Sifting for Suspects

by Cindy Bell

  “Hello there, I was wondering if I could speak to the principal.”

  “Mr. Tucker is very busy, do you have an appointment?”

  “No, but I do think this is a very serious matter. It involves several students at this school.”

  “Let me check, he may have a few minutes in his schedule.” She picked up a phone and spoke for a few minutes then hung it up again. “He can see you. But first I need you to fill this out.” She handed her a pen and paper. It felt a bit like homework as she filled in the lines on the paper. She and her sister had attended private school at their mother’s insistence and Lucy couldn’t recall a single time she’d been sent to the principal’s office for any reason. When she returned the paper to the receptionist, her stomach twisted. Would Chantelle be angry at her for this? She hoped not. When she stepped into the large office she noticed the principal right away. It was hard not to. He was a large man with bright red hair and an intimidating presence.

  “Ms. Grant, please take a seat.” He gestured to a chair in front of his desk. She sat down and forced a smile.

  “Thank you for taking the time to see me, Mr. Tucker.”

  “Any time someone has a concern about my students, I will make the time. I understand your nephew is a student here?” He smoothed down his tie and looked down at a file in front of him.

  “Yes, Gregory Banks.”

  “He’s a very good student. Do you have some concerns about him?”

  “Not exactly. Well yes, and no.” She cleared her throat and tried to calm her nerves.

  “Maybe you should just tell me what all this is about, Ms. Grant.”

  “My ex-boyfriend, Derek recently passed away…”

  “Derek, yes, I’m so sorry to hear that. He was so generous to offer his time to the students here. I’m sorry, Ms. Grant, I hadn’t made the connection between the two of you. I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you. Greg was very close to him. He became very upset when he saw that some of the murals that Derek arranged at the park had been defaced. He mentioned that he thinks it might have been a few of the students here.”

  “Wait one second, let me get Greg in here with us.”

  “Oh no, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

  “Well I do, I’m concerned about him, and if he has information about some vandals then I want to hear it straight from him.” He pushed a button on his phone. “Please have Gregory Banks report to my office right away.” He lifted his finger and looked across the desk at Lucy. “And who are the boys he’s accused.”

  “Really, Mr. Tucker I don’t want to cause any trouble for Greg, I was just curious about them and whether you might know why they would be upset with Derek.”

  “Listen, I run my school a certain way. These students have to be held accountable for their actions, and that means they need to face me if they’ve done something wrong.”

  “But the park isn’t even part of the school.”

  “It might not be, but all of my students use it, and they should all know better than to deface any part of it. However, I have my suspicions about who it might have been.”

  “I’m concerned that if you involve Greg in this he’s going to have trouble with these boys.”

  “I won’t let that happen.”

  The door to the principal’s office swung open and Greg stepped inside. His body tensed when his eyes met Lucy’s.

  “Aunt Lucy, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?”

  “Please take a seat.” The principal gestured to the seat next to Lucy’s. “Greg, your aunt is here because of something that’s a concern to all of us.”

  “Principal Tucker, just because the police caught me...”

  “Caught you doing what?”

  Greg sunk lower in his chair.

  “Greg tried to cover up the graffiti and was caught while he did it. But no charges were filed.”

  “It sounds like you’ve gotten yourself into a world of trouble here, son, why didn’t you just come to me?”

  “I didn’t think.” He sighed. “I know I shouldn’t have done it. It just made me so angry to see what they did.”

  “And do you know who these boys were?”

  “No.” Greg shot a look at Lucy, then looked back at the principal. “I don’t know who it was.”

  “All right.” The principal tilted his head towards the door. “Go on back to class, Greg.”

  “I’m not in trouble?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Thanks.” Greg smiled at his aunt, then left the office.

  “That’s it?” Lucy frowned. “Isn’t there anything that can be done?”

  “I have an idea who might have done this. Derek reported a few students for smoking repeatedly. I’m guessing they held it against him. Let me call them in.”

  A few minutes later the door opened to reveal three boys. Two of the boys were tall and skinny, but the third was almost as broad and muscular as Derek had been.

  “Nathan, Tyler, and Ben, I want the truth from you. Which one of you defaced Derek’s mural?”

  None of the three boys answered.

  “This is a very serious matter. I’d like to know who is responsible for it.”

  “It wasn’t me.” Ben, the largest of the three held up his hands. “I had nothing to do with it.”

  Lucy studied the way he carried himself. He didn’t behave like an awkward teenager. He was confident, and determined. It occurred to her that he had the strength it would take to kill Derek.

  “Not even after he turned you in for smoking?”

  “No.” Ben shoved his hands deep in his pockets. “I’m glad he did. It made me stop.”

  “And what about you, Tyler?” Principal Tucker looked at the next boy. “Did you have anything to do with this?”

  “Why? Am I going to jail?”

  “No one is going to jail. I just want to know what happened.”

  “Don’t say anything, Ty.” Nathan elbowed him. “We don’t have to tell you anything.”

