“I’ll offer to drive you to urgent care on my way home. If someone else wants to bring you back, fine. If not, I’ll volunteer to wait around. Ask Kayla to come with you. We have to talk—but thanks to the world we live in, a chaperone would be expected. Once we’re there, I’ll finagle a few minutes alone for us if necessary.”

“Okay.”

The door from the main building opened again and two figures emerged. “We’re about to have company. Tucker and Fischer.”

He kept walking as the two men jogged toward them, their complexions almost as pasty as Cate’s.

Panting from exertion, Tucker gave her a quick once-over. “What happened?”

“Someone jumped her in the woods.”

More color seeped from the man’s face. “I’ll call the police—and an ambulance.”

“No.” Cate roused herself. “I’m . . . not hurt that bad.”

“An ambulance may be overkill,” Zeke interjected. “Why don’t I run her to an urgent care on my way home? The police can meet us there.”

“Ask . . . ask Kayla to come with me.” Cate sent an imploring glance to Tucker. “Please.”

She was sticking to the script.

Good girl.

The president hesitated.

“She’s back there. In the crowd.” Zeke nodded toward the throng that was gathering on the sidewalk. “Having another student go with us would be prudent.”

“Yes. I agree.” He angled sideways, picked Kayla out of the crowd, and motioned her over.

The girl disengaged from the group and joined them, brow puckered.

“Kayla . . . I have to go to urgent care. Would you come with me? I don’t have any other friends here yet.” Cate reached out and touched the girl’s arm.

Her roommate’s features softened. “Sure. What happened?” She directed the question to Tucker.

“She ran into someone up to no good in the woods.”

“I told you letting the girls wander around on the property wasn’t safe.” Will planted his fists on his hips, mouth flat. “Even with the new patrols, we can’t be everywhere every minute.”

“You’re right. Before you leave for the day, let’s discuss what kinds of changes we should implement. I can announce any new policies at tomorrow’s assembly. Zeke, I’ll notify Cate’s father about the incident and pick her up at urgent care. If you could stay with her until I get there, I’d appreciate it.”

“No problem. Kayla, let’s go.”

He strode across the frozen lawn, and the girl fell in beside him. The group on the sidewalk parted to let them through, the students’ shocked demeanors and quiet murmurs adding to the jittery cadence of this day.

But the worst was over. Barring a severe head injury, which didn’t appear likely, Cate would recover.

The real question was why had it happened at all—and why to her? Had she been specifically targeted?

If so, that could mean her cover had been blown.