I lay on the sofa watching a show with my head in my father's lap. He gently stroked my hair as we watched. When the program ended Dad asked what I thought of the whole thing.
"Aliens and paranormal in one show? The history channel should be stripped of their name. I mean the only show they have that is remotely historical is the one about Oak Island and they seem to invite every loon with a theory on the show. With shows like this last one it should be called The Hysteria Channel instead."
"We could have watched something else you know," Dad reminded me.
"No it's okay, I needed a good laugh. They have some of the worst excuses for serious historians on TV. "You have to ask yourself" was used by that one Childers guy fifteen times, I kept count. He sounds like a moose with bad adenoids."
Dad laughed out loud, " you are so funny Son, they are a comical bunch but it's a nice escape from the events of a long day?" Dad related.
"Are you adjusting to the new job and are the people adjusting to you?" I asked.
"I think so, we're kicking off a large investigation so it's only a matter of time before I have to talk to the media. I have never enjoyed that. I will try to get the jump on them by doing a few interviews with potential witnesses. We can't conceal the crimes for long and the press will get wind of it, I will try to get them to work with us. I'll remind them that I can make their lives harder than they can make mine," Dad chuckled.
"Do you think you'll have time to come by and see the school tomorrow Dad?"
"I will certainly try; if something breaks that I have to deal with, probably not. But I hope that doesn't happen. If I am able to show up, I'll try to keep a low profile as far as my job is concerned."
"You don't need to do that Dad, as long as you don't arrive with a swat team and start searching people," I laughed.
"That would be a good way to break the ice wouldn't it though?" Dad grinned.
"I think I should go to bed, I enjoyed hanging out with you Dad," I told him and kissed his cheek.
"Same here Jem, sleep well, I'll see you in the morning," Dad replied with a kiss on the cheek.
After looking in on John, sleep came easily and morning arrived swiftly.
Mom walked over with me to deliver John into Janisse' care. Mom received a quick tour of the decor that Jeff had specified. Clean angular lines coupled with pieces from the Arts & Crafts movement of the early twentieth century. Chase showed her his desk and chest of drawers. He told her he was nearly done building a bedframe in Hiro's workshop. Jeff showed us a display case full of antique drafting tools, I spied the compass and divider set that Chase had purchased the day I met him. Chase had built the case with Hiro's assistance the year before.
"I'm truly impressed Chase, you are a craftsman of great talent. I hope you keep on with it, you certainly have the eye for style and execution," Mom gushed.
"Thanks Minnie, I really enjoy working in wood, there is something about bringing a vision into being that makes me very happy," Chase replied.
"I think we should get going, it's only my second trip there and I want to be early," Mom suggested.
"There's nothing to it Minnie, just stay on the Spokane street viaduct and take south Columbia way and follow it to Rainier avenue South, the school is on your right and it's hard to miss," Jeff supplied.
"Thanks Jeff, I have the GPS in the car if I get too lost," Mom replied.
I kissed Chase goodbye and Mom and I went back to the house.
The main school building was nineteenth century architecture and the later buildings were of a more modern but complimentary style. The latest building was the library which looked like an inverted cradle with exposed beams that looked like rockers supporting a rounded roof that conformed to the beams. The sides were exposed redwood and darkly tinted glass and sloped away giving the building a wider footprint than the roof. I liked it immediately.
"It's lovely isn't it, Dad designed it and the school had it built just the way he drew it. It has a modular floor plan and it can be changed to make more rooms or open them up with sliding panels. I'm really proud of dad's work," Chase crowed quietly. I wanted to kiss him but I didn't.
Shortly after we arrived, Dad showed up, he had a driver that stayed with the car. Usually it was Dad that did the driving except when he was with Mom. Mom's a really good driver and doesn't get distracted or emotional when driving.
"This is quite a place where do we start?
"Oh, this way, I'll take you to admin so you can check in and then we can start the tour." We all checked in and another boy in a blazer and guide sash escorted us through the various buildings including the library.
"We'll move on to the language building now, you'll get to see more of it during the live-in week at the beginning of term," Our guide informed us.
"Live in week?" I asked.
"Yes Etienne, we all board in for the first week of term, the teachers think it builds community among the students, did you miss that in your guide?" Chase asked.
"I must have, it sounds interesting, it will be nice to see what the rooms are like for those nights I do need to board. It doesn't apply to John and Carter does it?" I asked.
"No, fifth graders on up only, the little guys can't cope with that," Roland our guide put in.
