“Sinclair?”
“Thoughtful,” Sara said. “Funny—but something always made her feel ill at ease.”
“And what about Benton?”
Sara’s voice dropped. “She thought he was the one. Then she walked in on him with a student. He acted like she was the problem. It wrecked her.”
Calder didn’t hesitate. “Benton doesn’t have the patience for what was done to you.”
Tucker’s voice came through the intercom. “Go deeper on Raines.”
Calder didn’t turn. “Sara—did Lauren describe fear around him?”
Sara shook her head. “Not fear. But she said he remembered everything. Held grudges. Watched people like he was waiting for them to slip.”
Calder closed her folder. “That’s enough for today.”
Sara’s hands loosened as the nurse stepped in and guided her out.
Observation Room — Moments Later
The door shut.
Tucker folded his arms. “Raines keeps rising to the top.”
McHan opened his notebook. “Curated house. Impeccable memory. Holds grudges.”
Denton added, “No spouse. No visible social life outside campus.”
Scout didn’t speak.
Burke looked at him. “What’re you thinking, Wilson?”
Scout answered without looking up. “It’s not enough.”
Denton lifted a brow. “You want a confession?”
“I want the fracture. The first loss of control. That’s what matters.”
Tucker turned to the analysts. “What else?”
A younger analyst slid a folder forward. “Denied tenure. Publication issues. A complaint for ‘professional overreach.’”
Denton nodded once. It lined up with Calder’s profile.
The analyst continued. “Purchase history shows multiple orders from a small specialty supplier out of Boone. Cedar sachets. Dried lavender blends. Not bulk grocery store stuff.”
He flipped another page.
“Three separate orders,” the analyst said. “Lavender sachets. Calming oils. Escalating quantities. Paid with his personal card.”
The room went still.
Calder met Tucker’s gaze. “That’s pattern.”
Tucker snapped his notebook shut.
“Bring him in.”
