As a killer roamed the school hallways, Miss Deborah Carlisle remained focused on her iPhone. She was close to a high score on solitaire.

The killer approached Deborah Carlisle.

Deborah Carlisle was the school secretary at Avalon Springs High School. She sat behind a glass wall which resembled the ticket counter in a movie theater. Her name was Miss Carlisle to most students. Late 50s, overweight, badly dyed dark brown hair. Heavy makeup, bright red lipstick, large red classes. She wore a full-length dress with big flowers on it.

Miss Carlisle played solitaire on her phone as a young twentysomething woman walked up to the counter. Miss Carlisle did not recognize this woman and calmly put down her phone. The woman certainly didn’t look like a cold-blooded killer. Had Miss Carlisle known who was standing across from her, her demeanor most likely would have been very different.

Instead, Miss Carlisle suppressed the annoyance about having to interrupt her game. Her high score in solitaire would need to wait.

Miss Carlisle put on her well-practiced fake smile, and said, "Welcome to Avalon Springs High School. I am Miss Carlisle. How may I help you?"

The woman pulled a badge from her dark blue jacket. She showed it to Miss Carlisle. "I am Special Agent Emily Brightwell," said the woman. "I'm with the FBI. I hope you can help me. I'm looking for a student named Kaya Potts."

"Kaya Potts?"

"Yes," said Agent Brightwell. "She's the daughter of Sheriff Potts."

Miss Carlisle nodded, smiled, she turned to her computer screen and started typing.

"Well, I know where Kaya Potts is," said Miss Carlisle. "But I would feel more comfortable if I called her father about this."

"Her father is a bit busy this morning," said Agent Brightwell. "He's clearly in over his head this morning. That's why I'm here. I'm with the FBI. You need to trust me. Time is of the essence."

Miss Carlisle continued her fake smile, talking in a calm voice. She was accustomed to dealing with angry parents. An FBI agent was no big deal.

"I think I would feel more comfortable," said Miss Carlisle. "If I called Kaya’s father first. There is no negotiating this. I'm going to call Sheriff Potts."

Emily Brightwell nodded, smiled a small smile, put her badge away.

Emily reached inside her jacket, snatched out her gun in a blur, and pointed the gun at Miss Carlisle's head.

Miss Carlisle started to scream, then coughed in mid-scream. Her hands trembled.

"Let’s try this again," Agent Brightwell said. "Tell me where Kaya Potts is. PRETTY PLEASE!"