Rumors

by Phil M. Williams

  “So, it was a nonissue?”

  “As far as the school’s concerned. Don’t get me wrong. I punished Shane at home, but I hold him to a higher standard because he’s my son.”

  The detective put his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “We heard from numerous students that Caleb claimed that Shane did something to him in the locker room. Coincidentally, his essay portrayed an incident of bullying in the locker room. Do you think Shane bullied Caleb in the locker room?

  “I highly doubt it.”

  The detective paused for a moment. “We think Shane did, in fact, bully Caleb.”

  Janet’s eyes widened. “Shane’s not a bully. If something did happen between them, I’m sure they’re both at fault.”

  The detective stared at Janet for a beat.

  “Is he in trouble?” she asked.

  “We haven’t found anything criminal … yet.”

  Her stomach tumbled over the word yet. “Do you think Shane did something criminal?”

  “I don’t know. We’re still investigating.”

  “My son’s not perfect, but he’s not a criminal. He’s never been in any trouble before.”

  Detective Strickland didn’t respond, creating an uncomfortable silence.

  “One thing bothers me about this.” Janet pointed to Caleb’s essay still sitting on the desk in front of her. “Why would Ms. Townsend give Caleb an A+ if she was so worried about him? Why would she even grade it at all?”

  “Ms. Townsend said that she didn’t want you or the counselor to think she was mad at Caleb for what he wrote. She also said the writing was excellent.”

  Janet skimmed over the essay, giving the detective another show. “It’s filled with expletives. It’s definitely not an A+ paper.”

  “Why do you think Gwen Townsend would say that she talked to you about this paper if she never did?”

  Janet took a deep breath. “Ms. Townsend’s new to our school this year, and I’ve already had to reprimand her on several occasions.”

  “What did she do?”

  “She has poor classroom management. To be honest, her students are out of control. She’s shown that she’ll allow bad behavior in her classroom, so it’s not a stretch to believe that she’d be perfectly fine with an essay of this nature. She probably thought Caleb was simply expressing himself, and she didn’t think he was suicidal. After what happened, she probably wanted to cover her backside.”

  The detective nodded. “We found the essay on the floor, near Gwen’s classroom door. How do you think it got there?”

  “Gwen or Caleb must’ve put it there.”

  “We think Caleb left it for us to find because he wanted the world to know what he went through. We think it was his suicide note. The paper he left on the floor wasn’t the original though.”

  “Caleb photocopied it?”

  “We don’t think so. We think Ms. Townsend made a copy and kept the original. We think she gave the photocopied paper back to Caleb. We think Ms. Townsend did go to Mrs. Baumgartner on September 16th, but she was out that day. We think Ms. Townsend was concerned about Caleb, but, for some reason, she didn’t follow up.”

  “Did you find the original?”

  “Not yet.”

  “What Gwen did, her negligence, is that criminal?”

  “I doubt we’ll press criminal charges, unless we find new evidence, but Ms. Townsend might be sued in civil court, and I imagine the school might want to take action, but you’d know more about her employment situation than I would.”

  Janet nodded.

  “Well, that’s it for now. Is there anything you wanted to add?”

  “I know my son. He’s a good boy.”

  The detective nodded and stood from his chair.

  Janet stood as well.

  The detective removed a business card from his wallet and handed it to Janet. “If you think of anything, call me anytime, day or night.”

  “I will.”

  Janet left the police station with mixed feelings. She felt like a weight had been lifted in regard to Gwen and Caleb’s essay, but Janet was worried about Shane. The sun peeked through the dark clouds, tempering the chill in the air, as if God had adjusted the thermostat just for her. Classes had been canceled for the rest of the week, so she drove home. Of course, the football game would proceed as usual on Friday. On the way home, she thought about the situation and how best to play it. I’m not finished yet. Caleb’s death might just be the catalyst I’ve been waiting for. Maybe I can get rid of Rick, Gwen, and Pruitt. I do need to get in front of this thing with Shane.

