Reunion Mission. Virginia Vaughan

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СКАЧАТЬ words rushed back to her and she shuddered. She’d only wanted to help Luke, not get him killed.

      Chills ran up her spine. She might have been lying beside Luke if Matt hadn’t arrived. But what was he doing at the school? She wasn’t surprised to see him in town, since she knew his sister, Alisa, was getting married in two weeks and most of the family was returning for the wedding. But what had he been doing at the school on a Sunday afternoon?

      She realized those were the same questions he’d asked of her. Only, she’d told him why she was there. He had yet to explain his presence. She’d been so thankful he was there that she hadn’t even thought to question him about why he’d come.

      The roar of the crowd outside grew louder as the front door to the school pushed open and she saw Principal Spencer enter. He let the door close behind him as he headed into the office.

      “Claire. What are you doing here? The news is saying a body was found on campus?”

      “It was one of our students, Luke Thompson.”

      “Luke? What do they think happened?”

      “Someone killed him. I found his body and someone was there. He tried to grab me.”

      Principal Spencer’s face was instantly full of concern for her. “Are you hurt? How did you get away?”

      “Someone else rescued me. I don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t arrived when he did.”

      “Has anyone notified Luke’s parents? They’ll be devastated.”

      “I don’t know.”

      “I’ll go find out. Will you start calling the faculty and let them know what’s happened? We’ll need to coordinate a response, arrange for counselors and such.”

      “Certainly.”

      She hadn’t thought about calling anyone, not even him. She supposed that was why he was the principal. He had a take-charge attitude and remained calm during a time of crisis.

      She found a phone list on the secretary’s desk and began making calls.

      * * *

      Matt returned to the classroom and stared at the body on the floor. He couldn’t help thinking what a shame it was that someone so young was gone. Yes, he’d seen death before—too many times before—but it still struck him as tragic. This kid was only seventeen at best, much too young to have been caught up in drugs and drug rings. But it was an all too common tale, he’d discovered since coming to work for the DEA. Kids and drugs. Devastated lives. Shattered families. He was tired of the senselessness of it all.

      Preston stood over the body, examining it. “It looks like his throat was slit. We’ll have to wait for an autopsy report, but I suspect that will be the cause of death.”

      Matt had to concur. He, too, suspected Luke’s throat was cut, but an autopsy would tell them how quickly he died. Was this the work of an experienced killer or an amateur? The answer to that question would provide them leads in finding the person responsible.

      Preston stood. “We haven’t located the murder weapon yet, but I’ll have my guys conduct a search.”

      “We should start along the path he took when he ran out. It’s possible he tossed the weapon when he ran.”

      Preston nodded. “That could include the parking lot and the woods behind the school.” He stared out the window at the crowd already gathered. “And the area has already been contaminated. I’ll have someone clear out this crowd.” Preston got on the radio and issued his instructions for the search.

      A uniformed officer poked his head through the door and addressed Preston. “The school principal is here. He’d like to speak with someone.”

      Preston nodded. “Tell him I’ll be right out.”

      Matt followed Preston into the hallway. A tall, sandy-haired man was waiting for them. He extended his hand. “I’m Bill Spencer, principal of Lakeshore High School. Can you tell me what happened?”

      Preston took the lead. “Only that the body of one of your students was discovered in this classroom. We suspect foul play.”

      “Claire said it was Luke Thompson. Was anyone else involved? Do you have any idea why this happened?”

      “We’re still investigating, Principal Spencer.”

      “Of course. Well, you can see half the town is already aware a body has been found. I’d like to be able to tell my students and teachers something about what happened here.”

      “We just don’t have enough evidence yet to draw conclusions, much less make them public.”

      “Will we be able to open the school for classes tomorrow?”

      “We’re still processing the scene. It’s too early to tell.”

      “I understand, but it’s imperative we get these kids back into school as soon as possible. It’s an important element to helping them cope. We’ll be calling in mental health counselors to assist the students in their grieving process.”

      Matt was surprised when Preston seemed to offer the principal something. Protecting the crime scene should have been the most important thing. “For right now, this entire hall and portions of the parking lot and back forty are off-limits. We may open those to students if we don’t find anything, but this classroom will be inaccessible until we finish our investigation. It’s a crime scene. But I think you’ll be able to reopen for classes by Tuesday.”

      Principal Spencer nodded. “We’ll utilize the cafeteria, auditorium and the courtyard for the overflow. I’ll make an announcement about the school reopening Tuesday. And don’t worry, Detective, we will keep this area off-limits. We won’t do anything to compromise this investigation. This tragedy will shake the school to its foundations. Luke was well liked. We’ll be concentrating on helping the students cope with his death. I’ve already got Claire placing calls to the other teachers.”

      “The parents are here,” a uniformed officer told them.

      “Would you mind if I’m there when you talk to the Thompsons about Luke?” the principal asked. “I think it would help for them to see a familiar face.”

      “We’ll have to ask some difficult questions of the family,” Preston told him. “Perhaps it would be better if you were there. This is Agent Ross of the DEA. He’ll be joining us, as well. We’ll need to use your office.”

      “Certainly,” Principal Spencer said. “Anything I can do to help.”

      Luke’s parents were ushered into the principal’s office. They’d already been informed that their son was dead. Mrs. Thompson sat quietly, shock pressing on her heavily made-up face. Her mascara hadn’t even run and Matt had to wonder if she’d shed a tear yet. Shock had that effect on some people. It would hit her, though, and it would be hard and painful. Mr. Thompson expressed his grief differently—he was vocal.

      “I want to know what my son was doing here,” he demanded. “And why was that teacher meeting him here alone? I want answers.”

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