“Yes.” He finished retying his shoe and stood, shifting into wing-it mode. “Lace came undone. I wouldn’t want to trip in front of my new colleagues and lose face the first day.” He called up a grin.

Richard chuckled. “I hear you—but they’re a forgiving bunch. Are you joining us for lunch?”

That had been the plan. If he wanted to get to know his coworkers, begin laying the groundwork for relationships that could produce useful information, he should take advantage of every opportunity for social interaction.

Except a more urgent priority had arisen.

“I hope so, but I have to deal with an issue my new landlord texted me about during the meeting.” The lie tripped off his tongue, deception second nature to him after all these years. “May I join you in progress if I can resolve this quickly?”

“Of course. I’ll be delayed myself. I have to do a meet-and-greet with a new student. No one will mark you tardy if you’re late.” With a wink and a grin, he continued around the corner, out of sight.

After a few moments, Zeke checked on his progress.

He was heading toward Cate and her companion.

As he watched, Richard shook hands with the man, then with Cate, and motioned them down the hall, toward his office.

Toward him.

Zeke backtracked to the deserted conference room, slipped inside, and shut the door behind him, replaying Richard’s words.

A meet-and-greet with a new student.

Not computing.

Unless Cate had a daughter she’d never bothered to mention, that story didn’t add up.

He needed answers.

Keeping tabs on the closed door, he pulled out his cell and keyed in the contact number reserved for emergencies.

Like this one.

Because unless he could find out what was going on and take proactive measures to protect himself, Cate Reilly could ruin everything.

She did not want to be here.

Heaving a sigh, Cate plopped onto the twin bed she’d been assigned in a dorm room, scooted back against the wall, and wrapped her arms around her knees.

At least the meeting with the president yesterday had gone well. He’d seemed to buy the story the fellow detective posing as her father had told him.

Now all she had to do was figure out what had happened to Stephanie.

Piece of cake, right?

Ha.

Despite Sarge’s reassurance, this could end up being a long gig.

And until there was a break in this case that would let her get back to her normal routine of homicide and murder investigations, she was stuck here.

So what could she do to expedite the process?

Unfortunately, not much today other than wander around and get the lay of the land. Classes didn’t start until Monday, and most of the students wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow.

She wiggled into a more comfortable position, tension thrumming through her nerve endings.