Meeting with the witnesses

Miss Katrina Duncan, Miss Briana Lloyd and Miss Bethany Adamson. You look over the limited information in the school database, wondering if there was a filing cabinet somewhere that had more details than what was available through your computer. All three young ladies were cheerleaders with lackluster report cards indicating too many absences and tardies, one of them, Miss Adamson is registered for your Introduction to Computer Science class which is unusual for a second year student, a quick check of last year's report card shows an F for the same class. Miss Adamson either expects the class to be easier the second time around or she needs it as a requirement for whichever program she is transitioning to next year. Other than that, you have little to go on.

Coach Watts and Mr. Carter show up a minute or two early and the three of you exchange small talk for a few moments. You notice that Coach Watts is carrying a box tied with a pretty ribbon, and wonder what it is but make no comment. Miss Wilder arrives exactly at 10:45 and the four of you sit in the little conversation area under your window. Alice Wilder looks nothing at all like a cheerleader coach, as you study the severe-looking librarian in a dark suit and white blouse with ruffles peaking from the ends of her sleeves and collar you wonder how she ended up with that position. Mr. Watts sits by her side on the couch and the bright smile she gives him makes you wonder if they already know each other.

Carter sits in the armchair, and you perch on the edge of the desk. In the next five minutes you get a sense of what happened. All three of the teachers agree on the facts, but just for the sake of documenting the incident you have each of them write a short statement.

"Looks pretty open-and-shut." You smile at the three, "especially with," you pause to look at your notes "Miss Duncan's admission at the time." The three nod back in agreement. "As I understand the policy, Miss Wilder, you are permitted to stay for the administration of the-"

"That will not be necessary, Dean Hawkfeather." She pops up off the couch athletically and for the first time you see the cheerleader in her. "I'm not a fan of this change in discipline, and if it's all the same to you I'd rather not be a part of it."

"Fair enough, Miss Wilder. On you way by her rooms, would you please let Ms. Naylor know that I'll be ready as soon as she's here." You shake the hands of Mr. Carter and Watts, thanking them as they prepare to leave.

"Gentlemen, thank you for your time." You can't help but wonder what they're thinking as they leave the room. Did they envy you for having three bare-assed cheerleaders to punish, or did they, like Miss Wilder, have reservations about this? You're pretty sure how Mr. Carter feels about the matter, but Mr. Watts is harder to read.