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“Are you aware,” Dean Darwell asked as she tilted her head at Colleen condescendingly, “of the nondisclosure agreement that Olivia’s mother, Dana D’Ambrose, signed concerning the death? By that legally binding agreement and generous settlement , the tragic matter, I believe, was firmly resolved. Olivia sadly died of a drug overdose in her dorm. Regrettable as it is, and as sympathetic to Mr. Ramos as we truly are, that’s really all there is to it.”

“Not only am I aware of the agreement,” Colleen said calmly, “I’ve actually read it over several times. But let me repeat in order to be perfectly clear, I’m not representing Olivia’s mother but rather Emilio Ramos, Olivia’s father . He signed no such contract and wishes to learn more details about what exactly transpired with his child’s death.”

Dean Darwell pursed her lips as she considered Colleen’s statement. She sat up even more stiffly in her seat if that were possible.

“I see,” she said. “I believe Mr. Ramos also was offered a similar agreement with a generous sum of money attached to it. I hate to speak in such frank terms concerning the loss of a young life, but would your presence here perhaps be in relation to a negotiating tactic of some sort on Mr. Ramos’s part, perhaps an attempt by Mr. Ramos to receive a larger sum? Again, I don’t mean to be insulting or callous in any way. I am merely trying to get a feel for everyone’s concerns and interests.”

“Mr. Ramos seeks one thing, Dean Darwell,” Colleen said, staring at the woman steadily with her serene gray eyes. “Merely the truth. That’s why I would really appreciate it if you would share with us all incident reports of the night in question and all follow-up reports as well. Also, I would formally like to request at this time permission to conduct interviews with all security and staff involved. And as I see out there that you have an elaborate security camera system, I would like to formally ask for an opportunity to view video from the night of October 11 of last year from any and all campus-wide security cameras.”

“That security array out there is brand-new,” Director Travers said calmly.

Colleen turned to him.

He stared back at her steadily, not blinking.

In fact, he hadn’t moved a muscle since the meeting began, had he?

Quite a cool one , Colleen thought.

“From the old system, then,” Colleen finally said. “The one that was in use at the time of Olivia’s death would be perfectly fine.”

“But those tapes are—” Director Travers began.

“Ms. Doherty!” Dean Darwell said loudly.

Colleen turned to her. She could see the woman’s eyes were wide and even a little bit wild behind her glasses now.

She’d gone full cat lady, Colleen thought. She seemed scared. Sort of terrified, in fact.

My, my , Colleen thought.

What the hell had happened to Olivia that night?

“Yes?” Colleen finally said.

“Ms. Doherty, if you...if you could formally put all of your requests in writing, I will speak to the college’s legal counsel to ensure that the best course of action is taken. Is that fair?”

It was Colleen’s turn to cock her own head at the dean now.

“Fair to stonewall and lawyer up on a father who’s merely trying to find out what happened to his deceased twenty-year-old daughter?” Colleen said as if she were considering it. “His only child whose safety and well-being he very unwisely put under your care?”

She lifted her bag and stood.

“No,” she said. “That’s not fair. Not even a little. I’m going to be up here for a few days talking to several other people about this matter. During that time, if you feel like—what is the term the police use? Oh, yes. Getting out ahead of this—I left my card and number at the desk. Good morning.”