An Indecent Death (13 page)

But how did the police know about it? Should he tell them about it? He was still thinking about it as he watched the police drive away with Pierre Pepin.

Pepin looked unhappy as he squirmed in the interview room. Drumm and Wesson faced him with Lori Singh looking on through the one-way glass.

“Where did you get the stocking from?” Karl asked.

“I tell you a hundred times already, I never see it before.” Pepin was sweating, his unshaven face showing every one of his sixty-one years.

“Then what was it doing in your desk?” The stocking had been bagged and sent to the lab for analysis. Both Wesson and Drumm thought it was the mate for the one in Sarah Noonan’s drawer.

“I tell you already, I don’t know!”

Wesson went on. “The desk was locked and you have the key. So you must have put it there.”

“Not me! I never see it before!”

“What about the other things? The women’s underwear? You ever see them before, Pierre? The bra, Pierre? The panties, Pierre? The camisole, Pierre?” Wesson banged out the questions rapidly, punctuating each one with a slap of his hand on the table.

“I tell you already, dose are t’ings I find in girl’s change room. I put in desk because dey are so personal. I don’t want everyone looking at dem. I don’t do anyt’ing wrong, me!”

Drumm got up and left the room and went to stand beside Lori Singh. The two of them watched as Wesson continued. “What do you think, Lori?”

Lori was tired already, and she was sick of this Pepin interview. And once again, she was stuck outside while the two men did the interviewing. “He’s sticking to his story at least. Hasn’t changed it a bit. Maybe he’s telling the truth?”

Drumm rubbed his chin. “Could be. He sounds convincing. Let’s step it up a notch.” He re-entered the room and stood over the janitor, looking down at him.

“Pierre, you like to peek at the women, hmmm? Like to stand outside the women’s bathroom and look inside, right?”

“What?” Pepin stared at Drumm.

Drumm continued. “You enjoy hanging around the change room too, don’t you? Maybe get a look at the ladies changing? You ever see Sarah changing? That would be something worth seeing, right? She was sexy as hell, right, Pierre?”

Pepin looked from Drumm to Wesson and back again. “What? No! I never do dose t’ings!”

“Sure you did, Pierre. Sarah saw you. So did some of the other female teachers.”

“No! Dey are lying – I never do dat!”

“You know what I think, Pierre? I think you liked looking at the ladies at school. You liked looking at Sarah. So you hung around places where you weren’t supposed to be, hoping to get a look at them changing their tops or doing up their pants. I think you get off on seeing the lady teachers like that.”

“No!”

“And when you could, you’d steal some of their clothing. Maybe run your hands all over it, Pierre? Sniff it? That’s Sarah’s clothing, isn’t it, Pierre? You took it from her, and you imagined her wearing it, and you taking it off her. Right, Pierre?”

“No!”

“And she caught you at it, and she threatened to go to the principal. So you went over to her place and you strangled her. But first you were going to have sex with her, right, Pierre? So you slipped her the drug. Because she was so hot. Even an old guy like you wanted her.”

Pepin shook his head; he looked bewildered. “Drug? What drug? I don’t know what you’re talking about! None of dat is true. I don’t do dose t’ings. I tell you already!” He looked around wildly. “I want a lawyer! I’m not saying anyt’ing else.”

“Suit yourself, Pierre.” Drumm signaled to Wesson and the two of them left the room.

Lori Singh said, “We’re going to have to let him go. We’ve got nothing.”

Drumm sighed. “I know. What do you think, Karl?”

Wesson nodded his head. “The clothing isn’t even Sarah’s size. It’s not her stuff, except maybe for the stocking. And why would he kill her with it and then bring it to school where anyone could find it? Doesn’t add up.”

“Well, he’s not the sharpest pencil in the box,” said Drumm. “Maybe he thought it would fit in with the other stuff. But I agree, we’re going to have to release him. For now.”

“In the end, every one of the nightclubs and bars remembered Sarah Noonan.” Wesson and Drumm sat in Drumm’s office listening to Lori Singh’s account of her late evening the day before. “She was a frequent flier, usually showing up alone, sometimes with a female friend. One of the bars remembered her being with Kevin Callaghan one night. After Dark, the club over on Gould Street, remembered her going home with a guy one time. No details. A couple of the male staff commented on her appearance and dress. Here’s an exact quote, ‘She was a fox – dressed in a slutty little dress’.” Singh looked up. “Sorry, that’s about all I could get.”

