TOO CLOSE TO HOME
Chapter 9
Charlie immediately knew that something terrible had happened as soon as he saw the police cars and other vehicles; the bright yellow tape gleaming in the sunlight. He slowed down to approach, the realization coming to him that because he had failed, someone had died.
"Charlie," Terry called out when she caught sight of the mathematician.
"What?" Charlie asked, sliding off the bike and letting it fall unnoticed to the ground. He looked in her face, seeing the expression of concern there. "Who-who was it?"
"Charlie, I need to talk to you. Is there someplace we can go and sit down?" she said quietly. Spotting a couple of benches some distance away, she placed a hand on his arm and began to lead him over to them.
He offered no resistance as he was gently pushed down on one of the benches. "It was the killer, wasn't it?" he asked.
"We don't know for certain." She sat down beside him. "Charlie, the victim had identification on her in the name of Lorelei Harris. Don said she was one of your students. I'm so very sorry."
"Yes. She is—she was one of my best this…" His voice trailed off as realization hit him full force and for a moment he thought he was going to be physically ill. He closed his eyes as he fought off the feeling, letting it slowly subside.
Terry carefully watched as the color drained from his face and he looked as though he would be sick. She placed a gentle hand on his back while he leaned forward, head in his hands and taking shallow breaths. "Charlie?"
After a moment Charlie raised his head to look at her. "When-when did she die?"
"We don't know yet. Was she in your class yesterday? "
"Yes. And then later she came to my office after class hours. She wanted to ask how she was doing in class.," he replied.
"Charlie, the police are going to try and reconstruct her last twenty-four hours. So they'll most likely want to talk with you. It's just a formality if they come here. There's nothing to worry about. Do you know who I can talk to?"
"Lorelei had a roommate—Dawn Landry. She'll probably be able to tell you more."
Terry pulled out her notebook and wrote down the name. "We'll do that."
Don had finally managed to get away from the crime scene and quickly hurried to where Charlie was sitting with Terry. "Are you okay, Buddy?"
"I'm okay," Charlie replied although he appeared to be anything but that. Looking up at his older brother, he asked, "How did she die, Don? I want to know."
Don closed his eyes briefly as he thought about thee remains of a once pretty girl. He placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder and said, "You don't want to know, Charlie. Trust me. That is not the way you want to remember her."
Charlie nodded and after a minute and after a minute started to get up. "I need to get ready for class."
"Are you sure you're up to it?" Don asked.
"I have to be." He looked from Don to Terry. "Once I factor in this new variable, maybe I can come up with the equation you need." He quickly turned to head back to where he'd left his bike.
Don watched him leave and shook his head. "He's taking it hard."
"Did you expect him not to? He knows he's failed and now he's holding himself responsible for her death. Let's go see if David's found out anything new."
