Page 26 of Three Girls Gone (Detective Amanda Steele #14)

TWENTY-ONE

Things turned out just as Amanda expected.

They were walking away with no video footage to show for their trouble.

It was either broken cameras or none were installed to start with.

Most people told them the neighborhood was safe.

One person had changed their opinion since Friday, though, and said they’d already contacted a security company to enhance protection, including camera installation. Too little, too late…

Trent pulled into the lot for Hailey’s school around noon. The timing should work to catch the principal before they left for lunch, unless they’d slipped out for an early one. She and Trent had grabbed a quick bite to eat before driving over.

They went into the school and were seated in the principal’s office within a handful of minutes. Marvin Hatfield was a bit on the stocky side, in his late forties, with a friendly face.

He was seated behind his desk, and Amanda and Trent were in chairs facing him.

“The entire school is in shock,” Marvin told them.

“It’s all so surreal. I worry most about the students.

Many of them are struggling with Hailey’s murder.

We’re holding an assembly later this afternoon to let them know the school is here for them, and if they want to talk to someone, the counselor is always available.

We’ll stress there’s no shame in seeking help.

In fact, it’s a strong thing to do. We’ll also cover basic safety measures they can all take to protect themselves.

You know, like don’t talk to strangers, that type of thing. ”

“That’s an important message,” she said, not missing that he’d teed things up for what they needed to discuss. “Speaking of safety measures, does the school have security video outside?”

“It does. On the doors. If you want to watch any of the footage, I can make it available to you. But she wasn’t taken from here.”

“No, but we’ve learned Hailey Tanner took part in the school’s performance of The Nutcracker ,” Trent said.

“Sure, back in December.”

“That event was open to the public, correct?” Trent asked.

“That’s right.” A tightness edged into his voice.

“Watching any video from that evening could be imperative to the investigation.” Though it might be too much to hope they’d be able to pluck Wilson M out of the footage.

“I will get that for you.”

“That would be appreciated,” Amanda said. “Is there any way of getting a list of names for people who attended the show?”

“No, as your partner said, it was open to the public. Cash only, and no names were collected.”

“But the show was performed by young children, Mr.Hatfield. There must have been some concern about their safety.” This was the mother in her taking issue with an open house at the school. Anyone could make their way inside, including people with ill intentions.

Marvin stiffened. “We had the standard school security. Bag checks, wands for knives and guns.”

“Okay, thank you, Mr.Hatfield,” Trent said. “ If you could get that video together and send it to the address on here.” He presented the principal with his card, pointing out his email.

“Will do.”

Marvin kept his eye on Amanda as she went to leave, which she knew because she was looking at him.

Once they hit the fresh air of the parking lot and got into the car, she turned on Trent. “I feel like I’m on a leash. What was that about?”

“What was what about?” he pushed back.

“You stepped in back there, called an end to the meeting.”

“I thought we were finished with him. We asked all we came to ask.”

“That’s not the point.”

“What am I missing? You call an end to most of our interviews, but I never say a thing.”

“I’m the senior detective.” The words were out, and she wished she could pull them back. He pursed his lips, and his cheeks flashed red. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, you’re right, but I also know you, Amanda.”

She couldn’t argue with the truth, and they both knew it.

“I could see that you were getting on his bad side. He gets his back up, he’s suddenly less cooperative, and we need that video.”

“We’d get it even if he didn’t like me.”

“True. I’m sure we could get a warrant and force him to hand it over, but you’re not the only one feeling the loss of that little girl.

That man is reeling too. I certainly wouldn’t want to trade places with him.

Imagine being responsible for Hailey and this happening to her.

That’s before having it pointed out to him that his school has security loopholes. ”

“He should already know that. I just hate the idea of strangers wandering off the street into public schools.” And like that, this conversation turned personal. Zoe had been kidnapped from her school not long after Amanda had taken her in.

“It wasn’t like that, and you know it.”

“Do I?”

“Come on, they aren’t the first school to hold a public event. They won’t be the last.”

“Maybe not, but there should be more accountability, more security.”

“Sure, but that’s a matter for another day.”

Before she could respond, her phone rang. She answered without noting the caller’s identity because she just wanted a pause from this conversation with Trent.

“It’s Katherine. Return to Central. I have something you’re going to want to hear.”