Page 79 of Vanish From Sight

“Yes, I do,” Callie said.

“Deputy.”

Callie ignored him. “Mr. Hawthorne. A year ago, Katherine went through a split with her husband. A period of time when she went into a shelter. Nicholas said it was related to a loss in the family, stress at work and her relationship. Do you recall that?”

McKenzie sighed and took a seat.

“I do. I was the one who spoke with Nicholas.”

“There we are! He recalls speaking with him. Time to leave,”he said, rising again. Callie remained stoic, her gaze never breaking from Hawthorne.

“What was the stress at work she was dealing with?”

He shrugged. “I would have to look over her records of what she was handling back then. As you might appreciate, our environment here is very dynamic. Students graduate every year. New ones arrive.”

“Like Charlie Delaney?”

She noticed Hawthorne exchange a glance with Erin.

“He is one of our students. Yes.”

“And someone that Katherine was working with, correct?”

Hawthorne nodded, a smile forming. “That’s right.”

“You see, I did a little digging.” She reached into a black zipper folder and pulled out a report. As she said that, she heard McKenzie sigh. “It came to my attention that there was a police report filed by State Trooper Samantha Torres back in September last year of four teenagers that were charged with third-degree assault. It was classed as a misdemeanor, after a fight broke out here at the Academy.” She got up and placed it on his desk so he could see. “Troopers arrived here in the late afternoon after a sixteen-year-old boy was transported to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. The victim had sustained multiple wounds, scrapes, and bruises around the back, face and head after being kicked and punched. Students Adam Tomlin, Joshua Whelan, Ricky Patel and Benjamin Kim were charged with misdemeanor assault and released with appearance tickets for Adirondack County Family Court. When asked for a statement, you said it was unfortunate that your students’ behavior had become so disruptive, however, there were no significant injuries, all students would receive counseling, and that the matter would be handled.”

“And it was.”

“That victim of that assault was Charlie Delaney,” shereplied. “Your residential counselor at the time was Katherine Evans. No motive was offered by the school.”

“What can I say? We deal with troubled youth. Emphasis on troubled.”

“Would any of that trouble involve hazing?”

He scoffed. “I was referring to the problems they bring.”

“Well, it’s just that a month after that event, the Adirondack Central Supervisory Union sent out a memo that gave an updated procedure on the prevention of harassment, hazing and bullying of students. It outlined what constituted as such, and detailed how students might report what they believe to be a hazing, harassment or bullying by promptly reporting the conduct to a designated school employee. In addition, it outlined clear guidelines for any school employee who witnesses conduct or reasonably believes conduct might constitute as a hazing, harassment or bullying and what measures they would have to take to stop and prevent a recurrence and who to report it to.”

Hawthorne sighed, looking frustrated. “I’m familiar with it. The memo also from my recollection outlined how to deal with false complaints.”

“Is that what Charlie Delaney’s claim was?”

“I wouldn’t know. He met with Katherine and no report was filed.”

Callie stifled a laugh, nodding slowly. “Or maybe she didn’t get a chance to file it.”

“I’m sorry, what are you alluding to?”

“She’s not. I think our time here is over,” McKenzie said, rising for the third time to his feet, this time taking her arm. “Let’s go, deputy.”

Unmoved, Callie continued. “What I am trying to say is that I think Katherine was dealing with the aftermath of what wasbeing deemed a hazing. So. Was it a hazing gone wrong or something more?”

“Deputy. Mr. Hawthorne has answered the questions we came to ask.”

“Not yet.”

McKenzie got really close and whispered, “What did we agree?”