Page 135 of For Your Own Good
“Good to see you, Zach.” He starts to walk away.
Zach braces himself.
He’s got nothing but a theory. No evidence, no proof, no nothing. But Fallon might. Maybe on her computer, which no one is looking at because her death was ruled accidental. Maybe someone should look at it.
“One more thing,” he calls out to Crutcher, walking toward him.
Crutcher looks angry, but he nods. “Go ahead.”
“The milk,” he says. “You drank the milk at school, didn’t you?”
“Yes. What of it?”
“Just weird, since you only drink milk out of glass bottles.”
Crutcher clenches his jaw, his skin rippling all the way up to his eyes. His hands clench into fists. For a second, Zach thinks Crutcher is going to punch him.
Zach isn’t scared. Because now he knows for sure.
“Goodbye, Zach,” he says. Crutcher turns and walks away, toward the parking lot. Away from the funeral and away from Zach.
Zach watches until he can’t see Crutcher anymore.
Shut up and smile.
Not this time.
He takes out his phone and punches in the number he has memorized.
“Hi. This is Zach Ward,” he says. “Do you remember me?”
“Yes, of course I do,” Pruitt says. The FBI agent has a good memory.
“I want to give you some information. Can I come in and talk to you?”
83
GLORIOUS. SIMPLY GLORIOUS.
It’s been two weeks since Ms.Marsha and Joe were arrested. The shock has passed, and now the healing can begin.
Teddy stands at the top of the stairs, just outside the entrance to Belmont. In front of him, the crowd is beginning to swell. Parents, students, media... Everyone is here.Everyone.
Behind him, a banner is strung from wall to wall:
Remembrance&Recovery
Belmont Forever
The podium is set up here, in front of the chairs for the clergy members.
And the rock. Finally, the memorial rock can be unveiled. Because of the weight, it’s already in place, albeit covered in a red velvet throw withgold tassels. Winnie took care of that. She’s good at decorating—Teddy will give her that. The flowers are stunning: blue asters and huge golden sunflowers, chosen for the school’s colors. They’re mounted in stone planters, providing a floral walkway from the parking lot to the front of the school.
Because the ceremony is expected to take the whole morning, they have to serve food and drinks. No small thing, considering what happened at the school. Teddy and his team spent hours trying to decide what to serve, where it should come from, and if people would feel comfortable eating, or even drinking coffee, at the event.
The Calisto Catering van is right next to the seating area, visible to all. It’s the caterer of choice for those who can afford it. Every wedding, every charity event, every corporate golf outing is catered by Calisto. If people won’t eattheirfood, they won’t eat anything.
Already Teddy can see theyareeating and drinking. Thank God. It cost a fortune.
