I typed the message myself, my thumbs steady, my heart going hard.
Nora: this is Cassidy's friend. someone is asking questions. she's scared. she wants to talk to you. come to the clubhouse.
The reply came in under a minute.
Unknown: who is this
Nora: she told me to use her phone. she's crying. she thinks she's going to get in trouble.
A long pause.
Unknown: i'm 15 min out
I handed the phone back to Cassidy. "You don't have to be here for this. Take anyone who wants to leave. Go home."
She looked around at the crowd, at fifty phones still recording. "If I leave, everyone's gonna say I ran."
"Then stay and do the right thing for once."
For a second I thought she would slap me. Then something in her face broke open, and she nodded.
"Everybody out," she said, loud. "Go home. Seriou
