“Mr. Young, as you are painfully aware—because I have no doubt you’ve consulted with your legal counsel since we spoke earlier—my sister and her husband have the grounds to bring a gigantic lawsuit against your school. The lawsuit will be so huge, it may put you right out of business. In light of the tremendous liability you’re looking at in this situation, I would urge you—and your staff—to fully cooperate with our investigation.”

His shoulders sagged at Sam’s use of the word “lawsuit.” He wore a resigned expression when he said, “What do you need from us?”

“First and foremost, I’d like to know what time Brooke left here.”

Linda wiped her wet face. “It was about five thirty, I would say.”

Sam made a notation in the notebook she’d pulled from the back pocket of her jeans. “I’d also like a physical description of Brooke’s so-called older sister.”

“Linda, do you feel up to describing her to the lieutenant?” Young asked his receptionist in a gentle tone that made Sam want to smack him.

Hill nudged Sam’s elbow. “Sam, look.” He pointed to a camera in the corner above the reception area.

“Never mind, Linda.” To Young she said, “I want the video.”

“I sent it to you as directed.”

“As you can plainly see, I’m not at a computer, so get me somewhere that I can look at it. Now.”

Nodding, he picked up a phone, pressed a series of buttons and said, “Please come to the main office right away.”

“Anything like this ever happen before?” Sam asked while they waited.

“No!” Young said. “We’ve built our reputation on helping at-risk girls turn their lives around. Something like this... Well, it could ruin us.”

Linda let out another sob at that news.

Sam glared at Young, hoping he’d get the message.

“Um, Linda, why don’t you take a break in my office and get yourself together.”

“Yes, Mr. Young,” she said between sobs. “I’ll do that. I’m so sorry.”

“I know you are.”

A young man came into the office through a door in the back. Tall and muscular, he had dark, curly hair and soulful eyes. Sam’s first thought was that the students at the all-girl school must drool over him.

“This is Sebastian Ryder, our director of security,” Young said.

Sam snorted out a laugh at the guy’s soap opera name. “You’re the director of security?”

Ryder’s dreamy poet’s eyes narrowed with displeasure. “Who are you?”

She flashed her badge and took great pleasure in saying, “Lieutenant Holland, Metro PD homicide.” Using her thumb, she gestured to Hill. “My associate, FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Hill.”

Ryder looked back and forth between them before he settled his gaze on Sam. “What can we do for you?”