“She came on as a per diem temporary employee four years ago. A year later, we offered her more steady employment. I remain puzzled by that term
“She’s being processed by the coroner as we speak.”
“How grim sounding. So it could be a medical condition, one of those rough patches—an aneurysm.”
“At this point, anything’s possible, Mr. Helfgott.”
“Then why, may I ask, am I 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
“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.”
“Have you met Charlie, Lieutenant?”
“No, sir.”
“Not a social boy, but bright.”
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. “Because my responsibility to Prep precludes me from exposing the school to untrammeled attack without prior… consultation.”
“Institutions can’t be slandered, sir, only individuals.”
“Well, then, Enrico, Jim, and Pat have been slandered and I won’t have it.”
Milo stood. “No one’s saying the accusations are true, Mr. Helfgott, but my responsibilities preclude
“I don’t see why they’d need to—”
“The point of today’s meeting was extending a courtesy to you, sir, as well as to Prep. I need to have access to Enrico, Jim, and Pat and rather than disrupt your school during working hours, I’m giving you the opportunity to set up off-campus interviews at a discreet time and place.” Stepping closer, he invaded Helfgott’s personal space. His bulk turned Helfgott into a small man.
“Furthermore, it’s essential that my courtesy doesn’t lead to advance preparation on the part of Enrico, Jim, and Pat. Meaning, I expect you not to alert them as to the purpose of the interviews.”
Helfgott backed away two steps, nostrils flaring, beads of moisture collecting under the rims of his eyeglasses. “The police chief has authorized this?”
“The police chief takes his responsibilities seriously.”
“How… interesting.” Suddenly Helfgott’s hand landed on Milo’s shoulder. Patted. “I’m sure you’re a fine dedicated police lieutenant, sir. Merely doing your job. However, I must do mine. I cannot commit to a course of action without conferring with professionals. We’ll chat in due time.”
He headed toward the electric doors that opened to the tarmac. Before he got there, the concierge pushed a button and the doors swung open. Helfgott marched toward the Escalade. The driver popped out, hurried to open the passenger door.
Milo said, “Who says teaching’s a thankless job.”
As we passed the desk, the concierge looked up from her copy of
Her eyes said we’d soiled the furniture.
CHAPTER
8
As we passed from Santa Monica into West L.A., Milo placed a call to the chief’s office, failed to get past the first secretarial rung, and hung up.
“So what do you think of Il Presidente?”
“Loves his job, will do anything to keep it.”
“Perks like he’s got, he’d probably kill to keep it, Alex.” Tapping the wheel. “Too bad pomposity’s not a
