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“For us too,” Jack said. “Especially since Coach Hargrove was murdered.”
Jack said it loud enough to get a reaction, and the volume of voices amped up. There was no change of expression on Archie’s face.
“That doesn’t change the fact that he’s dead, and these kids need time and space to grieve. It doesn’t matter how they felt about him. When you spend that much time with a person it makes a dent in your life when they’re gone.”
“Sage words,” Jack said dryly. “How did they feel about him?”
“He was their coach,” Archie said. “He kicked their butts every day of every week. He drove them hard. Not everyone performs well when they’re coached like that.” Archie shrugged it off.
“I’m looking for Joe Able,” Jack said. “Have you seen him around?”
“That’s my dad,” one of the kids said, moving closer to Archie. “What do you want with him?”
Derek Able was a good-looking kid. He was a solid mix of both his parents—tall, mixed race, dark hair like his mother and the blue eyes of his father. He was built like an athlete. There were some people you could look at and tell that they were something special. This kid had that persona that surrounded him. But the sneer and the belligerent expression on his face made me instantly dislike him. Or maybe I’d just been swayed by Lydia’s assessment of him.
“Is he still here?” Jack asked, ignoring the question.
“He left a few minutes ago,” Derek said. “He said he had to go into the office.”
“Okay,” Jack said. “We’ll catch him later.” And he turned to leave, but Derek stopped him.
“That’s it?” Derek asked. “You say someone killed Coach Hargrove and then you ask for my dad, and we’re not supposed to wonder why?”
Jack looked at me and shook his head. “Why is everyone giving me attitude lately?”
“Must be all the rain,” I said dryly. “It short-circuits people’s brain cells.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Derek said, taking a step forward.
Jack arched a brow and said, “Son, you’re going to want to get down from whatever high horse you’re on, and take a step back.”
“Walk it off, Able,” Archie said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “We’re all grieving in different ways. This is an intense situation for all of us. We’re all struggling with how to deal with this.”
Jack grunted and looked at Archie. “I guess while I’m here I can get some information. I can start with you,” Jack said, pointing at Derek. “What time did you get to school yesterday morning?”
Derek looked like he wanted to argue, but Archie squeezed his shoulder again.
“I always get here right at seven fifteen for an early workout,” he said.
“Who else was here?” Jack asked.
Derek narrowed his eyes but answered. “I picked Eli up on the way, so he was here with me. Coach Hill was here getting things set up. Troy over there pulled up about the same time as us. And Grit and Flank showed up about seven thirty. Most of the other guys got here closer to eight, but we have weight training first period so we just stay in here most of the morning. Is that what you want to know?”
“Yeah,” Jack said. “That’s what I wanted to know. About what time did you leave your house?”
“Around six forty-five,” he said. “Picked up Eli right at seven.”
“You see anyone out in your neighborhood when you were leaving?”
Derek paused for a few seconds, finally looking like he was taking the questions seriously. He licked his lips. “Just Mrs. Hargrove. She was pulling out of her driveway and didn’t see me. I had to swerve around her. She always goes to the grocery store on Fridays.”
“Thanks,” Jack said, and handed him a business card. “Tell your dad to give me a call as soon as he can. He heard the shot and we wanted to check timing with him again.”
Derek nodded, and I didn’t know if he’d pass the word on to his father, but someone would. Archie Hill had been looking on in fascination. It was better for them to think we needed confirmation rather than them think he was a suspect. People tended to get jumpy when they were suspects.
When we were back in the car I put my hand on Jack’s arm. “I’m going to need some coffee soon and something for sustenance. I think my Lady Jane’s has worn off, and I’m about thirteen minutes away from hangry.”
“That’s a little too close for comfort as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “The taco place is the closest. But they have terrible coffee. And no one drinks coffee with tacos anyway.”