Drumm sipped his coffee, feeling frustrated. “Well, I suppose every little bit helps.” He put his cup down with a bang. “I would dearly love to charge that janitor.” He looked at the other two detectives. “Chappell would be happy, that’s for sure. But I’d have the Crown prosecutor all over my ass, wouldn’t I?”

Wesson laughed. “You would. In record time too.”

Lori stretched in her chair. “I’d like to see you make the case that a sixty-year old man would have been interested in having sex with a woman like Sarah Noonan. It would be entertaining. I mean, he might watch her, but rape her? I don’t think so. And where would he get a roofie from? That’s a pretty tough thing for a janitor to obtain, don’t you think?” Lori went on, “Old Pierre is either a great actor or he knew nothing about the GHB. And then, how did a skinny, old man like him get her out of the apartment? And you said the principal opened that locked desk drawer. So anyone could have done the same and put the stocking there.”

Drumm sighed. “I know, I know. And any good defense attorney would say the same things.” He looked ruefully at his cup and the spilled coffee on his desk. “I said I wanted to charge him, not that I would. We’ll have to let him go for now. But I think we have enough to get a warrant to search his place. I’ll see to it. This afternoon, I want you two to go back and talk to Greg Parent. Go over his story again and see if you can break his alibi. By now he may have been contacted by Child Services, so he might be antagonal. Be careful with him.”

Drumm stood up, and the others did too. “I’m going to have another chat with Jim Shaughnessy. I’m not happy with what he’s told us about his relationships with the staff. I’ll see if I can get him to open up some more. We’ll meet back here; say four o’clock?”

Drumm swung the Miata into a spot beside Emily’s car and turned off the engine. They had arranged to meet at this little park for lunch, weather permitting, and so far things looked good. It was warm and sunny, although showers were in the forecast for later. He used his glucose meter to check his blood sugar, something he tried to do every day before lunch. About two hours after breakfast was ideal but his job quite often made that impossible, so he settled for just before lunch when necessary. Just now his level was 6.1, so he was good to go. He hoisted the cooler with drinks and went to find Emily, loosening his tie as he went.

He found her where they had agreed to meet, beside a lamp standard on one of the paths. She was wearing a sun hat, sunglasses, a string of pearls, sandals and a white summery dress with buttons up the front. She looked like she’d just come from a Hollywood movie set. Drumm went up to her and kissed her on the lips. “You look like Julia Roberts, Emily. Only better.”

“Thank you, Nicky. You look good yourself. A tie today?” Drumm was wearing a blue dress shirt and matching tie to go with his dress pants.

“Yup. I dressed up just for you, Emily.” And Elmdale and James Shaughnessy, but she didn’t need to know that.

“I’ve found a nice secluded spot, Nicky. It’s just over here.”

They moved down the path a little and then onto the grass where Emily led the way around a big clump of lilacs. The fragrance was wonderful, overpowering even, but the spot she had found was perfect. It was a small, grassy clearing, and they couldn’t be seen by anyone from anywhere. It was unlikely anyway because McGregor Park was out of the way and empty much of the time.

Emily had brought the food, tablecloth and utensils, and a blanket for them to sit on. Drumm helped her to lay everything out, and he added the drinks he had brought. They sat down to enjoy the sandwiches and salad she had provided, and Drumm’s drinks: beer for him and vodka coolers for her. He had water as well but Emily’s selection of a private location meant that he could enjoy a Corona or two without fear of public disapproval.

Drumm decided he would tell Emily a little about the case so that was what they talked about for the next few minutes. He knew he could trust her and it was good to talk about Sarah Noonan with someone else. Emily was interested in the circumstances of the death and asked a lot of questions as they worked their way through their lunch.

“She sounds like a slut, Nicky. Honestly, having sex with anyone in pants.” Emily had finished eating and was leaning back with her arms behind her on the blanket supporting her weight.

“A slut? I guess you might say that. But I don’t see her that way. I’m not sure why.” Drumm took a long drink from his beer. He was enjoying the look of Emily’s crossed legs, discreetly covered by her dress to below the knees.

“But she was indecent, Nicky! Going to school dressed like that. Walking around commando, having sex in the school.”

“Indecent? Well, I don’t know, Em. Look what you wore at the restaurant the other day. Some people might call that indecent.” Drumm was teasing her, and smiling at the memory.

“That’s different, Nicky. That was just for you.”

“And maybe the waiter, Em.”

“Not the waiter, he couldn’t see anything. And I wouldn’t go around the office dressed like that. It’s not decent.” Emily uncrossed her legs.

