“Don’t count on it,” Seth said. “I want it to be, but don’t relax your watch.”

“I won’t. I never do. At least Brett’s graduating and going to college,” she said.

“You know there will be challenges after this,” he said.

“I know better than anyone,” she said. “Are you hanging around awhile?”

“I kind of like walking these halls now,” he said. He looked both ways and when the coast was clear, he gave her a little kiss. Then he moved down the hall.

There was a lot of hall walking. Seth dropped by the high school three or four times a day, had friendly little chats with teachers, visited with some of the students.

A week went by peacefully and the second uneventful week was coming to a close. School would be dismissed for the Christmas break and Iris felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. All the kids would go, enjoy their holidays; the school would be closed and, most importantly, they’d all be off her watch.

Then came the late hour of the day that Iris loved. She packed up her briefcase, locked her desk and went into the hall. There was the sound of basketball practice coming from the gym, but the lights were dimmed and the halls darkened. Very few students remained, just the teams confined to the gym and locker rooms. Given it was the last day before vacation, practices would be shortened. There were probably a few teachers finishing up paperwork or meetings before going home for the holiday. The principal’s office was open but was quiet. She poked her head in and wished the office staff happy holidays. She waved to the school nurse, who was leaving the building carrying a large tote filled with little gifts given to her by students.

Iris decided to make one last lap around the building and see who was still there. Troy was just closing his classroom door. “Hey,” she said to him. “When are you leaving town?”

“Not for a couple of days. What are you doing for Christmas?” he asked.

“Nothing very exciting. I’ll spend some time with Seth’s family.”

“Ah, yes, the new boyfriend,” Troy said.

She tilted her head. “Please tell me you’re not being snide.”

“Nah,” he said. “I probably should’ve known there was someone else on your mind. I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy, Troy. I wish you could be happy, too. And not upset with me.”

“I’m working on that. The happy part, that is. I’m not mad at you, Iris. You can’t really help who rings your bells.”

“No hard feelings, then?” she asked.

“Of course not. The hell of it is, I could never be mad at you. I’m going to go to Morro Bay, spend some time with the family and go to many bars to pick up chicks. I’ll take my younger brother—he’s a chick magnet.”

She laughed. “Best of luck. And be careful!”

He gave her a brief hug. “Merry Christmas, Iris. I hope next year is your best year ever.”

“Thanks, I wish the same for you.”

She continued down the hall and turned left. The building was a big square. She passed Louie, the janitor, wished him well. She turned down another hall, dimly lit, all the teachers apparently gone for the two-week break.

As she walked, she heard a noise. It sounded like cats. She kept walking, listening carefully. She realized it was talking and sighing and mewling. Oh, crap! I’m going to catch teenagers doing it! And then my eyes are going to hurt forever! she thought. But she couldn’t just ignore it—students were supposed to be out of the building unless they were in supervised clubs or practices or meetings.

There were so many classrooms along the corridor and she stopped at each one, trying the doors. They were all locked. If she couldn’t find the source of the noises, she’d go back to the office and summon some security or the janitor with a set of master keys. It was entirely possible a couple of young lovebirds had snuck into an unlocked classroom, locked themselves in and were making out. At the very least. She hoped it wasn’t worse.

Iris caught kids skipping classes, smoking, talking on cell phones they weren’t supposed to have at school. All the staff did. She had caught them making out in dark corners, causing them to blush and run. High school kids had been doing that since long before she was a student herself.

She heard the chime of her cell phone—a text was coming in. She pulled it out of her skirt pocket and stood under a light to see what it said. It was from Seth and that made her smile.

I’m going to leave a little early tonight. Want me to take you out to dinner?

I’d love it.

When are you done?

Just making a final sweep of the halls. Everyone should be gone but I hear suspicious sounds.

Go get some backup!

It’s probably someone smoking or making out.

Iris! Backup!

Relax. I’ll be done in five min.

She put the phone in her pocket and kept walking. Every door was locked and the mewling sound came and went. Seth was going to have his way—she was going to end up in the office looking for someone to help her search because she couldn’t find the little culprits.

Then she heard a loud thump and a yelp. It was followed by a girl’s cry. Where are they? she wondered. Where? And then she heard another sound, a louder moan, that made her sure these kids would be na**d when she found them. The thought made her shudder.

But she had found them. She pressed her ear against the door to the boy’s bathroom and heard soft talking and murmuring. There were a couple of thumps. And then, indisputably, a slap.

She texted Seth—Help! NE BR. Call school security! 911

She pushed the door open and saw her worst nightmare. Brett Davis was holding Rachel up against the cold, green ceramic tiles on the back wall and he was choking her. Rachel appeared limp against the wall, her arms hanging loosely at her sides. Brett was banging her head as well as choking her. Iris was too shocked to speak for a moment. “Stop!” she finally shouted.

Brett turned to look at her. His eyes were narrowed. “Get out,” he said. “Just get out.”

“Let her go,” Iris said, approaching them. “Let her go now!”

“Get out,” he said again. “This is between us.”

“I called the police,” she said. “They’re coming. Let go of her.”

He gave her one last angry glare, then looked back at Rachel. He talked to her with his hands still around her throat. “Tell her, Rache. Tell her, we’re together.”