Page 57 of Always Mine

“Yeah, I know. But this might be about your teacher.” He didn’t recognize the caller ID, though. “Jackson Kane.”

“Mr. Kane, this is Chief Thomas from the Westwood police. I have some bad news.”

As he walked to the door, he said to the guys, “Be good.”

Then into the phone, “What is it, Chief?”

“Denzi Lomax was found dead in her cell this morning.”

Jackson stilled. A vision of the girl swam before him. Her young face. Her sad black eyes.

“Mr. Kane, did you hear me?”

“Yes, I’m afraid I did. Was it a rival gang?”

“No. They think it’s suicide.”

“Oh, God.” He called on every ounce of strength he had to keep his cool. “Sometimes those events are staged.”

“Yeah, maybe. We’re checking on it. But I thought you should know.”

“Thanks.” He disconnected. His hand was shaking. But he made another call. “Adam, I’m sorry. I have to leave school right now. I—I—”

“I’ll be right there, Jackson.”

He disconnected and turned around. All the boys were in a group behind him.

“What happened?” Bryce asked.

He thought he might be sick. “The, um, gang member who kidnapped Ms. Stefano died in prison this morning.”

No condolences. One kid said, “Good.” Another, “Who cares?”

His pulse raged inside him. “Mr. Phillips is coming to teach you. I can’t stay now.”

“You ain’t upset about her, are you?” Frankie asked.

He gripped the edge of the wall for grounding. “Um…”

“Hey, guys. Let’s allow Mr. Kane to go deal with his feelings.” Maisy stood in the connecting doorway. “Everybody, sit down at your desks.”

She crossed to Jackson. “This isn’t your fault.”

“Oh, yes it is.”

“No.” Just then Adam showed up. Maisy said, “I’m going with Jackson. He’s upset.”

“Go ahead, Ms. Shepherd.”

Maisy linked her arm with Jackson’s and led him out of the classroom, down the hall and outside. “Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t know.” His eyes were wild.

She led him to a private area on campus where teachers came to unwind. They sat at a picnic table shaded from the sun by a tree.

He couldn’t stop thinking about his failure.

“Jackson, talk to me. Annie told me what Denzi said when you found her. That you should have helped her. What does that mean?”

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