TOO CLOSE TO HOME

Chapter 10

The news about Lorelei had spread, as bad news does, all over the campus. When the bell for first class rang, Charlie's students filed in, quietly talking.

He turned away from the chalkboard to note that everyone was present and in their right seats. "Please take out your books and turn to unit five," he said and began writing again.

Charlie listened for the rustling of pages and the few moans and groans he'd come to expect. But, except for a few quiet voices, all was silent. Placing his chalk in the tray, he looked to see that not one had opened his or her book. It was obvious that no one was going to pay any attention. And his heart really wasn't into formally conducting class. He moved to his desk and set down. "All right, it's obvious that we're not going to get anything done today. I can't let you leave before the dismissal bell, so just stay in your seats and be quiet. We'll just start over again on Monday."

"Wasn't Lorelei in one of your classes?" one of the girls asked.

Charlie looked at her, long hair and attractive Oriental features, and searched for her name. "Yes, she was." He rubbed his temple as though trying to massage away the headache that had decided to settle in.

"I heard it was that guy who killed all the others."

"Yeah. Did you see the FBI and police all over the place.

"Just like one of those TV shows?"

Charlie let them talk on, only half listening. He opened his notebook and started work on the equation again.