Rick is pressuring me into sleeping together, but I'm not ready. He brings it up to me every day, and I don't know how to say no anymore. I almost want to do it just so I can get it over with.I pause and frown hard. Jenica's old boyfriend, Rick, lives in Singapore and is married to a local. He's got two kids, and some big shot job at an international company. It's highly unlikely he's involved in any of this, but if I ever meet the guy, I'm going to punch him in the balls. No girl or woman should be made to feel like Jenica did. No really does mean fucking no.
As I lift my eyes back up to the page, I notice something.
Jenica writes her R's in a capital shape, even when they're in the middle of a word. Sitting up suddenly, I shove my shades into my salt-soaked hair and flip back through the pages.
Yep.
It's always a capital, albeit a slightly smaller capital, but a capital nonetheless.
Next, I flip to the image of her supposed suicide note. It must've taken Ranger a hell of a lot of courage to show this to us. Just looking at it now feels me with this warmth; he trusts me. He has no real reason to, but he does.
I bite my lip.
Dear JR, is written at the beginning of the note, like a pair of initials, like Jeff Rabot. But what if it was Jr., like Junior instead?
I text Ranger my findings, my heart beating like crazy. Maybe it's nothing, but maybe it's the clue we've been looking for?
Fuck, is the message he sends back. And then. Did you know Mr. Murphy's dad used to teach at Adamson? They had one year of overlap, and we used to call the older Mr. Murphy, Murph Senior.
I bite my lip and try to hold back a squeal. Might not be right to get so excited about a murder investigation, but hey, it is what it is.
We'll look into it, and get back to you, Ranger sends, and I tuck my phone back in my bag, turning my attention back to the cool, blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
If Mr. Murphy is involved, then he's gotta be the note writer, not the killer, right? I mean, he was encouraging my dad to send me away, wasn't he? Then again, maybe that was just a front to avoid any suspicion being cast on him?
As excited as I am about this new discovery, I have a feeling that things are going to get worse before they get better.On Friday, when everyone else is busy dressing up for some big bonfire thing on the beach, I'm sitting at my favorite oceanside eatery and scribbling things down in a pink and white notebook that I bought because Ranger inspired me. I could take notes on my phone, but this is so much more fun with a feather pen and actual paper.List of SuspectsMr. Murphy (purple pen, weird about Jenica, could be Junior)
Mr. Dave (gone during the week of the attack, had access to the missing yearbook, total dick)
Eddie the Janitor (never locks shit he’s supposed to lock, introverted, has access to all parts of Adamson)
Nathan the Night Watchman (drags his feet—ARGH!, carries weapons, also has access to all parts of Adamson)
Mark Grandam (royal piece of shit, friends with Eugene, hole in ceiling that magically disappeared)
Mark's crappy football friends (especially that meathead roommate of his, see above about magically disappearing hole)
Rick, Jenica's ex (misogynist, jerk-off, dickhead)
Jeff Rabot (name matches the JR on the note, hates the guys, knew Jenica)
Mr. Johansen (he forced me to make that stupid cake, I don’t know, everyone’s a suspect)
Mr. Cruschek (he can barely move, so probably not, but whatever)
that PE teacher who shoved me in the locker room and made me see all that dick (this is a longshot, but I’m writing it down)
the guy that texted me pics of the yearbook (I cannot remember his name for the life of me, also a longshot, still counts)I pause and tap my pen on the edge of my lip for a moment before continuing.Jack Hargrove (sold drugs to Jenica, convinced Spencer to stay with him that whole week)
Kesha (slept with Ranger, was passed out on the ground during the attack, maybe as bait?)
Selena (she lent me her dress, but also, there IS a female attacker, so I gotta start somewhere)
Aster (she forced me and Ross to dance with her, I have no idea why I’m writing her down)Another pause. I take a bite of my fish and chips, going heavy on the tartar sauce, and adding just a splash of barbeque sauce to it. Some people find that even more disgusting than ketchup on eggs or hot sauce on French toast. Their loss.
I study my list and try to decide if I should add Church to it. Well, him, or any of the other Student Council members.
