High Marks for Murder (A Bellehaven House Mystery Book 1) by Kate Kingsbury Page B

mentioned at the time that she intended to give Amelia Webster a favorite book of hers on flowers in the hopes the girl would learn to identify them more clearly.
    If she had done so, it was possible that Amelia was the last person to see Kathleen alive. She must have a word with her just as soon as possible.

Chapter 8
    Meredith seized the opportunity to talk to Amelia when she caught sight of the girl leaving the assembly hall with a group of friends. To spare the young woman any awkward moments, she followed at a discreet distance until Amelia entered her room, then tapped on the door.
    Amelia answered at once, her smile vanishing when she saw her visitor. She held onto the door as if determined not to let it go.
    "I'd like a word with you, Amelia." Meredith gave her an encouraging smile. "May I come in?"
    "Yes, of course, miss." She opened the door and stepped back.
    Meredith stepped into the room, relieved to see they were alone. She wasted no time in coming to the point. "As you know, I'm trying to find out if anyone saw Miss Duncan leave the building on Saturday night. She mentioned earlier that evening that she intended to give you a book about flowers."
    Amelia nodded vigorously. "Yes, miss, she did. A lovely book." She looked concerned. "Should I give it back?"
    "Oh, no, I'm sure Miss Duncan would have wanted you to keep it." Meredith glanced around the room, noting the neatly made bed and uncluttered dresser. A hat sat in front of the mirror, its wide brim adorned with blue ribbons and tiny butterflies nestled among enormous white lace daisies.
    Having been momentarily distracted, Meredith brought her gaze back to Amelia, who stood waiting in obvious anticipation for her next words.
    "Pardon me," Meredith said hurriedly. "I came to ask if Miss Duncan happened to mention where she was going when she left you."
    "I'm sorry, but I don't remember her saying anything of the sort."
    "And you didn't see her again after she left your room?"
    "No, I didn't." Amelia met her gaze steadily. "Loretta, my room partner, was here when Miss Duncan left. We spent the whole evening in here together while I studied the flower book. She might remember if Miss Duncan mentioned where she was going."
    Meredith frowned. "Loretta Davenport?"
    "Yes, miss."
    "Well, thank you, Amelia." She peered at the girl. "I hope you're feeling a little better about Miss Duncan's death?"
    Amelia dropped her gaze to the floor. "Yes, miss. Thank you."
    Meredith studied her for a moment longer, then turned to leave.
    "Oh, Mrs. Llewellyn?"
    Meredith twisted her head to look at her. "Yes?"
    "I just remembered something." Amelia twisted a strand of her blond hair around her finger. "I heard someonecrying in the corridor outside my room that evening. I opened the door to see who it was, and I saw Penelope Fisher running down the hallway."
    Meredith pictured the tomboyish girl with flying pigtails. One of her problem students. She seemed determined to hang on to her adolescence and resented all attempts to change her into a young lady. Somehow, Meredith had a great deal of trouble picturing her crying. Penelope was far too invincible to easily succumb to tears.
    "Penelope Fisher? Are you quite sure?"
    "Yes, miss. I called out after her but she didn't hear me. I suppose she was too upset. I did wonder at the time what troubled her so."
    "Well, thank you, Amelia." Meredith left the room, her mind juggling thoughts. Obviously something had happened to deeply disturb Penelope. She would have to question the girl. As for Amelia, her answers seemed straightforward enough, but Meredith couldn't escape the feeling that the girl was trying to hide something from her.
    She hurried back along the corridor, intent on reaching her room. This detective business was a lot harder than she'd imagined. The more questions she asked, the more confusing everything became. It just didn't seem feasible that no one saw Kathleen that evening.
    There was always the possibility that Penelope