talking to homicide detectives?"
"We investigate any unusual death."
Helfgott tucked his handkerchief tighter. "I see. When can we expect some definitive answers as to mode of death ?"
"I really can't say, Mr. Helfgott."
"Are we talking days, weeks, an inordinate amount of time?"
"I really can't answer that, sir."
"Surely some kind of narrowing--"
Milo leaned in closer. "Sir, I know from your website that Prep's got a great mock-trial team. Maybe the best in the country, you guys took high national honors last year. All those big-time lawyers' kids, no surprise. But right now, it's best if I ask the questions."
Helfgott's manicured fingers grazed the tips of the handkerchief. "Mea culpa, Lieutenant, I didn't mean to upset your investigatory routine, I was simply thinking of our students and faculty. The news of Elise's death is going to be upsetting, particularly if the mode is... unusual. Ergo, the sooner we can offer accurate information, the sooner closure will arrive." Faint smile. "I should point out that the captain of that extraordinary debate team was the daughter of a neurosurgeon, not an attorney."
"I stand corrected, sir. So Ms. Freeman's employment was uneventful."
"We paid her handsomely, her duties were light, no reason for her to be unhappy."
"What was her salary?"
Helfgott's hand waved. "I don't get involved in that kind of thing, but typically, our salaries are the best in the preparatory school universe. Do you work regularly with the chief of police, Lieutenant?"
"We talk when necessary."
"I ask that because when Myron--Mr. Wydette--requested that I meet with you immediately as a favor to the chief of police, I was surprised."
"Why's that, sir?"
"Mr. Wydette emphasized the chief's affection for Prep and how it's benefited his son, Charlie. Who, if you weren't aware, is a graduating senior."
Milo remained silent.
Helfgott said, "Until now, the chief and Charlie's mother have been rather low-profile members of the Prep parent community."
No participation, no donations, no ass-kissing.
"Have you met Charlie, Lieutenant?"
"No, sir."
"Not a social boy, but bright."
We're not easily impressed, so tell your boss not to push it.
Milo pulled out his pad. "So, to your knowledge, Ms. Freeman never complained about any problems with students or faculty--with anyone at Prep."
"Lieutenant, we seem to be hovering over a single issue and not moving forward appreciably. Are you saying you're aware of a complaint--let me amend that to a statement. It sounds as if you doubt my word about Ms. Freeman's sanguine employment history." Hard glint behind the eyeglasses.
"Not at all, sir, and sorry for implying that. Like you said, you don't usually get involved in faculty issues. But unfortunately, we've become involved in just that."
Helfgott's waxy skin paled to cold tallow. "What, exactly, are you saying?"
"We're in possession of a communication from Ms. Freeman in which she claims she was sexually harassed by fellow teachers at Prep."
Spots of color splashed on Helfgott's sunken cheeks. His lips twitched. "Ludicrous."
Milo thumbed through his pad. "Three other teachers, to be exact: Enrico Hauer, James Winterthorn, Pat Skaggs. Are those individuals still employed at Prep?"
"This is beyond absurd." Helfgott had kept his tone low enough to discourage eavesdroppers but something in his body language caused one of the pilots to turn.
Milo said, "I'm sure you're right, but with Ms. Freeman deceased, we need to check it out."
"Enrico, Jim--no, that's not possible."
"So they are still working there."
"Of course they're still with us, no reason they shouldn't be." Helfgott rose to his feet, teetered, regained balance by clutching the arm of his chair. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I know you've got your job to do but so do I. Ergo, I cannot continue in this vein without benefit of legal counsel. Not because those outrageous accusations are anything but slanderous rubbish." Pausing to let that sink in.
"We investigate any unusual death."
Helfgott tucked his handkerchief tighter. "I see. When can we expect some definitive answers as to mode of death ?"
"I really can't say, Mr. Helfgott."
"Are we talking days, weeks, an inordinate amount of time?"
"I really can't answer that, sir."
"Surely some kind of narrowing--"
Milo leaned in closer. "Sir, I know from your website that Prep's got a great mock-trial team. Maybe the best in the country, you guys took high national honors last year. All those big-time lawyers' kids, no surprise. But right now, it's best if I ask the questions."
Helfgott's manicured fingers grazed the tips of the handkerchief. "Mea culpa, Lieutenant, I didn't mean to upset your investigatory routine, I was simply thinking of our students and faculty. The news of Elise's death is going to be upsetting, particularly if the mode is... unusual. Ergo, the sooner we can offer accurate information, the sooner closure will arrive." Faint smile. "I should point out that the captain of that extraordinary debate team was the daughter of a neurosurgeon, not an attorney."
"I stand corrected, sir. So Ms. Freeman's employment was uneventful."
"We paid her handsomely, her duties were light, no reason for her to be unhappy."
"What was her salary?"
Helfgott's hand waved. "I don't get involved in that kind of thing, but typically, our salaries are the best in the preparatory school universe. Do you work regularly with the chief of police, Lieutenant?"
"We talk when necessary."
"I ask that because when Myron--Mr. Wydette--requested that I meet with you immediately as a favor to the chief of police, I was surprised."
"Why's that, sir?"
"Mr. Wydette emphasized the chief's affection for Prep and how it's benefited his son, Charlie. Who, if you weren't aware, is a graduating senior."
Milo remained silent.
Helfgott said, "Until now, the chief and Charlie's mother have been rather low-profile members of the Prep parent community."
No participation, no donations, no ass-kissing.
"Have you met Charlie, Lieutenant?"
"No, sir."
"Not a social boy, but bright."
We're not easily impressed, so tell your boss not to push it.
Milo pulled out his pad. "So, to your knowledge, Ms. Freeman never complained about any problems with students or faculty--with anyone at Prep."
"Lieutenant, we seem to be hovering over a single issue and not moving forward appreciably. Are you saying you're aware of a complaint--let me amend that to a statement. It sounds as if you doubt my word about Ms. Freeman's sanguine employment history." Hard glint behind the eyeglasses.
"Not at all, sir, and sorry for implying that. Like you said, you don't usually get involved in faculty issues. But unfortunately, we've become involved in just that."
Helfgott's waxy skin paled to cold tallow. "What, exactly, are you saying?"
"We're in possession of a communication from Ms. Freeman in which she claims she was sexually harassed by fellow teachers at Prep."
Spots of color splashed on Helfgott's sunken cheeks. His lips twitched. "Ludicrous."
Milo thumbed through his pad. "Three other teachers, to be exact: Enrico Hauer, James Winterthorn, Pat Skaggs. Are those individuals still employed at Prep?"
"This is beyond absurd." Helfgott had kept his tone low enough to discourage eavesdroppers but something in his body language caused one of the pilots to turn.
Milo said, "I'm sure you're right, but with Ms. Freeman deceased, we need to check it out."
"Enrico, Jim--no, that's not possible."
"So they are still working there."
"Of course they're still with us, no reason they shouldn't be." Helfgott rose to his feet, teetered, regained balance by clutching the arm of his chair. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I know you've got your job to do but so do I. Ergo, I cannot continue in this vein without benefit of legal counsel. Not because those outrageous accusations are anything but slanderous rubbish." Pausing to let that sink in.
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