A.N.: Thanks for all the very nice reviews – I really apreciate it. You people make my day!

Chapter 13:

Jack hung up the phone and remained seated for a few moments. There had been a lot of things to come to terms with in that phone call he had just had – he was forced coping with a most definite wrong opinion about Miranda Thomas and an injured agent, who wouldn't get medical atention as long as the situation in that High School wasn't cleared.

Time was running against them on this matter and they still didn't know about Miranda's mental state. As Danny and Sam wouldn't have a chance to question the psychologist face to face any more, he had to do this right now on the phone. He was sure – taking the situation into consideration – the woman would for once since the girl's disappearance be cooperative.
He left his private office, entering the main room and approaching Vivian's desk.

„I need the phone number of the school psychologist's office at High School."

Vivian frowned by his wish, giving him a startled look. He had known he wouldn't pull

through this without telling the rest of the team right here and now. He had simply wished to not waste time on this matter by recalling what had happened to Danny and Samantha. He needed to get that psychologist on line – the sooner the better. But Vivian however wouldn't let him get away like this.

"Didn't you sent Danny and Samantha to question her?"

"I did – but there have been complications. Sam just called me, telling me that a shooting occured at the High School, she suspects it's Miranda shooting."

Concern appeared on her face – mixed with signs of surprise, which Jack was completely able to understand. Nobody of them had actually expected Miranda Thomas to still be alive, but to have killed herself. All of a sudden she was very much alive shooting at her fellow students...

"Are they alright?"

"No they are not... Danny's injured."

Vivian didn't say anything else, but Jack could see the concern on her face grow by his revelation. She did what he had wanted her to do none the less, scanning through the evidence on Miranda Thomas and finally finding the phone number to the psychologist's office, which she handed to him.

"Thanks Viv."

He turned away, without giving her another chance of questioning him about the incident at the High School and went back to his private office, closing the door behind him. He dialed the number to the office and got a reaction by first ring. The voice he was confronted with seemed at the edge of hysteria however.

"Who is this? What do you want from me?"

"Dr. Lace – this is Agent Malone, I'm with the FBI. I need to ask you a few questions about Miranda Thomas..."

"What for? I can't talk to you right now. There's a shooting appearing at our school right now. Somebody shot at least two of our students!"

"I'm aware of that. Which is why I need to talk to you."

"I repeat once again – what for?"

"Because it's Miranda Thomas who shot at that two students and at one of my agents as well."

He had rather managed to impress or to surprise her or probably it was a mixture of both things. She didn't seem to have even thought of the possibility of Miranda being the one shooting and taking revenge for something.

"What do you want to know?"

"What did you diagnose Miranda Thomas with?"

"That's a bit difficult to explain..."

"Don't worry Dr. Lace – I got a psychology diploma myself. I will understand."

"I diagnosed her with paranoid schizophrenia."

"Based on what evidence?"

"Based on what she told me... that she was feeling followed, that she was afraid of being alone and that it occured to her like someone was alway watching her. She never said it directly but I believe she didn't just imagine that things, but actually saw or at least heard them."

"And you prescribed her a antipsychotic."

"Yes I did – she wouldn't be a danger to anyone as long as she took them."

"Well, she stopped."

"I assume that would explain why she is killing her fellow students right now."

Jack didn't like the way this woman was talking about Miranda's illness and the final result of it. She didn't seem to feel responsible about it in any way after all. But she hadn't seemed that much interested from the begining of this investigation... He however couldn't keep his voice from getting harsh as he went on questioning her.

"What do you think caused her illness."

"I don't know, but whatever it was – it must've been the most emberassing and violent experience she had been forced to cope with in her whole life."

Although she didn't much seem to know anything else about Miranda's psyche, she was definitely right with her suspicion. He had already come to that conclusion the day before when hearing about the medication Miranda had received and this morning his believe had been confirmed by Helen Shriver's testimony. Whatever had happened to Miranda – Lukas Wilson was somehow involved in it.

"Thanks, Dr. Lace. You have been a help."