TOO CLOSE TO HOME
Chapter 14
A quick visit to Calsci yielded the fact that Charlie had left the campus in the company of two detectives.
"Why couldn't they have just talked to him in his office?" Don wondered aloud. He was angry at the fact that his younger brother was most likely being treated like some suspect.
Terry didn't blame him for his anger. She didn't like it either. "Remember what I told you. The police are looking at what they see. And what they see is a college professor meeting after hours with a student who has now turned up dead."
"The six week interval was never released to the public," Don said. "But Charlie knew it. Damn it, they're going to make him look guilty even when he's not!"
"I admit that the evidence is flimsy at best and probably wouldn't hold up in court," Terry said. "But right now it's what the police have. All they need is a DNA sample from Charlie and it will clear him right away."
Don was still angry when they arrived at the police station. He marched over to the desk, flashing his ID. "I understand that you brought in Dr. Charles Eppes for questioning."
The officer looked at the ID and asked, "Eppes? Any relation?"
"My brother," Don explained. "Not that it makes any difference."
Terry showed her ID. "Is there anyway we could see him?"
"He's waiting to be interviewed. I'll get the detectives in charge."
"You do that," Don snapped. "They can tell me why we weren't informed of this."
"We were going to inform you once we conducted the interview," Kazinski said as he approached. He introduced himself and his partner. "I'm Detective James Kazinski and this is Detective Beth Ames."
"I'm Agent Don Eppes and this is Agent Terry Lake."
Kazinski looked at the agent asked, "Eppes? Are you any relation by the way?"
"He's my brother. I'd like to talk to him for a moment," Don said.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that. However, you can observe the interview from outside. Please come this way."
"I guess we have no choice," Don muttered as they followed the two detectives.
"Right here," Kazinski said as they stopped before a viewing window.
Don frowned as he looked in the window. Charlie was seated alone at the table, his head resting in one hand while the fingers of the others drew apparently meaningless patterns on the table. Don suspected that the patterns meant something to Charlie. And that he was using it as a way to calm his restless mind. Lowering his voice, he spoke to Terry. "How does Charlie look to you?"
She had been carefully studying the young mathematician. "He's nervous and confused about what's going on," Terry said quietly.
"I bet. I think this is the first time he's ever been interviewed by the police like this," Don replied, emphasizing the word interview.
You can listen in on the intercom if you want," Kazinski offered as he and Ames prepared to enter the room.
"Since the FBI has jurisdiction in this case, it's only right that the FBI sits in on the interview," Terry spoke up.
"All right," Kazinski relented. "But not you," he poked a finger at Don. "I don't want you in way coaching your brother on what to say."
Its okay, Don. At least Charlie won't feel he's all alone in there," Terry tried to reassure him.
He nodded, still staring at the window.
