Eyes Front, Please
Previously: Students arrive at the Flood Mansion to hear some news on a Sunday morning.
9:15 AM - Sunday, November 2, 2014
Flood Mansion, Pacific Heights, San Francisco
Mark and Jeannie closed the paneled glass door to the parlor. The Deans were in whispered conversation with the Headmaster by the window. Mark brought up the feed from the hidden camera in the piano on his laptop to watch the arrivals. Jeannie had set up the dainty chiavari chairs in staggered pairs of two, with about three feet of space between each pair. This was devised to keep everyone separate to minimize chatter, and because it was thought that more parents would be joining. Steph and Owen guided everyone to their own set of two chairs.
“Why can’t I sit with my friend?” Tally Brooks demanded.
“Because everyone’s sitting separately.” Steph countered. “And you won’t need to sit with your friend because there’s no talking.” Tally scoffed and rolled her eyes, choosing a seat in the second row while Carolina sat in the front row.
Eventually the front row sat Carolina, Dash, Zizi, and Seb, while the second row had Tally, MJ, and Charlie. The back row sat Jen Tyson alone, until Jim and Tripp Hartman showed up and sat together at the opposite end like a pair of football twins.
Carolina turned back to look at Tally who had an annoyed lip pout with her head tilted to the side, staring out the window that looked over the Bay. She then scanned the whole second row, giving MJ a slight smile before locking eyes with Charlie who gave her a slight shrug in return. When Tripp and his father arrived, Dash spun around in his chair and gave him a sly grin. He leaned forward and caught Seb’s eye before leaning back again, stretching his long legs in front of him.
Paco and Meg had gathered their things and eventually appeared behind the back row, Meg taking an empty seat in the far corner. Raj then joined them in the parlor with a small bin full of the cellphones.
“Got everyone’s?” Mark asked him.
“Yup.”
“Okay,” Mark said to the Headmaster. “We’re ready to go.”
Jeannie opened the glass door and let the Headmaster and both Deans out; as they made their way to the alcove to stand in front of the piano, she, Mark, and Raj slipped to the back to join Paco. She barely glanced up and caught Charlie Dagonet’s eye as she moved and noticed his eyes get wide as he recognized her.
“Eyes front please.” Headmaster began. “Hello - some of you know me already, but for those that don’t, I’m the Headmaster of Academy Prep. Thank you all for coming on a Sunday morning,” he offered a rueful smile, “and I know we didn’t give you much choice. However, the Deans of Xavier and Holy Heart are in complete agreement with me that this meeting needed to happen immediately in light of the events of Friday night.” No one moved as the Headmaster looked from student to student. “I’ve heard reports of rampant drug and alcohol usage, and we’re going to —”Carolina Parker’s hand slowly went into the air, and the Headmaster took a deep breath. “There will be questions at the end, Carolina.”
“Okay, I just - I just feel like we’re missing some people.” She stammered out.
“Whom do you mean?” The Headmaster looked grave. Tally scoffed again and answered for Carolina.
“Like, everyone? I mean, where’s Tyler Shea, or Tom Pinkman, or Vince Parisi for that matter — he was running around like a nut. Or his Goody-Goody sister?”
“Yeah, and where’s Alexa?” Carolina added. The Headmaster’s face fell.
“Alexa Thomas?” He asked her.
“Yeah - she was there - I don’t…where is she?” Jeannie saw Seb’s head spin around to scan the room as Carolina spoke.
“Can I ask the room, a show of hands please, has anyone heard from Alexa Thomas since Friday night?” No hands. “Okay. Let’s start there then.” The Dean of Xavier was looking grave while the Dean of Holy Heart looked at the marble floor. “I’m sorry to tell all of you this, but Alexa Thomas won’t be joining today.” Everyone looked around at each other.
“Did something happen? I mean, is she sick or something?” It was MJ asking this time, taking a sip of her Starbucks and placing it on the floor beside her. The Headmaster paced slightly and looked to Mark at the back of the room who gave him a silent nod.
“Alexa Thomas is dead.” He said it slowly and clearly. “Her body was discovered on Saturday morning in the Presidio.” Ripples of gasps went through the group. Faces contorted and looked from one to the other, all of them were stunned.
“I’m sorry to tell you all this way,” the Headmaster began again, “but we thought this was best rather than some kind of tragic rumor mill.” He swallowed. “Alexa did not return home on Friday night, and her parents contacted the US Park Police. Her body was discovered shortly thereafter in El Polin Spring.” The room was silent but for a few quiet sobs. “As The Presidio is a Federal jurisdiction, the FBI is assisting the Park Police, as well as resources from the SFPD. All of them are here this morning and will be speaking with each of you individually to hear what you can remember about the events of Friday night. As most of you are here without a parent or guardian, my colleagues or I will serve as your guardian to be with you during your interview.”
