Page 102 of Random in Death

She shrugged. “I managed to slide out of it until the last one. The senior one.”

“That I absolutely need to see.”

“We’re working.”

“I’ll find time for it when we’re not.”

She brought up the first roster, eliminated all female and nonbinary students and those outside the age group. As race wasn’t included, she began the task of matching name to yearbook photo, then the photo to the brief student bio.

She found three potentials, none of whom hit a chord in her. But the right age, ace students, chemistry whizzes.

She eliminated the first with a quick scan of social media showing he was spending the summer with his family on their yacht mostly in the French Riviera.

She kicked the second off the list due to his summer courses at Oxford—England.

Which left her one potential after one school.

It would be a slog, she thought.

Her comm signaled.

Now her belly tightened along with her shoulders.

“Dallas.”

Dispatch, Dallas, Lieutenant Eve. Incident at Roth’s Midtown Theaters. Female victim, age sixteen, transported to Clinton Health Center.

“She’s alive?”

Affirmative. Kiki Rosenburg, treated on-site prior to transport. Officers on scene. Officers at health center. Suspect believed to have fled the scene via an emergency exit. BOLO issued for Caucasian male, approximately sixteen, wearing a light-colored trench-style coat.

“What’s the victim’s status?”

Unknown at this time.

She pushed up as Roarke came back into the office with the jacket she’d tossed aside in the bedroom. “Have the officers hold the scene until Peabody, Detective Delia, arrives to take over. I’ll inform her. I’ll take the victim first. Dallas out.”

“She’s alive?”

“For now,” Eve answered. She pulled out her ’link as they started out together.

Peabody answered with an “I’m awake!”

“Roth’s Midtown Theaters. He tried for another. She’s still alive. I’m heading to Clinton to talk to her. Get to Roth’s, take the lead there.”

“She’s alive after the injection?”

“I don’t have answers yet. Get there, get them. Take McNab. Get the security feed.”

Outside, she jumped into the passenger seat as Roarke took the wheel.

“The Defenders,” Peabody said. “Return of the Three—summer blockbuster. Some of us plan to go this weekend. Tonight’s the opening. Dallas, that place would’ve been packed.”

“Pull in Baxter and Trueheart—they’re up. You need more, pull more. Suspect fled—wearing a trench coat this time. Out an emergency exit. I want that exit door gone over, every inch of it. All the security feeds, the ticket scanners.”

“I’ve got it, I’ve got it. I’ll tag the sweepers. We’re not tagging the morgue, Dallas.”

“Let’s hope that holds. Get moving.”