Unexpectedly, Darcy came into Ferguson’s IT class half way through his afternoon lesson and spoke quietly to the teacher. Frank, busy helping a student with her web page design, noticed the exchange and wondered what was going on. His curiosity was stimulated further just after the DP left.

‘AJ. Joe,’ said Ferguson, ‘Come up to my desk please.’ Joe, who was at his desk doing penance for arriving late, complied, but AJ protested.

‘Oh, come on sir! I’ve only just logged on!’

‘Well you’ll just have to log OFF then won’t you!’ said Ferguson firmly. ‘Mr. Darcy wants to see both of you in his office immediately. Leave your books here. You can get them later.’

Frank watched the two boys leave the room before returning his attention to his task. He didn’t know why, but he had a bad feeling about this turn of events.

As they made their way to the DP’s office, Joe noted that he had never seen AJ seem so rattled. He had visibly paled and had lost the cocky attitude he normally exuded.

"Hey man!’ Joe said casually, ‘Relax! You look like you’re on your way to your own execution!’

AJ stopped walking suddenly and grabbed Joe’s elbow.

‘Listen Hooper,’ he whispered harshly, ‘Darcy doesn’t muck around. He got brought here to clean this place up. Rumor is that he gets tough.’

Joe shrugged. ‘So what? I haven’t done anything criminal? Have you?’

AJ shook his head. ‘Just watch yourself, that’s all I’m saying.’

They continued towards the admin block in silence.

***

‘I want to hear what you know about the theft of the cameras last night,’ demanded Darcy. Both Joe and AJ shrugged their shoulders.

‘Who said we should know about the cameras?’ asked Joe, ignoring the kick in the leg he received from AJ. Darcy leaned forward in his chair and held out a watch so that it was practically under AJ’s nose.

‘Tell me what this is!" he demanded of AJ.

‘A watch,’ said AJ in an impossibly small voice. Despite the tension, Joe nearly snorted with laughter at the ridiculous question and response.

‘What are the initials on it, Einstein?’ demanded Darcy in a sarcastic voice.

‘J and H,’ replied AJ, stealing a fearful look at Joe.

The DP fixed his steely gaze on Joe. Joe met the man’s eyes with his own and maintained his composure.

‘Your initials on a watch which was found on the ground this morning near the cupboard from which the cameras were stolen from,’ stated Darcy calmly. Joe raised his eyebrows.

‘Yeah, well, it’s not mine. I don’t wear a watch. Ask any of my teachers. They’re always keeping me in for being late to class.’

Darcy put the watch down on the desk.

‘Four students I’ve spoken to swear that you do wear a watch and that this is the watch they have seen you wear,’ he stated with a triumphant grin on his face.

‘What a crock!’ said Joe hotly, and the grin disappeared from the Darcy’s face. AJ was suddenly motivated to say something.

‘That’s true sir! I’ve seen Hooper wear a watch the whole time he’s been here. He’s never on time for class!’

‘Enough!’ demanded Darcy, raising his voice. ‘I am convinced that both of you were involved in the theft of those cameras. If you admit it we can sort out repayments and a suitable punishment. I know there’s little chance of getting the cameras back. If you don’t admit it… well let’s just say life might start to get a bit difficult for both of you.’

Outwardly Joe Hardy maintained a defiant stance; chin thrust forward and shoulders tensed. Inside, his mind was racing. His heart was thumping so hard it was a miracle that AJ couldn’t hear it!

‘I know what happened,’ Darcy was saying. ‘You, AJ, would have shown Hooper where the cameras were. You broke into the cabinet, then sold them to get money for your filthy drugs and God knows what else. Admit it.’

AJ remained silent but shook his head. Joe rolled his eyes and folded his arms. He couldn’t believe this guy. Did he have ‘clairvoyant’ written on his list of skills?

‘Go back to class,’ said Darcy icily. AJ sprang to his feet instantly and was already at the door as Joe was starting to get up.