Page 43 of Little Child Gone

Nikki quickly went over what she’d learned. “Adrian, the kid Taylor fought with, claims his younger sister told him Amelia threw away a pregnancy test in the school bathroom.”

“Did she see her toss it?”

“She found it in the trashcan after Amelia had left. It was”—Nikki checked her notes—“on top, so Amelia must have been the one to put it there.”

Miller rolled his eyes. “Could have been anyone, including a teacher.”

“I know,” Nikki said. “Adrian says that’s why Taylor attacked him. But it sounds like he’s got a decent alibi.”

“Except we know now that Taylor left an hour earlier than everyone thought,” Miller reminded her. “Let’s get Adrian’s schedule and see if he had any free periods.”

They went back into the office and asked for Adrian Lynch’s schedule the day before. She was disappointed to see Adrian would have been in class during the final period, but that didn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t involved. “And I believe Logan is absent today,” Nikki said to the principal.

“Yes.” Principal Carlson shuffled through some papers on the counter. “His mother called him out for the stomach flu.”

“What can you tell me about him?” Nikki asked.

“Logan? I haven’t had much interaction with him, but that’s a good thing. His attendance record is good. I can have his Pony Center counselor call you, though.”

Nikki had learned about the Pony Center investigating Scott’s disappearance. With such a massive student body, having personal contact with every single kid was a tough task. The school had split the student body into four alphabetical groups, with a counselor assigned to each group.

Principal Carlson typed something into the computer on the front counter. “Logan Thompson. That’s the Black Pony Center.” And that was the same for Scott Williams. The counselor hadn’t been able to tell them much about Scott other than he was quiet, made decent grades and didn’t share much about his life.

“Can you give me Taylor’s, too, as well as his counselor’s name?”

“Gray Pony Center,” Carlson answered. “So that’s Tara Fink.”

“Remind me how to get to the Pony Center,” Nikki said.

“It’s right here, on the other side of the building.” Carlson handed her a map. “But I’ll have Holly escort you. I’ll call and let them know you’re coming. If you’re also headed to Taylor’s, I’ll let the assistant principal in charge of the Gray Pony Center know you’re on the way.”

THIRTEEN

Miller and Nikki decided to talk to the counselors while they waited for Reynolds to send the updated CCTV footage. Nikki’s phone vibrated with a text from Matt Kline, asking for an update. She quickly let him know they were searching for a missing teenager and would get back to him when she could.

“What did Taylor’s teachers say about him?” Nikki asked Miller as they followed Holly through the school.

“Good student, pleasant to everyone but doesn’t seem to be close to a lot of kids, just his band friends. Only issue he’s had is with Adrian Lynch.”

Holly led them to the north wing of the high school. First period was still in session, but students in the halls stopped and stared at the sight of Miller in his uniform and Nikki, her FBI badge attached to the Frank Costanza “Serenity Now” badge reel Courtney had given her for Christmas.

Holly used her own badge to open the door to the Pony Center area. “Technology makes things so much easier. Even the kids can access certain areas with their student IDs.”

During Nikki’s high school years, security had consisted of a couple of guards and front doors that were unlocked early for before-school activities. They remained unlocked and the school accessible until the custodians locked up for the night. Everything had been different then; the Columbine massacre hadn’t happened yet, and school still felt like a relatively safe haven. She couldn’t imagine having to worry about getting shot at school in addition to all the other anxiety that came with high school.

A stocky man with salt-and-pepper hair and a small woman with big glasses and a concerned expression greeted them. Holly introduced Mrs. Fink and Assistant Principal Brad Jameson to Nikki and Miller before heading back to the main office.

“Thank you for your help this morning,” Nikki told Holly before she left. She handed Holly one of her business cards. “Please call if you hear anything, however minimal.”

Assistant Principal Jameson led them to a small conference room and offered them something to drink.

“No, thank you,” Miller answered as everyone sat down. “I trust the principal told you why we’re here?”

Both nodded. “I know you’re labeling him as a missing person,” Mrs. Fink said, “but I bet he just went somewhere. Did his family give you contact information for his friends in Indianapolis?”

“We have them,” Nikki told her. “Do you think he’d take off like that without telling his friends or siblings?”

Mrs. Fink shook her head. “I’m trying not to think the worst. First Eli Robertson, now him.”

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