Under Control…
Part Five
There was another assembly to start the day, this one telling
everyone that they should know that the police were doing everything possible
and were following several important leads. In addition, there was a strong
rumor that Batman and Robin had taken an interest in the case and so an arrest
could be expected soon.
“In the meantime, we expect you all to use caution, both here at school and
around town. Don't travel alone, whether it to the ladies or men's room or if
you're going out for a pizza. Make sure someone knows where you're going, when
you expect to arrive and when you're going to leave. Keep your cell phones on
you and charged. Keep your eyes opened and trust your instinct. If you have a
bad feeling, get out of the situation immediately or yell for help. I'm sure
that you've all seen the police walking the halls; they're here for our
protection, work with them and do as they say.
“Now, the best we can all do is go on with our work. The criminal will be caught
and this will all end soon.”
The secretary whispered in Principal Gatling's ear. “Oh yes, of course. Anyone
who is planning on going to David's service this morning may sign out in the
office. The condolence books for both David and Amy are in the library and will
be there for another day before we deliver them to their families. All right,
please go on to your second period classes.”
The students got up quietly and moved with almost no talking as they made their
way to their respective classrooms.
“This is creepy, Dick. Seriously. Two kids were murdered here and Gatling's
going on like it's just a minor fly in her ointment.”
“Cut her some slack, John, she's just trying to get everyone's mind on something
else.” Privately he agreed with Anthony.
“Yeah, like anyone is thinking about algebra today. 'You going to the funeral?”
“I thought I would, you want a ride? Alfred's coming by around 10:30.”
“Sure, thanks, sounds good. 'I'll meet you out front then. 'Later.”
At 10:15 Dick went to the office to sign out, there was line of maybe twenty
kids, all somber, all dressed like they were going to church, which they were.
Finished, he went out to sit on the front steps, waiting for John and Alfred,
just looking around and wondering if maybe this would be a good case for the
Titans to come in on.
There were other kids milling around, hanging and chatting. A few girls seemed
close to tears, both for Dave and Amy and out of fear for themselves.
“You seem pretty calm about this, Grayson; you know something we don't?”
“Why would I know anything, Bri?”
“Because Bruce has the cops and everyone else in Gotham in his hip pocket. Isn't
he like best buds with the police commissionor or something?”
Jerk. “Having dinner with someone doesn't mean that he knows anything more than
anyone else. Besides, this isn't a Gotham case, it's Brixton.”
“And the Acres, too—they had the same kind of murder a few weeks ago, remember?
I heard the two police departments are working together because they think it's
all the same guy.”
A few more kids wandered over, others got into cars as they arrived and pulled
away. “I bet Batman and Robin are going to get involved—they do it'll be solved
in like ten minutes.”
Dick smiled to himself, that would be nice but it wasn't quite that easy. “Maybe
they will.”
“Yeah, well you guys aren't going to believe what I just heard; I heard Reynolds
and Smith talking after the assembly. They were standing in the back, just
talking kind of quietly between themselves but I heard them and it sounded to me
like Robin went to talk to both of them last night. It sounded like they thought
they were being investigated because they both have chloroform in their
classrooms and some of it's missing.”
“Holy crap.”
“Yeah.”
“Reynolds and Smith? I can't believe they'd kill anyone.”
“Me neither but it sounds like Robin doesn't agree.”
“Oh, man...”
That was enough for Dick. “But even if that's true, even if Robin did go talk to
them, maybe he was just trying to get some information about whether or not
they'd used any of the chloroform—you know, to explain why it was there and why
some was used. Besides, a lot of people have access to the classrooms, a lot of
people could have taken it, if that's where it came from.”
“God, Dick, you're such a boy scout.”
“I'm just saying that spreading rumors isn't a great idea.”
“Yeah, well, it isn't spreading rumors if it's true.”
“It's rumors until it's proven true.” He stood up, “My ride's here, you coming,
John?”
The two boys talked on the shirt ride to the church, which continued when they
were seated inside, waiting for the service to begin. The place was packed with
folding chairs set up in the back and along the side. Dave was a popular guy and
active in schools clubs and sports. Family members in the front and a number of
the girls from Brixton were crying.
'Whoever did this should fucking burn in hell.”
“They'll be caught, Dave. It may take a little while but they will be.”
“What makes you an expert? You ever deal with murder before?”
Dick took a beat while he also took a breath. “As a matter of fact...”
John looked sideways at Dick, suddenly realizing what he'd just said. “Oh, shit,
man, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean anything; seriously—God,
I'm sorry.”
“It's okay, it happens. Don't worry about it; really. Look, the guy who killed
my parents was caught, this guy will be, too.”
* * *
After the service most of the attendees went to a local restaurant for a
reception and lunch. The food was good and plentiful and likely cost a fortune,
knowing the restaurant. It was subdued, Dave's parents trying to put on a brave
face; this was serious WASP country where a stiff upper lip was assumed, no
matter what was going on. Dick stood the scene for about an hour then hitched a
ride back to school with a couple of seniors.
There were three extra police cars in the parking lot and a lot of kids standing
around outside, despite the still cold weather. An ambulance pulled up, light
flashing but without the siren. The EMT's pulled a stretcher and some equipment
from the back and went inside at a run.
“What's going on?” Dick knew the signs—anyone with a brain could read these
signs.
“One of the teachers, someone says it's Mr. Smith.”
Smith? The one who's classroom bottle of chloroform was down a couple of inches?
There were only two realistic explanations; either he surprised and interrupted
the unknown woman they were looking for in the midst of something and she killed
him to cover any possible chance of him going to the authorities or he was tired
of being her partner, was going to turn her in and was stopped before he could
act.
“Is he dead?”
No one knew.
Dick went into the woods by the parking lot (looking to make sure he wasn't
spotted) and exited the trees as Robin. No one had noticed, their attention was
all on the ambulance and the latest tragedy. He went straight up to the nearest
officer. “Mind if I go inside and look around?”
“We'd be obliged; you find anything, we'd be grateful. In the main door and turn
left, room 107.”
The Mech E room.
He was on the floor, obviously DOA. The still damp chloroform soaked rag on the
floor nearby. “Do you have a dusting kit? I'd like to check the bottle.”
“Sure thing, Robin, right here and thanks for coming so fast—you want to pull
the prints yourself?”
“If you don't mind. How long ago and who called it in?”
The Sergeant glanced at his watch. “Twenty-five minutes ago, he was dead when we
got here. I'm not sure who made the call, the station will have that.”
Robin nodded and took out his cell phone and dialed Alfred. “Hi, it's me. I'm at
Brixton Academy, there's been another murder and I'm looking around...I'll see
you later, okay?”
“Calling home, kid? That's funny, Robin having to check in.”
“Leave the kid alone, Joe—even Robin's got parents, right? So, any ideas about
this?”
“Did the victim have a key ring on him or did you find the key to this?” No sign
of the cabinet being forced so either Smith opened it himself or surprised
whoever did.
“Yeah, there was a key ring under the body. 'Right here.”
“I'll know more in a little while, thanks, guys.”
He left the school through the back entrance, near the dumpsters where Amy was
found a couple of days ago though there wasn't anyone here now. He changed back
to his civilian clothes unseen and met Alfred by the front gate; not
surprisingly, school was cancelled early again today.
An hour later he knew who the likely murderer was. He just didn't know why.
TBC