Page 18 of Don't Say a Word

“What about bullies? Was Elijah considered a bully? Was anyone harassing him?”

“Elijah was one of the nicest kids in the school, and I never heard that he had been bullied. We take the issue very seriously.”

Maybe, but there were different levels of bullying, and subtle harassment might not be on anyone’s radar. Especially if it happened off-campus.

There was a knock on the door and Lena called, “Come in.”

A man a couple years older than Lena entered.

“Am I interrupting?” he asked.

“Of course not,” Lena said. “Margo, this is Dwight Parsons, history teacher and Elijah’s advisor. Dwight, Margo Angelhart is a private investigator looking into Elijah’s death.”

He glanced at Lena. “I didn’t realize you were going to hire a private investigator.”

“Elijah’s family did,” Lena said.

Lena touched Dwight’s hand, a subtle but intimate gesture. Okay, a little love on campus. Who was I to judge?

“I’m glad you can help Alina find some closure,” he said, “but sadly, it won’t bring Elijah back.”

“You knew Elijah well?” I asked Dwight.

“I think so. He’s been in two of my honors classes, and I agreed to write him a college recommendation.” He shook his head and frowned. “Such a tragedy. He was a bright boy.”

“Too much pressure?”

“Only what he put on himself,” Dwight said. “Which was quite a bit. Because of his socioeconomic situation, and the fact that his father died when he was young, he was already eligible for several grants, and with his grades I was helping him forge a path for free tuition and housing. But you have to apply and do the work, which can be overwhelming.”

“Are you aware of any of Elijah’s peers who may have beenadding to that pressure?” I asked. “Or,” I continued when he didn’t immediately answer, “maybe sharing Adderall or similar meds. Overachieving teens sometimes do that.”

Dwight shook his head. “Not Elijah or his friends. I know a few kids who may be using stimulants for such purposes, but they don’t move in the same circles.”

“Several years ago one of our teachers was arrested for running a drug ring on campus,” Lena said. “After, the administration made sure we all had extra training and support.”

“It was very informative,” Dwight said. “I think our school has done a stellar job reducing drug-related problems on campus.”

“Absolutely,” Lena concurred. “And anything we can do to help you find out what happened to Elijah, we will. Is there anything else?”

Before I could respond—or ask more questions about the former drug ring—a tall, stately woman stepped into the doorway. Lena glanced at the clock. “Melissa—I forgot about the staff meeting. We’re just wrapping up here.”

“Did I hear right?” Melissa looked at me. “You’re conducting an investigation on school property?”

“No,” Lena said quickly before I could answer. “This is, um, Ms. Angelhart. Elijah’s mother hired her, I was just answering a few questions.”

“Confidentiality still applies, Lena,” the woman said.

This was awkward. I would have slipped out, but the woman blocked the exit.

“Of course, I would not violate any student’s privacy, but—”

“There are no buts,” Melissa said.

Principal or vice principal, I thought. It was in the attitude.

“I’ll be leaving,” I said and made a move toward the door. Melissa didn’t budge.

“Ms. Angelhart,” she said, “I’m Melissa Webb, the vice principal of Sun Valley. If you wish to speak to any student or staff member, contact my office first. Understood?”