  “No you don’t have to, your behavior is telling me plenty. I can’t prove that you were involved in this, but I can warn you that if I ever hear of any of you doing anything like this again I will make sure you are held responsible for your actions. Death may not be something that you understand yet, but it is very real, and it is devastating. To cause Derek’s loved ones even more pain because he was trying to help you live a healthy life, is terrible. I will be calling each of your parents to discuss this with them.”

  “Aw no, don’t do that.” Tyler frowned.

  “Yes, I will. If any of you come forward and admit to what you did, then we can talk about avoiding suspension. Now go back to your classes.”

  The three boys filed out of the office.

  “I appreciate you speaking to them, Mr. Tucker.”

  “This is a very serious matter, and I’m not done discussing it with them. Again, I’m sorry for your loss, Ms. Grant, and if there’s anything I can do to help, please just let me know.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Tucker.” She stood up and started out of the office, when his voice drew her attention again.

  “I know that Greg and Derek were very close. I’ll be sure to check in with him on how he’s doing.”

  “Thanks again.” She nodded to him. As she left the office it occurred to her that Derek might have had a stronger relationship than she realized with her nephew. She knew that he’d been training Greg both at school and at the gym, but she didn’t realize how close they’d become. She turned towards the front door to leave the school and barreled right into Ben’s broad shoulder.

  “Excuse me.” She stepped aside, but he stepped in front of her and blocked her way.

  “I want to talk to you.”

  “Ben, whatever you have to say should be discussed with Mr. Tucker not me.”

  “I have something I want to say to you, not Mr. Tucker. He won’t believe me anyway.”

  “All right, what is it?” She narrowed her eye
s as she stared at him. Not only could he be responsible for defacing Derek’s mural, but she wondered if he might have taken his desire for revenge a step further.

  “I know why the principal thinks I had something to do with the murals, but I didn’t. I got upset with Derek when he went to the principal and my parents about me smoking, I was real mad. Then one day he showed up at my door and he offered to train me at the gym, free of charge as long as I would agree not to smoke anymore. I told him no at first, then I decided to give it a try. I went once a week to train with him.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “No one did. But I just want you to know, I wasn’t mad at him anymore. I thought he was a real good guy, and I’m sorry that he’s dead.”

  “I am, too.” She frowned. For as much as she thought she knew Derek he still had his secrets.

  “Do the cops know who did it yet?”

  “No, I don’t think so. Not yet.”

  “Well, they should look into that guy he works with. Lance.”

  “Lance? Really? Why do you say that?”

  “I heard them arguing about something. I didn’t think it was a big deal at first, but then Lance shoved him.”

  “Lance shoved Derek? You’re sure?”

  “Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. Derek told me he was sorry I had to see that and that’s not how to handle problems.”

  “Did you hear what they were arguing about?”

  “No, I didn’t.” He shrugged. “Anyway. I hope they figure it out. Sorry about the mural. I’ll keep an eye out for Greg.”

  “Thanks Ben.”

  “Sure.” He turned and walked away.

  Chapter 7

  When Lucy returned to her house she was relieved to have her cat to curl up with. Her nerves were on edge for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the phone call she knew would be coming from Chantelle about what exactly she was doing at Greg’s school.

  “I just don’t know what to think, Mia. I keep hoping that there’s going to be an answer right in front of me, but there isn’t one. Lance was one of Derek’s closest friends. What could they have been fighting about? Could he be the one that killed Derek? His business card was found near Derek’s body. But that might be a coincidence.” She closed her eyes as the cat nuzzled her chin. “Derek, who did this to you?”

  A few minutes later her cell phone rang. She jumped at the sound, and for just a second wondered if it might be Derek calling. Instead she saw that it was a number she didn’t recognize. When she picked up the phone she instantly felt some apprehension.

  “Hello?”

  “Is this Lucy Grant?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “I don’t appreciate you accusing my son of things that he didn’t do.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m not sure who I’m speaking to.”

  “I’m Tyler’s father and he came home from school today with quite a story about you storming into the principal’s office and demanding that he be suspended.”

  “That is not what happened at all. I didn’t storm in and I didn’t give the principal any names. I just wanted to bring his attention to the fact that the mural was defaced. If your son wasn’t involved, then he has nothing to worry about.”

  “If?” His voice grew louder. “There is no if. I said he wasn’t involved, that means he wasn’t. I had a big problem with your boyfriend, and I let him know that. I don’t care if my kid smokes, and he shouldn’t either. Both of you need to mind your own business. Just because he’s dead, that doesn’t change anything. Stay away from my son or I will make you pay!” He hung up the phone. She shook as she stared down at the number on the screen. The way he spoke to her was so aggressive that she believed he would follow through on his threat. If he confronted Derek, maybe they’d had a similar argument. Tyler couldn’t have killed Derek, but his father might have been able to. She jotted down the phone number and decided she would look into this man. The way he left her so frightened indicated to her that he might be a rather violent man. Not long after Lucy’s conversation with Tyler’s father, her cell phone rang again. This time it was Chantelle. She put the phone to her ear and cringed.

