The girl straightened her light blue coat. “Thanks.” She all but hopped on the chair. “I like this kind of work. What else can I do?”

“Have you met a boy named Davie Tate?”

“Yes.” She lit up. “He is so hot. You know? He kind of stays in the background but is so cute you can’t help but notice him. It’s like he’s kind of a rebel because he doesn’t care what anybody thinks. I mean, he’s in my algebra class also, but he doesn’t talk or answer questions like Tommy does. But if Ms. Montetro calls on him, he has the right answer. He just doesn’t make a big deal about it.”

Laurel had pegged him as being intelligent. “What’s his general attitude?” The kid had sworn at her.

Viv twisted her lip as she appeared to think it through. “Just kind of cool because he doesn’t care. He’s nice to everybody, but there’s an edge to him that’s kind of intriguing.” She slipped her notebook back into her bag.

Yet another example of good girls liking bad boys. “Have you ever seen him angry?” Laurel asked.

“He and Tommy goof off a lot in the cafeteria and stuff, but I’ve never seen him actually mad. Well, except once when Tommy was giving him a hard time about the school lunch. I guess Davie always eats the cafeteria food, while most of us buy cheeseburgers or tacos from the other vendors next to the cafeteria.” She sobered. “I didn’t think about that. Wouldn’t that be in a profile?”

Laurel shrugged. “Who knows. You’ve done a good job. When Davie became angry, what happened?”

“He slammed his fist on the table, and Tommy stopped bugging him. That was it.” She frowned. “But I think that was also the day Tommy got a flat tire. Maybe? I don’t know. I can find out.”

“No.” Laurel held up a hand. “As an investigator, you have to know when to stop asking questions so somebody else can. Otherwise, the subject might become suspicious and refuse to answer anybody’s inquiries.” She didn’t want Viv in either Tommy or Davie’s crosshairs, just in case.

“Oh. That makes sense.” The girl nodded wisely. “This was awesome. Please let me keep helping.” The girls had worked to put the office and computer room together during their winter break.

“Sure. One more question for you about Tommy. Is he dating anybody?”

“No. He was kind of goofing off with Joley Ortega, but I think he’s already moved on to a senior named Kallie.” She buttoned her coat.

Good. That would please Dr. Ortega. “Thank you for investigating for me.”

“Sure. Is there anything else I can do to help? I’d really like to work here,” Viv asked.