A university pretending its problems were isolated. Maya looked from the old brass key to the handwritten access ledger, then to Marcus's screen. The past and present had just touched. And for the first time, what happened in the courtyard no longer looked like bullying that got out of hand. It looked planned.
Marcus stared at the maintenance log for several seconds longer. Then he swiped back through the system. Whoever did this knew exactly which camera mattered. Maya leaned closer. The central courtyard camera had a clean digital trail.
9.03 a.m. manual service mode. 9.14 a.m. Maya saw you confronted. 9.27 a.m. camera restored. Marcus exhaled through his nose. That's not random.
9.27 a.m. Evelyn closed the handwritten ledger in front of her. Can you tell who shut it down? Not from the mobile panel. Marcus stood. But I can tell you something else.
What? He looked at Maya. The security camera isn't the only camera facing that courtyard. Maya's heartbeat changed. Marcus grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair.
The communications school runs event live streams from Heritage Plaza. Orientation. Founder's Day. Alumni events. Evelyn frowned.
Those cameras are tied into security? No. That's good? Marcus's expression sharpened. Tonight, it might be.
They left the archive basement together. 9.27 a.m. outside evening had settled over Crown Bridge. Rainwater shone beneath the lamp lights. The old stone buildings rose dark against a violet sky. Somewhere across campus, students were cheering inside a gymnasium, unaware that three people were moving quickly through the communications building with an old brass key, a handwritten access log, and a theory none of them yet dared say aloud.
Marcus led Maya into the audiovisual control room. Banks of monitors covered one wall. Most were dark. A few showed empty lecture halls and auditorium stages. The room smelled faintly of warm electronics and coffee.
You're allowed to access this? Maya asked. Yes. Marcus slid into a chair. Livestream system is my job.
Evelyn remained near the door. Then do it by the book. Marcus glanced at her. I was going to. I know.
That's why I said it. Maya almost smiled. Marcus entered his credentials. A directory opened. Event buffer archive.
He clicked through dates. What exactly are we looking for? Automatic camera buffers. Do they save everything? For 48 hours unless manually cleared.
Maya looked at the clock on the wall. They were still inside the window. Marcus opened a file from the morning of the confrontation. Static appeared. Then the screen filled with the central courtyard.
Maya stopped breathing for a moment. The angle was different from Emily's phone. Higher. Wider. Near the fountain.
Students crossed the frame. Marcus dragged the timeline forward. 9 13 32. Maya entered from the south path. Her faded backpack.
Used textbooks. White blouse. The brass key catching light. Ryan appeared from the right. Chase and Emily behind him.