Schooled in Murder: A Tom and Scott Mystery (Tom & Scott Mysteries) by Zubro Mark Richard

Author:Zubro, Mark Richard [Zubro, Mark Richard]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2008-07-07T16:00:00+00:00

26

As I made my way though the darkened gym, I heard my name called. I glanced around warily. Edgar Cauchon, the athletic director, hustled across the floor toward me. Cauchon, like so many PE coaches, had let his body run to a barrel belly, which he clad in an array of sweatpants and T-shirts that must be sold on an Ugly Gym Teachers’ Clothes Web site. Today’s outfit was maroon.

He asked, “Are they going to cancel the football game tonight?”

“I have no idea.”

“They can’t do that. It’s all set up. I’ve got parents calling me insisting we play. I’m sure there’s no danger to the kids.”

“If something bad does happen, are you planning to pay out of your own pocket for any lawsuits that are filed?”

“We’ve got to play the game.”

I said, “I don’t care if you play the game.”

“You’re the union rep. You’ve got to handle this.”

I said, “Talk to Teresa Merton.”

“She won’t listen. She never does.”

I said, “I heard you and a bunch of the guys play cards at lunchtime.”

“Huh?”

I waited.

“Well, sometimes. It’s not a crime. It’s not a lot of money.” “You guys have an argument this week?” “No. Who told you that?”

“Just a rumor I’m checking.”

“It’s not true.”

I said, “Did you know Peter well?”

“He was real friendly. A great guy.”

I said, “Do you know anyone who would have a reason to kill him?”

“No.”

“He never talked about other people in the English department?”

“No offense, but who cares about the English department?”

Over the years the PE department had become known for opposing every contract and for being the biggest complainers. They’d gotten nothing in our last contract settlement. You want to be the continuous, unreasoning opposition? Yeah, well, welcome to getting nothing.

I said, “I got a rumor that you guys had a pretty organized way of double dipping. Was Peter in on that?”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“District office is responsible for checking pay sheets.”

“Actually, you would be. You’re the one who has to sign off on all the coaching assignments. It’s likely that the secretaries don’t have the season schedules memorized.”

“Double dipping doesn’t happen.”

“You sure? You’re in charge. If you haven’t done it, but you know about it, you could still be in trouble.”

He said, “Nobody keeps perfect records.”

I said, “Maybe one of your colleagues has been keeping track behind your back. The English department might not be the only one with vicious backstabbing beyond reason. If one person has records and is planning to go public, then you could all be in trouble.”

“I know who it is: it has to be Emily Haggerty. She’s a lesbian who hates the rest of us.”

“I’ll have to talk with her.”

“Do you really need to bring all this up?”

“Peter was an assistant football coach. Was he double dipping?”

“Maybe. I guess. I’m not sure.”

I waited some more.

Finally, “Peter might have, but nobody would be angry enough to kill over it. And that Eberson woman wasn’t even a coach.”

“Did Peter take somebody else’s coaching position?” “Nothing like that happens.” I said, “You guys rigging grades for athletes?” “Hey, that’s out of line.

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