Checking In At Green Hills

It had been several days since Rick’s scene at Bishop Tech. The former military man didn’t regret it, he was not one to regret his decisions. Still thinking back on it Rick knew he could have been more tactful, which was something he had always had trouble doing. He was a figuratively shoot first and ask questions later kind of guy. Especially in a situation like this one he felt there wasn’t time to be tactful. Rick had taken a few days off from Ravers Enterprise to check in on some things, the first of which found him pulling into the guest parking lot at Green Hills University. He pulled a fake police badge from his glove box, he needed to make sure no one fishy had been seen around Taylor’s school, but he knew no one on the University faculty would tell him much without reason, hence the fake badge. He also planned to check in on Taylor in person, but only after speaking with some members of the faculty. His first stop took him to the Dean’s office and after flashing his “badge” at the secretary he was immediately welcomed in.

He gave the Dean a friendly smile and firm handshake before taking the offered seat. The Dean looked nervous, but Rick didn’t read that much into it, most people got nervous around the police these days. The Dean attempted to smile, “So what can I do for you officer? I am not aware of any trouble in or around the school.” Rick smiled, “Nothing like that Dean, I am here investigating another matter, there was an attempted robbery over in Azure Rocks. One of your student’s father’s place of business suffered an attempted break in. We just want to be sure said student is safe.” The Dean took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow, “Do you need to speak with the student?” Rick nodded, “I will, but I wanted to ask some of the faculty if they had seen any suspicious characters around first, starting with you.” The Dean nodded, “Understandable, no need to worry the student without reason. As for me I haven’t noticed anyone or anything suspicious, besides the usual college trouble. Secret parties, sneaking in ****, that sort of thing.” Rick nodded, “Fair enough, is there any other member of faculty that I might want to talk to?”

The Dean thought for a moment, “Perhaps campus security and maybe the janitorial staff? They are the staff that sees more of the campus and surrounding area than any of the professors.” Rick nodded with a smile, “Thank you for your cooperation Dean, can you tell me which dorm Taylor Bishop is in so I can go and talk with her after talking to the staff?” The Dean frowned as he hit some keys on his computer, “Hmm, seems Miss Bishop lives in one of the on campus apartments. It’s more expensive than the regular dorms but she seems to be splitting rent with some friends.” The Dean wrote something on a slip of paper before handing the paper to Rick, “That’s the address, though she may be in class right now.” Rick smiled and nodded, “I don’t mind waiting, but I will go and talk to the staff, thank you Dean.” Rick shook the Dean’s hand and went off to interview security and janitorial staff.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rick sighed as he made his way to Taylor’s apartment, the janitorial staff was a bust, though security did mention seeing what appeared to be the same black vehicle passing by campus over the last several days, but it could be a coincidence. He planned on looking over security footage before he left. He climbed the steps up to Taylor’s apartment, he could guess who a couple of the friends Taylor was splitting the rent with and he smiled at the thought. Knowing Hannah, she would likely flirt with him when she saw him, she always did and then Peter and Taylor would scold her. Though if Rick were being honest with himself he wouldn’t mind seeing if all the rumors about Hannah back in Azure Rocks and her ability in bed were true. Hannah, was a full fledged adult now, so he didn’t really have any reservations other than her being the daughter of one of his best friends.

Rick checked the paper to make sure he had the right apartment before knocking on the door. He waited for a few moments to see if anyone would answer and when they didn’t he smiled. He looked around and found the hallway camera, the security personnel weren’t very attentive to the cameras. Rick casually walked over to the camera and into its blind spot, pulling out a roll of black tape from his pocket he stealthily put a piece of tape over the lens before going back to the door to Taylor’s apartment. He smiled as he went to work picking the lock, he never could resist an opportunity to give Taylor and Hannah a little scare. The door clicked open and he walked into the apartment, closing the door behind him, but not locking it. He was hungry, so he would make himself something to eat while he waited for Taylor to get back.