Good morning Mr. Janvier, these two boys will be your students next term," Roland informed him.
"What are your names, boys," M. Janvier asked.
"My name is Chase and this is Etienne, he already speaks French but I don't , except a few simple phrases."
"Bonjour Monsieur Janvier, je m'apelle Etienne," I said.
"Tres bon Etienne, tout simplement merveilleux," the teacher exalted.
"Merci Monsieur, avez-vous une copie du programme s'il vous plait?" I asked
Mr. Janvier began to laugh, "You are really going to liven up the advanced French class my boy. How do you come to speak the language so well and can you keep up with grammar and the written word?"
"Yes sir, Mom has been very thorough in her teaching."
"Ah I see, does that account for the Bretagne accent you possess?
"My mother's family has holdings there, and I have visited," I informed him.
"Well then, here are copies of the syllabus for both classes, Chase, you are indeed lucky to have a friend who can also serve as a coach. French can be difficult but with the right approach you will pick it up quickly," Mr. Janvier assured him.
We continued on with Roland as our guide.
"Wow you really impressed Mr. Janvier, you will probably be in the same class as me, but I don't speak it anywhere near as good as you, maybe you can coach me, too?" Roland chattered.
"Thanks Roland, will I be the youngest guy in the class?"
"No I doubt it, there's Billy, he's good with language but he sucks at math. He's only twelve, he's nice and we trade help in our weak classes, Jerry and Mitch are also younger, I don't know them very well. They don't board in. Are you guys boarding or local? Oh and call me Bats," Roland insisted.
"Bats, is that your Mob name?" I chuckled.
"No, I like them, you know bats, little flying mammals. I've been studying them since I was seven. Are you afraid of bats?"
"Not at all, I can't speak for Chase but I doubt it, I might be boarding a few nights a week if there's a reason. Both our little brothers are starting this year but they'll get picked up earlier than us," I explained.
"No I like bats, they eat mosquitos and make the park livable. They're cool little animals. I'm going to build a roost for them in the back yard, I have the plans," Chase put in.
"Where in town do you live?" asked Bats
"West Seattle near Lincoln park," Chase supplied.
"There's several species around here, if you want natural insect control build a small roost for Myotis bats. Larger bats go after bigger insects but the Myotis likes little bugs like flies and mosquitoes. I can give you a link to a web site if you want," Bats informed us.
"Cool, thanks just send it here," Chase requested as he held up his phone with the number displayed.
They had passed into the music building which housed musical instrument classes and vocal instruction.
Mom, Dad and Jeff were speaking to a presumed teacher and I waved to dad as we ambled down the hallway.
"That's Mr. Courtney, the chief proctor. He's mostly concerned with keeping people safe and visitors from just walking on to campus. Kind of like a security guard. He and his guys are pretty cool. I saw them take down a crazy guy that climbed the wall once. They just suddenly came from all directions and the guy didn't know what to think. He got hurt worse when he climbed the wall than when they grabbed him. It was something to see," Bats commented.
"Well young master Connaught nice to see you, are you meeting all your new teachers?" A man called Bressini asked.
"Yes sir, this is my friend Etienne he's starting here in the new term," Chase uttered nervously.
"How do you do young man, I'm the assistant choir director. I work with the boys like Chase here," He oozed.
Still, when he extended his hand I shook it. I didn't like what I felt. This was not a good man, not a molester but a bully.
"Chase, I noticed you haven't signed up for chorale group this term?" Bressini said with an air of menace in his voice.
"No sir, I'm taking piano this year, it's time to do something new," Chase explained.
"What can I do to change your mind, we need every voice you know," Bressini followed.
I watched as he reached out and pinched the back of Chase's left arm. Chase grimaced and I had to act.
I tapped a point on Bressini's shoulder after projecting a sort of mental shout to my dad and he looked our direction in time to see Bressini holding his limp arm and Chase crying from pain and embarrassment.
"Keep your hands off him," I commanded using a voice technique learned many lives ago.
"Bressini! What the hell are you doing? I'm done with you abusing these boys," Dylan Courtney said tersely.
"Why don't you find a quiet room for this gentleman to reflect in while we talk to the boys," Dad suggested in soft tones.
"Lets' see your arm Chase," Dad requested pulling out his phone. He took a couple photos of the red marks left by Bressini.
Jeff and Mom walked up after finishing a conversation with another parent. Mr. Courtney was right behind them.
