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“I don’t care for your attitude, or your demeanor.”
Gable’s fingers had curled on her thighs, with the knuckles going white. A pincher. Eve was sure of it.
“I get that a lot. Something about murder just gets me all irritable. You can talk to me here and now, Ms. Gable, in the comfort of your own home. Or we can start the bureaucratic ball rolling. Up to you.”
Gable had a good stare, icy and unblinking. But it was no match for a cop with eleven years under her belt. “Very well. You can ask your questions. I’ll answer what I deem appropriate.”
“Did Niles Renquist ever demonstrate violent or disturbing behavior under your watch?”
“Certainly not.” She sniffed even the thought of it away. “He was a well-bred young man from good family. I believe his current position and circumstance bears that out.”
“Does he keep in touch with you?”
“I receive flowers on my birthday and a card at Christmas, as is proper.”
“So, the two of you maintain an affectionate relationship.”
“Affectionate?” Gable’s face drew together as if she’d scented something vaguely unpleasant. “I neither want nor expect affection from any of my charges, Lieutenant Dallas, as I doubt you expect any from your subordinates.”
“What do—or did—you expect?”
“Obedience, respect, and organized, well-disciplined behavior.”
Sounded more like the army than the nursery to Eve, but she nodded. “And you received same from Renquist.”
“Of course.”
“Did you employ corporal punishment?”
“When appropriate. My methods, which served me and my charges well, were to suit the disciplinary action to the child and the offense.”
“To your memory, what disciplinary actions most usually suited Niles Renquist?”
“He responded best to denial. Denial of recreation, society, entertainment, etcetera. He could and would become argumentative or sullen during the deprivation, but would, eventually, submit. He learned, as did all my charges, that there are consequences for unacceptable behavior.”
“Did he have friends?”
“He had a suitably selected number of playmates and acquaintances.”
“Selected by?”
“Myself, or his parents.”
“And his relationship with his parents?”
“Was all that it should be. I fail to see the pertinence of these questions.”
“Nearly done. Did he have any pets?”
“There was, I recall, a family dog. A miniature terrier of some sort. Sarah, the young girl, was particularly fond of it, and nearly inconsolable when it ran away.”
“How old was Renquist when it ran away?”
“Ten or twelve, I believe.”
“How about the young girl, Renquist’s sister? What can you tell me about her?”
“She was a model charge. Amenable, quiet, and well-mannered. A bit clumsy and prone to nightmares, but otherwise biddable and good-natured.”
