TOO CLOSE TO HOME

Chapter 12

The dismissal bell rang and Charlie's students began to file out. He had made it through two more classes, basically just letting them talk while he worked on the equation. They obviously weren't going to pay attention. and he didn't have the heart or the patience to force them to do so.

It was his lunchbreak but he sat alone in the empty classroom. Not even having the energy or desire to go get food he probably wasn't going to eat.,

A knock on the door drew his attention. He looked up to see a man and woman standing there. They drew their badges and the man said, "Dr. Charles Eppes?"

"I'm Dr. Eppes," Charlie said.

"I'm Detective Kazinski and this is Detective Ames. We'd like to ask you a few questions about Lorelei Harris."

"Go ahead."

"Dr. Eppes, we'd prefer you come down to the station to answer the questions," Kazinski said mildly although his meaning was clear.

Charlie nodded, and making sure he had his keys, he started to reach for his pen and notebook. Detective Ames had been watching him because she said, "No. Leave them here."

"I do have a class in about half an hour," Charlie told the two detectives as they walked out of the building.

"This shouldn't take long," Kazinski said. When they reached the car, he indicated that Charlie get in the backseat while he and Ames got in front.

"Is this really necessary? I could have answered your questions in the classroom."

Ames answered, "Dr, Eppes, some questions have come up concerning you."

Charlie leaned back in the seat, resigning himself to the situation. It was obvious that he wouldn't be back in time for his next class. Either someone was going to have to cover for him or dismiss class all together. Which wouldn't be such a bad idea.