Eric smiles at the detective. She’s not bad for an older woman. “So,” he asks, “Why did you decide to become a cop?”
Detective Lewis says, “I get to ask the questions.”
“I’m gonna be a writer, one day I might write about cops.”
“Well, when that time comes, you can ask me then. I wouldn’t even charge you much.”
Eric raises an eyebrow, “Charge? You’d charge a writer?”
“It’s called a consultation fee. But lets get on track here,” she glances at her notebook, “Eric. This is a serious situation. What I really need to know about is your relationship with Natasha.”
Eric shrugs. “Acquaintances at most. We live in the same place but don’t usually spend much time together. She introduced me to Monty Python the other night if that helps.”
“Was it just the two of you?”
“No, she was watching her DVDs with Boris when Amelia and I came in after the Branagh Hamlet at the Kingsway. So it was just the four of us sitting around the common room, you know?”
“So, you’re saying you never dated Natasha?”
Eric shakes his head. “No. Nothing like that. Natasha was with Boris, and until recently I was seeing Elsie.”
The low whistle from behind startles Eric, rudely reminding him of Detective Wolfrom leaning against the door back there. He’d forgotten Wolfrom. It occurs to him that that is probably the point. Eric swivels around to face him. “So you hang out back there to pounce on inconsistencies? Keep the bad guys from taking it on the lam? You’re the bad cop, right?”
Wolfrom just looks at him. Lewis bites her tongue so the kid won’t see her laugh. Problem is Wolfie looks like he might crack up at any moment. Don’t let the subject control the interview. Lewis has to get back the lead.
“How long have Boris and Natasha been together?”
“Pretty much from day one, I think.”
“And were they getting along well, would you say?”
“Wait a minute, you can’t pin this on Boris. No way.”
“We’re not looking to ‘pin it on’ anyone. We’re looking for facts.” Lewis looks at him. “Can you vouch for Boris? Can you say you were with him every minute of the afternoon?”
“Well, no, but that isn’t fair.”
“How about you. Can anyone vouch for your own whereabouts yesterday afternoon
“I was in a lecture for part of it.”
Wolfrom asks, “And would anyone testify to that?”
“Am I a suspect?”
“Certainly, until cleared, yes, you are. Maybe we can start with why you broke up with your girlfriend.”