“OK, Em, I grant you she may been over the top in her behaviour. But that doesn’t mean she deserved what happened to her. Her death was indecent.”

“Of course she didn’t deserve it, Nicky! I didn’t say that!”

“Shhh, Emily, keep your voice down – someone might hear. I know you didn’t say that.” Drumm moved so that he was sitting right in front of her; he moved the remains of their lunch off to one side. Emily was sitting upright now, her hands on her knees.

Drumm took her hands in his and started pulling her gently to him. She accommodated him, lifting herself a little so that she slid slowly towards him across the blanket, her legs moving outwards around his. Her dress moved up her legs, above her knees and up her thighs. Drumm stopped pulling when she was right up next to him and he kissed her. She tasted of alcohol and something sweet. She kissed him back, slowly and passionately. His hands went to her breasts, her arms went around his neck. He started undoing the buttons on her dress, expecting a rebuke. It didn’t come, although she broke off the kiss. Emily unknotted his tie and took it off, and started undoing the buttons of his shirt.

“I want to feel your skin against mine, Nicky.” She got his shirt off, although he had to squirm a bit to make it happen, and tossed it away. “Yes, undo me, but leave the dress on, in case someone comes.” She started working on his pants.

Drumm’s hands went back to her and he undid another couple of buttons, enough to push the dress off her shoulders and expose her small breasts. “Here, Emily? Are you sure?” She had picked this spot, chosen this dress; of course she was sure, but he needed to ask.

“I’m sure, Nicky.” She had his pants undone now and pushed them and his underwear down his legs. He helped by lifting up and she could see his excitement. “Oh, my, you’re ready, aren’t you?” Emily wriggled and pulled her dress up. She wasn’t wearing panties.

“Oh, Lord.” Drumm pulled her onto him, and she moaned and they started rocking back and forth. He took the dress right off her shoulders so that it bunched around her waist and squeezed her breasts as she continued to move on top of him. Drumm’s mouth found hers and he pulled her even tighter to him. God help them if anyone came by now. Drumm started nipping at her neck but she started making noises and he was worried someone would hear her, so he crushed her mouth against his again. She was bucking frantically now and he was losing control, losing it… Unbelievably, they finished together, the scent of lilacs all around them.

Emily giggled, a little shakily. “Wow! I guess we needed that.”

Drumm was drained. “Emily, you are fabulous. That was so good.” He kissed her lightly. “You planned for this, didn’t you?”

“Didn’t you, Nicky?” She cupped his face and kissed him, then pulled up her dress and started doing up the buttons.

“Sort of. Yup.” He grinned. “I was hoping, shall we say? I’ve been thinking about making love to you for days, ever since Luigi’s. But this was special.”

They disengaged and got their clothing back in order, and then tidied up the picnic debris.

“So, are we back together, Nicky? Because I want us to be.”

Drumm smiled and took her hand. “As you wish.”

Smith and Wesson were sitting across from each other at The Hare and the Hound, another small pub that Karl favoured. Drumm had hustled out of the office saying he had a pressing lunch date and he would see them later. The two of them were left together rather awkwardly, so Karl had asked Lori to go and grab a bite. To his surprise she had said yes. And here they were.

He had a club soda and she was sipping on a diet Coke. They were looking at the pub’s menu while covertly eyeing each other. Lori Singh was a little disturbed at how Karl looked; she had noticed it first in Drumm’s office but he looked worse now. He had bags under his eyes, and was it possible he hadn’t shaved this morning? That wasn’t like him at all.

They ordered and Lori said, “How’s the running going, Karl? Done any marathons yet?”

“No marathons. I’m not ready for that. Probably never will be. And actually, I haven’t been running much at all lately.”

Lori wasn’t surprised to hear it, the way Karl looked. “What’s the trouble?”

Karl looked away. “I just have a little leg injury is all. I’ll be back to it soon. How about you, still riding your bike?”

“Yes, still riding.” Lori took another sip. “It helps me relax. I’ve been doing quite a bit lately. Trying to take advantage of this good weather. It was such a long winter. My legs aren’t in shape yet, though.”

Karl said, “So, what did you make of our boss today? Did it seem like he was in a good mood to you or what?”

Lori thought about it, and then said, “To tell you the truth, I’m so tired I didn’t notice. But you’re right, now that I think about it, he seemed to be pretty happy. And he rushed out of the office quick enough, didn’t he?” She thought of asking what Karl thought about the way Drumm was using her on the case, then decided against it. It would sound like whining and she didn’t want that. Instead she said, “That was a new word for me today – did you notice? ‘Antagonal’. That’s a good one.”

