“I’ll come straight to the point, Mr. Bowen. It’s about Christopher Myers. He is a pupil here, right?”

“Yes. Yes, of course he is. But I’m puzzled. What could Chris possibly have done that merits police involvement?”

“It would be best if I didn’t talk about that just for the moment.”

“You’re fishing?”

“We call it looking for evidence.”

“Ah. Semantics.”

“Mr. Myers is helping us with our inquiries,” said Gerry.

Bowen laughed, and even Banks managed a smile. “Got it in one, DC Masterson,” he said.

“Well, in that case,” Bowen went on, “I’m still not sure how I can help you, but ask away.”

“Has Myers ever been in trouble?”

“No more than any other boy his age. The usual adolescent pranks.”

“Smoking behind the cycle sheds?”

“I’m afraid our cycle sheds don’t offer that much cover. Besides, you’d be surprised how many young people just don’t seem to smoke these days.”

“Not cigarettes, at any rate.”

“We don’t tolerate drugs here, Superintendent.”

“According to our information, Myers was issued with a stern warning last year after being discovered at a party where drugs and alcohol were present. He was seventeen at the time.”

“That did get back to me, and I certainly had words with him, as I’m certain his father did. I repeat, though, we don’t tolerate drugs here at St. Botolph’s, and there have been no issues along those lines involving Chris Myers.”

“Anybody else?”

“That would be between myself and their parents.”

“Me and his or her parents,” said Banks.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Don’t mind me. Semantics again. I’m just old-fashioned. I even use the subjunctive on occasion.”

Bowen smiled. “A regular Philip Marlowe.”

“One of my heroes. OK, so Myers hasn’t been involved in drugs here. Is there anything else we should know? Does he get into fights, for example?”

Bowen frowned. “Not that I know of. I’m not saying we don’t have any fights here. Of course, it happens. Boys will be boys and all that. But not Myers.”

“Any trouble with weapons? Knives, especially.”

“With Myers?”

“Anyone.”

“No. Naturally, they’re not allowed on school premises, and I’m happy to report that we’ve had no incidents, and I have never had to confiscate one. None of the other masters have, either, as far as I know.”

“Would they tell you?”

“Anything like that would have to be reported.”

“To the police, too?”

“Definitely. If we thought crime was involved. Possessing a dangerous weapon would be very high on our list of reportable offenses.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Is there anything else?”

Banks glanced at Gerry. “We’re trying to get a general sense of what Chris Myers is like,” she said. “What kind of boy he is. We were thinking this would be a good place to start.”