What was the purpose?
"Where did Fannie previously attend school, and why did she transfer to this one?"
"Fannie was from Nevada; she and her family had just moved to Los Angeles, not far from the school, so it was a case of enrolling in the nearest school."
"Was there anything unusual about her during her time at the school?"
"Well... she got on well with the other students, but her academic work was a bit poor, and she wasn't very proactive with her studies. Other than that, everything else was fine."
"Do you have her parents' contact information?"
"No. But it might be in her file. Is there a problem?"
"I need her home address and her parent's contact details, Sharon, this is important."
"Ah... that's not something I can decide on my own; I'll have to run it by the principal."
Luke nodded and said nothing more.
Then, Luke squatted down to take another look at the body of the African American girl.
Upon closer inspection, although she was wearing the school uniform, she indeed looked more mature than the other students.
Luke examined her hands; both had calluses.
But the ones on the left hand were above the palm.
The right hand didn't only have calluses on the palm but also on the knuckles.
Luke said to the young African American beside him, "You go check the identities of the other victims."
After a while, Teacher Sharon returned, "Sorry, I couldn't find Fannie's file."
Luke asked back, "What do you mean you couldn't find it?
Haven't looked for it?
Sharon shook her head, "I'm not sure, these things aren't under my responsibility."
"Can I take this as the attitude your school takes towards a shooting incident?
Should the parents sue the school, the police testimony and attitude will be crucial, and today's events are bound to be put on record—I guarantee it."
Sharon also seemed helpless, "I'm just a teacher; these are not decisions I can make. I've done what I'm supposed to."
Luke scrutinized her for a moment and said nothing further; he always felt there was something unusual here.
A few minutes later, Susan arrived at the scene, and Luke briefed her on the situation.
Susan looked at Sharon and said, "Sharon, I'm the captain of Squad One of the Robbery and Murder Department. Can I talk to you?"
"I'd like to understand Fannie..." Susan didn't finish speaking when a burst of car honking came from outside.
Luke and Susan went to the window to see two large Chevrolet SUVs entering the school, and several men in FBI bulletproof vests stepped out of the vehicles.
One of the men seemed to notice Luke and the others and even waved at the window.
Susan shook her head, "These arrogant guys."
A middle-aged white man in his forties wearing an FBI bulletproof vest approached the classroom door, "Hi, Captain Susan, nice to see you again."
Susan responded, "Agent Anthony, it's been a while. What brings you here?"
"I'm here to take over the scene. I've already touched base with Director Reid."
"But I haven't received any notice."
Anthony shrugged, "That just shows the efficiency of your detective bureau... leaves much to be desired.
It further convinces me of my decision to take over the scene."
Anthony knelt to take a closer look at the body of Fannie, "What's the name of the victim, got an ID yet?"
Luke replied, "Fannie Zaris, a student from Class B12."
"So young, such a shame." Anthony stood up and said to the nearby forensic team, "Please secure the evidence and hand it over to the FBI, thank you."
Susan didn't back down, "I'm afraid that'll disappoint you. Until we get official notification, I'm still in charge here."
Anthony spread his hands, "You're as stubborn as ever, but it's of no significance."
Susan crossed her arms in front of her, "We shall see."
Luke gave Anthony an appraising look, "Agent, may I ask a question?"
"Do you know the victim?"
"No." Anthony's reply was blunt.
Luke rolled up the sleeve of the victim's right arm, revealing a tattoo of a bull terrier with slanted eyes and a red cap on its head.
"Huh..." Anthony let out a light sigh and turned his head away.
Susan raised an eyebrow, "She's one of your people?
So, that's why you're so eager to take over the scene."
Anthony pursed his lips, "It's a bit complicated."
"No matter, I've got plenty of time."
Anthony brushed it off, "Captain Susan, you should know that the FBI has its own rules, there are some things I can't tell you."
"If you won't talk, we'll investigate on our own. Please leave the scene."
"This case would be better handled by the FBI."
"An FBI agent dying right after a school shooting, these kinds of campus incidents always attract media and public attention, if the media got wind of this, they'd blow it out of proportion.
If the media and the public ask why an FBI agent died on campus?
And how that relates to this shooting incident?
Anthony's face colored, "It's not like you think, this shooting has nothing to do with the FBI, we didn't want this to happen either."
Susan pressed on, "Then explain it clearly, so we can solve this case quickly; it's better for everyone."
"I need to make a call." Anthony left the room to make a phone call.
Susan too called Reid to report the situation.
Soon, the three huddled together for a discussion.
The young African American looked curious, "How did you know the female victim was FBI?"
Luke explained, "The calluses on her right-hand fingers; they're the mark of someone who handles guns every day. And the bull terrier tattoo on her right arm is the unofficial mascot of the Marine Corps, and it's one of the most well-known Marine tattoos.