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Chapter 7: Old Friends

"Talk to me baby girl," Morgan said to Garcia as he drove through the downtown streets to the school. "All we got are some vague descriptions and a bunch of people here not talking to us."

The search had not been the most delightful adventure the two agents had endeavored upon, but it certainly was not close to the worst. They went on their way to Laurie's first high school, but decided to ask a few people on the streets about this dealer along the way. It may have been a different city and a different run down neighborhood, but they were all the same; prostitutes and hookers far more concerned with being arrested than talking, drug dealers that ran at the site of a badge, homeless individuals that simply stopped caring years ago, and kids. Runaways and misguided youth either so afraid of their own shadow to speak or too arrogant to believe anything like what happened to Laurie could happen to them. Poverty is never something that is easy to look at or sometimes ever understand. The fact that merely a short ride away existed private schools and houses with nicer closets than these peoples' homes simply made it all the worse. While certain individuals curled up under heated blankets with expensive sheets, people nearly in their backyard were huddling up under newspaper and cardboard. While the only problem the wealthier individuals had to deal with for the night were the occasional nightmare which they could awake from; those on the streets lived through their own personal nightmares each night and day.

"Mystery girl number one, Nikki. Caucasian female, one nose piercing, blonde hair, age 16. Name, Nicole Martin. She went to the same school as Laurie until Laurie was transferred during her junior year. Her record consists of petty theft and some drug possession."

"You sure she's the right one?"

"Honey, you gave me three first names and hardly any description. I worked my magic and this is what it gave me. Now, if you're starting to doubt my powers –"

"I never doubt your powers."

"Damn straight. There were six other Nicole's that attended high school with Laurie. Only two of them have their nose pierced and only one of them is a blonde. I am sending the info to your PDA now."

"What about the other two?"

"Hey, like I told you, first names and hardly any description. My magic wand does not stretch that far sweetie."

"Thanks Garcia." He slid the phone back inside his jacket. "Let's just hope these girls aren't playing hooky today."

The school principal recognized the description of a sun tattoo immediately and the agents quickly came to learn the true identity of "Sunny", or Kaitlin Paulson. The principal saw her enough to have her text book thick file memorized. She carried with her a few suspensions, a continual record of truancy, several assault charges and two counts of arson.

"She set fire to the girl's first floor bathroom?" Prentiss read aloud.

"Threw a lit cigarette in the trash can and walked away." The principal explained. "That was the first suspension. These kids," he sighed as he glanced out the window into the bustling hall, "they think I'm some sort of hard-ass. Truth is, I should've expelled Kaitlin Paulson a long time ago. After what she's done, at any other school the parents would be forcing me to kick her out. Here, they just don't take notice or care, I guess. Well, I care. Damn it, I care a lot. We have entire groups of kids skipping class to smoke pot in the janitor's closet. I have teachers breaking up fights every time a bell rings; girls pulling each others' hair out, guys knocking each others' teeth out. A lot of them should be expelled, but then what? They go to their drunk or abusive parents or out on the streets. I did my time in the war, agents. I was just like these kids, poor, broken, wanting attention and willing to do anything to get it. I learned respect and discipline the hard way by watching my buddies die. I came here and all I saw at first was just a bunch of disrespectful troublemakers. I was tough, real tough on them. Then I realized, they're in a whole war of their own. They're trying to survive in broken homes. They're watching their friends get shot, beat up, hell, kidnapped. Laurie was one of those that I knew could do something more, be something more."

"Sir," Prentiss began, "would you know anyone in the school or in the area that might want to do this to Laurie?"

"I'm sorry, but no one in particular. In this city though, you're looking for a needle in a whole bunch of other needles."

"Can we have everything you have on Kaitlin Paulson and Nicole Martin?"

"Of course. Oh, and that Drake that you were looking for, I'm sorry but we don't have anyone in our system that would match who you're looking for. We have a sophomore female, Jamie Drake, only child. I wouldn't be surprised if he told those girls he was related to someone at the school to gain their trust."

The door creaked open and a petite, red-headed woman with rectangular glasses peered inside.

"Mr. Brooks, Kaitlin Paulson and Nicole Martin are here now."

"Thank you, Bonnie. Would you like me to have them sent in, agents?"

"Yes," Morgan nodded, "but separately, if you don't mind. Why don't you do most of the questioning?" Morgan turned to Emily. "Girls around here most likely have only been mistreated by men. I'd probably only represent a father or authoritative figure that they'll only resent."

Prentiss nodded and Kaitlin slipped in, looking the agents up and down slowly. Her eyes then rolled over to the principal.

"What's this?" She asked in an arrogant manner. "A little reinforcement? Can't handle me by yourself, Sergeant?"

"Sit down, Ms Paulson," the principal demanded in a deep tone.

"Nah," she shrugged, leaning against a file cabinet, "I'm good. Although, you are looking a little stressed out there Serge, maybe you need to sit."

"Take a seat, now, Ms Paulson," the principal's voice raised in volume and Morgan put up his hand to calm him.

"Oh, so you're taking orders from these two now? Who are you guys anyway?"

"FBI," Morgan stated firmly.

Kaitlin's posture visibly shifted and her eyes subtly glanced back at the door.

"I'm not speaking to no cops."

"We're not cops and we're not here about you or anything you've done." Morgan assured.

"We're here about Laurie Bridges." Emily began softly. "You knew her. We want to know about someone else you knew. Drake."

"Never heard of him."

"Are you sure, Kaitlin?" Emily questioned, stepping forward.

"It's Sunny and I never heard of him." Kaitlin hissed.

"Oh, okay. Do your cheeks always blush when talking about guys, or just Drake?"

"What are you talking about?"

"When he mentioned the name Drake, your voice heightened in pitch and your cheeks flushed. So, you want to tell me how long you two have been together?"

Kaitlin was silent for some time and simply shifted her footing slowly.

"Look," Prentiss started, "if you know something, it could help Laurie –"

"The only thing I know is that whatever Laurie got, she deserved. You don't just ditch your friends."

"So you were angry with her for the way she changed?" Emily questioned.

"Yeah, so what?"

The conversation continued with just about the same success rate for the rest of the interview. After Kaitlin stormed out dramatically, the principal buzzed for Nicole to be sent inside the office. The two agents exchanged glances, hopeful but doubting the following conversation would be different.