Tonight, it became a pattern of complicity. Blake sank further into his chair. Horrified, his mother covered her face with trembling hands. Harlon glared at Naomi, but his anger no longer held power. It looked desperate, fading.
Ramirez stepped forward. Vice Principal Miller, we'll need you to provide a list of employees with security system access. Miller nodded shakily. Of course, Naomi continued, unrelenting. And we will need every report filed by my daughter and others regarding bullying.
A heavy silence. Then a breaking point, Miller whispered. Some of those reports may not have been filed properly, not filed. Naomi's voice chilled. Or intentionally buried.
Miller couldn't look at her. The bullies shifted nervously. Seth's foot tapped uncontrollably. Connor stared at the table. Finally, Naomi folded her arms and looked at every adult in the room.
Your school failed these children, she said. It failed them long before tonight, and the evidence shows that failure was deliberate. Her words cracked something in the atmosphere, like a fault line splitting under pressure. Halden tried again to salvage control. We should avoid public speculation until the district reviews.
There will be no speculation, Naomi said. We're done avoiding. She stepped away from the table. It's time for direct questioning. Ramirez nodded.
Agreed. Each student will be interviewed separately, Halden protested. Wait, separately? That's highly irregular. Naomi turned toward her calmly.
No, she said. What's irregular is a school that protects bullies and disables surveillance before they attack a child. The room froze. Naomi looked to Ramirez and Colt. Begin with Blake.
Blake paled. If a teacher aided the bullies, Riverwood High wasn't a place of learning. It was a trap designed to protect its predators. Naomi stepped back, allowing the officers forward. It's time, she said.
Let's hear their stories one by one. The conference room lights glared down with hospital-like intensity, bleaching every corner of the space. No shadows, no escape. A small red dot blinked from the back wall. The school's internal live stream camera, activated by Ramirez, so the entire confrontation could later be reviewed as evidence.
Everyone in the room felt it. Whatever happened here tonight would be permanent. Naomi stood at the head of the long table, not towering, not threatening, simply immovable. Beside her, Ila sat wrapped in a blanket an officer had given her. Her eyes were tired but sharper now, as if witnessing accountability in real time gave her breath again.
Across the room sat the bullies, Blake stiff with rage. Mason trembling, eyes darting. Seth wiping sweat from his upper lip. Connor clutching his hoodie sleeves like a scared child. Attorney Halden hovered near them, sweating a little herself.
Ramirez addressed the room. Per Dr. Green's request, each student will account for their role in the assault. The live stream is recording. Naomi nodded. Let's begin.