"What's going on Mike, are you okay Chase?!" Jeff demanded.
"Okay Jeff, relax. Chase is fine he's just a little sore and upset as near as I can tell. I need to talk to him in private, actually I'll have Maloney come talk to him and Courtney and I will talk to the assistant choirmaster," Dad soothed.
"Dylan, can we borrow this office here?" Dad asked.
"Sure Mike, the Choirmaster just arrived on campus so he'll be here soon. So will the Dean of students," Dylan approved.
"Jeff, I'd like you and Minnie to wait in the common area around the corner. I need Chase to be relaxed and not discuss the issue until we're ready,"
"Okay Mike, we'll go have a seat."
"Okay Chase, we're going to go wait around the corner. Mike will have you talk to someone and then you and I can talk okay?" Jeff assured.
"Sure Dad, I'm okay now. Can I stay out here with Etienne until they're ready for me?"
"Sure son, you just can't discuss what happened out here."
"Man this is freaking weird, are we finally going to get rid of that douche Bressini?" Bats inquired.
"I don't know Bats, until my Dad talks to all of us we better not discuss it," I suggested.
"Who is your Dad anyway?" Bats asked.
"He's the head of the Homicide bureau for the county," I explained.
"Damn, that's actually pretty cool," Bats chirped and went to join Jeff and Mom in the common area.
"Do you want me to bring you something to drink?" I asked Chase.
"No I'm good, I'm just a little upset. I wish you could kiss me now but it will have to wait. I'm really sorry this happened," Chase whispered.
"Dad, I'm going to walk Chase over to the restroom and I'll bring him back in a minute,"
"Okay, just don't discuss the incident," Dad admonished.
"We won't," I answered.
"Do you need to go?" Chase asked.
"No, do you?"
"Not really."
"Good that gives us more time for this. I pulled Chase into a hug and covered his mouth with mine. We stayed that way for a few minutes and Chase pulled back.
"I think we better go back. Thanks for thinking of this Jem. I'll be fine now."
I kissed him again and we went back to the hallway. Courtney opened the choirmasters office and Chase took a seat.
"Jack, I need you to interview the victim of an assault. I'll be speaking with the suspect, the victim is a friend of my son and he was allegedly assaulted by a teacher. Just go easy on the boy, he's pretty upset right now, and stow the badge we want this to be low profile as possible," Mike instructed.
"You got it Mike." Jack pulled his badge from his chest pocket and placed the case back inside his jacket.
"Anthony Bressini is that your real name or an alias?" Mike asked sitting across a table from Bressini.
Mike mirandized Bressini, and the true weight of what sort of trouble he was in suddenly hit the man. He declined to have an attorney present thinking he could still talk his way out of this.
"Where in the code of conduct does it allow you to bruise children and force them to do anything against their will?"
"What bruises, I was just talking to him about signing up for Chorale group," Bressini insisted.
Mike brought his phone up and showed the photos of Chase's arm.
"I didn't think I was squeezing that hard. It was just a little pinch. Why make such a big deal about it?"
"Because assault on a child is a class B felony, it's a serious matter. I imagine that he is not the first boy you've tried to retain through intimidation. Oddly, that's a class A felony here."
A tap at the door interrupted the conversation. Jack was waiting on the other side.
Mike warned Bressini to remain seated or Mr. Courtney might feel compelled to detain him, physically. Courtney smiled evilly and Bressini looked nervous.
"The boy is telling the truth Mike. I'm convinced of that. I used to get the same treatment from the Jesuits after they couldn't paddle us anymore. My arms always hurt and they were black and blue, the bastards would do it for any infraction. It sort of became a badge of honor to have the bruises. Then we got a new coach and he wasn't a priest. He saw us all standing in the sun with only our running shorts and asked about the bruises, He asked who was doing it and nobody would answer. He finally got it, but the practice stopped and a couple of the worst were reassigned to non-teaching duties elsewhere," Jack explained.
"Take Chase back to his Dad with a tablet to write out a statement," Mike directed.
"Already done, there's a computer in the office and he typed it out, printed it and signed it. Bright kid I gotta say,"
"Well, I'll go back and inquire about Mr. Bressini's educational experience. Why don't you speak with my son and I'll talk with the third boy," Mike suggested.
"I'm on it Mike."
"So tell me Mr. Bressini where were you educated?"
Holy Trinity in Indianapolis, why?"