  As she pulled into her driveway, her cell phone rang. She put her BMW in Park, removed her phone from her purse, glanced at the screen, and swiped right. “Hello, Rachel.”

  “I have some really bad news,” Rachel said, her voice high and panicked.

  Janet frowned, used to Rachel’s overreactions. “What is it?”

  “People are saying that Shane bullied Caleb, and that’s why Caleb did what he did.”

  Janet clenched her jaw. “Who said that?”

  “It’s on the West Lake Watchdog page.”

  “Heather said that?”

  “No, she posted a memorial for Caleb, asking for donations for his funeral, and Drew Fuller posted something about it in the comments.”

  Janet sighed, grabbed her purse, and stepped from her car. She slammed the door shut. “You said, ‘people.’ Drew Fuller is one person.” Janet walked to her front door.

  “If he’s saying it, probably other people are too.”

  “You don’t know that for a fact, do you?” Janet unlocked her front door and stepped inside.

  “Well, no.”

  “Then don’t fucking say it. Do you understand me?”

  Rachel paused for a beat. “I’m sorry, Janet. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  Janet stepped into her kitchen, depositing her purse on the counter. “You didn’t offend me, but I can’t have you spreading lies about my son—”

  “I would never say anything about Shane. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

  Janet took a deep breath. “Keep your facts straight from now on.”

  “I will.”

  Janet sat at the kitchen table and opened her laptop. “We have one person, Drew Fuller, who’s lying about Shane.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Hold on. I’m going to the page now.” Janet set down her phone and navigated to the West Lake Watchdog Facebook page.

  West Lake Watchdog

  October 11 at 11:34 PM

  RIP Caleb Miles May 14, 2001–October 11, 2016

  Caleb Miles was killed today. He was so gentle. Never hurt nobody. He didn’t even have a gun. It was a PELLET GUN. The cops didn’t have to kill him. And that damn school! That school drove him to it. His mother don’t even have enough money for a funeral. Please donate on the Go Fund Me Page for funeral expenses. Https.GoFundMeCalebMiles.com 78 Likes 22 Shares

  Trina Grisham That’s awful. I feel so bad for his mother. Losing a child is the worst pain anyone can endure. You should find out what that school did to him. How many kids have to be hurt before that school changes? I donated. 26 Likes

  Sadie Ollinger I donated too. My heart goes out to the Miles family. 19 Likes

  Will Gilroy This school is corrupt. These people are corrupt. ALL OF THEM. THEY NEED TO GO. #FireBarnett #FirePruitt #FireEverybody 23 Likes

  Drew Fuller It’s not the schools fault. Caleb was mad at Shane Wilcox

  Roger Elkins You don’t know what we know about the school. I think it’s great that a young person is speaking there mind, but this is not the time. 9 Likes

  Drew Fuller You don’t know shit. I was in that classroom, dick. Caleb said it himself.

  Breanna Franks Why was he mad at Shane?

  Drew Fuller Because Shane put his balls in Calebs face

  Janet winced at that last comment. Fucking Drew Fuller. That white-trash degenerate. She picked up her cell phone
from the table. “Rachel?”

  “I’m still here,” Rachel replied.

  “I need to call you back.” Janet disconnected the call. She sat at her kitchen table, thinking through her options, thinking about the cause and effects of different actions. Fifteen minutes later, Janet grabbed her purse from the counter and sat back at the table. She fished Detective Strickland’s card from her purse and called his cell phone.

  “Detective Strickland,” he said.

  “Hello, Detective, this is Janet Wilcox. We spoke a few hours ago.”

  “Of course. What can I do for you?”

  “I just spoke with one of my teachers, and he has some important information for you.”

  “Does he wanna come in and talk?”

  “He does.”

  “What’s his name and number?”

  “He’s a little nervous. I told him that I talked to you, and it went well, and you gave me your card, so he asked me if I would set up a meeting with you.”

  “Okay. When do you think he can come in?”

  “Are you available tomorrow? I think it’s important that he talks to you sooner rather than later. What he has to say is very important in my opinion.”

