“Can’t you knock?” sputtered Tom.

I crawled weakly into bed and hugged my pillow, listening to the conversation in the hall.

“Drug inspection,” said the R.A. “Just making sure you guys aren’t doing any crack cocaine in here or nothing.”

“We’re not. Everything’s cool.”

“Is it now?”

“Freaking Jordan was kissing my girl, that’s all. I took care of it.”

The R.A. laughed, low and ominous; I felt the box-springs below me quiver. “Your girl? Jodi?” He sounded surprised.

“She’s only been living here for a month, Lurch… you’re really slacking in the surveillance department.”

“Oh, I know more than you can imagine, MacKenzie. For example, I know that this afternoon at exactly 2:12, when your dorm was empty, this girl of yours let herself in with your key, and emerged 7 minutes later with a mini fridge and a suitcase.”

There was a pause and the sound of footsteps as Tom ran to his bedroom to verify.

“She’s gone!” Tom cried.

“And I also know that she’s down by the duck pond with Mendez at this very moment.”