The Naturals, #2
Killer Instinct
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
Chapter 16
Overview
Cassie and Michael race to Heron Hall after Lia’s cryptic text and find Lia safe, running an impromptu rooftop interview. Derek and Clark, Emerson’s classmates, reveal Emerson had a relationship with Professor Fogle. Derek openly suspects Fogle of the murder, while Clark bristles, defending Emerson—giving the team a potent new lead.
Summary
Following Lia’s text, Cassie and Michael hurry to Heron Hall, worried Lia has gone off alone with potential suspects. They trespass into the locked tower and reach the roof, where they find Lia safe, feigning drunkenness and operating under the alias “Sadie.” Cassie and Michael adopt aliases as well.
Lia introduces Derek and Clark, classmates from the Monsters or Men course. Cassie recognizes them from Bryce’s descriptions, realizing Lia deliberately targeted people who knew Emerson. Derek postures while Clark appears shy and self-conscious, and Cassie and Michael quietly read their tells.
Cassie probes about TA Geoffrey, noting his morbid focus and indifference toward Emerson; Derek dismisses Geoffrey as pretentious and claims Geoffrey didn’t really know Emerson. Derek insists that he and Clark knew her and that even Professor Fogle knew her well.
Pressed, Derek alleges Fogle had a sexual relationship with Emerson, implying motive and opportunity, and asserts the professor is guilty. Clark erupts, insisting Emerson “wasn’t like that,” revealing his protective feelings and discomfort with Derek’s insinuations. Lia silently confirms Derek believes what he’s saying.
With the revelation that Emerson and Fogle were involved—and Derek’s strong suspicion of Fogle—the team secures a significant new lead. Lia, Cassie, and Michael end the encounter having learned more than expected and with sharper focus on Fogle’s potential role.
Who Appears
- CassieNatural profiler; worries about Lia, leads questions, gauges Derek and Clark to extract leads.
- LiaLie-detector/deception expert; orchestrates rooftop meeting, uses alias “Sadie,” confirms Derek’s truthfulness.
- MichaelReads emotions; rushes with Cassie to find Lia, observes Derek and Clark’s reactions.
- DerekEmerson’s classmate; arrogant, claims Emerson had a relationship with Professor Fogle; suspects Fogle of murder.
- ClarkEmerson’s classmate; nervous and protective, disputes Derek’s insinuations, defends Emerson’s character.
- Professor FogleCriminology professor; alleged to have had a relationship with Emerson; becomes prime suspect.
- Geoffrey (TA Geoff)Teaching assistant; described as pretentious and distant from Emerson, unlikely to have known her well.
- Emerson ColeMurder victim; revealed to have been involved with Professor Fogle, central to new lead.