Lucas Jordanais was born of privilege. His privilege entailed an uptown bachelor pad, a hefty spending account, a top of the line sports car, and a steady stream of friends and women, both loyal and otherwise, as a result. Jordanais also believed his privilege resulted in the same diplomatic immunity it afforded his father. He believed his immunity included protection from criminal prosecution, expulsion from school, and even the right his so-called friends had to dislike and mistrust him. In short, Lucas Jordanais lived life with the notion that he was invincible, and could quite possibly control the universe as it rotated around him. What Lucas consciously ignored was the hard work his father put forth in order to become a diplomat, and all the true immunities and privileges that accompanied it. He ignored the reality of the law, the authority of his school, and abused his friendships. Fortunately, for Lucas, much of the world existed with the same delusions he created. His father still spoiled him, the law ignored him, his teachers tolerated him, and more than anything else, his friends stood by him.
Lucas and his friends celebrated this lifestyle on the evening of a cool spring Sunday. Loud music, plentiful pizza and booze, and enough intoxicated warm bodies to fill Hudson University's student lounge. Lucas cozied up with his high school sweetheart, Kelly Jean Rogge, beer bottle in one hand, Kelly's backside in the other. Kelly's friends danced a few feet in front of them, bumping and grinding to the latest techno-pop.
Sidiq Fayyad flopped onto the couch on the opposite side of Kelly, clapping his hands while he cheered on the movements of his friend and protégé, Bakr Okaly. Bakr inched closer to the young woman dancing in front of him, Emily Choi, a close friend of Kelly's. He beamed as she responded to his movements, bumping her bottom against his thighs.
Sidiq's cheering brought Campbell Brown's attention to the pair. Campbell, Lucas's best friend, pushed away from Kelly's best friend, Chalise Hanks. Chalise scowled momentarily before backing up into another male who quickly took over her attention. Campbell attempted to act nonchalant as he swayed closer to Emily and Bakr, but interrupted them abruptly by sliding in between them.
Lucas and Sidiq applauded Campbell's assertiveness with catcalls and laughter at Bakr. Kelly and Emily exchanged coy glances while Emily reached out to Campbell, grinding closer to him.
Bakr turned to leave in a huff. He glared at his friends on the couch as he headed away from the crowded floor and towards the exit. He watched his feet as he moved, running directly into a man twice his size.
Dr. Brooks Frazier held onto Bakr's shoulder with one hand while he flipped light switches with the other. His six-foot solid frame blocked Bakr's continued efforts to leave the lounge. Dr. Frazier glared down at him with piercing blue eyes through thin glass. Bakr's scowl deepened while his eyes darkened.
Intoxicated young adults scattered and pulled away from one another while tossing beer cans into trashcans, planters, and behind furniture. The youngest among them scattered for the exits, hoping to avoid any penalties for their age.
Dr. Frazier pushed Bakr in front of him as he walked towards Lucas Jordanais and his group of friends. Lucas made no effort to stand or greet the teacher. He smirked while his friends shrugged and joshed one another with silent gesticulation.
Bakr glared disapprovingly at the group.
In the frosty morning of Monday, an elderly janitor found Campbell Brown at the back door of Hudson University's Student Union. His lifeless body sparkled with broken glass from the door's shattered window. Emily Choi lay lifeless in the alley on the other side.