Snapped by Laura Griffin

and worked on not looking like an awestruck kid as she hiked up the steps and passed through a pair of Greek columns. Corinthian? Ionic? Allison had a head for details, but her long-ago “Survey of Western Art” course eluded her now.
    Pulling open the tinted glass door, she took a moment to feel the air-conditioning. Her eyes adjusted, and she noticed she was being sized up by a dark-skinned security guard and a smiling receptionist. Allison recognized the woman from the quadrangle, where she’d been pinned down behind a statue on the day of the shooting.
    “You must be Detective Doyle. I’m Sophie.”
    The meet-and-greet was interrupted by some hammering down the hall. Allison peeled off her sunglasses and approached the desk.
    “Sorry I’m late,” Allison said. “I underestimated the drive out here. Very winding highway.” She tucked the shades into the pocket of the lightweight blazer she wore to conceal her holster.
    “No problem. I’ll just need to see some ID.”
    Allison dug out her creds as a delivery guy walked up behind her and handed an electronic clipboard over the counter. Sophie signed for a package and then entered Allison’s badge number into her computer. She handed over a visitor’s pass.
    “This goes on your lapel,” Sophie said as she stood up to collect a stack of cardboard mailers from the edge of her desk. “Just these today, Leo.” She handed them over with a smile that could have sold toothpaste. “You have a great weekend.”
    “You, too, Sophie.”
    She turned to Allison. “The Delphi Center. How may I help you?”
    It took Allison a moment to realize she was speaking into a receiver clipped to her ear.
    “One moment, please, while I see if he’s in.” She pressed a button on the phone and looked at Allisonagain. “Ready? I’ve reserved us a conference room.” Then back to the caller: “I’m sorry, Dr. Snyder’s in a meeting. Would you like to leave a message?” Pause. “Let me put you through to his voice mail. The Delphi Center. How may I help you?”
    Allison watched her field a few more calls. She had one of those velvety phone voices that projected calm even amid a flurry of activity.
    A dour woman appeared at the desk and looked Allison up and down. Sophie handed her the headset.
    “Clovis is out sick today, and Lemberger and Snyder are still at lunch.” Sophie looked at her watch. “A detective out of Harris County has been calling all morning to pester Mia about some lab work, but she’s running behind. If he calls again, just tell him she’s in a meeting and route him to voice mail. I’ll be back at one.”
    The woman mumbled something that may or may not have been friendly, and Sophie nodded for Allison to follow her down a long corridor, away from the construction noise.
    “You guys renovating?” Allison asked.
    “Expanding our evidence room. You’d never believe how much stuff comes in.”
    Actually, Allison would. With some of the nation’s top forensic scientists on staff, the Delphi Center had a reputation that rivaled Quantico’s. If it weren’t for the hefty price tag, every law enforcement agency in the country would be sending its stuff here.
    Sophie opened a door, and Allison followed her into a conference room that was disappointingly ordinary.
    “I’d offer you coffee, but honestly? We don’t have time. Diane can only cover me until one o’clock.”
    Allison checked her watch. Fifteen minutes. “I’ll get straight to it, Ms. Barrett.”
    “It’s Sophie.” She smiled and gestured her to the chair at the head of the table, putting Allison in the power position. Allison thought it was odd, but maybe the woman was being strategic.
    Allison sat down and flipped open her notebook. “I’m just here to clear up a few details related to the information you relayed to Detective Macon.”
    A perfectly shaped eyebrow lifted. “Anything I can do to help.”
    “Okay, so I understand you went to the university on Wednesday. What were