Page 43 of Innocent Princess

Slowly, I get back in my car and drive myself into what's surely about to be hell. Minutes later, I walk into the campus security building. There are a couple campus security guards milling about, and I briefly wonder what they normally do this late on weeknights while they are on call. One of the guards recognizes me; he walks over and knocks on a door. It opens and out comes the security director, followed by two men in dark suits and a police officer.

"Ryker, nice of you to show up," the director says. I've met him a few times. Over the years. You'd think I would know his name, but I don't. I've always thought of him as a joke though.

"I've been out of town," I offer.

"Mr. Stone. I'm Special Agent Black, and this is Special Agent Graham. We need you to come down to the station with us. We've got some things we need to talk about." Black is a tall, thin man; he looks like he's in his late thirties, but I'm not sure. Graham looks older and stockier.

I glance at the officer standing next to him, and then the campus police standing at attention, both strategically placed and ready for the chase if I were to run. That isn't going to happen though. I don't run. I'm not a coward.

"Am I under arrest?" I eye Black.

"Why don't you just come willingly? That way, we don't have to make a scene," he replies, but the officer looks disappointed. Douche.

“I’d like to call my lawyer.” Technically, it’s my uncle’s lawyer, but he’s helped me out before.

The good agent curses under his breath. “Yeah, I’m sure you do. Come on.”

With a sigh, I nod. I want to get to the bottom of this, then I want to crash because I'm fucking tired from the ten-hour drive I made today. I walk out into the night with Agent Black and Graham and some douchebag officer. I leave my car in the parking lot and hope like hell this is all a huge misunderstanding.

17

Zella

Ten days ago,I was on cloud nine. Today, I couldn't be further from the sky. Ten days ago, I had a boyfriend sitting next to me in the car, holding my hand and singing along to whatever song I played. Today, I don't know what I have, but it's not a present boyfriend.

I haven't heard from Ryker since he dropped me off in front of my building. I should have suspected something was wrong when he didn't come up to my room. Though we didn't talk about it, I thought for sure he was going to come up. I would have even asked him to stay if I'd been given the chance.

He didn't show up in class Tuesday night, which pushed me over the edge. I might not have a lot of experience in the relationship department, but I don't want to be a clingy girlfriend. When you spend five days with someone and then get no texts, no calls, and don't see them for over a week, it's rough.

I knew something was wrong.

He regretted his time with me. I knew it. I could barely keep it together through class. Cameron kept giving me the side-eye. He’d try his best to comfort me. "He's probably just tired and missed class."

As the days went on, Cam's tune changed; he was no longer defending Ryker, which I assume a best friend does when your heart is broken.

I guess what's got me so upset is that I don't know where he is. It's like he just fell off the face of the earth.

Two days in with no contact, I wanted to march down to the police station and file a missing person report. That's when Wells stepped in. He said Ryker was involved in some bad stuff, and he's either in police custody or hiding.

That promptly started an argument because I know Ryker well enough to know he isn't a coward. He wouldn't hide. He would face up to whatever it was he did. Wells wasn't as sure. I told him that as Ryker's best friend, he needed to have more faith in him. That earned me a sad, shameful response, ending the argument.

Which brings me back to today. I'm standing at the counter in the lobby of the tiny campus security office. Once again, not getting any stinking answers.

"I'm sorry, Miss. I've told you already, we can't give out any information on students, especially ongoing investigations." The officer sighs. I've been in here two other times, and I'm getting nowhere with this guy.

"So you admit he's involved in an investigation?" I'm smart enough to know I'm not going to get any more out of him. Though this is the first time I've dealt with him, none of them have given me what I want.

He blinks slowly at me, refusing to verbally acknowledge my question.

I hang my head in defeat.

"I'm really am sorry I can't help you." His voice is genuine. "If no one down at the station can tell you anything, then we definitely can't."

"Can you at least give me the name of someone that can help me? Maybe a detective on the case?" If my hands weren't resting on the counter, I would have them crossed, hoping to hear something I can use.

He shakes his head in disappointment. I don't know if it's because he can't answer my questions or if I can't take a hint. "I think you should probably be on your way." He's not wrong, but I'm offended he's not more help.

My shoulders sag, and I turn to leave. I reach my hands up to push open the door when he calls out to me. "You should check with his family. His parents, I'm sure, have information they can give you."

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