Golden in Death(44)

The desk held more of everything.

Another guitar found a home in the corner behind the desk.

“Jay played in a band in high school. In college, too,” Dennis explained. “He likes to say that’s how he got his wife to look twice at him. The poor man.”

Now he glanced around the room. “I’m afraid there won’t be enough chairs. I can have another brought in, but don’t quite know where we’d put it.”

“It’s not a problem.”

“I suppose we’ll figure it out. I should go get him. We shouldn’t put it off. I’ll … just tell him he’s needed in his office. His TA can take the rest of his class.”

Dennis gave a last distracted look around, then went out and quietly closed the door.

“The sweetest man alive,” Peabody murmured as she took the two steps necessary to reach Jay’s desk. “A lot of work, a lot of clutter—but he made room for a family picture on his desk.”

She turned around. “What about the kids, Dallas?”

Eve shoved a hand through her hair. “See who’s free in the bullpen. They should check, find a teacher who’s good with both of them. Two teachers if necessary. And get them all somewhere private to notify them. It’d be worse if cops went in, just took them out of class, over to the grandparents. That would be worse.”

“I think you’re right. I’ll go out and set it up. Should I wait until we notify Duran?”

“No, get it going. Something might leak, someone might say something.”

Alone, Eve wondered how anyone managed to work in a room without a window. Then she wondered, with all of those books … Maybe they were his window.

She heard the door open, made her face blank.

He was a good-looking man with pale gold hair, pale blue eyes. Taller than Mr. Mira, younger, he dressed more casually with a shirt untucked, no tie, worn sneakers.

But he had an air—Eve caught it immediately—like Dennis, of kindness, intellect, and just a little vagueness.

“Hello.” He gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m afraid I’ve completely forgotten an appointment.”

“We didn’t have one, Mr. Duran. I’m Lieutenant Dallas, with the NYPSD.”

“I—Eve Dallas? Of course, I saw the vid with my family. I read the book. It was just marvelous. It’s a thrill to…” Something clicked and his delighted smile vanished. “What’s happened?”

“I regret to inform you, your wife has been killed. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“What?”

Anger tinged disbelief. Eve recognized it, as it often came first in notifications.

“That’s ridiculous. Is this a prank? It’s not funny, not a bit. Elise is home. She has a book club meeting. You’ve made a mistake.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Duran. It’s not a prank or a mistake. I’ve just come from your home.”

“It’s not possible. I just … Dennis.”

When Jay’s legs buckled, Eve started to move to him, but Dennis, for all his flustery ways, supported the younger man, eased him into one of the two folding chairs.

“Elise.”

“Hold on to me,” Dennis said when Jay began to shake. “Hold on to me,” he repeated. And put his arms around the younger man when he began to weep.





10


Eve waited while Dennis comforted, and while he dug a handkerchief out of his pocket. Of course he had a handkerchief.

Of course he did.

Peabody came back in with a vending cup of tea, and Eve thought: Of course she’d think of that.

Of course she would.

And when Duran wiped his face, took, with trembling hands, the tea Peabody offered, she waited.

“You’re—you’re absolutely sure? There can’t be a mistake?”

“We’re sure, Mr. Duran.”

“But how? How? Was there a breakin? It’s a good neighborhood. Elise is careful.”

“No, sir, not a breakin. Did you know Dr. Kent Abner?”

“I—I don’t know. I don’t think.” He brought a hand to his temple, rubbed, rubbed. “Who is he? Did he hurt Elise?”

“No. Dr. Abner was killed two days ago. Both he and your wife were sent a package. It contained a toxic agent.”

“A what? In a package? I don’t understand. Who would send us a package that had a … I don’t understand.” Tea sloshed over the cup as he lurched to his feet. “Our boys. I have to get to our boys.”

“Your sons are safe,” Eve assured him. “We’re having them picked up at school, taken to your in-laws.”

“Detectives Baxter and Trueheart are already on their way to their school,” Peabody told him.

“I know them, Jay.” Gently, Dennis took the handkerchief, mopped at the spilled tea on Duran’s hand. “They’re very good men, and will take good care of your boys.”

“I don’t— What will I say to them? They’ve lost their mother. They’ve lost their mother, Dennis.”

“You’ll be strong for them.” Dennis eased Duran back down.

“I’m sorry we have to ask you questions at such a difficult time,” Eve began. “You worked at the Theresa A. Gold Academy.”