She swallowed.
“He left everything else. Took my words.”
Calder held her gaze. “The detective?”
“Believed me. The dean let him resign. Gave him time.”
“So he stayed.”
“For weeks. HR said they were handling it.”
“Until today.”
“In the hallway… he looked at me like he still owned it.”
Silence.
“Is he doing it again?” she asked.
“We’re investigating.”
Emily covered her mouth. When she reached for the water, her hands shook.
“Dr. Calder?”
“Yes.”
“He kept one journal.”
Calder went still. “You’re sure?”
“He told me. Said it meant something.”
“Describe it.”
“Maroon leather. White stitching. My name inside.”
“We’ll find it.”
“Youdid something brave,” Calder said.
“It doesn’t feel brave.”
“It rarely does.”
Observation Room
Calder stepped out.
Burke stood behind the glass. Tucker beside him. Scout watched the hall.
“She’s credible,” Calder said. “Trauma-consistent. The journal detail is specific.”
“If he kept it,” Tucker said, “it’s a trophy.”
“It wasn’t sex,” Scout said. “It was control.”
“He didn’t take jewelry,” Calder said. “He took her words.”
