According to Lisa, Wendy had planned on meeting someone after school, apparently, a friend who had found Wendy’s lost yellow scarf. Yellow happened to be Wendy’s favorite color and she was upset when it had been lost or stolen. Wendy had orchestra practice after school for an upcoming concert and was to meet this friend after she got out of practice sometime around 5:30 pm. Wendy told her parents she would be a little later than normal and would be getting a ride home from someone named Aaron. Wendy never came home last night. Her dad called the police at 10:30 pm to report that Wendy had not come home, they could not reach her by phone, and they were worried something might have happened. Lisa told Carson that she should talk to Katy Anderson, as she was Wendy’s best friend and might know something more. That is all the information Lisa could provide. When asked about the discrepancy on how Wendy was going to get home, Lisa replied that Wendy had not been clear on what was happening last night.
Well ok, thinks Walker, at least we have a name of someone who may have seen or been with Wendy last night.
Chief Carson sighs, “this thing is starting to blow up. The press from Grand Rapids is now in town and there will be a live broadcast on the noon news. Once that hits, the whole town will be up in arms. We need to solve this quickly. Any luck with the phone?”
“I’ve got it ready to go to the county right now,” states Baker. “I’m going to grab a quick lunch then head over there. They know it’s coming.”
“And we’ve got the autopsy scheduled for three o’clock this afternoon,” says Walker. “I will be there to observe and take notes. We also have officers talking to students to see if they can dig anything up”
“Okay, sounds like we have things covered for now,” says Carson. “You guys are doing a good job. I’ll go deal with the press for now and then call each Council member to give them a general idea of what we know. Keep in touch with any updates.”
Rockville is known as a nice family community with good schools. Much of the town is residential, but with enough commercial establishments to please most everyone. At one time it was largely a farming community and while it still serves area farmers, it has also become a distant suburb of Grand Rapids. Many residents work at Steelcase or one of its related businesses, while some are involved in the high-tech industry. The small-town feel, clean living, and mostly crime-free community is appealing enough to folks that the commute to Grand Rapids is worth it. Others work in local businesses that support the community itself.
Lincoln High School serves all of Rockville, and parts of the surrounding county. Most students either take the bus or drive to school. About 15% of the students live close enough to be able to walk. The school has approximately 1200 to 1300 students in any given year and is best known for its football team. For whatever reason, the Wildcats are usually one of the top class A football teams in the state and this year is no different. In fact, this is one of their best seasons. The team is undefeated, with the closest game being a 24-17 win over Shepard High School, another top-level team in their division.
The Wildcats football team is led by senior star running back Brad McGivens. McGivens was first-team all-county last season and placed on the second-team all-state. Some are predicting he will be first-team all-state this year. In 10 games, McGivens has rushed for 2,198 yards and caught 41 passes for another 698 yards. Combined, McGivens is averaging 290 yards of offense per game. His lowest rushing total this season is 127 yards against Shepard High. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. If he can’t run from you, he will run over you. McGivens currently has 23 college scholarship offers, including from the University of Michigan and Michigan State. He still has at least one more game to play, next Saturday’s league championship, and most likely one or more games in the state playoffs.
McGivens also plays on the baseball team, leading last year’s team in batting average (.407) and home runs (14). He is certainly considered the top athlete in the school and he knows it. He never shies away from the fact that he is the best. He also happens to be quite good-looking, standing at 6’0” and a muscular 205 pounds. His wavy brown hair is combed back and hangs a little past his ears, just off the shoulder. His eyes are sky blue in color. Some say he looks like a bigger, better-built Matthew McConaughey. He is also one of the older Senior students, having turned 18 in October.
Brad McGivens is also known as quite the ladies’ man. He is known by everyone in the school and pretty much anyone in the community who follows high school sports. He has an outgoing and brash personality, sometimes being a bit of a bully. He can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Brad is not afraid to use his popularity and celebrity status to his advantage, especially when it comes to getting the girls. While he doesn’t give much attention to the non-athletes in school, he generally isn’t mean to them either, so long as they don’t cross him. Many of the students are intimidated by
