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“I can’t seem to get the vision of her out of my head. Ray, it was so horrid. Who is responsible for these awful killings? Who on earth could do those terrible things to a woman…to anyone?”

Of course, Ray had no answers for her. He only squeezed her hand in obvious support. At that moment the door flew open and Seth walked in. She jumped up out of her chair and ran to his arms.

He held her tight against his broad chest, and she began to cry once again. “Shh, you’re okay. You’re going to be just fine,” he whispered softly in her ear as his hands moved up and down her back in soothing caresses.

“Seth, it was so awful,” she finally managed to say. Slowly her tears halted, but she didn’t move out of his comforting arms. His familiar scent surrounded her, and she found that oddly comforting as well.

Ray cleared his throat and stood. “I’ll just get back to my classroom,” he said a bit tersely.

That finally moved her out of Seth’s arms. “Thank you, Ray. Thank you for being here for me.”

He smiled at her. “Anytime, Suzanna. You know I’m always here for you.” With that, he left the small room.

Seth led Suzanna to the chairs, and they sat down. As Ray had done, Seth took hold of her hands. “How did you know?” she asked him. How on earth was he here when she needed him most?

“I was at the feed store, and somebody came in and said a scarecrow was found in your classroom. I got here as fast as I could,” he replied, his blue eyes filled with tender concern.

“How did you know I was here in the closet?”

“The principal told me you were here,” he said.

“I’m surprised you weren’t stopped at the front door,” she said.

“I came in with a bunch of kids. The principal seemed to be directing things. So, how are you doing right now?” He squeezed her hand, his gaze warm as it lingered on her.

“A little better than I was a few minutes ago,” she admitted, relieved. Her vision misted with a new wave of impending tears. “But I can’t seem to stop crying,” she added.

“That’s understandable. Honey, you’ve had a bad shock,” Seth replied gently.

“I know, but…but I should be…be stronger than this,” she said.

“You’re doing just fine.” He squeezed her trembling hands once again.

At that moment the door to the room opened. Dallas looked at Seth in surprise. “Sir, I don’t believe I know you.” He narrowed his eyes in obvious suspicion.

“He’s okay, Dallas,” Suzanna replied.

Seth stood and held out his hand. “I’m Seth Daniels, a relative newcomer to town and a friend and support to Suzanna.”

The two men shook hands, and then Dallas looked at her. “Suzanna, I need to do an official interview with you. Mrs. Robard has made her office available to us.”

Suzanna stood and grabbed hold of Seth’s arm. “Can he come with me?” His mere presence calmed her a bit, and she was still shaken up enough that she felt as if she needed his support.

“Okay, that would be fine,” Dallas said after a moment of hesitation. Together the three of them left the supply room. The halls were now empty except for a few officers who manned the front door. The sounds of students and teachers drifted out from the classrooms.

It sounded like an ordinary day, but it was anything but ordinary. Within minutes, Suzanna, Seth and Dallas were seated in Tinsley’s private office, and Dallas began to ask her questions.

“Did you see anyone unusual hanging around when you entered the school building this morning?” he asked.

“No…nobody. I didn’t notice anyone else in the parking lot or around the school. When I got inside, I went directly to my room. I turned on the light and…and it was terrible,” she said, tears once again threatening to fall. Seth took her hand once again. “Oh, Dallas, why? Why was she left in my room? Does that mean I’m the next target for him?”

“Suzanna, you should know by now there’s no rhyme or reason for where this monster leaves his victims, and there’s certainly no reason to believe that you have somehow been targeted by him.” Dallas frowned. “He likes leaving his victims in shocking places, and what’s more shocking than in a school room, and yours is the first one in the hallway.”

Dallas raked a hand through his curly black hair, his gray eyes filled with angry frustration. “Let’s just hope we get some clues with this one to help me catch the killer. Now, is there anything else you can tell me about this morning? Anything at all unusual?”

“No…nothing,” she replied. “Everything seemed perfectly normal until…until I walked into my room. I didn’t look at her for too long. D-do you know who she is?”

“We’re still in the preliminary stages of the investigation,” Dallas replied. “We won’t be releasing her name or anything about her until we’ve made contact with her family.” He rose from his chair. “Now, if there’s nothing else you can tell me, then you’re free to go, but I may need to speak to you again later depending on what comes up.”