Page 35 of Wired Target

She was finding answers, but she wasn’t liking them.It was easier to judge, to hate even, anyone who would attack helpless, beautiful birds like the Laysan albatross—but the truth of why might be complicated.

She returned to her desk and opened her phone to the contact she had for Dharma Dawnhorse.She wanted a psychology perspective on the three perpetrators, and some plan to address their crime in a way that would stop Oz’s bullying and that of his father, Wendell Ozawa, even more.

Sophie’s call to the counselor picked up on the fifth ring.

“Hello?”Dharma Dawnhorse had a resonant voice with a husky timbre to it.Sophie pictured the distinctive woman as she’d last seen her with her serious dark eyes, tattooed center part, and heavy braids.

“Ms.Dawnhorse?I’m sorry to bother you at home so late, but it’s important.This is Sophie Smithson with Security Solutions.I’m calling regarding the counseling student you brought to our attention.”

A pause as the woman digested this.“I see.”

“Ms.Leong and I have been able to identify him and two other students whom we believe may have perpetrated the Moli Massacre.”

Dawnhorse remained silent.

Sophie cleared her throat.“I would like to discuss the suspects and their psychological profiles with you, but I must be assured this conversation is held in the strictest confidence.The situation is very delicate.”

“Of course it is.You have my word this discussion will go no further.”

Sophie smiled.“I respect your commitment to the standards of your profession.”

“Dr.Ka’ula contacted me to apologize for his harshness in our meeting.I believe I have you to thank for that.”Dawnhorse’s voice warmed.

“I merely gave him another perspective and he was wise enough to listen,” Sophie said.“Back to our situation.Using technology that tracks cell phones, Ms.Leong and I were able to identify two students who are harassing your client, who we’ve identified as Bernard ‘Nard’ Valas.”

Dawnhorse’s breath hitched but she said nothing.

“It would greatly assist in moving the case forward if you were able to confirm that Bernard is the student you have concerns about,” Sophie said.

“I must agree with identifying him to you because of his risk for suicidality,” Dawnhorse said at last.“So yes, Bernard Valas is my client.I’m very worried about him.”

“And if the threatening messages we pulled from the other students’ phones are any indication, you should be,” Sophie said.“Though I haven’t personally seen the messages, Ms.Leong has, and she was upset by the content.We need to put a stop to this right away.I understand you have a meeting scheduled with your student and Ms.Leong for tomorrow?”

“We do.”

“I will be joining by video.But for now, I’d like to tell you the names of the two students bullying him and see what you know about them and what may be their motives.”Sophie told Dawnhorse about Kermit and Oz.“Are you aware of either of these boys?”

“I am not.But then, they are not the types that usually end up in my office.”

“I believe that Remo Ozawa, who goes by ‘Oz,’ is the ringleader.I use a data mining internet program and I was able to develop a background on him.”Sophie filled Dawnhorse in on Oz’s likely history as a domestic violence witness and abuse victim.“Is there anything more you can find about him to share with our team?Rumors at school, etcetera?”

“I will reach out to the eleventh-grade academic counselor and a few of the staff who work with him,” Dawnhorse said.“Maybe I can pick up something before the meeting.”

“Good.I look forward to tuning in with you.”Sophie sat back a moment, covering her tired eyes with a hand, picturing Nard’s face.“What have you done regarding Bernard’s depressed state of mind?”

Dawnhorse gave a sharp inhale; Sophie’s question hadn’t been appropriately phrased.Sophie groped aloud.“I mean, to ensure his safety.I know firsthand how difficult depression can be; I’ve struggled with it myself since my teens.Suicide can assume a terrible allure in the right circumstances.”

“I appreciate you saying that.”Dawnhorse softened her tone.“I have contacted the boy’s mother; the day I called, she came in and removed him, telling me she was taking him to a psychiatrist.The next day, when Bernard returned for his normal session, he said it was a waste of time.The man didn’t give him fifteen minutes and just offered a pill, which he refused.He can’t be forced to take medication, and in my opinion, though he may have a bit of a melancholy outlook due to many factors, this acute mental health crisis has its roots in the bullying and coercion he’s undergoing.Medication won’t solve that.”

“Yes.I agree with you there.”Sophie’s gaze fell on the medicine bottle which she’d left at the monitor to help her remember to take it.She unscrewed the lid and shook a small white capsule into her palm; though her depression was triggered by events and circumstances such as the ones she was currently going through, in her case the disorder had an organic root cause in family history.“We need to put a stop to those boys’ bullying as soon as possible and get to the bottom of what’s bothering Bernard.When we do, hopefully he’ll be better able to cope with what comes next.”

“And what would that be?”

“Answering for his crime and taking responsibility for it,” Sophie said.“He will need an advocate and a support when the time comes, and I’m glad he’ll have you.”

Sophie stared at her monitor after hanging up the phone.The silence in her office that had started off as such a balm had hardened into depressive loneliness.

She should call Connor back; she’d ended their conversation abruptly the last time they talked, overwhelmed by the news of Sari Gadish’s murder.

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