"Good morning Steve. Yup, pancakes and bacon. Want some?"
"Sure. We have to get going at about 8:30. I told Clark Johnson, the principal of High Street School that we'd be there are 9:15, and I have to pick Tanis up, too."
Mark nodded as he sat down at the table. They enjoyed their breakfast, and were on the road at 8:30. They pulled up to Tanis's apartment 20 minutes later, and Steve had to stop himself from jumping out of the car. "Be right back!" he called to his dad. He strode quickly into the building and knocked on her door. She answered it almost immediately.
"Hey!" Steve said as he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.
"You want to come in for a minute?" Tanis gestured at the open door behind her. Steve looked longingly at the apartment, but shook his head. " We've got to be there at 9:15, and," he paused, "my dad's in the car."
"Oh." He could tell she was disappointed
"Shall we?" he grinned and held out his hand.
She smiled, and took it until they got outside.
Tanis slid in the back seat as Steve got back in the front. "Hi, Dr. Sloan."
"Hi Tanis!" Mark turned around to face her. "It's good to see you again."
"Thanks, you too."
The rest of the way to the school, Steve filled his dad in on the details of the case. When they got to the school, Steve pulled into a parking spot. They went in the front door and followed the signs to Principal Johnson's office. His secretary showed them to his desk. Johnson stood up as they walked in the door. "You must be Lt. Sloan." Steve shook his hand. "This is my partner, Det. Archer, and my father, Dr. Mark Sloan. I want to talk to you about Danny Gibbons."
"I'm glad to help. Danny teaches eighth grade science and math."
"And he was here all day on Friday?" Tanis asked.
"As far as I know, yes. May I ask why you need this information?" Steve hesitated. "We think he may have killed his wife, Robin." He waited for Johnson's reaction.
"You're kidding."
"Unfortunately not," Mark said. Johnson shook his head. "Robin is dead? We were, uh friends."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you two were close." Mark expressed his sympathy. Johnson licked his lips nervously.
"Actually, uh, we had an affair, not too long ago." Steve nodded. "Danny, knew about this?" Mark questioned.
Steve rolled his eyes at Tanis behind his dad's back. As usual, his dad was taking over. Tanis smiled back and shrugged.
"Yeah, he knew," Johnson was saying. "We talked things over. He forgave me, I think, but we're not very close anymore. It's kind of uncomfortable." "Yeah, I imagine it would Do you know anyone that might have had something against her?"
Johnson thought for a moment. "Not that I know of. Robin was such a sweet woman." He sighed. "I feel so bad she had to suffer so much before she died."
Mark looked back at Steve and Tanis. "Ah, we should really get going. Do you know when Mr. Gibbons will be free?"
"Not until lunch. You can come back around noon."
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Johnson," Steve said.
"Glad to help."
Mark, Tanis and Steve walked back out to the car. "Steve could you drop me off at the hospital? I have some things to get done, and we can meet back here at noon."
"Sure."
When they had been on the road a few minutes, Tanis spoke up. "If Danny found out his wife was having an affair, that could give him a motive."
"That's true," Mark said thoughtfully. ''In any case, I think we definately need to have a talk with Danny Gibbons."
