Jack identified himself and the buzzer beeped to let him and Laura inside.

“Morris Bloomquist?” asked Jack, while he and Laura showed their badges at the apartment door.

“Mister Bloomquist,” he replied. “Did you come to tell me my ex is dead?”

“No,” replied Jack, puzzled. More so, when he saw a flash of disappointment cross Bloomquist’s face.

“Our apologies,” replied Jack. “It can’t wait.”

“You’ve interrupted my dinner. I trust you don’t mind if I eat it while it is still warm. You may sit if you like.”

Jack and Laura sat down and Jack said, “There are two reasons we did not come to the school. First, we both work undercover and would prefer to keep our identities secret.”

“Good God!” said Bloomquist while manoeuvering a fork full of noodles into his mouth. “You both appear to be in your mid-thirties and you’re telling me you are working undercover on children?”

“Our targets could be the parents of some of these children,” replied Jack. “The other reason we are here is out of concern for a teacher. There may be a degree of urgency to this.”

“What teacher? Why?”

“We don’t know which teacher. That is why we came to you. Crime Stoppers has received several tips over the last year concerning students at your school who have been trafficking in drugs. Several arrests have been made.”

“And you are going to accuse me of not maintaining control over the students,” said Bloomquist harshly, while plucking a wayward noodle from his lips and sucking it back inside his mouth.

“Not at all,” said Laura quickly.

“We are concerned that some of the people involved in drug distribution at your school are beginning to figure out who is talking and are planning to respond with extreme violence,” said Jack.

“The person phoning Crime Stoppers … male or female?” asked Bloomquist.

“Crime Stoppers didn’t say,” replied Jack. “They are very protective about maintaining the confidentiality of the system. It has to be someone the students trust enough to confide in. Could you give us the names of teachers who are popular with the students?”

“Lyle Ryker comes to mind,” said Bloomquist. “He was very active with the students over the tsunami in Thailand a couple of years ago. They raised a considerable amount of food, clothing, and money.”

Bloomquist paused to slurp another mouthful of noodles. Jack didn’t mind. It gave him time to write in his notebook.

“The second name is Marie Sainsbury,” continued Bloomquist. “She gets along well with most of the more troubled students. The third is Bob Dunn. He teaches math but is also a phys. ed instructor. He coaches sports and sees the students after hours. Sometimes they go on road trips together.”

“Anyone else?” asked Jack.

“Possibly Amanda Flowers. She is new to teaching. She did her practicum with us last year and came on full-time in September. She’s young, single, and pretty. A lot of the male students probably have a crush on her.”

“You said that Bob Dunn teaches math and phys. ed. What do the other three teach?” asked Jack.

“Bob replaced Lyle as a math teacher when Lyle ended his term with us last June.”

“The information the police are receiving is current,” said Jack. “I believe we are looking for a teacher who was here last year and this year. What about Marie and Amanda?”

“Marie teaches English, but is also a guidance counsellor. She talks to a lot of the students. Amanda teaches history and art.”

“I see,” replied Jack, while jotting down the information in his notebook.”

“If you plan to interview my staff, I would like to be present,” said Bloomquist. “It is most upsetting that someone would deal with the problem in such a devious manner and without consulting me. I’m sure the whole issue could have been dealt with a lot more effectively. Explains this nonsense of why police officers keep storming into my school.”

“Oh?” replied Jack. “I wasn’t aware that police officers had been storming into the school?”

“So far they’ve only made arrests in the parking lot and on the street out front,” replied Bloomquist. “It is only a matter of time. I know how these things work. After all, my second wife was a cop.”

“And how do these things work?” asked Laura, sounding innocent.

“There is no need to be facetious,” replied Bloomquist. “What’s your next step? Busting into student lockers?”

“Were there certain lockers that you think we should —” Laura stopped when she felt Jack’s knee nudge her leg.

“I forgot to mention something,” said Jack. “I was provided the times of when the tips were called in. Most were received between two and two-thirty in the afternoon. Would that narrow it down?”

Bloomquist looked smugly at Jack and said, “Had you bothered to tell me that to start with, we would not have needed to waste everyone’s time. All our teachers are busy teaching during that time. They wouldn’t be making calls of that nature. The person who is ‘reporting’ is no doubt a student. Perhaps skipping class.”

“I’m sorry,” muttered Jack. “I should have thought of that. I feel like an idiot for wasting everyone’s time.”

“I married an idiot. Lived with her two years before we divorced. Perhaps you should get together with her,” smiled Bloomquist.

Jack locked eyes with Bloomquist and within seconds Bloomquist looked down and said, “Obviously I am only joking.”

“Well, Morris, I’m sure I will be seeing you again,” said Jack coldly. As he slowly arose he placed his hands on the table and leaned closer to Bloomquist and stared into his eyes. Bloomquist instinctively cowered back in his chair and looked down.

“What a jerk!” said Laura, as soon as they returned to their car.

“He’s a bully,” said Jack. “I hate bullies. I understand why the teacher didn’t go through the normal channels. That’s why I made up the story about the calls coming in during class hours.”

“That’s what I figured.”

“We need to protect her.”

“Her?”

“Amanda Flowers. Let’s find out where she lives and talk to her right away.”

“Why her?”

“The tips are recent enough that we know it’s not Lyle Ryker. Bob Dunn is a coach and I don’t see jocks and kids in sports as being the type to know the details provided to Crime Stoppers. That leaves Marie Sainsbury and Amanda Flowers. Sainsbury is a guidance counsellor. She wouldn’t want to risk her credibility with the students by taking a chance on saying anything. That leaves Amanda. Young, idealistic, and trying to make a difference. Not burned out yet. My money is on her.”

Jack checked the Motor Vehicle Branch and came up with Amanda’s address. Her driver’s license said she was twenty-five years old, but upon meeting her, Jack saw that she looked younger. He could see why many of the students would have a crush on her. She had flowing, shoulder-length blond hair, a cute figure, and a pretty face accented by large blue eyes.

After initial introductions, Jack said that they would like to speak to her concerning some of the students. Amanda invited them inside to the living room.

“Nice home,” commented Jack as they were led inside. “Do you live here alone?”

“I live alone, but unfortunately the house isn’t mine. The owners are a retired couple who are travelling around the world for a year. I’m house-sitting. Doesn’t cost me a dime as long as I look after the place.”

From the tidy yard and clean interior, Jack knew that Amanda was fulfilling her end of the bargain.

Once they were comfortably seated, Amanda offered tea or coffee. Jack and Laura politely declined and Jack said, “We are here to talk to you about your Crime Stoppers tips.”

A look of irritation crossed Amanda’s face. “I thought that was supposed to be confidential!” she said.