Page 70 of Enemies to Prom Dates
“Why did it shut down?”
I held up my hands. “I don’t really know everything behind it. My mom said they did a study that found that foster kids did better with individual families instead of grouped in a single home. Institutional settings, apparently, stunt their ability to make meaningful connections with people. It was decided the kids were better off with families, so they were placed with families around town and the place was shut down. It’s still abandoned now. By the way, they were right. Heath’s a different person than when I first met him. A better student overall, he’s even got a scholarship to college.”
Locke nodded. “And you, Rochester and Cliff. You’re all tight with one another?”
“We’re friends, yes. Why?”
Locke shrugged. “You think Wickham is behind the betting ring?”
“I do. It’s exactly like him. Sleazy and lacking all moral integrity.”
Locke nodded. “I agree with that assessment, however, you’re not going far enough. Wickham’s not smart enough to pull something off on this scale.”
I pressed my lips together not really buying Locke’s conclusion. It felt too much like a dark conspiracy, where the reality was probably much more simplistic.
“Locke, I get that maybe you think this is a bigger deal than it is, but you have to understand, kids in this town have money. Real money. And they like to play with it.”
“Except you,” he said. “You don’t play.”
I could feel my back stiffening, my shoulders tightening. Owning every inch of my six-foot-two height.
“I would never bet on when a girl might lose her virginity. It’s disgusting.”
Locke took another hit on his pen. “You sure about that? Because I have to tell you there is wicked money being wagered on a new name added to the list in just the last few hours.”
“How do you know that?” I growled, getting frustrated with his elusiveness. I took an intimidating step forward, but he didn’t flinch. “I’ve asked everyone I know at this school, and let me be clear, I know the whole damn school, and no one will tell me anything.”
“Exactly. They fear you. Maybe rightfully so, I don’t know. Me, not so much. But I’m here telling you what I know, aren’t I?”
“What’s in it for you?”
“A favor.”
“From me?”
He nodded once. “Nothing that will compromise your righteous moral integrity, I promise.”
“Find me who’s behind all this and I’ll gladly grant you a favor. Hell, I’ll throw in my dad’s autograph for good measure.”
“I would rather have your mother’s. According to my brother Croft, she’s going to be President of the United States one day.”
I didn’t comment. That was a family rule when questioned by anyone about my mother’s political future. Reporters and citizens alike.
“Is that all?” I asked.
“It isn’t enough?” Locke asked somewhat offended.
“Basically, all I know now that I didn’t know before is that youthinkit’s someone other than Wick behind everything. And youthinkthere is something more happening than rich kids being rich and bored. Forgive me if I’m not overwhelmed.”
“Oh. Well. Sorry to have wasted your time.”
I started to walk away feeling like this had been a waste of time. I didn’t know Locke. I didn’t trust Locke. I knew he was cheating the students of Haddonfield High out of their cash with fake drugs.
Which, I’ll admit, was pretty funny. I’d started ragging on Gigi about the minute she woke up after her Melatonin experience. She hadn’t been amused. At the very least she’d learned her lesson about putting strange pills in her mouth.
I was at the edge of the bleachers, when Locke called out.
“Darcy, you didn’t ask me who.”
