They're All Good Boys
Previously: Jen Tyson reveals her version of what happened at Lake Tahoe and on Halloween. Need to catch up on The Spring? Click this button:
10:50 AM - Sunday, November 2, 2014
Flood Mansion, Pacific Heights, San Francisco
“Okay, I think you’re right.” Jeannie said, agreeing with Mark that Seb Podesta needed to be their next interview. “But let’s get the Xavier Dean in here first. We need to know what was followed-up on with the Tahoe situation.” Jeannie was already out of her chair moving toward the door. She returned with the Jesuit Brother within a minute and both joined Mark back at the table, Paco brought his chair over to join them.
“Brother, thanks for coming today. We’ve reached a point in the interviews where we need to get some clarity on a situation.” The Jesuit, in plain clothes, had close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair and wire-rimmed eyeglasses. He wore a navy blue v-neck sweater and navy checked shirt underneath.
“Of course, whatever you need.” His eyes were large.
“Okay,” Jeannie began again looking between Paco and Mark, “we understand that the Headmaster at Academy spoke with you this last summer about a possible honor roll violation?” The Jesuit leaned back and sighed.
“Yes, he did.” He sounded resigned. “Is that what this is about?”
“We aren’t sure yet,” Mark said, “but the incident last summer did come up with our last interview, so before we proceed further, we wanted to know if any of those students had been followed-up with, even unofficially.”
“Well, it’s all unofficial, isn’t it? Apparently the girl never went forward with the honor roll violation investigation.”
“Brother,” Jeannie began, “the girl was Alexa Thomas.” The man’s eyes widened further. He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head.
“Shit.” He huffed quietly.
“We need to know if you followed-up with them and what was said. Do you have anything in their files?” Mark asked.
“No. Nothing on file. But, I did speak with them individually.”
“And the students in question were Tripp Hartman, Seb Podesta, and Dash Reilly, is that correct?”
“Yes. Those were the three.” He shook his head again.
“And when you spoke to them what was said?”
“Since it was unofficial, I made it more of a back-to-school catch-up, just asking after their summers and what they got up to, let them know I’d be watching them as class leaders as the year started. Kept it light, but then mentioned that I’d heard about a wild party at the Hartman’s Tahoe house, and had them confirm. Dashiell and Tripp were light about it - admitted to drinking and shenanigans, but were chastened when I said there had been some question of inappropriate behavior, or the possibility of an honor code violation. Both assured me that nothing like that had happened, that everyone had been safe and confined to the house, and nothing got out-of-hand.”
“And Seb? What did he say?”
“Sebastian was much more…sad, in the end. He mentioned that he and his girlfriend broke up after that party because he had been drunk to the point of blackout, and she wasn’t okay with it.”
“Did he tell you that his girlfriend at the time was Alexa Thomas?” Jeannie asked quickly. The Jesuit looked at her in shock.
“I’m sorry, what?” He said. Jeannie took a deep breath.
“Sebastian Podesta was dating Alexa Thomas up until Tripp Hartman’s July 4th house party in Tahoe. Alexa Thomas is the girl who spoke to her Headmaster at Academy Prep about impropriety at the party which could possibly be an honor code violation; information which he then shared with you. Alexa Thomas is the girl whose death we are now investigating.” Paco stared at Jeannie’s face which had gone stoney and cold, her ripple of anger just below the surface. The Dean’s own face had gone pale.
“Oh dear God. You can’t mean that those boys — “
“That’s what we’re trying to find out.” Mark said. “Do you think any of them are capable of hurting someone?”
“Well.” The Dean huffed again. “At heart, they’re all good boys, they just get themselves into trouble. Drinking, pranks, occasional detention.”
“Any fights or anger issues?” Mark countered. The Jesuit looked at the table for a long, quiet moment.
“I — I’m reluctant to say this, but Tripp Hartman has been in multiple fights over the years, yes, and has been suspended before. That was in his sophomore year, and since then he has straightened up. I hear rumors that he isn’t the most pleasant kid, he’s always a little nasty according to his teachers, and there are rumors of bullying, but of course when he speaks to me he’s on best behavior.”
“Of course he is.” Jeannie said, leaning back and crossing her arms. “And the others?”
“Dash and Seb are good boys. Rambunctious and sly, but both are responsible and kind, ultimately. They lead the school and their senior class. Perhaps not brilliant, per se, but they’ll go far enough.”
“Being stars of the basketball team and winning WCAL championships doesn’t hurt either.” Jeannie quipped. “Brother, I went to Xavier and I know how it is there, but at the same time, as Dean, you generally know who the bad apples are, correct?”
“Yes, and Tripp would be one of them, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Why not?” Mark asked. The Jesuit’s mouth went into a thin line and he looked at Jeannie.
“Because of the parents.” Jeannie said quietly. “My guess is Jim Hartman’s generosity to the school would dry up completely if his son got into too much trouble, am I correct?”
“You know as well as I do that’s the reality at these schools.”
“The Jesuits never used to be afraid to kick out a bad kid, send them to the Christian Brothers at Bishop or a public school. Or is that no longer how things are done?” Jeannie’s face barely hid her rage, but she kept her voice even.
“The Hartman’s have sent all three of their sons to Xavier and they funded a new athletic facility two years ago. If I were to expel their son in his senior year, the President and the Board would have to approve it. I can’t go to them with meager evidence. Whatever would get Tripp removed from the school would need to be extreme and solidly presented.”
“So he lives to bully another day.” Jeannie said. She sighed and looked at Mark before looking back at the Dean.
“Well,” Mark began, “at this point we don’t have an actual connection between what happened at Tahoe and Alexa Thomas’ death, but consider this conversation fair warning: we will be conducting a thorough investigation. No matter who is making the donations.”
“I understand and I’ll support in whatever way I can.”
“Good.” Mark said. “We’re going to need Tripp Hartman’s disciplinary record. In fact, send over the disciplinary records of all of the Hartman boys — I’d like to see if there’s a pattern there.”
“Of course, whatever you need.”
“Brother, do you mind bringing in Sebastian for us? He’s next.” Jeannie asked. “I just need to confer for a minute with Agent Greenberg.” The Dean crossed the room and out into the hall, as Jeannie turned to Mark and Paco.
“I think you may need to take more of a lead with Seb.” Jeannie whispered. Mark squinted a little, propping his chin on his hand again.
“Why?” Mark whispered.
“Because I’m pissed off right now, and I need to cool off,” she hissed. Paco saw a flash in her eyes he hadn’t seen before. “And he’s a dude and no one says no to him, apparently, and I feel like he needs a little man-to-man before he tells us anything.”
“Hmmm. I see what you’re saying, but I want to try something if you’re game.” Mark whispered. Paco saw Jeannie raise her eyebrows.
“What?”
“While I’m asking for his consent form and getting the recording going, I want you to stand up and take your blazer off.” Jeannie tilted her head at him with a glare.
“I doubt that’s in the FBI handbook, Mark.”
“No, okay hear me out - this kid sounds like a horny horndog, and I know that’s normal for a 17 year old, but I think we can use it to our advantage.” Mark lowered his voice further. “I need you to distract him a little Jeannie, I’m not saying do a pole dance, but like, let’s show him you’re a woman.” Paco saw Jeannie’s face go pink. “It might be the push we need to get him on the back foot.” She sighed and glared at him again.
“Fine. But you’re buying lunch.”
“Fine.”
“Okay, everybody. Three deep breaths.” Paco said quietly, trying to tamp down the tension. They both looked at him and he saw Jeannie’s face soften a little. She nodded at him with a big exhale, just as the Dean returned with Seb Podesta.