Page 76 of Did You See Evie

“No!” His response comes out in a shout. Kyle clears his throat, starting over with a calmer tone. “Evie was the one who suggested meeting up. I was only being friendly back to her. Obviously, I never intended to do anything.”

“What exactly did you intend to do, Kyle?”

It strikes me that I could be talking to Evie’s abductor at this very moment. He’d been messaging and grooming her for weeks, all the while knowing if they ever did meet up, she’d recognize him in an instant. Did he go to the school that night to intercept Evie before she had the chance to tell people about her teacher’s sick proclivities?

“It’s just talking. I wouldn’t risk my job by meeting in person. She kept wanting to meet, and I told her I would just to shut her up. I was never going to meet with her,” he says. “I never came to the school that night.”

I don’t know how he expects me to believe him. And the way he keeps pushing the situation onto Evie without taking accountability makes me sick.

A police squad car pulls into the parking lot, stopping near the sidewalk where we’re standing. A uniformed officer gets out of the car. “Kyle Patterson?”

“Yes,” he says, his voice shaking.

“We’d like to take you down to the station and ask you some questions.”

Kyle looks between me and the officers and the school building. “I’m about to go into work.”

“Detective Fields has already been in touch with your supervisor,” the cop says. “You can drive yourself, or we’re happy to give you a ride.”

I’m reassured he won’t be going into the school building. Another wave of relief passes through me at the possibility Evie’s abductor might finally be caught, although it’s soon replaced with fear over what he might have done to her.

“Cass, please,” he calls after me. “Let me explain.”

My stomach is in knots, but I keep walking. Kyle’s involvement disgusts me; I only hope if he knows where Evie is, he’s kept her safe and she’ll soon be returned.

THIRTY-NINE

I arrive at my office door and see someone is already waiting in the hallway. My stomach turns when I realize it’s Joanna. Amidst all the drama in the parking lot with Kyle, I’d temporarily forgotten about my own personal crisis.

As soon as she hears me, she stands. “Cass, I wanted to talk with you?—”

“There’s nothing to say.” I maneuver my body so that I don’t have to face her as I unlock the door. Evie has been my priority in everything that’s happened this week, which makes the shock of remembering Joanna’s betrayal more jarring.

“I want to apologize,” she says, refusing to back off. “I can’t even imagine how you feel right now.”

“No. You can’t.” I turn to face her, pinning her with a merciless stare.

Joanna’s betrayal hasn’t fully sunk in yet. I never contacted her after watching the video yesterday, which means Connor must have reached out. The idea of the two of them messaging back and forth, even about this, makes me angry.

“I should have come to you months ago,” she says. “You have to know how much it’s been killing me to keep this secret.”

Now inside my office, I drop my belongings on the desk and turn to face her. “And what would you have said? That you were sleeping with my fiancé? Do you think finding out about it back when it started would have made this any easier?”

“No,” she says, defeated. “The whole situation is horrible, and it’s my fault. I want you to know I know that.”

“Your self-awareness is inspiring,” I say, sitting in my chair and charging up the computer. “Now that you’ve gotten that off your chest, do you think you could leave? Clearly, I’ll be hiring a new assistant coach for the new season.”

I wield my power like it’s invincible, but as the words leave my lips, I wonder if I have the influence I once did. Who knows if Mr. Lake and the rest of Manning Academy will want anything to do with me by the time this whole ordeal is sorted? I could end up a nobody, like Joanna. Like Michelle Collins.

But at least I’m not a cheater.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me in the past year,” Joanna says, lowering her head. “I’m ashamed of myself.”

I’m relieved when I hear a knock on the door, interrupting me from saying something I might regret. The door creaks open, and Mr. Lake pokes his head inside. His eyes go wide when he sees Joanna.

“Am I interrupting something?” he asks.

“Joanna was just leaving,” I say. “For good.”

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