the end of summer, but it would be bustling soon once the school year began. Zan was quite taken with the gymnasium and the natatorium as that would be her domain.

Coming from the gym, they met a well-muscled man in P. E. shorts and visored cap. His chin was covered with the shadow of a dark beard and his dark eyes swept the two newcomers with interest.

Hello, Cal. I want you to meet our two new teachers for the coming year. This is Miss Zan Knox who will be our girls’ P. E. teacher and Miss Amy Randall who will teach Senior English. Ladies, this is Coach Cal Marley. He runs our football program and with skill I might add. The principal’s gray mustache quivered as he smiled and made the introductions.

Coach Marley shook Zan’s hand and eyed her up and down. She was almost a head taller than he was. Nope, she’s not for me, he thought to himself.

Taking Amy’s hand, he held it a few minutes longer than necessary and smiled into her eyes.

Now this other one is quite a dish! Looks like a great year ahead. He mused silently.

I hope you two ladies will like it here in Granville. It’s a great school with good students. I look forward to seeing more of you.

Zan whispered to Amy as the principal turned to lead them back inside the adjoining building.

I’ll bet he hopes to see more of us! Probably with our clothes off if the look in his eye is what I think it is!

Amy grinned in response. Zan, you are so pessimistic! How can you spot a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ so quickly?

I didn’t grow up with brothers for nothing! And I didn’t put up with all their buddies hanging around either without learning a few things. That is until I grew taller than most of them.

Tour completed, the pair thanked Mr. Myers, then made their way to Zan’s SUV.

Well, let’s check out this motel. Zan swung the vehicle in a circle in the paved driveway and spun down the adjoining street. Where exactly is it?

Amy studied the map they had been given and within minutes they were driving into the motel parking lot.

The two were allotted an upstairs room facing the swimming pool and outdoor courtyard. Iron railings decorated the walkway while trees and a green lawn nudged the pool’s pebbled concrete apron. White lawn chairs were spaced in pairs beneath their balcony and the azure water beckoned them from below.

Let’s see what our room is like, suggested Amy as she inserted the key card into the door.

Once inside they found the room large enough for two double beds with a nice adjoining bath. The closet was small but they decided they could manage and went below to move their meager belongings up the stairs.

I’m glad we didn’t bring more stuff with us, Amy puffed as she completed her third trip up the stairs carrying her VCR and its discs.

Yeah, me too! Zan stacked several boxes of shoes in the bottom of the closet while Amy tucked hers beneath her bed.

At last Zan plopped down across the bed she had chosen with a tired sigh. I’m ready for something to eat and then a good night’s sleep. How about you?

I vote with you, added Amy as their telephone rang. She shot a questioning glance at Zan.

Is our phone already connected? She picked up the receiver with a questioning Hello?

Is this Miss Randall? Amy recognized the gruff voice of the coach they had just met at the high school.

Y-yes. She frowned as she answered.

I’m calling to see if you would like to meet me for dinner. Then I’ll show you around town. How about it?

He had only mentioned her. Had he included Zan she probably would have agreed as they were both anxious to see the small town they would call home for at least a year. Swiftly she assessed the situation. She would not leave Zan on their first night there even if Brad Pitt had called—and the coach was definitely not Brad Pitt.

Thank you so much but it’s our first night here and we’re bone tired. Maybe another time… she trailed off.

Oh, but honey, I could perk you right up! His voice had grown deeper and more intimate suddenly.

Faintly alarmed, Amy thanked him once more, refused and hung up.

Hmm, I don’t know about that guy. She frowned once more as she looked at Zan’s knowing smile.

Well I do. He’s just another campus ‘Romeo’—only a lot older so watch out!

Coach Cal hung up his cell phone with a decided grunt. Feisty little lady turned him down. It might take a little more effort than he had planned to have her where he wanted her… .

CHAPTER THREE

How true Zan’s words proved to be during the days following. As the two newcomers settled into their routines at the high school, Amy found herself constantly running into Coach Cal, as he was famously known, around the school. He was persistent in his attempts to date her. Most of the time she was able to side step his invitations with pleas of extra work to be done or other commitments but this only made him more persistent.

At the first faculty meeting he made a point to be seated beside her. Zan, sitting on the back row, rolled her eyes at Amy who just managed to stifle a soft giggle. However, when he put his arm across the back of her chair she didn’t find it quite so funny. He seemed to be putting his brand on her right off. She didn’t like it! Not one bit!

Amy’s classes shaped up nicely. She had three sessions of Advanced Placement English plus one of Junior English. Her last period was an assignment in art. She had once hoped to major in art but had come to the conclusion that making a living in that area was far-fetched until the artist became well-known—and then, sometimes, money was not enough to provide a comfortable lifestyle. With her love for English Literature she had decided to change majors in order to work in a more productive field financially. Now her work in the area of art had been discovered and she had been assigned a class, as no other art teacher seemed to be available. She was a bit nonplussed at this turn of events; however, she gracefully accepted her assignment and settled into making lesson plans for the group of fifteen students.

At the first session she discovered only three students who were really interested in art. Twelve members of the class were Coach Cal’s first string football players!

Juan Perez,