Page 11 of High Treason
“How is the roof accessed?” Kord said.
“I’ve already given the information to HPD.” The principal lifted her chin at the officer standing nearby. “Would you escort these two investigators?”
“Yes, ma’am. Which of the two routes do you recommend?”
“Both,” Kord said before the principal opened her mouth. “Has there been a report of anyone attempting to access the area after the shooting, other than law enforcement?”
The principal and officer responded negatively.
Monica lent a gentler tone to her words—despite her growing impatience with the principal. “We’d like to see the video surveillance over the past three days, inside the building, parking lot, and construction site.”
“We’ll need a search warrant. A very specific one.”
“It’s been ordered and signed. A sniper just killed a man, and that someone is on the streets, perhaps ready to strike again.”
“My students need protection.”
“That’s exactly what we’re talking about,” Kord said. “Do you want another death on your conscience related to your school?”
“We have guidelines. Until I have the signed search warrant, no one sees a thing.”
“We’re all fortunate the sniper didn’t open fire on the students and faculty,” Kord said.
“You’re right.” She inhaled sharply. “I doubt the footage will do much good. The building is to receive a refresh of the security system. Some of the areas are not covered.”
“The roof?”
“No.” She moistened her lips. “But the parking lot is adequately monitored.”
Monica tamped down her irritation with this woman. “You understand the media has already splattered the story all over the country. Needless to say it’s an international incident. The whole world is looking at your school and the retail strip across the street. We’re all concerned about the students and faculty. So have you spoken to the school board or superintendent about closing tomorrow? I’d think it would be imperative.”
The principal tensed again. “The announcement will be made shortly. Our schools must be safe for our students.” She touched her heart.
More dramatics or a serious health issue? “Are you okay? Do we need to call 911?”
The woman drew in a breath. “I’m all right. Just shaken.”
Maybe the woman was nearing shock, and she and Kord had pushed her too hard. “Would you like to go inside, where you can sit?”
“I’d rather finish our conversation so I can rest alone.”
Monica needed to put herself in the woman’s shoes and stop judging. “We simply want to make sure the killer is apprehended before another tragedy occurs.”
“We all want to think our country is safe for visitors. I’m sorry for my rudeness. The nightmarish incident has me worried about all those within my responsibility. I’ll show you the stairways. No need for this officer to extend his duties.”
They followed the principal through the school’s main entrance.She escorted them to a door labeled Roof Access and indicated the location of the other door.
“I assume the stairways to the roof are normally locked?” Kord said.
“Yes. Except they’re open now with HPD’s activities. Once you’re atop, you’ll see the stairs on the north side.”
Monica opened the door and flipped on a light. She snapped pics of dirty footprints on the stairway but doubted it would lead them anywhere. The sniper had far too much intelligence to leave a trace of evidence.
With the sniper’s success today, what awaited them an hour from now? Tonight? Tomorrow?
THE MARCH WIND BLEWwith its typical fervor on the school rooftop, and gray clouds gathered like soldiers readying for an attack. Kord glanced at Monica to make sure she hadn’t been tossed off. “Need help?” he said.
She shook her head. “If I can’t manage a little breeze, I might as well pack up my toys and go home. I’ve tracked the storm heading this way, and it’s a biggie. We’re lightning rods up here.” She laughed at the wind, and it blew her hair back.
