Page 102 of Web of Lies
“Well, one thing for sure,” I say, running my finger over the ruined metal, praying to the Heavens my father won’t pull me out of this school.
“What?” Chase asks.
“We have a lot of work to do to connect all of this.”
“And I’m guessing we’re about to see you unleash your genius?” Seger asks through a frown, eyeing my car. I smile and nod.
“I’ll help,” Zepp says, putting his phone away. “Two brains are better than one. I can access the coroner’s report about the missing kid and you…”
“Can access the cameras and see if we have any culprits to put the blame on. If they haven’t erased it already.”
“Seems to me everyone inside these walls is a fucking snake ready to attack,” Seger surmises, kicking a rock with his shoe.
“Let’s get to work,” I say, gesturing to my apartment. The boys agree, and we walk towards my room for the night.
“Are you ready for this?” Zepp asks, tucking his laptop under his arm. He stifles a yawn with his free hand, working his fingers over his drooping eyes.
“I think so,” I mumble, shaking my head. “I just feel like there’s no point to this. He’s in on it, I’m telling you.” I grab onto two cups of coffee, leading him to our table where the other guys are all waiting.
I smirk at Seger’s slumping form, sunglasses on. Chase looks beat to shit, and they didn’t stay up as late as Zepp and me. We looked over hours of footage, trying to find evidence against the assholes who ruined our cars.
One point for us, we found them—so, yay, positive there. One million points for them. They protected their identities by the ridiculous black hoods and black masks covering their faces. My guesses were on my previous culprits, but in the video, they seemed to have multiplied by ten.
Zepp also got into the coroner’s office but found nothing. Yet. We’ve set up shop in the maze house after school to find some more answers. First thing this morning, we are meeting with Headmaster Shaw to discuss my room and report our cars. Zepp has the footage downloaded to his laptop to prove to him that someone else did it.
“Rise and shine, Sunshine,” I chirp into Seger’s ear, rousing him from a grumpy sleep.
“Fuck off, Princess,” he grumbles, burying his face into the crook of his elbow.
“Not nice, asshole,” Chase defends, throwing a strip of waffle at Seger’s head.
“Fucker!” Seger bolts up in his seat, throwing the waffle back at Chase, who dodges it with ease.
“Well, now that you’re awake, you want some coffee?” I ask with a smile, sliding the tall glass toward Seger.
“I take back that fuck off, now fuck on,” he quips, pulling me down into his lap. I squeal as he buries his tired face into my neck. “Don’t make me school today. I’m too sleepy. Let me carry you back to bed,” he grumbles against my neck, pulling me into his body.
“As much as she wishes she could, she has a meeting. We have a meeting about our cars,” Zepp says, shoving a small bite into his mouth.
“But beddddd,” he whines like a child, squeezing my body.
“Bed sounds nice, but he’s right. They summoned me. And besides, you have to go to class. I’m still your tutor and all.” I try to sound as stern as possible with him grumbling into my neck, but it’s hard, especially when he peppers kisses, tickling me.
“Fine. I’ll go to class. But as my tutor, I expect you tonight.”
“Mr. West, I wasn’t expecting you,” Headmaster Shaw says, frowning as we sit together in his office.
“Yes, well, I came here to discuss business with Kaycee.” He affirms, placing his laptop on his legs.
Mr. Shaw squirms in his seat, adjusting his tie, and finally settles. “Well, it’s undoubtedly unnecessary for you to be at this meeting. I’m going to have to ask you—”
“With all due respect, Sir, no.” He says in a firm and final tone, leaving no questions.
Mr. Shaw’s face drops again, anger painting his features. A sharp hint of rage brews behind his eyes, but he’s quick to nod. “Very well then, Miss Cole, I’ve called you here about your room.” He looks down at another piece of paper. His fingers skim over it, barely touching it with his fingertips.
“And?” I ask, shifting in my seat.
“And I’m very disappointed, Miss Cole. I thought the last time we had a talk about this with your door art, I made myself very clear. Vandalizing school property is a big no-no.” Zepp narrows his eyes on Mr. Shaw, suppressing the anger simmering under his skin. He opens his mouth to speak and defend me, but I don’t let him. I grab his hand, squeezing with reassurance.
