CHAPTER 30

Evidence

What flash drive?” Ms. D asked.

“The one that fell out of Darius’s backpack when I looked at his phone.”

Ms. D stood up to hold my shoulders. “Who else knows about it?”

“I hid it in the dorm. It might have evidence on it.”

She about shook me. “We have to get it to the detectives right away.” Ms. D paused. “Do you think it’s still there?”

“Only one way to find out,” I said.

“Darlene, I’m going to get Detective Fabiero. We can check for the flash drive while the dorm is empty.”

We hugged before Ms. D rushed off.

The three of us soon entered the empty C dorm. I went straight for the light switch by the door. I felt for the flash drive—nothing. Fabiero said she didn’t see anything either.

“This is where I jammed it. I’m one hundred percent sure,” I said. “Maybe we could push a screwdriver or something up there.”

“Pretty sure that would not be a good idea,” Ms. D said.

Fabiero radioed for maintenance to get to the dorm right away. In minutes, Arbor and a guy with a toolbox arrived. He shut off the power and pried open the covering.

The silver drive clinked to the floor.

“We’ll get this into evidence and see if there’s cause for a warrant.” Fabiero smiled and nodded. “Nice work, Miss Mills,” she said.

I said goodbye to Ms. D and was taken back to isolation.

First thing in the morning, I was brought to see the superintendent.

“Mr. Seymour, did they find any evidence on the drive?” I asked.

“We have a few matters to discuss first.”

“Like what?” Was I going to be transferred?

Seymour brought a chair close to his desk. He motioned to it. “Please sit.”

So I did.

“I can’t tell you everything. But I will tell you there were enough pictures on the flash drive to issue a search warrant. The thing is, Darlene, you will need to sign an affidavit as to where you found it and who it belonged to.”

“Darius is gonna know.”

“Yes. And you’ll probably have to testify—assuming it goes to trial.”

“No way. I’m no snitch.”

He paused. “There may be no way to link the stick to Darius without your testimony.”

“What about his fingerprints?”

“Yours are on it. The others are hard to determine.”

“What about the girls in the pictures?”

“Those who have been questioned say they weren’t aware pictures had been taken.”

“Yeah, right. They don’t want to end up like Cherry. Neither do I.”

Seymour leaned back in his chair. “Your attorney plans to ask for a deal. You could be released almost immediately from Buckeye. The remainder of your sentence would be dropped.”

“Wait. Really? I could leave right away?”

“I’m hoping we can arrange it.”

“But wait. How do I know I’ll be safe on the outs? I mean, I’m not even safe in here from Genie and Sophie. And Cherry could’ve died in the woods. Darius could have connections.”

Seymour spoke calmly. “I understand your concerns, but Darius and the others won’t be prosecuted and punished unless—”

“So are they still here at Buckeye? What if they try to—”

“The three men in question are on leave during the investigation. There were no witnesses to Genie and Sophie being at the pool or harming Cherise. However, those two will be carefully watched.”

“Man, I don’t know. Would Darius get that much time? If the girls agreed to do it, what’s the big deal?”

“All the girls here are under eighteen. It’s a federal offense. He’ll be charged with child pornography. And yes, he’d get a long sentence. Anyone involved in taking or distributing the photos would be labeled a sex offender for life.” Seymour leaned over his desk. “Darlene, you may be the key in helping bring down a nationwide ring.”

Oh my God. “I need time to think about it.”

“I understand.”