Page 13 of Wild Escape

The crowd laughed again.

"We see this kind of behavior play out on campus all the time. Fraternities and sororities create exclusive groups. New members are often seen as less than human until their final initiation. Wherever there are groups, people will find a way to stratify themselves."

The bell rang, and the students sprang from their seats, ready to escape the lecture hall.

"I want you to read chapter 7 and be fully familiar with the concepts. There may be a quiz on Wednesday.” By his tone, there was definitely a quiz on Wednesday.

When the auditorium cleared, JD and I made our way down the steps to the podium. I displayed my badge as I approached. "Joshua Morris, Deputy Wild with Coconut County. This is my partner, Jack Donovan."

Concern flashed in his eyes.

"You've no doubt heard about the demise of Gabby Templeton?”

8

Joshua squirmed, looking uncomfortable. He was about 35 with short, light brown hair and handsome features. His jaw was lined with a day’s worth of stubble. With a corduroy jacket, an Oxford shirt, and jeans, he gave off professor vibes.

He cleared his throat before speaking. "Yes, that was a terrible tragedy. Can you tell me what happened to her?”

"Somebody dumped her in the ocean," I said flatly, staring him down.

Joshua cringed.

"Can you tell me about your relationship with the deceased?"

He swallowed hard. "She was my student.”

"Is that all?”

He hesitated. "I'm not sure what you're suggesting."

"I'm suggesting that maybe there was a little something more than just a student-teacher relationship."

His eyes narrowed as they flicked between the two of us. "Gabby was a friend. We met over the summer semester. We shared a common interest in psychology. I didn't realize she was a student until later."

"Later, as in after you started sleeping with her?”

He balked. "I did not have a sexual relationship with that woman. That would be against school policy. I'm a happily married man, gentlemen.”

I shared a look with Jack and tried to contain my grin before I dropped the hammer. "Are you sure there wasn’t anything more between the two of you?”

"I'm not sure what you're getting at.”

"Gabby spent a lot of time in your office. There were also two occasions when you spent time together at the Seven Seas in the Pineapple Cabana, if I'm not mistaken."

His face stiffened, and he swallowed hard. "Where are you getting your information?”

"It would be a lot easier if you just told us the truth. When people lie to me, it makes me suspicious.”

"I'm not lying to you. Like I said, I'm a happily married man. My relationship with Gabby was a platonic one. She was a very bright girl. Great sense of humor. Fun to be around.”

"I wonder how your wife would feel about you spending so much time with one of your students?" I said.

Joshua’s face went pale, and sweat misted his brow. "I have nothing to hide from my wife."

I stifled a scoff. "Oh, I think you had something pretty big to hide from your wife.”

His brow wrinkled with confusion. "I'm not sure what you're talking about.”