A couple of days later, while Quinn Ortega was working, there was a commotion outside. I vaguely heard my name mentioned.Quinn Ortega set down his pen and went to the secretary’s office.Inside, two police officers were sorting through my things.I guessed they were there because of my case.Quinn Ortega glanced at them and then at my empty desk before shouting, “Where are Nicole Hayward’s things?”

The secretaries looked at Quinn Ortega awkwardly and then at the police officers. One of them said quietly, “The officers said they need to investigate Secretary Hayward’s cause of death and are taking her things for that purpose.”

Quinn Ortega stiffly turned to face the...