Page 29 of Make No Mistake

Nine

I wokeup the next morning, realizing I didn’t have classes to go to. That left me with the option of staying home and continuing to obsess over where things were going with Jay or finding something to distract myself.

Definitely number two.

Maybe, just maybe, I could force myself to find a subject for my project. I looked around my room, feeling just as uninspired as ever.

My phone lit up on my nightstand, so I reached over and pulled it off the charger. I had a text from Jay and one from Mr. Jowett. I opened the one from Jay first.

It was a link to an article. I opened it and quickly skimmed. It was yet another story about the attack on campus, this time from a national paper. I rolled my eyes at their very liberal use of the few facts we had. This story was something out of a movie with the suspect being considered a stalker of the victim. There was absolutely zero proof of that.

This was a stupid story to drive sales and people to their site. It was cheap journalism. I texted Jay my thoughts on the article before opening the next message.

It was a request for another article on the attack. Of course. He wanted us to have a follow-up with any new developments. I send a quick confirmation, then climbed out of bed to get to my laptop. I searched for new releases from the police or campus security, but nothing.

If I wanted more information, I was going to have to be more proactive.

Within thirty minutes, I was out the door. I drove to the police station and walked through the entrance with confidence. If there was one thing I’d learned over the years as a school reporter it was that if you wanted to get the good stuff you had to act like you already knew. I had to act almost entitled for the information.

It had worked in the past, and I prayed it worked today. I stepped up to the front desk and asked for Detective Larson. He was the one that gave the initial statement after the attack, so I hoped he was still over the case.

Another expert tip, don’t walk in unprepared. The more information I has the easier it was to fake it.

Minutes later a man greeted me. I stood from the waiting room chair and shook his hand.

“What can I do for you today, Ms. Page?”

“Thank you for taking the time to see me, sir.” Cops loved the yes sir, no sir business. “I’m here on behalf of the CU Daily.”

He nodded. He wasn’t throwing me out so that was a good sign.

“There are several rumors spreading about what took place on the night of the attack.” He opened his mouth, but I quickly continued before he could stop me. “I understand it’s an ongoing investigation so the information you can release is limited. We just want to be able to give more insight to the students. A lot of them are scared.”

He looked away from me and seemed to be thinking. I was hoping by bringing up the other students and the fear on campus he would sympathize.

“I understand your desire for more information, Ms. Page. I wish there was more I could tell you right now, but with where things are in the investigation, there isn’t anything I can tell you that we haven’t already made public.”

I nodded and smiled sweetly. “Of course, sir. Thank you again for your time.”

He nodded and looked over his shoulder. “I hope your friend, Ms. Platt, heals soon.”

The realization of what he just told me was a shock to my entire system, but I fought it back and kept my face neutral.

“Thank you, sir.”

He turned and walked back through the way he’d entered, while I hurried through the entrance and got in my car.

I had the name. A last name, but still. The name of the victim had been kept from the news. She wasn’t a minor, but I assumed they wanted to keep her out of the news.

I bit my lip and tried to slow my thoughts. There was only one hospital in the area. I knew that’s where she had to be, but I couldn’t just walk in and ask to see Ms. Platt.

No. I needed her first name. As much information as I could get just in case they asked me any questions. And I knew just who could get that information for me.

He answered on the first ring. “Mac, where are you?”

“Mr. Jowett asked me for another article.”

“Yeah, I know. Which is why I’m wondering where you are.”