Page 56 of The Other Side
“Who said that?” Chance’s eyes flashed in anger.
“The headmaster.”
“He’s a piece of shit.”
“Well, if he really cared, he could have easily found a way to kick Daniel out.”
“I’m not so sure,” Chance argued. “He was one of very few people that knew who was paying Daniel’s tuition. There was no way he would do anything to piss off my dad. Half the school’s funding comes from him.”
“Geez.” Even thinking about that kind of money being just something Thomas Roberts could throw around without blinking an eye was too much for me to stomach. “Did, umm, Daniel ever talk to you about what he was working on next?” I tried to stop thinking about how I’d be set for years with that kind of cash.
“Nothing specific, only that he was working on something big, but he liked to keep his work close to his chest. I just told him to be careful and to do his due diligence. Once I can get on his computer, I know we can find more.”
Chance began tracing shapes with his fingertip in the palm of my hand, which was entirely too distracting.
“I don’t even know who our potential suspects are.” I swallowed. “They would have needed motive, means, and opportunity. I don’t even know where to start.”
“Winston has always been the highest on my list,” Chance offered.
“After me,” I deadpanned.
A grin broke out on his face. “Yeah, after you.” He threaded his fingers through mine, sliding his thumb back and forth across my skin.
Finally having had enough, and sick of being turned on by such a shameless flirt, I pulled my hand back into my lap, away from his reach.
Chance shook his head, holding back a chuckle. I hated that he knew exactly what he was doing to me. I think he also knew that even if I pulled away, I didn’t want him to stop.
“Just think about it.” Chance leaned back in his seat. “He was here when the first girls went missing, which is already suspect, but he had a lot to gain by getting someone like Daniel out of the way. He was making him look bad and exposing the underbelly of the school and all the corrupt people greasing the wheels.”
“Just because he was here when those other girls went missing doesn’t mean he had anything to do with it,” I countered, feeling a little ill standing up for someone like Winston.
“No, but he has a reputation for being a creep around women. You even said it yourself that he’s made sexist comments to you before.”
“Being a misogynistic asshole doesn’t make you a killer.” I felt like he was taking it a step too far on pure conjecture, with no real evidence. “Don’t make me defend him, but we need solid proof, not just our opinions.”
“I know.” Chance sighed, pushing his chair back from the table before standing. “Let’s go grab some lunch from the dining hall. I need a break.”
I’d been meaning to bring something up to him sooner, but I was worried I’d shatter the tenuous alliance we were slowly building, so I’d been gathering the courage to say something.
“Wait,” I called out to him. He was already heading for his fire escape.
Chance turned around.
“I’ve been thinking—”
“Uh oh,” he joked.
“Shut up.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the jab.
“Go on,” he encouraged me to continue.
“We both agree that whoever is doing this is at Montgomery?” I asked.
He nodded.
“We also agree that they’re aware of what we’re doing, enough to know that Claire was helping you. Which means they likely know why you’re really here—”
“Violet, my lovely muse, where are you going with this?”
