Joe rather self-consciously entered the classroom that had been the scene of his distress twenty-four hours earlier. He had thought about wagging the class, but he didn’t. One reason was that he wanted to observe David Cary a little more closely after the conversation he had had with AJ. The other reason was a little harder for Joe to even explain to himself. He had found himself involved in this class in a way he had never been before in English. While Ms Jones was still writing on the blackboard, Joe quickly dropped some work onto the corner of her desk before walking, head down, to the back of the class. When Caroline turned to face the class, she greeted him with a compassionate smile until Joe blushed deeply and turned away. He might admit that he liked this class, but Joe Hardy didn’t want anybody’s sympathy.

………….

Courtesy of the Regional Director, Frank was busily going through the unimpressive educational records of David Cary. For the first four years at Thomson High, he had averaged very low grades and had been suspended numerous times for bad language and fighting. Teachers described him as a loner who tried to impress his peers by acting out. Within the last six months, Frank noted, David’s grades had improved markedly and he had been given special responsibilities including that of Hall Monitor.

‘So,’ mused Frank to himself, ‘he has opportunity to be the only student inside the school buildings at certain times, but what could possibly be his motive for stealing school property?’

Little brother’s snooping had paid off, Frank thought to himself, as he hurried to report his findings to his father and Chief Black.

………

Half way into the double English lesson, Ms. Jones had a visitor. Joe eyed the stocky, bespectacled youth who came into the room and asked her politely if he could take David out of the class for a while.

‘Well, you’ll need a good reason, Colin,’ replied Caroline. ‘We’re in the middle of something.’

‘My bag and keys are in David’s locker, Ms. Jones, and I really need to get them because I’m going home early today. I’m very sorry.’

With a nod of her head Caroline gave David permission to leave with Colin. Joe saw the silent exchange between Colin and David and just knew he had to follow them. He knew there was an easy way to leave the classroom quickly, and he hated himself for thinking of it, but he had no other choice. He walked up to Ms. Jones’ desk.

‘Yes, Joe?’ she asked brightly.

‘Um, Miss, I kind of need to go and sit by myself for awhile,’ Joe said in a quiet, nervous voice. Caroline was immediately understanding and concerned.

‘Joe, of course,’ the teacher responded in a quiet, kind voice. ‘I was surprised you even came in today. By all means.’

Flushing with genuine embarrassment and guilt at exploiting the teacher’s compassionate nature, Joe uttered a quick ‘thanks’ and was just about to leave the room when AJ came bolting up to him.

‘Hey, man, could you use some company?’ he asked. Joe was about to turn him down when it occurred to him that AJ would probably be really useful if his hunch was correct.

‘Is it okay if AJ comes with me?’ he asked Caroline. She nodded, and so both boys headed off down the corridor.

‘What’s up Joe?’ asked AJ, full of concern.

‘Where’s David’s locker?’ Joe asked him in a voice full of urgency.

‘Near the gym. Why?’ asked AJ, surprised.

‘I’ll explain later,’ Joe told him. ‘Right now I want to know what he and Colin are up to.’

……………………

‘But I swear it didn’t have anything to do with me!’ hissed David.

‘Well it wasn’t me, and he reckons the cops found stuff from the science lab in the car. That’s your department!’ replied Colin.

‘Well I’m telling you I had nothing to do with it and you’re crazy if you think I do!’ spat David.

‘You know what’s he’s gonna do, don’t you!’ whispered Colin anxiously. ‘He’s gonna pin it on us, just like he’s pinned all those other things on other kids!’

‘But this is MURDER!’ hissed David. ‘We don’t even know who’s responsible. Maybe it was him!’

‘Oh my God!’ exclaimed Colin. ‘Maybe it WAS him and he’s gonna have us framed for it!’

‘Yeah, but he said he was going to have Ben take the rap!’ countered David.

‘Who’s gonna believe an idiot like Ben could blow up a car!’ hissed Colin. ‘He’s probably set the explosives himself, and is planning to frame us so that he doesn’t have to share any of the money with us. Who’s gonna believe us over Darcy?’

The two boys regarded each other with ashen faces. From their hiding spot behind the dumpster, Joe and AJ were hearing every word. AJ was, fortunately, stunned into silence.

‘Look, when the police talk to us, we say nothing!’ David told Colin, who agreed.

The boys turned to return to the main building and had to walk by the dumpster as they did so. Joe clamped a hand over AJ’s mouth as a precaution and half dragged him out of sight behind it. When Colin and David and disappeared from sight, Joe uncovered AJ’s mouth.

‘I know, I know. I have a lot of explaining to do,’ Joe told a wide-eyed AJ. ‘But first I have an important phone call to make.’