Golden in Death (In Death 50)

“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 break-in? It’s a good neighborhood. Elise is careful.”

“No, sir, not a break-in. 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.”

“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?”