“I don’t know.” Twin grooves dented Kayla’s brow. “I don’t want to—”

“Ms. Sheppard? Sorry to interrupt, but if you have a few minutes, I’d like to discuss the last assignment you turned in.”

“You go ahead. We can talk later.” Kayla edged past her and hurried toward the classroom door.

Zeke followed the girl, closed the door halfway, and motioned toward the far side of the room. “Let’s claim a couple of desks and discuss your homework.” Without waiting for a response, he crossed the room.

Cate glanced out the door as Kayla disappeared around a corner in the hall. Sighed.

So much for that conversation.

She joined Zeke and sat at the desk beside him. “Your timing stinks.”

“Sorry. What’s up with Kayla? She seemed zoned out during class.”

“She’s been on edge since I got back yesterday—and I have no idea why. She went home Saturday for her mother’s birthday, and I think she had a run-in with someone she cares about that’s eating at her. I was trying again to get her to open up about it when you interrupted us.”

“I’d repeat my apology, but I think you’ll agree my intrusion was justified after you hear my news.” He set a homework paper in front of her. “I met with Fischer this morning.”

“Did he know anything?”

“He had delivery and pickup dates. He also confirmed that Stephanie and her boyfriend disappeared on a pickup night.”

Cate closed her eyes. It was what they’d feared all along, but hearing their suspicions validated made her sick to her stomach.

“Does he know what happened to them, or who was involved?”

“No—but I think we can safely conclude it wasn’t a runaway situation.”

“Her father will be devastated.”

“It’s always hard to pass bad news along—but he has to suspect, after all these months, that foul play was involved.”

“That doesn’t make it any easier to accept—nor is my job over until I find the perpetrator. But from all we’ve learned, I don’t think the clues to that person’s identity are at Ivy Hill.”

“I agree.”

“I’ll touch base with my handler, see how our people want to deal with this.”

“One favor. Until the pickup on Wednesday, I’d prefer to maintain the status quo. Any abrupt changes here this close to a delivery could have negative repercussions.”

“I don’t see why there’d be any objection to me continuing my role play until Thursday.”

“I also got confirmation that your attack was part of the plan to discourage people from wandering in the woods—in order to prevent another Stephanie situation.” He filled her in on Fischer’s role.

Cate scowled. “What a prince.”

“Quite a contrast to Eduardo, who followed the honorable course and came forward at what he thought was immense personal risk.”

“And then we have Noah Evans.”