AFTERMATH

Chapter 9

Ryan Wolfe had come up trumps. The timid young teacher, Anna, had apparently known her pupils well.

Now he said to Horatio, "I was shocked. These kids… it was all cliques and bullying…"

"Bad as that? Was she bullied - our Beth?"

"Well, no… I gather she did the bullying… Anna was very reluctant to say it, as the girl was dead… but I did gather she was not a popular girl…"

Horatio nodded. "Interesting… So who was likely to hit back at her? Did you get any clues?"

"Almost anyone… but I got two names… Not so much that they were the most likely to take matters into their own hands… more that they were possibly out of sight at the same time… But it was just a vague recollection. And it was an 'off the record' conversation. Just Anna's feeling - it won't hold up in court."

"Doesn't have to. I just need to know where to start. These two…boys or girls?"

"Oh, girls. And, H, Anna does now know our suspicions, that it wasn't an accident. But I don't think she'll say anything."

"Okay, Ryan… Good work."

Within a day, despite predictable protests from teachers and parents, he had permission to talk to the pupils. He decided to do it at the school. It saved chasing all over town, and avoided the intimidating atmosphere of the lab. Nevertheless, he was not looking forward to it.

Horatio was struggling. He had hardly admitted it to himself, and he was fairly certain it hadn't been noticed at work, but his health was now having a major impact on him. He had virtually stopped being able to eat. In fact, he felt almost as bad as the day he'd left the hospital. Shivery and constantly nauseous, he had to be careful not to stand up too quickly, nor move too fast, or he was almost overwhelmed with dizziness.

But Calleigh would come to the school with him, and he was reasonably sure that he could do the interviews, if he was careful. Before that though, he phoned his specialist.

"I need to see you, doctor."

"Are you not progressing? You were doing well enough last week…"

He repeated his symptoms. "I'm not going to be able to do this much longer…"

"You shouldn't be working at all. You're shivery, you said. Did you take all those antibiotics?"

"Probably not. I felt okay." He heard the doctor sigh.

"You're clearly not okay. You'd better come in."

"I can't now. I'm in the middle of interviewing. Could I see you this evening?"

"You going to last that long?"

"I have to." He made the appointment, with fingers mentally crossed that he could indeed 'last that long.'

With Calleigh driving, they headed for the school. "How do you want to do this, Horatio?" she asked.

"We'll start with the two names Ryan got… Take one each… Then work down the list. Basically, what were they doing after they'd had their lunch. Where did they go… Who with… Bring them round to the subject of Beth Abbott… gently. Maybe ask about their teachers… I've made sure the teachers won't be around - can't do much about the parents. They have a right to be there. They do not have a right to prompt or interrupt… but you know all this…"

Calleigh glanced at him as she drove. "Are you okay?"

He forced a smile. "I'm okay. Why?"

"I was wondering… about you and Frank…"

"Oh, we sorted that."

"Good. I'm glad. And how do you feel?"

"Okay," he lied. "Slow progress…"

He wasn't sure she believed him, but she said no more, as they reached the school.

Interviews with children were always difficult, and these seemed particularly so. He wasn't sure whether it was him, or whether, as he suspected, they had come under Maria Santos's unhelpful influence. He got a breakthrough when one of the mothers interrupted. Normally something he'd stop instantly, it this time proved a trigger. He was gently trying to coax a very shy boy into responding to questions about Beth Abbott, when his mother said firmly, "Tell him, Danny - Beth was a bully."

Horatio held up a hand to silence her, then said quietly, "Was she, Danny?"

The words came out in a rush. "She was a horrible fat cow. Everybody hated her."

Horatio's expression didn't change. "But something happened to her…"

"It wasn't me!"

"Did you see what happened, Danny?"

Then it all emerged. Beth had slipped into the water, and two of her victims had jumped on her and made sure she didn't get up again. He got everything, except names.

The boy's reticence came back. "I can't," he whispered.

Horatio needed a break. His head was swimming and he felt sick. He stood up carefully, fighting down the dizziness, and said to the boy's mother, "I'm going to leave you alone for a few minutes… I know your boy doesn't want to tell tales, but this is so important… Talk to him, ma'am…"

He went out and walked unsteadily to the main door, going outside and sitting on the steps, letting the fresh air dry the sweat on his forehead. He drew his knees up and rested his head on them. He wasn't sure how long he sat there when Calleigh joined him. He felt her hand on his shoulder.

"Horatio?"

He raised his head. "Just having a break… Have you got anything?"

"Nothing definite - they all seem scared stiff… I'm sure they've been told not to talk to us. You?"

"I've got a lad who saw her held down. But he won't tell me who. Yet."

"Are you okay?" She frowned.

"Shouldn't I be?" He sighed, hesitated, then said, "No, I'm not…"

"You look as if you're about to pass out…"

"I was. Or throw up. Wasn't sure which."

"Oh sweetheart…" She stroked his shoulders. "I didn't know it was that bad… You didn't say."

"I don't broadcast it, Calleigh. But… I don't know if I can carry on with this. I'm sorry."

One of many things he admired about his second-in-command was her practicality. Now she hugged his shoulders gently, while reaching for her cell phone. "We need to get you out of here."

"We can't stop this now…" He gestured vaguely back at the school. "Everyone's here. We're close, Cal, so close to getting the whole story. I'll be all right. Just need a breather."

"I don't think you will. I'm not abandoning it - I'll do the rest myself. I'll get one of the others down to help… Horatio… let's just get you sorted first… Where do you want to go? Home?"

"I think… maybe the hospital. I'll get a taxi." At her look of alarm, he forced a smile. "Don't look like that. I've got an appointment there later anyway - I'll try to move it earlier. I'm sorry, I really thought I'd last the day."

"I don't want you to worry about it - I've got a hold on this case now, I promise. I won't let you down."

"You never have, Calleigh." He let his head droop back onto his knees, as he listened to her summoning, first a taxi, then Ryan.