Page 53 of Scorched

“Don’t worry about us. I can come up with something to do with the boys.”

“Just don’t let them play with your weapon. And keep a close eye on Luke. He’s got a habit of sneaking out the back door.”

She grinned. “Check.”

“I’m headed over to the coroner’s office to check on our latest victim.”

Melissa shook her head. “Shame about Mary Alice. She was only twenty-six. I did a background check on her boyfriend. He came up clean.”

Paul snorted. “So did Stan Klaus.”

“How are you feeling now?”The school nurse pressed a cool compress to Elise’s forehead as she lay on the couch in the nurse’s office.

Principal Ford poked her head in the door. “How is she?”

Elise pushed to a sitting position, removing the compress from her forehead. “I’m fine. Really. I should get back to my class before they destroy my room.”

Principal Ford waved a hand. “I got Coach Hensley to stand in. He’ll have them bench-pressing their desks to keep them busy.” Her smile went a long way toward making Elise feel more at ease. The older woman nodded at the nurse. “Could we have a few minutes?”

The nurse glanced at Elise. “I’ll get you a bottle of water from the lounge.”

“Thanks.” Elise gave the woman a wan smile, hergaze following her out the door. She wished she could escape as easily. It seemed as though the time for confession was upon her.

Principal Ford took the seat across from her and leaned forward, her hands clasped, elbows resting on her knees. “What happened?”

Elise hated lying. “I got light-headed and must have passed out.”

“Elise, I know something is going on. For the past few days, you’ve been pale, tense and jumpy. If there’s anything you’d like to tell me, maybe I can help.”

If only she could. “I’m not getting much sleep.” That wasn’t a lie.

“Does it have to do with the man that keeps showing up around here?”

Elise’s eyes widened. “What man?”

Principal Ford frowned. “The one who got Caesar to back down in your class the other day. You know, tall, blond and gorgeous. He showed us his badge in the office. FBI.” She paused, giving Elise all the opportunity she needed to spill her guts.

But she just couldn’t, could she? She sat silently biting her lower lip.

“Is he really your boyfriend or is he here on official business?”

Elise smiled for the first time in what felt like days, her cheeks warming at the images of what they’d done on her couch last night. Paul had obviously told the office staff he was her boyfriend toavoid generating suspicion. “He’s really my b-boyfriend.”

“Are the incidents with Caesar getting to you?”

“No, although that was pretty scary.”

“Rumor has it he threw a brick at your car. Is that true?”

Elise shrugged. “I didn’t see who threw it.”

“If we find out he did it, we can press charges.” The lines in Principal Ford’s forehead deepened. “I don’t like it when my teachers are threatened or hurt by students. I won’t tolerate it. His parents have been notified that upon his return from suspension, Caesar will be placed in the alternative center until his attitude improves.”

“For his sake, I hope he returns. He needs an education. All teens need an education.”

“I wish they could see that as clearly.” The principal sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lumped all the hard cases in your final class of the day. Between Caesar Valdez and Ashley Finch, you’ve had more than your share of trouble.”

“I can handle them.”

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