They continued to discuss Drumm’s mood, his mixed-up word usage and then the case as they progressed through their meal. Lori became increasingly aware that Karl was bothered by something. He was distracted, as if he was thinking of something else. Eventually, she said, “Karl, are you alright? You don’t seem yourself at all.”

Karl looked startled and then – was she mistaken? – ashamed, of all things. He said, “I’m fine, just a bit tired. I’m not sleeping well. Come on, we’d better get going. Let’s go drop in on Mr. Parent.”

Drumm was in a fine mood indeed as he cruised along in the Miata, heading towards Elmdale Elementary School once again. He was listening to Def Leppard’s ‘Hysteria’, a song which always got his motor racing. He had to be careful with his speed when this song played as he was apt to overdo it. He went over in his mind what had just happened with Emily. It was crazy, the risk they had taken, but well worth it.

Time to get his mind back on business. As he walked into the school, Drumm straightened his tie and thought about what he was going to ask.

Jim Shaughnessy seemed less pleased to see him than the last time. Drumm had called to warn him that he was returning, so the principal ushered him straight into his office and closed the door. They both sat. “Really, Detective, twice in one day? I want to be helpful but I do have a school to run.”

Drumm was conciliatory. “I know, Mr. Shaughnessy, and I’m grateful for your co-operation. Believe me, I appreciate what a principal has to do. I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.”

Somewhat mollified, Shaughnessy said, “Well, what can I do for you this time? Is it about Pierre?”

“Not about him directly, no. He’s been released for now. He should be back to work Monday.” Drumm smiled. “Interesting collection of stuff he had. Did you know about it? You mentioned he had some lost and found items in his room.”

“No, no, I didn’t know about those lingerie items. I knew he had some tee-shirts and things. He would sometimes give some clothing to a kid who needed a shirt, or maybe some pants. Pierre’s a good guy, you know. No matter what people say about him.”

“And what do people say about him, Mr. Shaughnessy?”

The principal looked uncomfortable. “It’s that damn missing tooth, that’s all. It makes him look lopsided, like something out of a Halloween movie. People think he looks odd. But he’s a good custodian.”

Drumm was unimpressed. “I see; if you say so. Now, I’m going to need the personnel records for everyone on staff. Including you. Secretaries, custodians, teacher’s assistants, everyone.”

Shaughnessy stared at him. “Personnel records? I don’t have those. The School District Office will have them. Individual schools don’t keep them anymore.”

“Oh, I know that, Mr. Shaughnessy. I’ve already requested them.” Drumm looked at his watch. “They’ve probably already been couriered over to the station. No, I meant the other individual files that a principal keeps on his staff. You know, where you file the parent complaints and the evaluations that you do, commendations for extracurricular activities, that kind of thing.”

But Shaughnessy was shaking his head. “ But I’m afraid I don’t have anything like that, Detective. As I said, it’s all kept at the District Office.”

“No little personal observations you’ve made about your people?”

Shaughnessy laughed. “God, no, the teachers’ union would skin me alive if I did that kind of thing.”

“OK. Now about Sarah Noonan. You told me you didn’t know her well. That it was your first year here and you knew her as well as any of your staff. You said you keep a distance from them. Do I have that right?”

“Uh, yes, that sounds about right.” Shaughnessy looked at him questioningly. “Why?”

“Well, sir, it just seems strange that you would say you didn’t know her well. And yet you knew that she worked out at The Fit Life.”

“Well, sure, I knew that. Everyone knew that, I think.”

“What did you think of her? Did you like her? I mean as a person. Not her teaching ability.”

Shaughnessy leaned forward in his chair. He was sitting behind his desk while Drumm was in a chair in front of it. Drumm was sure that this arrangement was the principal’s favourite way for talking to people in his office. It put Shaughnessy at an advantage, sitting behind the big desk, making the other person feel a little intimidated. “Did I like her? Sure I liked her. But as I said before, I didn’t know her well.”

“Did you know that she was dating some of the men on staff?”

“No. How could I? What the teachers do on their own time is none of my business.”

“But you live in the area, don’t you, sir? So maybe you would have seen her out and about, maybe at a bar or pub or somewhere else?”

“I can’t say that I ever remember seeing her out in the community. And I hardly ever go to a pub.” Shaughnessy sat forward again. “Detective, am I a suspect? Why are you asking me these questions?”