Golden in Death(45)

“What? TAG? Yes, several years ago. I taught there before I got my doctorate.”

“You know Dr. Rufty, the headmaster.”

“I … Yes. He was coming in as I was going out, more or less. We were both there for one semester. I don’t understand.”

“Kent Abner was his husband.”

“I— Oh, of course. I met him. I think. It was several years ago. But Elise didn’t teach there, or know them. I think she might have met Dr. Rufty once, but I … I don’t know. What does it mean? You don’t think Dr. Rufty did this? That doesn’t make sense.”

“No, sir, Dr. Rufty isn’t a suspect. Like you, he lost his spouse. And like you, he has a connection to the school, so we need to consider that connection. Do you know anyone also associated with the school, someone there when you were, who might have issues with you? Someone you had problems with, or who had problems with you?”

“No, no, God, it was seven—no, eight—eight years ago when I left TAG. When Dr. Rufty—Martin. That’s right, Martin. When he took over as headmaster, we’d been going through some problems, yes, but…”

“What kind of problems?”

“I— God, it’s hard to think. Some sniping, you could say, among the staff, and bullying with the students had become a serious issue. So had cheating—organized cheating. We’d lost a sense of camaraderie and, well, tone. In my opinion.

“But I don’t understand how—”

“If you’d just indulge me, Professor Duran.” Eve tried to find a spot between gentle and firm. “Tell me about the issues. Cheating, bullying? There must have been disciplinary action.”

“Not really, no. The previous headmaster … She fostered a kind of competition, and a hierarchy. She inevitably took the side of the parents who complained or objected if their child needed to be disciplined for infractions or bad behavior. It didn’t foster … Many of us felt she robbed us of authority, and put the emphasis on wealthier students, with parents willing to make donations.”

“Did you have any altercations with her?”

“I don’t know if I’d call it altercations, but I complained, stated my case. Many of us did. And so did many of the parents who felt their children weren’t getting a fair shake, or were being bullied. We—several of us—grouped together, complained directly to the board because … There was a cheating ring, though we couldn’t provide clear-cut evidence. Some students were pressured or threatened into cheating. Even physically assaulted, and the headmaster … Well, she looked the other way.”

Peabody searched on her PPC. “That would be Dr. Lotte Grange?”

“That’s right. But she left the school, took another position in … I can’t remember.” Rubbing his face with his hands, he looked like a man caught in some awful dream. “Somewhere else.”

“Lester Hensen Prep School, in East Washington.”

“That sounds right. I had issues with her, absolutely, but that was years ago. She’d have no reason to hurt Elise. And Martin came in after her. She’d already resigned. He—he changed the tone. He— Even though he knew I was leaving after the term, he met with me, talked with me about the students, about the changes he intended to make. I—I would have been happy staying with him at the helm, but teaching at college level was what I wanted.”

“Anyone you remember unhappy with him at the helm, unhappy with the changes?”

“I suppose so, but—”

“You talk, fellow teachers,” Eve pressed. “In the break room, the lounge.”

“Yes, sure, but I feel like most were happy with the change, maybe relieved to see Grange go. Yes, we lost some students when Martin implemented disciplinary action for bullying, for copying. But we gained students—and even more important, it became a better place to work and to learn.

“I need to go to my children. I need to go to Elise.”

“Peabody, will you arrange for Mr. Duran’s transportation to his in-laws?”

“Right away.”

“I’ll contact you, or the medical examiner will contact you, when you’re clear to see your wife.”

“Is Elise with Dr. Morris?” Dennis asked.

“Yes.”

“I know him, too, Jay, and I can promise you no one will treat Elise with more care and respect. I can tell you no one will work harder or more skillfully than Lieutenant Dallas and Detective Peabody to find the person who did this. In the meantime, you go to your boys, and I’ll take care of everything here.”

“God, the students. I left—”

“You’re not to worry. I’ll take care of everything here. You take whatever time you need, and you contact me if there’s anything you need from me, anything I can do.”

“Dennis.” Jay squeezed his eyes shut. “She was the glue. Our boys…” He opened his eyes again, looked at Eve. “They’re good boys, growing into fine young men. We built a good home, a good life together. But she was the glue. And I … Did I kiss her goodbye this morning? I think so, I think I did. But I don’t think I told her I loved her. I don’t think I did. Why didn’t I?”

“Mr. Duran, from everything you’ve told me, there’s no question in my mind, she knew you loved her. Please, if you think of anything, however insignificant it might seem, contact me.”