The shotgun style home that Nicole lived in was only a few blocks from the campus of Tulane University. Surrounded by the Garden District, the smaller homes were somewhat out of place, but beautifully maintained.
In spite of the slight chill in the air, the young woman was seated on her front porch swing, her legs tucked beneath her bottom with a heavy fleece blanket draped around her legs. She wore a thick cable-knit sweater and had her books and laptop open around her.
“Nicole?” asked Gator.
She looked up, somewhat surprised by the three men standing on her sidewalk.
“Yes. Who are you?”
“I’m guessing Weil, Jeannie, Samantha and Ara didn’t call you,” said Gator.
“My phone is off,” she said staring at the men. “I can’t study if it’s pinging me every two minutes. I’m sorry. Who are you?”
“We’re friends of Willa’s,” said Irish. “We wanted to ask you a few questions about the lunch the other day.”
“Okay,” she said casually. “Did something happen at lunch the other day?” The men looked at the young woman, unsure of how to respond.
“Willa’s perception, and others, was that Morris acted strangely when Willa announced her engagement. He also seemed short, somewhat hostile, toward her fiancé when he joined you all for lunch. Was that your perception?” asked Gator.
“Maybe. I wasn’t paying attention,” she laughed. “Morris is just an odd duck. He doesn’t really talk to anyone, and in fairness, Willa never mentioned a boyfriend before. It was surprising, I guess.”
“So, you didn’t find his behavior unusual?” asked Hoot.
“Unusual? Again, I’m not sure I can say what’s usual or not with Morris. He’s new to the group and never really spoke to any of us much. He’d always join us when we were together as a group but he didn’t participate much. Until the other day, I suppose.”
“Was there anything different or unusual about the other day?” asked Gator.
“Only Willa and her fiancé. I guess we could count the pressure of our exams as well. One more and we’ll all be done with this damn program,” she sighed. “I don’t think anyone understands how difficult this program is. It’s difficult to get into and you truly have to be the best. Morris is struggling a bit but he’s passing.”
“Are the grades shared?” asked Irish. She stared at him with a confused expression. “I mean, it seems like you all know what the other person’s grade is in the class.”
“Oh, well they are shared by the professor on a class digital board. He thinks it incentivizes us to do better. You know, a little friendly competition. I personally don’t like it.”
“Do you not do well?” asked Hoot.
“Oh, no! I do very well. Willa’s the top of the class but that woman studies more than anyone I know. Plus she lives further from campus than the rest of us so she doesn’t do any of the nighttime activities with us.”
“You wouldn’t happen to have an address for Morris would you?” asked Irish.
“I’m afraid not. I asked him once if he was close to campus and he said, ‘sort of’. What kind of answer is that?”
“You didn’t press him?” asked Gator.
“Nope. Not my business. He might be living in some shithole and is embarrassed.”
“You have a nice place,” said Hoot smiling at the woman. “I love these old shotgun houses in this area. My folks had a place in the Garden District.” He was lying through his teeth but there was a purpose.
“Really? I love this area. My aunt owned this house and me and my sisters were able to rent it from her when she moved into a senior community. I’m lucky that it came fully furnished. Until I finish this program, no extra spending for me,” she smiled.
“Well, we’ve taken up enough of your time,” said Gator. “Just one more question. Did you find that Morris seemed unusually distracted by Willa or watched her movements, her actions at all?”
“As I said, I don’t really pay attention to any of that. He never bothered me and neither did Willa. Is he abrupt? Yes. Is he eerily quiet sometimes? Yes. But I haven’t seen him as violent or anything like that.”
“What would make you believe we were asking about violence?” frowned Irish.
“Oh, come on! I’m not stupid. Willa obviously thinks he was interested in her and watching her or she wouldn’t have asked her bodyguards to look into it.”
“We’re not her bodyguards. We’re family,” said Gator frowning at the woman.
