"Yes. What is it?"
"Could I interview you separately, outside, to save some time?" he said, with a conspiratorial glance at May. “There are just a few background questions I need to discuss.”
"Sure. Sure."
She followed him out, to May's relief.
Now, with the parent out of the way thanks to Owen's clever maneuver, she thought Paul would speak more freely.
"I'm sorry about what's happened," she opened up. "We now have two students murdered. Alyssa Darlington, and also Sadie Croft."
She saw his eyebrows shoot up at the second name.
"I was Alyssa's friend at school," he said, his voice shaking.
"We are trying to build a picture of what happened. If you could tell us what you saw, that would be a big help."
"I don't know how much help I can be. I was, sort of, asleep when this all happened," he confessed.
"It's still important to know what you heard and saw," May said. "So you were asleep. Where were you?"
"I was under a tree. I had too much - er - well, I guess, too much to drink."
May looked at him closely. She thought this was a good opportunity to discreetly inquire about the dealer.
"We have heard that there might have been some people there, trying to sell alcohol and drugs."
Already, he was shaking his head vigorously.
"Obviously we are not going to prosecute any witnesses to a murder case for revealing information we need," May said firmly, hoping Paul would get the message.
Now, he looked up, showing interest.
"But we do need to know if there were any known people there, selling illegal substances. Imagine if we were able to find the killer, thanks to somebody being honest? That person would definitely receive our gratitude and respect."
She waited.
Paul shifted his feet.
"You sure I won't get in trouble?"
"I promise you," May reassured him.
"Because you know, my mom's been saying that we really need to catch this killer, that anyone could be next. And I feel bad telling you this, but yes, there was someone there who I had seen before, and know about."
"Who is that person?" May asked, feeling grateful that Paul was willing to speak.
"He - well, I don't know his real name. But everyone calls him Skunk," he said in a low voice.
Skunk? Well, this was a step forward.
"Does he sell drugs to people?"
"Yes. He used to be a student at Higginsvale High, a few years ago. He moves in those circles where he knows a lot of people, and he thinks he can do whatever he wants. Especially if there is money involved."
"And you saw him there?"
"Yes. Some of the guys tried to chase him off. I saw him shouting at Sadie. Saying she was on his turf. There was definitely trouble between them. I saw him pull a knife on one of the other guys but I don't know why. Then I think they surrounded him and he drove off in a hurry."