Free School Days by Robert B. Parker Page A

pretty daring, and said, “Hey, Carly.”
    She was too young to interest me, but she got Carly’s attention.
    â€œThis is the guy old man Garner warned us about.”
    â€œNo shit,” Carly said.
    She was not too young for him. He admired her legs visibly as he walked over.
    â€œThis is Carly Simon,” Pink Top said. “This here is . . . I forgot your name.”
    â€œSpenser,” I said.
    I took some cards from my top pocket and gave one to each of them.
    â€œName’s Carl Simone,” he said. “Everybody calls me Carly.”
    Carly was a prototype prep-school football player. He might even play small college ball, but would never beyond that. He was short and muscular with a thick neck. He probably weighed 160 pounds.
    â€œCarly’s the football captain,” Pink Top said.
    â€œRunning back?” I said.
    â€œYeah. Deep back out of a pro set. We went seven and two last year.”
    â€œAnd Wendell Grant was an offensive lineman,” I said.
    â€œLeft tackle.”
    â€œKnow him well?”
    â€œOn the field,” Carly said.
    â€œAnd off?”
    â€œOff,” Carly said, “he was a creepy fucker.”
    He said fucker sort of aggressively, to see if I would react. I maintained my composure.
    â€œHow so,” I said.
    â€œHe hung with all townies,” Carly said.
    â€œDowling’s a day school, isn’t it?” I said. “Aren’t you all townies?”
    â€œWe’re all from around here. But there’s the kids go to Dowling. And the kids go to the Regional.”
    â€œWhich is?” I said.
    â€œHigh Meadow Regional,” White Top said. “It’s in Melwood.”
    â€œAnd you don’t mix?” I said.
    â€œNot much,” Carly said.
    â€œHow about Jared Clark?” I said.
    â€œNobody knew him,” Carly said. “That I know.”
    â€œHe wasn’t an asshole,” Pink Top said. “He was just, like, not there, you know?”
    â€œHe didn’t seem interested in anything the rest of us were interested in,” White Top said.
    â€œAnyone know him better?”
    â€œNobody I know,” Carly said.
    He looked at the two girls. They shook their heads.
    â€œSo where do the townies hang out?” I said.
    â€œPlace called the Rocks,” Carly said. “Down back of the park, by the lake. They go over there, smoke some weed, drink beer.”
    â€œYou ever been over there?” Pink Top said.
    â€œYeah, couple times. Bunch of assholes.”
    â€œWeren’t you scared?”
    â€œI go where I want to,” Carly said.
    â€œDid you witness the shootings?” I said.
    All three shook their heads.
    â€œWe were on the second floor,” White Top said, “Janey and me. They never got there.”
    â€œI was in American history,” Carly said. “We jammed theteacher’s chair under the door handle to the classroom and everybody got down. They never came in.”
    â€œThanks for your help,” I said.
    â€œPleasure,” Pink Top said. “Dork Garner isn’t going to tell me who I can talk to.”
    â€œMe either,” White Top said.
    â€œI’m glad he tried,” I said. “Worked out well for me.”
    â€œBet your ass,” Carly said. “We were so ready to talk to you if we got the chance.”
    â€œOkay, let’s really sock it to him,” I said. “Ask around. Anybody knows anything, you have my card.”
    â€œYou’re an actual private eye,” Pink Top said.
    â€œI’ve begun to have doubts,” I said.
    â€œYou must be,” Pink Top said. “Says so right on the card.”
    â€œOh, thank God,” I said.

21
    T WO D OWLING COPS were leaning on a squad car outside the coffee shop. One of them stepped in front of me on the sidewalk.
    â€œChief wants to see you,” he said.
    â€œEverybody does,” I said.
    There was a black Chevy sedan with