"Yes. Two years ago, Dave Tyne was killed. Then yesterday, Ed Blair, and this morning, Anthony Mulligan."
"That's appalling!" Mrs. Edwards looked utterly shocked. "Three previous students? This couldn’t be a coincidence?”
“It’s the only common factor we’ve found so far,” May told her regretfully.
“If I remember correctly, all three of those young men were good at sports and represented the school with merit. And I also remember they were popular with the girls too. We always single out those students who are likely to get a lot of attention and keep a careful eye on them. We did have a few chats about the importance of appropriate behavior and conducting themselves like gentlemen always. I think they took it to heart. What a terrible loss." She shook her head sadly.
It was time for May to ask the important question.
"Do you know of anyone who was particularly jealous of the success the victims were having, or anyone who might have held a grudge against them while they were at school? Do you remember any fights, any bad blood, any serious incidents?" May hoped she’d covered all possibilities with these suggestions.
"You think that could have been a reason for their deaths?" The head looked surprised. "They were all at school years ago."
"It's such a small community, so yes, there is a chance," May explained. "The killer may have had an historic personal grudge against the victims and been suppressing it for years. It’s possible that a triggering event started these killings, or even more than one trigger."
Mrs. Edwards leaned back in her chair, considering. "You know, it is a very fascinating, though horrific, field of work. A triggering event, and a young man was incited to murder three of his ex-classmates. It’s terrible to think such a thing could happen, but at the same time, I see how it could.”
“Yes, it can be tough having to theorize in that direction and acknowledge the darker side in people,” May admitted.
“Let me think. Dave and Ed were in the same year, both popular and well respected. As for Anthony, he was a couple of years ahead of them, but I don't remember him having any problems either. He was a bit of a loner, but well mannered. But yes, you're right, just achieving success might bring the potential for jealousy I guess."
"Any facts you can remember will be helpful," Owen urged her.
Mrs. Edwards sighed. "It's so horrible to think that any of our students could be connected to this. To be honest, I can't think of any serious incidents that took place while they were here. We've been lucky to have avoided that, and we’re very tough on bullies. We don’t allow it. Although now that I'm thinking about it . . ." her voice trailed off.
"Yes?" May asked.
"There was one student who I do recall was our problem child at the time. He was often in trouble, and I remember his name came up a few times in connection with those three young men. He didn't stay at the school the whole way up until graduation, though. He left in the tenth grade, and he transferred to a different school."
"Can you recall the details?" May asked. Perhaps it was the problems that had caused that student to want a transfer.
"Let me look them up," she said, turning to the computer and tapping at keys.
"His name was Dean Linn, and he was very good at sports, but he always seemed to be looking for a fight. He was a very sharp student academically, but he seemed to be prone to jealousy. He was a loner and had a history of being aggressive and combative to other students, especially those who beat him in an area where he was competitive. "
May and Owen glanced at each other, with May now feeling hopeful.
"I do remember one thing—he had an interest in weapons and firearms," Mrs. Edwards continued. "I remember him being obsessed with bladed weapons, and even trying to get his hands on an old medieval sword that was part of a school exhibition."
"And why did he leave?" May asked, wanting to confirm the reason.
"He got suspended after he was caught cheating in a test, and after that, we were very tough on him. I think he switched to a different school to have an easier time of it."
"Did you ever hear about him after he left?" May asked.
"He graduated, with good grades. That I did hear. But I never heard from him or his parents after that."
"I'd appreciate any information you have on him, please," May said. They could look him up on the police databases but getting his family’s home address might also be important.
Mrs. Edwards nodded, her expression still serious. "I'll give you his family's address. I do hope you can find out who's responsible for this," she said. "It's awful to think these young men were killed, and that it could have been someone from our own school community."
She wrung her hands together, looking distraught at the thought.
"I hope we solve this case soon," May agreed. “It’s weighing on us too.”
Mrs. Edwards handed over the printed page with the address details. May and Owen thanked her and headed back to the car.
At least, they now had a possible lead. Dean Linn had been prone to jealousy and aggressive behavior and had run-ins with all three victims while at the school. And his obsession with bladed weapons might be significant, May thought.
