“I’m not changing your grade, Harmony.” Erin had no time to argue with her. The theory playing out in her thoughts was fast becoming a conviction. Once again, Harmony would benefit from a murderer’s madness. To shoo her away, Erin said quickly, “I want an essay emailed to me by tonight on the proper technique for profiling serial killers. One minute past midnight, and you keep the D.” Erin wasn’t prepared for the bony arms to wrap around her or to be crushed into a sea of perfume. She awkwardly patted Harmony’s shoulder. “You should get to work.”

Harmony spun on a teetering heel and rushed out of the office, already on her cell phone to her friends. Erin wanted to rush out as well, but was stopped by Jessica.

“That was nice of you, Dr. Abbott.” Jessica gestured to the door. “Hopefully, she won’t take advantage of you.”

Before Erin could respond, Kenneth Bernard appeared in her doorway. Sweat beaded his brow. “Dr. Abbott?”

Erin shifted away and her pulse jumped. Had she done something to reveal her thoughts? “Yes?”

Kenneth swiped at his wet forehead, his eyes darting around the office. “I ran into Ms. Turner. I hope you agreed to change her grade. We can’t afford to alienate Harmon Turner. He’s the most powerful real estate developer in Louisiana, and a generous benefactor to the university.”

“I gave her an opportunity, Kenneth, but not because of her father.” Erin’s tone was cool. “I thought you had a plane to catch.”

“My flight’s not until tomorrow, but I have errands to run,” he muttered. “It seems I forgot to bring my wallet. I don’t know quite where I may have left it.” He stared into the office. “Maybe I left it in the classroom.” Turning, he limped away.

Erin watched him go. Erratic behavior, she knew, was often a sign of stress at a breaking point. Odd that he had been so eager to avoid her, as though afraid she would see something he wanted to hide, only to return so quickly. Alone, it meant nothing, but she could see a pattern emerging.

“Finished with the computer,” Jessica announced. She shoveled her stuff into a knapsack. “I’ll see you in a few weeks, Dr. Abbott.”

“Have a good vacation,” Erin murmured, distracted by the swirling possibilities. Hide. The word repeated itself, echoing, and Erin was chilled by its implications. Tamping down the panic that seemed a part of her, she forced herself to draw the connections. Find the pattern.