"That's insane, I have no idea why she'd say that. Why me, of all people?"

"Who, then?"

Winterthorn looked to the side. "That's not what I meant."

"What did you mean, Jim?"

Winterthorn slumped. "This is crazy, totally crazy. Dr. Helfgott pulls me out of class and now I'm being interrogated like a criminal."

"Interviewed," said Milo.

"I feel interrogated. Worse--intimidated. Like Guantanamo."

"How did you and Elise get along after the 'event'?"

"I avoided her."

"She made you nervous."

"Maybe that's why she made those insane accusations. She felt rejected."

"She came on to you again and you turned her down?"

"No, no, I'd avoid eye contact, she never had the opportunity. Maybe it annoyed her, I don't know. But what was my choice?"

"Science teachers not hobnobbing with English teachers made it easier for you," said Milo. "But general job stuff must've thrown you together."

"What do you mean?"

"Gripe sessions in the faculty lounge."

Winterthorn's laughter was quick, too emphatic. Grateful for the opportunity to be other than scared. "There are no gripe sessions at Prep. They'd be considered unseemly."

Milo said, "That sounds like a word Dr. Helfgott would use."

"As a matter of fact, it's one of his favorite adjectives."

"Unseemly," said Milo. "Guess that could apply to murder."

"That Dr. H. would probably call abominable."

"Hmm... okay, Jim, I'll need your mother's phone number and address."

Winterthorn's eyes bugged. "You're kidding."

"She's your alibi, Jim."

"I need an alibi?"

"Jim, look at the facts objectively: A woman accuses you of sexual harassment and now she's dead."

"I'm the only person she accused?"

"Should there be others, Jim?"

Silence.

"If there's something you know," said Milo, "now's the time."

Winterthorn sat down, lowered his head. "I'm probably opening a can of worms."

"Sometimes that's what it takes to catch fish, Jim."

Seconds passed. A sparrow settled on a rock in the garden. A raven swooped down and scared the smaller bird away.

Winterthorn covered his mouth with one hand, moaned into his palm softly. The hand lowered. "If you want to pursue that angle, I'd have a look at Enrico--Enrico Hauer. I'm sure he and Elise were seeing each other."

"Why?"

"They weren't exactly subtle, Lieutenant. Long looks, smiles, brushing against each other."

"Sounds like you were watching them, Jim."

"No, no, that's my point. It was hard to miss."

"What else can you tell me about Mr. Hauer?"

"He's from Argentina... he's... self-assured. Teaches urban studies and psychology."

"He and Elise had something going on."

"That was my impression."

"Problem is, Jim, that boils down to consensual hanky-panky, not harassment."

"The same applies to me! It was totally consensual--she initiated for God's sake--and it was only one time. Enrico, on the other hand..."

Winterthorn trailed off.

Milo said, "Okay, thanks for the help, Jim. Now, what's your mom's number?"

"What are you going to tell her?"

"That your whereabouts are part of a routine investigation."