  “I can make time. Hang on a minute.” After a moment Strickland said, “How about eleven?”

  “That’ll be fine.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Bob Schneider.”

  “What’s he planning to talk about? I’d like to be prepared.”

  “They’re his words, not mine, so I’d rather not misquote him, but I will say it has to do with bullying that Caleb Miles endured prior to his death.”

  “Okay. Thank you, Ms. Wilcox. I have Mr. Schneider on the schedule for eleven tomorrow.”

  “You’re welcome, Detective.”

  Strickland disconnected the call.

  Janet called Rachel back.

  “Janet?” Rachel answered.

  “I want you to get a message to Heather,” Janet said. “Tell her to delete Drew Fuller’s posts and ban him from the page. Tell her that Drew Fuller was the one who bullied Caleb, not Shane.”

  “Is that true?”

  “Do you think I’d lie?”

  “No, but Heather might want proof. I mean, her son just died.”

  “Do you have a pen and paper?”

  “Hold on a sec.” Rachel put her phone down for a minute. “I’m ready now.”

  “Tell Heather that Coach Schneider saw Drew standing over Caleb naked from the waist down. He thought they were just roughhousing, so he told them to knock it off. Also, after Caleb quit football, Coach Barnett told Coach Schneider that he felt guilty because he knew Caleb was being bullied by Drew Fuller, and he didn’t do anything about it. He thought the bullying might toughen up Caleb, make him a better football player.”

  “Oh, my word. I’ll call her and let her know.”

  “Call me back after you talk to her.”

  “Okay, bye.”

  Janet disconnected the call and tapped Bob Schneider from her contact list. After two rings, her call went to voice mail. She tried again, this time one ring and straight to voice mail. Janet pounded her table with the side of her fist, like a gavel. He thinks he can avoid me? She rose from her seat, grabbed her purse from the counter, and left the house. She drove to Bob Schneider’s vinyl-sided rambler and parked behind his SUV.

  The clouds converged to stifle that brief respite of sun. She stepped from her BMW, the wind whipping through her pantsuit. Janet marched to the front door and rang the doorbell.

  A tiny pale woman with a baby on her hip answered the door. Janet had a vision of the Schneiders having sex. Big fat Bob crushing the poor woman while he pumped away, the Mrs. faking orgasms, too meek to ask for what she really wanted.

  Janet smiled. “You must be Bob’s wife. I’m Principal Wilcox.” Janet extended her hand.

  The woman forced a smile, moved the baby to her left hip, and shook Janet’s hand limply. “I’m Ellen.”

  Janet turned her attention to the baby dressed in a tiny football jersey and pampers. “And who’s this beautiful boy?”

  Ellen forced another smile. “This is Liam.”

  “You must have your hands full.”

  Bob appeared at the door, wearing a West Lake Football sweatshirt and ratty jeans. His eyes darted between Ellen and Janet. “What’s goin’ on?”

  “Hello, Bob,” Janet said. “I’m sorry to bother you at home, but I need to talk to you about some logistics for the game on Friday. I tried to call, but you weren’t answering. It’s kind of important.”

  “I already worked everything out with the AD.”

  “There’s been a new development. May we talk for a few minutes?”

  “Come on in,” Ellen said, stepping aside.

  “I’d rather not impose,” Janet said to Ellen. Then she addressed Bob. “We can talk in my car.”

  “I’ll be right back,” Bob said to his wife.

  Ellen nodded and went back inside, clutching Liam tight to her chest.

  They sat in Janet’s BMW, Bob’s side of the car bouncing a bit as he slumped into the leather seat. Bob didn’t look good. His brown hair and beard were disheveled. His clothes looked dirty and stained. His body odor filled the interior of the car, wafting into Janet’s nostrils.

  “You can’t come to my house,” Bob said, trying to sound authoritative.

  Janet cracked her window. “I can do whatever I want. Don’t forget that.”

  Bob looked down, his face reddening.

  “Why are you avoiding my calls?” Janet asked.

