23
Excited by the start of a new school year, students poured back into the hallways. As they passed Aline, many of them stopped to tell her how sorry they were about Kerry. Aline tried to keep her eyes from welling up as one after the other they told her they couldn’t believe what had happened to her sister. “Neither can I” was her answer.
The day passed by in a blur. After the school buses had come and gone and the teachers began to go home, Aline sat in her office. She tried to familiarize herself with the names of this year’s seniors. She knew that one of her jobs would be to help them finalize which colleges they would apply to.
She was troubled by the fact that the first thing she had done on the computer was to look up the information requested by Mike Wilson. She worried that if they found out what she had given to the detective, her first day at Saddle River High School could be her last. She hoped not.
There was a tap on her door. Pat Tarleton opened it and came in. “So Aline, how did the first day go?”
“As well as can be expected,” Aline said wryly. “That said, it feels good to be here. And I’m looking forward to getting to know the students and my fellow faculty.”
“Speaking of that, I noticed that you and Scott Kimball were chatting in the teachers’ lounge together. He’s been a great addition to the faculty this past year. His math classes have been very popular with the students. And he’s been a godsend for the girls lacrosse program.”
“He had some of the players at the wake with him,” Aline said, her tone noncommittal.
“And I remember Kerry talking about what a great coach he was. Okay, I just wanted to pop by. See you in the A.M.”
The door had barely closed behind Pat when Aline’s cell phone rang. It was Mike Wilson.
“Aline, when Kerry was in touch with you, whether by phone, text or email, did she ever mention somebody stopping to help her with a flat?”
In her mind Aline raced through her recent emails from Kerry. “No, I don’t recall that. I assume there’s a reason you’re asking.”
“I’m just trying to be thorough. One of Kerry’s friends told me that someone who helped her change a flat got a little aggressive with her after she refused to invite him to the party. It’s probably nothing. But I want to find out that person’s name.”
“Do you think he may have been the one who . . . ?”
“Aline, we follow up on anything that might turn out to be relevant. That’s why I need to ask your folks about the flat tire.”
“Of course.”
“How are they doing?”
“I know going back to work is helping my father. My mother is pretty bad.”
“Will they be home this evening? Kerry might have talked to them about the flat and who helped her. Do you know what time might be convenient for them?”
“Dad is usually home by six-thirty. We never eat before seven-thirty. I would say about six-forty-five.”
“Fine. I’ll see you then as well.”
Aline pushed the button to power down her computer. She was about to get out of her chair when there was another knock on the door. Scott Kimball came into her office.
The lacrosse coach was also a mathematics instructor, teaching courses in algebra, geometry and calculus. It was the beginning of his second year at this school. He had been hired a year earlier to replace a retiring teacher, and the athletic director had been delighted to find in Kimball someone who had played lacrosse and was willing to coach it. He was quickly made head coach of the girls’ varsity squad.
“Just a social visit,” he said. “How is it going?”
“My grandparents have gone back to Arizona. I’ll miss them, but in a way it’s easier. My dad went back to work. My mother is having a really hard time. Of course, we all are. But she’s determined to keep as busy as possible.”
“Aline, I know the timing may not be right, it might be premature, but I’m going to plow forward anyway. I would very much enjoy taking you to dinner. I’ve been dying to try a new French restaurant that opened right on the Hudson in Nyack. I’m told the food and the view are both great.”
Aline hesitated. Undoubtedly Scott was an attractive man. But she wasn’t sure if it was wise to socialize—oh come on, call it what it really is—date a fellow staffer. “I’m not ready yet, but can we talk about it in a couple weeks?”
“Absolutely. As you know, I’ll be around.”
With a wave he left her office.
Aline thought of Kerry’s reaction to Kimball at the end of last season. He’s a great coach and a really nice guy. He was so much better than the former coach, Don Brown, who had no idea what he was doing. Score one for you, Kerry, Aline thought. It seems like you would have approved of my joining Scott Kimball for dinner at the restaurant with the great view.
She locked her door behind her and headed out to the parking lot.