Gun Games - Faye Kellerman [4]
Marge said, “Lieutenant Decker, this is Mrs. Hesse.”
He put the coffee cup on his desk. “Can I get you something to drink?”
The woman looked at her lap, shook her head, and mumbled something.
“Pardon me?” Decker said.
She snapped her head up. “No . . . thank you.”
“So how can I help you?”
Wendy Hesse looked at Marge, who said, “Maybe I’ll get some coffee. Are you sure you wouldn’t like some water, Mrs. Hesse?”
The woman refused a second offer. After Marge left, Decker said, “How can I help you, Mrs. Hesse?”
“I need to talk to the police.” She folded her hands and looked at her lap. “I don’t know how to start.”
Decker said, “Just tell me what’s on your mind.”
“My son . . .” Her eyes watered. “They say he . . . that he committed suicide. But I don’t . . . I don’t believe it.”
Decker regarded her in a different context. “You’re Gregory Hesse’s mother.”
She nodded as tears flowed down her cheeks.
“I am so sorry, Mrs. Hesse.” He handed her a tissue. “I can’t even imagine what you’re feeling right now.” When she started sobbing openly, Decker stood up and put his hand on her shoulder. “Let me get you some water.”
She nodded. “Maybe that’s a good . . . idea.”
Decker caught Marge at the coffeepot. “The woman is Gregory Hesse’s mom—the teen in the paper who committed suicide.” Marge went wide-eyed. “Anyone from Homicide at the scene yesterday?”
“I was in court.” She paused. “Oliver was there.”
“Did he talk to you about it?”
“Not really. It got him down. You could read it in his face. But he didn’t say anything about the death being suspicious.”
Decker filled up a wax paper cup with water. “Mrs. Hesse has her doubts about suicide. Would you mind sticking around? I’d like another ear.”
“Of course.”
Both of them went back to his office. To Mrs. Hesse, Decker said, “I’ve asked Sergeant Dunn here. She partners with Scott Oliver who was at your house yesterday afternoon.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Hesse,” Marge said.
Tears ran down her cheeks. Mrs. Hesse said, “There were . . . lots of police at the house.”
“Detective Oliver was in civilian dress. I don’t remember what he was wearing yesterday. He’s in his fifties—”
“That one,” she said, drying her eyes. “I remember him. Amazing . . . it’s still a blur . . . a nightmare.”
Decker nodded.
“I keep expecting to . . . wake up.” She bit her lip. “It’s killing me.” The tears were falling again faster than she could dry them. “What you can do for me is find out what really happened.”
“Okay.” Decker paused. “Tell me, what don’t you believe about your son’s death?”
Wet droplets fell onto her folded hands. “Gregory did not shoot himself. He’s never used a gun in his life! He hated guns. Our entire family abhors violence of any kind!”
Decker took out a notepad. “Tell me about your boy.”
“He wasn’t suicidal. He wasn’t even depressed. Gregory had friends, he was a good student. He had lots of interests. He never even remotely hinted at suicide.”
“Anything about him change over the last few months?”
“Nothing.”
“Maybe a little more moody?” Marge suggested.
“No!” She was resolute.
Decker asked, “Did he sleep more? Did he eat more? Did he eat less?”
Wendy’s sigh signaled exasperation. “He was the same boy—thoughtful . . . he could be quiet. But quiet doesn’t mean depressed, you know.”
“Of course not,” Decker told her. “I hate to ask you this, Mrs. Hesse, but how about past drug use?”
“Nothing!”
“Tell me a little about Gregory’s interests. What about extracurricular activities?”
She was taken aback. “Uh . . . I know he tried out for the debate team.” Silence. “He did very well. They told him to come back next year when there’s more room.”
Meaning he didn’t make it. “What else?” Decker said.
“He was in math club. He excelled in math.”
“What did he do on the weekends?