  “I wasn’t. My phone’s not working.”

  Janet removed her phone from her purse, swiped right, and tapped Bob Schneider from her contacts. Bob’s pocket chimed. He shut his eyes for a moment.

  “Go on. Answer it,” Janet said.

  Bob removed his phone from his pocket, swiped right, and looked at Janet, dumbfounded.

  “Answer it,” Janet repeated, placing her phone to her ear. “Hello, Bob. Are you there? I can’t hear you.”

  Bob put his phone to his ear and said, “Hello.”

  Janet smiled wide. “There you are. I’m glad your phone’s working now.” Janet disconnected the call, placed her phone in her purse, and glared at Bob. “When I call, you answer. Do you understand me?”

  Bob nodded and shoved his phone into his pocket.

  “I didn’t hear you. Do you understand me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good.” Janet paused for a beat. “You’re lucky I tracked you down, because you have a big problem.”

  He held out his palms. “Please, Janet, leave me alone.”

  “I’d love to, but I’m constantly cleaning up your messes.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Drew Fuller sexually assaulted Caleb Miles in your locker room.”

  “I heard it was Shane. It was on the West Lake Watchdog.”

  Janet glowered at Bob. “That’s a lie coming from Rick because he hates me and my son. Caleb Miles was sexually assaulted by Drew Fuller. Apparently, Drew put his scrotum in Caleb’s face. To make matters worse, Rick knew that Caleb was being bullied but did nothing about it.”

  “That’s on Rick then, not me.”

  “Rick’s claiming that you knew about the bullying but did nothing about it. Not only that, he’s claiming that you saw the bullying and didn’t stop it.”

  “That’s not true!”

  “Relax, Bob. I know that, but let’s be honest. The kids are still loyal to Rick. Did you know that he still talks to them? He has quite a few kids backing his story. I think this is his little bit of revenge.”

  “Jesus. What am I supposed to do?”

  “I’ve already taken care of it. You just have to go to the police and tell them that you saw Drew standing over Caleb naked from the waist down. You thought they were just roughhousing, so you told them to knock it off. After Caleb quit football, Coach Barnett told you that he felt guilty because h
e knew Caleb was being bullied by Drew Fuller, and he didn’t do anything about it. He thought the bullying might toughen him up.”

  Bob’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t lie. All they have to do is interview guys on the team.”

  “It’s not lying. You didn’t see Drew put his scrotum in Caleb’s face, but you did see Drew standing over Caleb naked from the waist down. Who’s to say you didn’t see that? Everyone knows Drew Fuller’s a degenerate. Who’s to say Rick didn’t tell you that he knew Caleb was being bullied, and he felt guilty because he didn’t do anything? Rick’s the only person who’ll say differently, and his reputation isn’t exactly credible. If it’ll make you more comfortable, I’ll go with you when you speak to the police tomorrow.”

  Bob’s eyes widened. “Tomorrow? What are you talking about?”

  “You really have to get ahead of these things. The police are like bloodhounds. As soon as they get a scent for a suspect, they won’t stop until they get their man. Would you rather they have a scent for you or for Rick?”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “That’s not entirely true, is it? Does your wife know you watch porn at school? Do you think she’d stay with you if you lost your job because of it?”

  Bob clenched his jaw, the vein in his forehead throbbing. “They’ll wanna know when and where I talked to Rick. They’re not stupid. They’ll check to see if I’m lyin’.”

  “That’s easy enough. Tell the police you don’t remember the exact date, but it was at practice after Caleb had quit and before Rick was suspended. Who’s to say you’re lying? Maybe Rick did say something like that. It wouldn’t surprise me.”

  Bob let out a heavy breath. “What time’s the meetin’ with the police?”

  “It’s at eleven.”

  Bob nodded.

  “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

  Bob exited the BMW and turned back to Janet, his meat hook on the open door. “This is the last thing.”

  Janet smiled. “Give that baby of yours a hug and a kiss for me.”

  CHAPTER 81

  Gwen and Detective Strickland