  “I’m sorry, Chantelle I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I just wanted to make sure that something was done about the mural that was defaced.”

  “I can understand that. Greg didn’t get into any trouble.”

  “I didn’t expect the principal to involve him. I’m really sorry, Chantelle.”

  “It’s okay. Actually, the principal offered grief counseling to Greg, which I think is a good thing.”

  “So do I.”

  “You seem quiet, what’s going on?”

  “I just got a call from the father of one of the boys that the principal spoke to today. Tyler?”

  “Yes, I know Tyler. He and Greg used to be good friends in elementary, but it didn’t last long. His father is a piece of work. He’s always angry about something. I was glad when they stopped being friendly.”

  “He was pretty angry when I spoke with him. Apparently he confronted Derek about trying to get his son to stop smoking.”

  “Oh? Do you think he might have something to do with Derek’s death?”

  “I’m not sure. He certainly frightened me. He told me not to have anything to do with Tyler or he would come after me.”

  “How scary, Lucy. Maybe you should tell the detective about it.”

  “Maybe. I’m not sure yet. It could just be an angry father flying off the handle. I don’t have kids, I don’t know what it’s like to be so protective of them.”

  “Nonsense. Remember that time we were at the park when Greg was little and that other little boy pushed him down?”

  “Yes.” Lucy gritted her teeth.

  “You let that little boy have it.”

  “Yes, and then you lectured me for an hour about kids working things out for themselves and how it’s not okay to parent other people’s children.”

  “All true. But the point is, you reacted the way you did because you were protective of Greg. You don’t have to be a parent to know what it’s like to want to protect a child you love. Now you were plenty mad, but I don’t remember you threatening that little boy. It sounds to me like Tyler’s father is a little more than protective.”

  “You may be right about that.” She gazed up at the ceiling and frowned. “I’m going to look into him a little more before I give his name to the police. I wouldn’t want to cause any more trouble for Greg.”

  “Look from afar. That man is not someone that you want to get in an altercation with.”

  “Oh, I don’t intend to. “

  “You never intend to, just like you didn’t intend to traumatize that poor kid for life.”

  “Do you think he remembers that?”

  “I’m guessing you made some therapist pretty rich.” Chantelle laughed. “Is there anyone at all you can think of that might have had a bigger problem with Derek?”

  “Actually, now that I think about it, he was always in competition with the other salesmen. At first it seemed like just business rivalry, but some of the salesmen took it very seriously. I overheard a few threats before at one of their dinners. In fact, since Derek won salesman of the quarter, none of them were calling him to go golfing or running together. He had more free time. I hadn’t really thought about someone taking their jealousy that far, but I suppose it could be possible.”

  “Maybe you should mention it to the detective?”

  “I couldn’t. I wouldn’t want to bother him. Maybe I’ll just check with a few of the salesmen myself. I’m sure I’ll be able to tell if any of them were involved.”

  “I warned you about relying on those instincts.”

  “Chantelle, I know that you don’t believe that I can sense things, but I’ve lived with the ability for too long to just ignore it. Besides, what could it hurt for me to chat with a few of the salesmen? They all know that Derek and I were dating so it won’t seem strange if I talk to them. I’m sure
most of them will be at the funeral, it would be odd if they weren’t.”

  “Okay, just consider that if one of them did have something to do with Derek’s death they are crazy. Like psycho-murderer crazy.”

  “I understand.” Lucy laughed. “Only you could make me smile at a stressful time like this.”

  “Keep that in mind when I ask you this next question.”

  “What is it?” Lucy braced herself.

  “Noah wants to take me away for a long weekend. I think he might propose.”

  “I thought he wasn’t into marriage?”

  “I didn’t think he was, but he’s been acting a little strange. The thing is, with everything that happened with Greg, I don’t want to leave him here alone. Do you think he could stay with you, or you could stay here with him?”

  “Of course I can. I love getting some Greg time.”

  “Just don’t team up with him and spray paint the whole town.”

  “Give your son some credit, he was defending Derek’s memory.”

  “Maybe, but he is also ruining any chance he’s going to have at scholarship. You know how hard it is going to be for me to pay for a decent university.”

  “I know. You’re right. I guess sometimes I forget that I’m not a kid anymore, I’m supposed to be playing the grown-up role.”

  “I’m sure you two will have a lot to talk about.”

  “If he’s still talking to me.”

  “I’m sure he will be, you’re his favorite.”

  “Aw, that makes me feel better.”

  “It should, lately it seems we’re the last on his list. Noah’s really been having a hard time with Greg pushing him away.”

  “That’s too bad. I wonder what’s going on between them?”

  “I’m not sure, but I hope it stops soon. If Noah really does want to propose to me, I’m sure he’ll want to adopt Greg.”

  “How do you think Greg feels about that?”

  “He was seven when I met Noah, so Noah has pretty much raised him. I don’t think there should be an issue. Greg doesn’t remember much about his father, he was only four when he died.”