Innocent in Death Read Free Page A

How long have you been here?”
    “Three, as principal. I have twenty-five years in education, and in administration.”
    “When did you last see Mr. Foster?”
    “I saw him briefly this morning.” As she spoke, Mosebly went to a small cold box, took out a bottle of water. “He’d come in early to use the fitness facilities, as he did routinely. All staff are permitted to use the machines, programs, the pool, and so on. Craig made use of the privilege nearly every morning.”
    She sighed as she poured water into a short glass. “Would you like some, Lieutenant?”
    “I’m good.”
    “I had a swim myself this morning, and was just leaving the pool area when he came in. We said good morning. I complained about the traffic, and kept going. I was in a hurry. I heard him dive in,” she murmured, then took a slow sip of water. “I heard the splash as I opened the locker room door. Oh, God.”
    “What time was that?”
    “About seven-thirty. I had an eight o’clock phone conference, and I was running behind because I’d spent too long in the pool. I was annoyed with myself, and barely spoke to Craig.”
    “Where’d he keep his lunch?”
    “Why, in his classroom, I suppose. Possibly the lounge, but I don’t recall I’ve ever seen him put anything in or take anything out of the friggie or cupboard in there.”
    “Would the classroom be locked?”
    “No. The school is, naturally, secured, but individual classrooms aren’t locked. There’s no purpose, and the Sarah Child program is based on trust and responsibility.”
    “All right. You can send for the second witness. Rayleen Straffo.”
    Mosebly nodded, but there was nothing regal about it this time. “What about the other students? My staff?”
    “We’re going to need to interview the staff before any leave the building. You can dismiss the students, but I’ll need your registration list.”
    “Very well.”
    Alone, Eve pulled out her communicator to tag Peabody. “Status.”
    “The body’s just being transported. The ME on the wagon concurs with your poisoning assessment, though he won’t commit until the vic’s on the slab. The sweepers are on scene. It looks as if the vic was working on his comp at TOD. Putting together a pop quiz for his next class.”
    “There’s a motive,” Eve said dryly.
    “I hated the pop quiz, and question its constitutionality. I did a quick check of the comp, and found the vic sent out an e-mail from that unit to an [email protected] at twelve-oh-six today. No communication in or out prior to.”
    “Wife’s name is Lissette. Content?”
    “Just a sweetheart note, offering to pick up dinner on the way home from work. Recipient responded in the same tone, in the affirmative, at fourteen-forty-eight. Return post was not read.”
    “Okay. I’m waiting for the second wit. I’ll send the principal back to you, have her set you up somewhere. Get started on interviewing the staff and let’s nail the time line in each case. I’ll take my share of them in here once I finish with the kid. Meanwhile, verify the wife’s residence and place of employment. We’ll notify after we leave here.”
    “And the fun never ends.”
    Eve clicked off as the door reopened, and again Mosebly entered with her hand on the shoulder of a young girl.
    This one was blonde, with a cascade of curls held back from her face with a violet band. The band matched her eyes. They were puffy at the moment, red-rimmed, dominating a face of dewy skin with a slightly tipped-up nose. The mouth, rosy and bottom heavy, quivered.
    She wore the same kind of uniform as Melodie, with the addition of a small gold star pinned to the lapel of the blazer.
    “Rayleen, this is Lieutenant Dallas. Lieutenant, Rayleen is here with her father, Oliver Straffo. I’ll be just outside if I’m needed.”
    “Have a seat, Rayleen.”
    “Lieutenant.” Oliver kept his daughter’s hand in his. His voice resonated in the room, like a good actor’s in a theater. He