“Interview?” Seb asked. “What? We’re supposed to be interviewed - for what?”
“Yeah, there is NO WAY that this is even happening.” Tally joined in, suddenly angry. “Alexa’s here right? She’s like, hiding someplace? This is a prank, right?”
“What makes you think it’s a prank?” Paco surprised them all by speaking, his low voice edgy and clear. Tally spun around in her chair to look at him.
“Because that’s what we all do — we goof on each other and play pranks — she’s just getting us back —”
“Getting you back for what?” Paco again, cutting her off. He stood perfectly still, hands on hips. Mark had never seen his expression so dark. A large tear came down Tally’s cheek, but no one moved. The question hung in the air above them all. Jen started to rock in her chair slightly, stifling her sobs.
“I mean…what the FUCK??” Tally again. “Where is Alexa?”
“Talbot, this is a serious matter and you will speak respectfully.” The Dean of Holy Heart admonished her. Silence. Mark saw Jeannie move slightly as she spoke softly.
“Tally?” The girl turned to look at Jeannie. “Alexa is in the morgue at SF General. It’s true. Her father identified her last night.” She said it gently, but it landed like a stone. Tally turned back to face the windows.
Jen was fully shaking, her body seemed to be choking back a scream or rage or just a wall of tears. “I’m gonna be sick.” she cried weakly, jolting to her feet. She slapped a hand over her mouth and ran toward the restroom mid-way down the hall. Jeannie nodded at Steph to follow her and stay with her. Everyone else in the group seemed to sag, with tears beginning if they weren’t there before. Carolina bent double and buried her face in her knees, while MJ looked between Tally and Charlie though neither one met her eye in return. The boys seemed to either be stunned with shock or squirming in their seats. Jim Hartman looked furious.
“This is why we need everyone’s account of what happened Friday night.” The Headmaster began again, reeling in the tension slightly. “Everyone will be interviewed —”
“No way.” It was Jim Hartman. The Headmaster’s head snapped to his face in the back row.
“Sir?”
“My kid isn’t being interviewed. I’m an attorney, and I’m not letting him be interviewed. If you have cause or a warrant, we’ll talk. But no. I’m pulling him - we’re done with this.” Jim Hartman started to stand, pulling Tripp up after him.
“Mr Hartman, your son would assist in the investigation, please —” this was from the Xavier Dean.
“No. I said no. What does it have to do with Tripp anyways?”
“Maybe because he hosted the party Alexa Thomas was at on Friday night? And it took place in your home?” Mark said it calmly, and though he was standing just a few feet behind the Hartmans, it was loud enough for everyone to hear, which seemed to only ignite Jim Hartman’s fury. Everyone seemed to shrink a bit and hold their breath. Jen made her way back slowly holding a wad of tissues to her face, Stephanie escorting her. She slid into her seat, oblivious to the tension in the air. Steph had brought the full box of tissues with her and handed the box to Tally.
“Who the hell are you?” Jim Hartman said quietly to Mark.
“Mark Greenberg, FBI. Sorry, we haven’t gotten to introductions yet.” Mark tapped the badge clipped to his belt. Movement at the far-off front door caught Jim Hartman’s attention and Mark turned to see what it was, only to see Ryan Dominguez walking forward in a slouch while an older man walked with his hand on Ryan’s shoulder.
“Hey Ed.” Jeannie said quietly as they approached. The older man smiled at Jeannie broadly. It was Ed Ganey.
“Jean - Officer Hagen,” he corrected himself. “Good to see you.”
“You too. Morning Ryan.” Ryan sniffed, his face streaked with tears. Clearly Ed had already given him the news.
“Sorry we’re late. But I do need to get Ryan to work by 10 - I promised the restaurant. So this will be brief.”
“Sure.” Jeannie gestured for Ryan to take a seat in the back row, next to Jen.
“What is that kid doing here?” Jim Hartman’s face was contorted as he looked at Ryan. Tripp stared at Ryan with a slight smirk. Ed looked from him to Jeannie, not knowing what to say.
“Ryan Dominguez is here because he was at the party.” Jeannie said. “And I’m Jean Hagen of the SFPD.” Jim Hartman gave her a sneer that ended in a menacing smile as he looked her over, eyes pausing on her own badge clipped to her waistband before examining her face.
“Hagen, eh?” He chuckled at her and then his face changed into a stony mask. “We’re out of here. We have game tickets. I want our phones back. Now.” Raj looked to Mark who nodded at him. Raj ducked back into the parlor and quickly produced two plastic sealed bags with their cell phones inside. He reached out to hand them to Jim Hartman, who snatched them quickly. Yanking Tripp away, the pair proceeded down the long hallway to the front door.