You're not sure, but it requires your attention.

As you get closer you hear Valerie's voice raised in anger, wagging a threatening finger at the older teacher.

"You can't do anything! You're just a filthy old drunk they pulled out of the gutter for some reason! You can't do anything to me! You can't do anything to any of us! Not you or that blonde redskin either! My Daddy will have you fired if you try! You can't lay a finger on me!

"Go tell us poor girls how rich your Daddy is again," a willowy blonde standing beside the girl you cut the tie off says scornfully, prompting a laugh from many of the spectators. Valerie turns on her with an angry hiss.

"Shut up Tiana you snotty bitch! They can't do anything to me! If they try, if this drunk or that redskin try anything on me they'll be in jail! Just you watch!"

She spins, preparing to stalk away, when you use the command voice that served you so well in the Marines, your bark stilling the entire crowd.

"Miss Cummins, you will stop where you are!"

She freezes, her head snapping around, her eyes widening in dismay as she sees you approaching, flanked by Diana Naylor and Honey Thibodeaux.

"Come here, Miss Cummins!" you bark. "What is going on here Mr. Carter?"

"I was trying...." the brunette blurts before he can speak, but you cut her off with another bark.

"When I wish you to speak I will address you Miss Cummins! Now stand there and be silent!" she looks frightened, but closes her mouth, staring at you in alarm. "Mr. Carter?" you ask, softening your tone.

"Miss Cummins was berating these two students," he replies, gesturing to two dark complected girls who wear colourful head scarves and harem style leggings in addition to their uniforms. "She was bullying them, using racist slurs. I intervened and she was defiant, offering insult, and stating that her father would have me fired."

"That's a Lie!" Valerie shrieks. "He's a filthy lying drunk! He..."

"Be quiet Miss Cummins!" you bark. "You're in enough trouble already!"

"Dean Hawkfeather?" a girl's voice says softly. You see that it's the willowy blonde who mocked Valerie's wealth earlier, and you nod at her to continue. "What Mr. Carter says is what happened. Valerie was attacking Rayhana and Safiyah, insulting and bullying them when Mr. Carter put a stop to it. Then she started threatening and insulting him."

"Thank you Miss..."

"Willes, sir. Tiana Willes." She smiles at you and gives a little bob that mimics a curtsy, her eyes glittering with malice as she glances at Valerie, who looks more dismayed and frightened by the moment.

"Miss Cummins, report to my office immediately," you say, pointing to the Mellon building and seeing her face start to crumple with anxiety. "Mr. Carter, Headmistress Naylor, if you could join me."

"Don't forget me," Honey Thibodeaux says softly. "I'm a witness too, and I wouldn't miss this for the world."