“I feel numb,” Mirri stated. “In my chest, and the back of my skull. She said he’d been poisoned. Ricin. Ben knew what that was.”
“I’m a copy editor for the Times,” he explained as he got cups out of a cupboard in the kitchen alcove. “I know all sorts of things.”
“He explained, but I don’t see how…I can’t see why.”
“Where were you yesterday morning between ten and eleven?”
“Me?” Still wearing her coat, Mirri dropped into a chair. “Ten? Drama Club meeting. We’re working on the spring play.”
“The entire hour.”
“Yes. Well, I had to go down, check with Home Science. They’re designing some of the costumes as part of their grade this term. I’d forgotten to take the disc of designs when I’d been in there the day before.”
“You signed in just after eight yesterday. Your first class isn’t until nine.”
“I tutor some students on Mondays and Thursdays. Eight to eight forty-five. I was late, actually. I don’t understand why…” Suddenly realization and shock rippled over her face. “Oh, yes, I do. Ben.”
“They have to ask, Mirri.” His voice was calming as he came back with her tea, pressed the cup into her hands. “They have to ask questions, gather information. You want to help, don’t you?”
“Yes. Of course. Yes. I’ve never been questioned by the police before. Now twice in two days, and knowing what happened to Craig…”
“Did you see anyone outside the classroom during that period?”
“Let me think a minute, the whole day’s turned into a messy jumble in my head.” She closed her eyes, took a slow sip of the tea. “Yes. I remember seeing two of the boys going to the library. Preston Jupe andT. J. Horn. They use the ‘research’ ploy a few times every week if they can manage it.”
She opened her eyes again. “If there was anyone else, it just didn’t register. I was thinking about the play, and annoyed with myself for forgetting the disc.”
After giving Peabody her tea, Ben sat on the arm of Mirri’s chair, laid a hand gently on her shoulder.
“Are you aware of any friction between Craig and any member of the staff?”
“I’m not. I wasn’t. Honestly, I don’t think there was any to be aware of.”
“Did you have sexual relations with Reed Williams?”
“No! Oh, God. Absolutely not.” She blushed crimson, right up to her hairline. “Ben, I never—”
“It’s all right. Is that the one Craig called Casanova?”
Mirri winced. “Yes. He asked me out a couple of times, but I wasn’t interested. He’s too slick and studied. And besides, it’s complicated when you work with someone, so I didn’t want to get started down that road.”
“Do you work out, use the school facilities?”
“Not as often as I should.” She blushed again, just a little this time. “Hardly ever, actually.”
“Did Craig ever discuss Reed William’s sexual activities with you?”
“This is very uncomfortable. I guess I mentioned to Lissy, a few months ago, that I was thinking about going out with Reed. I was having a really long dry spell. She said something to Craig about it, because he told me that Reed was involved with someone he shouldn’t be involved with, and he thought I should steer clear. I did.”
“Did you always do what Craig advised?”
“It wasn’t like that. I trusted his instincts, and they matched my own in this case. To be embarrassingly honest, I was just feeling lonely. I’m not the sort men chase after.”
“Excuse me?” Ben said, and she managed a smile.
“You didn’t have to run very fast.”
“Who was Williams involved with?” Eve asked.