My frown deepened in spite of the high praise. “What exactlyisthis special assignment?”
“Nothing physical. Just surveillance.”
“We have people for that.”
“I know, but the target is a Blackthorne student, so the Council wants it to be another student who does it,” Roman said. “That way it’s not so obvious, and we also have plausible deniability if the target ever tries to report it. Can’t really do that if she starts blabbing about a guy in his forties following her around, can we?”
“You saidshe.Who, exactly?”
He fell silent for a moment, jaw tightening. “Calista Hoffman’s sister has enrolled at Blackthorne. She was scheduled to arrive today.”
His face remained carefully blank when he said Calista's name. Too blank. Like he'd practiced it.
“I see,” I said, lifting a brow. “Freshman?”
“No. That’s actually the issue at hand. She’s a junior. Completed her first two years as a business and econ major at Ravenswood University in California. Stellar grades. Already received internship offers and TA opportunities from professorswho’ve seen her potential and want to snap her up.” Roman paused for a beat, eyes flickering with suspicion. “So… why give all that up and make such a big move?”
I shrugged. “Blackthorne is a great school. Better than most.”
“But so is Ravenswood, where she’s already doing extremely well. So, again, why would she give that up?”
I nodded slowly. “I’m guessing the Council thinks she’s transferred here because she doesn’t believe Calista’s death was an accident or suicide.”
“Exactly,” Roman replied, punctuating the word with a sharp rap on the desk. “And let’s face it.No onereally thinks it was an accident or suicide. But most people around here are smart enough to keep that to themselves. This new girl, though… she’s not from here. She doesn’t know our ways.”
“So she could be a bit of a wild card,” I said, nodding again.
“Yeah. She might try to investigate the Dionysus Club. And that’s the last fucking thing we need.”
“Right. So what exactly does the Council want me to do?” I asked, cocking my head.
“Just keep an eye on her,” he replied. “A very,veryclose eye. Make sure she doesn’t uncover anything too serious. You can use any resources you want or need.”
“Got it. What’s her name?”
Roman glanced down at a piece of paper in front of him. “Violet Jayne Calloway.”
My brows shot up. “Wait… what?”
“They’re half-sisters,” he said flatly, misinterpreting my surprise. “Same mother, different fathers. Hence the different surnames.”
“That’s not what I—” I cut myself off, shaking my head. Perhaps it was a different Violet. It wasn’t exactly a common name, but it wasn’t the rarest one, either. “Got a photo of her?”
“Of course. We have an entire file on her.” He patted a folder on the desk before sliding it over to me. “Take a look.”
I pulled the folder closer and flipped it open. A single photograph was clipped to the inside cover; an ID-style headshot taken against a pale blue background.
My stomach dropped as I took it in.
It washer.
Her hair was a little shorter in the picture, her smile smaller and more subdued. But it was definitely the same girl I’d encountered today, more than once.
Roman’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You recognize her?” he asked, eyes sharpening. He rarely missed anything.
I schooled my expression into something neutral before glancing up. “I think I saw her on campus earlier.”
“Makes sense if she arrived today,” he said, leaning back in his chair.