"I was wondering where you picked up that technique for controlling and punishing children. Did you become a Jesuit yourself?" Mike asked
"No, I tried but they didn't want me. I wasn't college material."
"Ah I see, and how did you come to work here?" Mike probed further.
"My Dad got me the job before he died. I should have taken the tool and die job at Western mechanical. These little pussies can't even take a little pinch," Bressini groused.
When Jack was done speaking with me he reported back to Dad.
"Same story Mike, viewed from a slightly different angle. Your son told the guy to release the victim and you arrived," Jack reported.
"Yes, I saw the guy release Chase and noticed the marks. Would you be so kind as to handcuff Mr. Bressini and prepare him for transport. Mr. Courtney will assist you if needed. Do a thorough search and one of Courtney's men will give you a Blue Ray of the incident. Please hang on to it and we'll book it into evidence. I'll have a chat with the third boy Roland and we'll wrap this up. Oh, have a uniform do the transport."
"Hello again Roland, by now you know who I am and what I do. How much of the incident did you see?"
"Well sir, I was on the other side of Mr. Bressini so I didn't see him do it but I could tell what he was doing by Chase's face, he's done it to me lots of times. Then Etienne yelled at him and he let go. Is that guy going to jail?" Bats asked.
"I'm afraid I have no choice in a case like this. I doubt he'll go to prison but we will be booking him in at the jail, He'll have to post bail. If you see him here or anywhere else keep your distance. But if you do see him here you need to call a proctor on the double. So I'm going to ask you to write out what you told me on the computer here and you and I can review it. It doesn't have to be a great work of literature. Simple language is fine. Lawyers will have to read it and they aren't real smart most of them," Mike grinned.
Bats laughed and began typing away while Mike stepped outside to speak with the Choir Master and the Dean of students.
"Good morning gentlemen, sorry to meet this way, which of you is Dr. Holtz?"
"I am Dr. Holtz, can you tell us what's been happening here?"
"Yes sir, sorry we had to take over your office but it wasn't avoidable. We are charging your assistant with assault on a child under sixteen, that's a felony in this state as you may know. It can only be mitigated by the child acting in an assaultive manner or if the child is armed. Mr. Bressini had the bad luck to assault a child in my presence. I'm obligated by law to arrest him. Mr. Kilcher is it, what I need to know from you is what sort of complaints you've received about the man's behavior," Mike explained.
"There have been allegations by former students and parents. There have been questions about bruising on some of the boys but nothing we could substantiate. I counseled him about using abusive speech towards our students. I should have just fired him then. How did you come to be here if I might ask?" Dr. Kilcher inquired.
"My son was taking the tour of the school and his mother and I were accompanying him,"
"Oh I see, I hope this experience doesn't sour your son on attending here. Sadly we have to work within the same labor rules as every other private school and we can't just fire somebody on hearsay or gossip," Mr. Kilcher sighed. "We contacted the Seattle police department but they didn't have enough evidence to even justify interviewing Mr. Bressini."
"I quite understand, I don't think any of the boys are put off by the incident and the knowledge that the man cannot return will give them the sense of security they deserve. You will need to speak with Mr. Connaught as it was his son that was assaulted. I will speak with him first and I'm reasonably certain he will accept the outcome as is. Namely that Mr. Bressini is never allowed on campus again. With an arrest like this the state will pull his license so it's a nonissue.
"I would recommend that you pack up any of his personal items and ship them to his home address. Did he have a personal laptop of computer here?" Mike asked.
"He has, or had a laptop issued by the school, it has proprietary software installed. I will have the IT department download the files and see if any are of interest to you," Dr. Kilcher promised.
"I doubt he's a pedo, but he may have other issues. But by all means let me know and I'll have someone take a discrete look," Mike encouraged.
"Thank you , we would appreciate that," Dr Kilcher replied.
Dad joined us where we were sitting.
"Hi, are you all okay, I'm sorry this interrupted our tour. We've arrested the man who assaulted you Chase. I can't honestly say why, but I happened to be looking your way when he let go. So how about you Jeff, are you okay with the outcome?" Dad asked.
"I wish I had known what he was doing, before. I could have had a word with the Dean or the Headmaster. They could have watched him closer and got rid of him."
"I understand Jeff, these guys are just another kind of bully, we all dealt with them growing up. If you could please, I'd like for your doctor to look at Chase's arm in the next couple of days. Just for safety's sake."
"We'll get that done. Let's get in and see the piano lab and then Chase and I have something to do together.