“She said that she asked Dr. Wadley,” Angela said. “And Dr. Wadley said there had been no sexual harassment. In fact, he claimed it had been the other way around. He told Beaton that if there had been any impropriety it was that I’d tried to seduce him!”
“A familiar ploy of the sexual harasser,” David said. “Blame the victim.” He shook his head. “What a sleazebag!”
“Beaton said she believed him,” Angela said. “She told me he was a man of impeccable integrity. Then she accused me of having made up the story to try to get back at him for spurning my advances.”
When they arrived home they collapsed into chairs in the family room. They didn’t know what to do. They were too depressed and confused to do anything.
The sound of tires crunching on gravel in their driveway broke the heavy silence. It was Calhoun’s truck. Calhoun pulled up to the back door. Angela let him in.
“I brought you some fresh doughnuts to celebrate the first day of your vacation,” Calhoun said. He passed by Angela and dumped his parcel on the kitchen table. “With a little coffee we’ll be in business.”
David appeared at the doorway.
“Uh oh,” Calhoun said. He looked from David to Angela.
“It’s okay,” said David. “I’m on ‘vacation’ too.”
“No kidding!” Calhoun said. “Lucky I brought a dozen doughnuts.”
Calhoun’s presence was like an elixir. The coffee helped as well. David and Angela even found themselves laughing at some of Calhoun’s stories from his days as a state policeman. They were in high spirits until Calhoun suggested they get down to work.
“Now,” he said, rubbing his hands with anticipation. “The problem has been reduced to finding someone with a damaged tattoo who didn’t like Hodges. That shouldn’t be so hard to accomplish in a small town.”
“There’s a catch,” David said. “Since we are unemployed, I don’t think we can afford to employ you.”
“Don’t say that,” Calhoun whined. “Just when this whole thing is getting interesting.”
“We’re sorry,” David said. “Not only will we soon be broke, but we’ll obviously be leaving Bartlet. So among other things, we’ll be leaving this whole Hodges mess behind.”
“Hold on a second,” Calhoun said. “Let’s not be too rash here. I’ve got an idea. I’ll work for nothing. How’s that? It’s a matter of honor and reputation. Besides, we might be catching ourselves a rapist in the process.”
“That’s very generous of you . . .” David said. He started to say more but Calhoun interrupted him.
“I’ve already begun the next phase of inquiry,” he said. “I found out from Carleton, the bartender, that several of the town’s policemen, including Robertson, have tattoos. So I went over and had a casual chat with Robertson. He was more than happy to show me his. He’s rather proud of it. It’s on his chest: a bald eagle holding a banner that reads ‘In God We Trust.’ Unfortunately–or fortunately, depending on your perspective–the tattoo was in fine shape. But I used the opportunity to ask Robertson about Hodges’ last day. Robertson confirmed what Madeline Gannon had said about Hodges’ planning on seeing him, then canceling. So I think we’re onto something. Clara Hodges may be the key. They were estranged at the time of the doc’s death, but they still spoke frequently. I get the feeling living apart greatly improved their relationship. Anyway, I called Clara this morning. She’s expecting us.” He looked at Angela.
“I thought she’d moved to Boston,” David said.
“She did,” Calhoun said. “I thought Angela and I, er, now all three of us, could drive down.”
“I still think Angela and I should drop this whole business, considering what’s happened. If you want to continue, that’s your business.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t be too rash,” Angela said. “What if Clara Hodges can shed some light on the history of those patients who died? You were interested in that aspect of the case last night.”
“Well, that’s true,” David admitted. He was curious to know how many similarities there were between Hodges’ patients and his own. But he wasn’t curious enough to visit Clara Hodges. Not after being fired.
“Let’s do it, David,” Angela said. “Let’s go. I feel as if this town has conspired against us, and it bothers me. Let’s fight back.”