Chapter Two. "Look, I understand the privacy rules

"Look, I understand the privacy rules. Really, I do. I just need some information."

"Detective O'Connor, I can't give you anything other than published directory information," the registrar said for the fourth time.

"We can subpoena the information," Casey threatened, watching as the older woman's eyebrows shot up over her black-rimmed glasses.

"Then please do so. It would make it so much easier on me."

Casey leaned forward. "This girl was brutally murdered. A student of yours. All I'm asking for is a little help. If I could find someone who knew her, someone who took a class with her, that's all I need." She gave what she hoped was a charming smile, one the registrar couldn't resist.

Finally, she saw a crack in the professional mask. "Listen, why don't you wait in the hallway? I'll ask around. Maybe I can find someone who knew her."

"I appreciate this, Mrs. Wheat. Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet, Detective. I haven't given you anything."

Casey nodded, then left with only a slight bow in her direction. She hated begging for information. And they would most likely subpoena the girl's records anyway, but leads ran cold if left too long.

She sat down on one of the hard-backed chairs and folded one leg over the other, resting it on her knee as she watched students walk by. They all looked so young, making her feel much older than her thirty-three years. She wondered if any of these students may have known Dana, may have passed her on the way to class, may have even sat beside her in class. She wondered if the word had spread yet that one of their own had been killed--ruthlessly murdered.

It had only been a few months since she'd transferred to Homicide from Special Victims, and she still wasn't used to it. But as Tori had told her, you never get used to it. And she hoped she didn't. She never wanted to become accustomed to murder. But it was the main reason she'd left Special Victims. She'd become nearly immune to rape, to sexual assault. To the tears. And it had become exhausting trying to convince her victims to testify in court, to face their attackers, when all they wanted was to forget. So when Lieutenant Malone had offered her a spot on the team, she'd accepted after only a little prodding from Tori. After the St. Mary's fiasco and Father Michael's murder, they'd remained in touch, with Tori and Sam inviting her often to dinner or out to the boat for a weekend of fishing. They'd become close. In fact, so close, she'd call Tori her best friend.

The soft buzzing of her cell phone put an end to her thoughts and she opened it, seeing Hunter displayed in bold.

"O'Connor," she answered.

"We have the name of the boyfriend. He's a student there. Night classes. Are you having any luck?"

She shook her head. "None. The registrar doesn't want to break FERPA."

"What the hell is FERPA?"

"Privacy act that governs higher education. I tried to sweet-talk her. I'm waiting while she sees if there is something she can give me."

"Okay. Don't waste too much time. We're on our way to pick up the boyfriend."

"You got in touch with the family?"

"Yeah. Sikes did. They live in Arlington. And the boyfriend is practically a part of their family. They said no way could he have done this."

"They always say that."

"We also found out who the Julie was who called the manager. Julie Watts, her best friend. She's not answering her cell. Since you're there, maybe you could try to get in touch with her. She lives on campus."

"Yeah, okay." Casey jotted down the number Tori gave her then folded her phone and slipped it into the leather pouch clipped to her belt. She felt eyes on her as students passed by and she consciously moved her holster to the back and out of sight. Fall, winter, even spring, she could wear a jacket to hide her weapon. But summer? There wasn't a lot you could do, and she--like Tori--refused to wear a sports jacket with her jeans when it was a hundred degrees out.

"Detective O'Connor?"

She turned, nodding at a young girl who approached.

"Mrs. Wheat asked me to give you this," she said quietly, handing over a piece of paper.

"Thank you. Tell her I appreciate it."

She turned away and unfolded the paper. The Debate Club. Under that was written a name and room number. She walked down the hallway, stopping the first student who looked her way.

"Excuse me. Can you tell me where I can find Dr. Arness? She's with the debate club."

"She's in the business building."

Casey was about to ask where she could find that building when the student hurried off. The campus wasn't that big. Surely she could find it.

"Next block," Sikes said, then held on as Tori sped around a corner. "I swear, it's a miracle you haven't killed us yet with the way you drive."

"I get us there, don't I?"

"Oh, yeah. You've just taken years off my life, that's all."

Tori grinned as she slammed on her brakes, tossing Sikes forward.

"Jesus Christ, Hunter!"

"The light was yellow."

"You barely stop at red lights, much less yellow."

"Cops aren't above the law." She glanced in the rearview mirror, thankful they didn't get hit. No one stopped at yellow lights. As soon as it turned green, she sped through the intersection, tossing John back against the seat.

"You're such a guy," he muttered as he adjusted his seatbelt. "A teenage guy."

"Glass Sporting Goods, there it is."

"You think the family already called him?"

"You asked them not to, right?"

"Doesn't mean they didn't."

"And most likely they did."

There were only a few customers inside, but at one of the registers, a group was gathered, all wearing nametags. She looked at Sikes. "They called him." She walked over to the group, holding up her badge. "We're looking for Brian Helms. This is Detective Sikes, I'm Detective Hunter. Is he around?"

After only a slight hesitation, one of the young girls came forward. "No, he left. Dana's mother called. We just can't believe it. Brian was so distraught."

"Do you know where he went?"

"He went to their house, I guess."

"The parents' house?"

"Yes."

Tori sighed. "Wonderful," she muttered.

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