Page 562 of Lessons in Cruelty

His disarming laugh is anything but.

What, suddenly we’re friends?

“What am I saying? A professor with a master’s in philosophy, psychology, and anthropology knows a hell of a lot more than I do.” He waves a dismissive hand toward the board and then shrugs. “I’m just surprised it’s part of your curriculum. Then again, Cinderhart High is a prep school in everything but name.”

I shove my laptop harder into its slot in my satchel than is strictly required, turning to face Thatcher with a stony face. Which is surely better than a scowl.

“Was there something you needed from me, Off—” I swallow down a growl of irritation. “Deputy?”

He’s back to staring at the board with a bemused frown.

“Mm? Oh, yes. I was actually hoping to find Miss Lee in your class today.”

You and me both, pal.

“And?” I prompt. Icily. As I glance at my watch. Because Christ, don’t they teach cops how to read the fucking room?

“Do you know where she is?”

“I don’t keep tabs on my students.”

“No, of course. I just thought—” Thatcher purses his lips, like he’s reluctant to admit it “—since you’re almost single-handedly responsible for Miss Lee’s scholarship, you’d be keeping a close eye on her. Surely her attendance is…important?”

The beat of silence that follows turns the air to lead.

“You seem very interested in Miss Lee,” I mutter, when I can’t think of a single fucking thing to say. “Am I missing something?”

Thatcher looks away, mouth twitching, then back with something approaching resignation. “I don’t make a habit of leaking information, but since you’ll be reading about it in the papers tomorrow anyway…” He bows his head. “A body was discovered yesterday evening.”

He’s still looking at me.

Watching oh-so very closely.

“That’s unfortunate,” I say. “Someone Miss Lee knew?”

Thatcher nods. “I’d have preferred to notify her in person before she reads it in the paper, but the Sheriff’s department can only keep a crime of this magnitude out of the public eye for a day or two at the most.”

“My God,” I whisper, shaking my head. “That poor, poor girl. As if she hasn’t suffered enough in this goddamn life.” I slide a hand over my mouth to hide the smirk threatening to show up.

Thatcher says nothing. He’s reserving all his energy for catching the tiniest hint of something he doesn’t like on my face.

It’s my turn to look away, suddenly reticent about what I’m about to share.

“Look…it’s really not my place…”

I expect Thatcher to grovel for whatever sliver of information I have, but he just waits.

Calm. Impassive.

Fucking infuriating.

“My T.A. Kai—” I cut my eyes to the empty desk “—has been AWOL the entire week. Turns out he’s been kicked out of his frat.”

It felt like desperation, knocking on NEX’s frat house door Tuesday afternoon, asking if anyone had seen my T.A. Thankfully, the kid who’d answered the door and told me about Kai’s predicament seemed as nonplussed as I was pretending to be.

Thatcher frowns. “What does that have to do with Miss Lee?”

I frown right back. “You didn’t know they were in a relationship?”