CHAPTER EIGHT
Seated around the auditorium, Ham, Jak, Gator, Frank, and the others asked about the various cases they were currently working. The one at the top of everyone’s mind was whatever was going on with Willa and her classmate.
“Overall, I think they all felt that Morris is just a weird guy but hadn’t reacted that way before. The one I thought was weird, was Nicole. She just seemed removed, disinterested,” said Gator.
“Maybe she and this dude, Morris, have or had something going on. Or maybe she’s hot for him,” said Ham.
“I didn’t get that vibe,” said Hoot. “Maybe it was all a fluke. Maybe he doesn’t like change or new people and when he saw the three of you he panicked.”
“Maybe,” frowned Finn. “I just got the vibe that he was pissed we were there.”
“We’re going to take Willa to her last exam this morning and wait for her, just to be certain nothing is going on. We’ll stay out of sight but be close enough to get to her if we need to,” said River.
Ham nodded at the three brothers and then looked at the rest of the men.
“Let’s see if we can find this guy. I don’t like that we haven’t found photos to verify his identity, a physical address or even a cell phone number. It’s giving me the creeps.”
When the guys pulled up to Willa’s building on campus, Finn jumped out and gave her a hug and kiss.
“We’ll be right here for you when class is done,” he said smiling at her.
“Thanks, Finn. I feel silly about this but I just know something is off with Morris, or maybe with me,” she grinned.
“Nothing is off with you. You’re trusting your gut which is exactly what we tell everyone to do. Tonight, it’s you and me and a celebratory dinner alone.”
“I’d like that,” she said smiling up at him. “I love you, Finn.”
“Love you, too,” he said kissing her once more.
He waited, watching to ensure she got into the building and was safely inside. When he turned to his brothers, he noticed them frowning, nodding toward the somber figure of Morris coming toward the building.
Finn got into the SUV quickly as they watched him.
“Do you think he saw us?” asked Finn.
“No way. The guy was looking down the entire time. No phone. No book, nothing. Just staring at his feet frowning like it was the end of the world.”
“Man, I do not like this at all,” said Finn.
“You don’t like it because it involves the woman you love. But in fairness, I don’t like it either,” said Quinn.
“How long is this exam?” asked River.
“Two fucking hours,” frowned Finn.
“I’ll go grab us some coffee.”
He stepped out of the SUV and walked across the street to the student union. There were upscale coffee shops, a cafeteria, three different fast-food restaurants and more snacks than he’d ever seen. Ordering the three coffees he took all three black, walking back across the street with his brothers.
“What now?” asked Quinn. Finn looked at his brothers, taking a sip of the hot, strong coffee.
“Now, we wait.”
As the professor began preparations for the exam, everyone gave nervous smiles to one another and waited for the instructions and exam to come through on their laptops.
Willa looked around the room, giving a nod to all of her classmates. She noticed that Morris wasn’t even looking in her direction. Instead, his head was down and he had such a look of anguish and fear on his face, she wondered what could be wrong.
Then she noticed something. Ara wasn’t in the room. She turned to speak to Samantha.
“Where is your sister?” she asked.
“I’m not sure. She said she was going to come in early but I haven’t seen her. I texted her but she didn’t answer.”
“Was she sick?” asked Willa. Samantha shook her head, biting her lower lip.
“Samantha, is your sister coming?” asked the professor.
“She was supposed to be here before me. I’m trying to reach her now,” she said.
“I can’t wait. I’ll allow her to come in a little late but no more than fifteen minutes.” Samantha nodded and looked at Willa.
Willa didn’t like that at all. She waited until the last possible second and when the professor closed the door, she quickly shot the guys a text.
Ara isn’t here. Samanta said she was supposed to come in early.
Finn stared at the message and then at his brothers.
“We can’t all leave,” said Finn.
“Stay where you are,” said AJ. “We’ve got Tanner and Mo in the area for something else. They’re going to check on her house.”
It was the longest two hours of their life. But when Willa walked out of the building, a look of relief on her face, they knew the exam had gone well. She waved at a few of her classmates but noticed that Morris moved quickly, as if to avoid everyone.
“How did it go?” asked Finn.
“Good. I think. I mean, I felt like I knew all the answers and my practical part of the test went well. I’ll know in a few hours. What about Ara?”
“You guys will need to get to their house. Maybe send someone with the sister.”
This was not going to be good news. Quinn jumped out, jogging toward Samantha.
“Hi, Samantha. Remember me? I’m Quinn, Finn’s brother.”
“I remember,” she said distractedly checking her phone. “Sorry. My sister didn’t show for her exam and I can’t reach her.”
“Samantha, Willa sent us a message that she wasn’t in class and we sent some people to check on your house. They’ve asked us to bring you home.”
“No,” she said staring at him. “No. What’s wrong? Where’s my sister?”
“I don’t know anything right now. Please. Let me drive you to your house.”
Samantha looked up and spotted Willa who nodded at her. A few minutes later she was in the passenger seat of her own car making their way to her home.
When they turned the corner of her street, she gasped seeing all the first responder vehicles. Police, fire, EMS, and even some city utility trucks.
“Wh-what’s happening?” asked Samantha.
“I don’t know, honey,” said Quinn.
They parked a few houses down and Samantha took off before they could get to her. By the time Willa was standing beside her, the scream tore her body to pieces.