In Death 24 - Innocent in Death

found plenty to tangle him up. Eve ordered in a team of sweepers, just to tie it off, then prepped for the interview.
    “We’re going to start with the murder, standard routine questions,” Eve told Peabody.
    “He hasn’t lawyered up. Feels too cocky.”
    “You ask me, this guy thinks with his cock most of the time.”
    “You got that right. So we use it. Just a couple of girls. From that quick preview of the discs McNab dug up, this one likes multiples. So we poke at him about the vic, then we jam him with the illegals we found in his place, then we work him on the murder again.”
    Juggle it, Eve thought as she went into the interview room. Keep him off balance.
    “It’s about damn time. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?” Williams demanded.
    “Do you have any idea what it does to my professional reputation to have a couple of police goons pull me out of class?”
    “We’ll get to that professional reputation in a minute. I need to log this interview in, give you your rights and obligations. Formalize it.”
    “My rights?” His body twitched, as if he’d experienced a small electric shock. “Am I under arrest?”
    “Absolutely not. But this is a formal interview, and there’s procedure designed to protect you. Do you want something to drink besides that water? Coffee-it sucks-a soft drink?”
    “I want this done so I can get out of here.”
    “We’ll try to keep it moving.” She logged in for the recorder, read him the Revised Miranda. “Do you understand your rights and obligations in this matter, Mr. Williams?”
    “Of course I do. That doesn’t make this any less annoying.”
    “I’m sure it doesn’t. Now, let’s go over your movements on the day Craig Foster was murdered.”
    “Christ! I’ve given you my statement already. I’ve cooperated.”
    “Listen.” Eve sat, stretched out her legs. “This is a homicide, and one that took place in a school where minors have been involved and affected.”
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    She turned her hand over, palm up, in a gesture of what-can-I-do. “We have to dig for every detail. People often forget details, so we routinely repeat interviews.”
    “We’re sorry for the inconvenience,” Peabody added with an understanding smile.
    “We’ve got to be thorough.”
    “Fine, fine. Try to get it right this time?”
    Oh, yeah, Eve thought. Very cocky and used to intimidating the girls. “We’ll do our best.
    From your previous statement, and the statements of others, you saw and/or spoke with the victim at least twice on the day of his death. Is this correct?”
    “Yes, yes, yes. In the fitness center, early, then in the lounge just before classes began. I told you.”
    “What did you and Mr. Foster talk about in the fitness center?”
    “We didn’t. I told you that.”
    Eve flipped through the files. “Mmm-hmm. But you and the victim did have occasion to have conversations previously.”
    “Well, Jesus, of course. We worked together.”
    “And were those conversations less than friendly?”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Eve folded her hands on top of the file, smiled winningly. “Then let me be clear. When Mr. Foster pinned your ears back about fishing in the work and parental pool for sex, would you consider those conversations of a friendly nature?”
    “I consider that question insulting.”
    “It seems from the statements we have from women you harassed or seduced, many of them found your advances and behavior insulting.” She closed the file and smiled again.
    “Come on, Reed, we know the score, you and me. These women didn’t complain. They liked the attention, they liked the excitement. You didn’t slap them around and rape them.
    It was consensual, and Foster-from what I gather-poked his nose in where it didn’t belong.”
    Williams drew a deep breath. “Letme be clear. I’ve never denied that I enjoy a certain amount of sexual success with women. It’s not illegal for me to enjoy that success with coworkers or with parents of students, for that matter. Unethical, perhaps.”
     
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    “Well, it actually is illegal to perform sexual acts in an educational facility when minors are present. So, if you had that success during school hours, on school grounds-where you kept a supply of condoms-you’ve committed a crime.”
    “This is bullshit.”
    “It is sort of nitpicky, I grant you, but I have to follow the law. I can talk to the PA about giving you the brush on that, but I need to get the