As Nick sits in the plastic chair across from Detective Lewis she asks, “What’s your connection with Natasha Panov?”
Nick shakes his head. “We both go to Christie, but we don’t really know each other. She’s a friend of a friend.”
“You reside in residence.” Detective Wolfrom says from behind. Nick picks up the chair and turns it 45° so he can see both detectives. Lewis suppresses a smile at this simple method of defeating the interrogation ploy. Of course it wouldn’t work in a real interrogation room, where the ‘client’ chair is generally bolted to the floor.
Nick nods. “Yes, I’m in a married student residence.”
“You don’t live in Fyfield House with Natasha Panov?”
“No. In one of the bungalows with my wife Kate.”
“So, how’s the home life, Mr. Stone?”
Nick bristles, but keeps his tone even. “I’m very happily married thank you. For the most part the only people I come in contact with are Christie personel and med students.”
“Students like Barbie Janzen.”
Nick looks at Lewis. “Along with my studies I am employed as a teaching assistant. Barbie Janzen is one of the first year students I’ve had occasion to supervise.”
“There’s been some suggestion that your relationship with Ms. Janzen may not be strictly platonic.”
Lewis thinks she sees anger flash across the man’s face, but it’s gone so quickly she’s not sure. “You must be kidding.” Nick Stone clenches his jaw, but manages to keep it together when he answers. “Whoever told you that is way out in left field. In my opinion it’s unlikely Ms. Janzen will complete the program.”
“An untoward romantic entanglement, Nick?” asks Lewis.
Nick shrugs mildly. “More philosophical differences.”
Lewis frowns. “Pardon me, Doc?”
“I’m not a doctor, detective, I’m a med student. Ms. Janzen’s problem is a work ethic conflict. She thinks she can become a doctor without doing the work. In my books, that’s a conflict.”
“So, you’re telling us there isn’t any sexual harassment?”
Nick shrugs. “Not from me.”
Wondering what that’s supposed to mean, Detective Lewis studies Nick Stone. Most guys would be through the roof by this point, but this one is unnaturally calm. Is it because the guy is a sociopath or is he just good doctor material?
“How well do you know Ms. Panov?”
“I don’t, actually. Pretty much the only reason I even know of Natasha is that I work out with her friend Boris. And I only know Boris because we hit the gym at the same time Tuesday nights.”
“Would you know where Boris is?”
Nick frowns, startled. “Uh, no. You haven’t talked to him?”
“There’s been no sign of him. Although everyone seems to have watched his argument with Ms. Panov yesterday, no one appears to know where he is now.”
