"They said they would like to give their input and answer questions. They just want to try to do the right thing for the students. But it might be that one of them has come across incriminating evidence, or a student has told them something in confidence. No students have come forward. The school called me and told me. So it's possible one of the teachers is here to act as a proxy."
"That's definitely possible," May said.
"I think you should talk to them immediately. Maybe that's our next step. It’s going to be important to get their testimony before you interview Adamson again."
"That could get us further,” May agreed. She was feeling distinctly flat about the case. Interviewing the teachers might take a lot of time, but if it gave her the fragment of a lead, it could be helpful in her next showdown with Coach Adamson.
"I'll take Adamson down to the holding cells. You can use the interview room. Make sure to ask the teachers about the interactions with the students, and if they noticed any untoward engagement between them and the suspect."
May felt as if there was now a ray of hope in the case. She was sure that one of the students had shared something in confidence with a teacher. And, with these kind people having come forward to volunteer, they might just learn a shocking truth.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
May watched at the police department's side entrance as Sheriff Jack, together with one of the other police, escorted Coach Adamson down to the cells. She hoped that some time down there would allow him to rethink and decide that it was better to give up on his denial.
But she was more hopeful about the different strategies they now had, that might prove his guilt circumstantially.
Owen was already on the way to his house, to do a search for any hidden storage devices or other concealed evidence.
And three teachers were lined up, having voluntarily come forward to offer their testament in this tragic case. May felt incredibly thankful that they had taken the time to do this. These teachers must have information they thought would be important.
Hopefully it would be enough to plug the holes in this case that seemed to be causing it to leak again and again.
The sergeant at the desk was busy processing these witnesses, taking their names and details, before escorting them to the interview room.
Hearing footsteps approach the interview room, May turned and hurried back inside. She needed to get these interviews concluded as soon as possible. The community was restless, angry, and seeking answers. They had to press the charges as soon as possible, but May deeply feared that a flawed case might sink them.
As the new deputy for Tamarack County, she did not want that on her record. It would be disastrous.
The responsibility was a lead weight on her shoulders as she stepped into the room, sure that Sheriff Jack would be feeling exactly the same. May realized she'd learned a lot of her work ethics and values from her boss, who embodied integrity.
If only everyone was like him! But instead, they were dealing on a constant basis with people who lied, people who made up stories and concealed facts and created false scenarios either for their own benefit, or to take someone else down.
Sometimes, May despaired about humanity, although she had to admit that in her community, more of what happened did end up restoring her faith in it.
However, she knew that even though she suspected Coach Adamson might be lying and was concealing very pertinent information on this case, it could also be that others would do the same. Some people might have a motive for wanting to take the coach down.
She would have to carefully analyze each of these testimonies, and ensure that she tested their versions just as thoroughly as she'd tested the suspect's.
Having given herself this short but important pep talk, May stepped into the room, coming face to face with a young, dark haired, wide-eyed woman with an earnest expression.
"Good morning," she greeted her with a warm nod. "I'm Deputy Moore."
"Yes, I know," the teacher said. "I'm Gwendoline Evans and I used to be taught by your mom. Mrs. Moore! She was so awesome. She taught me math, science, and history. She brought the past world alive for me. In fact, she's one of the reasons I was inspired to become a teacher."
"That's wonderful," May said. She’d heard lots of tributes like that about her mom. It always made her feel proud, but at the same time, as if she could never fill her shoes adequately.
"So I thought it was my duty to give testimony," Gwendoline said. "I don't know if my story will be helpful, but if it helps solve this crime, I'll be very happy."
"We're investigating every possibility," May told her. "Any details will be helpful to us."
"I was at the school on Friday, the day before the prom, and I saw something that might be important. I'd like to share it with you."
"Please go on,” May said.
"It was toward the end of the day, and students were rushing out. I was in my office, just wrapping up some things, and I heard a commotion from the hallway. It took me a moment to realize it was the suspect who I now know to be Coach Adamson. He was arguing with two other teachers, and taking them to task for something."
"I see," said May. "And what was it about?"