Chapter Thirty-Nine: (Former) Student Call:

I can’t escape from the students. Just when I thought it was over, I get proof that it’s not. Spoony and I hadn’t even gotten out of my neighborhood when my phone rang.

“You going to get that, man?” he asked. I said nothing as I shrugged. My phone rang again.

“Could be important,” he said.

“No, it’s not,” I said. The phone rang again.

“You sure?” Spoony asked.

“Yes, I am sure,” I said. But my stupid phone wouldn’t stop ringing. I clenched my teeth. Spoony put up his hands.

“Hey man,” he said. “If you have to take the call, you can take the call.”

“It’s fine,” I said through gritted teeth. The ringing didn’t stop. Spoony didn’t say anything. He just kind of shrugged at me. I threw back my head and groaned. Fine! I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Mr. Muir?” I heard over the other line. I froze in my tracks.

“Angelique?” I asked. “What are you doing calling me?”

“I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice. I rolled my eyes.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Have you seen the news?” she asked.

“Which one?” I asked. There was a pause on the other line.

“The s-e-x scandal,” she whispered. I rolled my eyes. I think she was about to be fifteen and she’s still embarrassed about sex.

“Yes, I have heard,” I said. “What about it?”

“Oh…” Angelique said. I rubbed my forehead.

“Look, is there something wrong?” I asked. “You can tell me. What’s the matter?”

“I know who the girl is,” she said.

“I don’t want to hear it,” I was quick to say.

“But…”

“I don’t want to hear rumors or gossip.”

“It’s not a rumor. She told me herself.”

I froze when she said that. I turned and looked at Spoony. He stared at me, leaning closer to listen. I held up my hand.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“I know the girl who slept with Mr. Garret,” Angelique said again. I looked up at Spoony again.

“Can you hold on for a moment?” I asked. I started to walk away from Spoony. I walked further until I was around the corner.

“Are you sure you spoke to her?” I asked.

“Yes,” Angelique said.

“When did she tell you?” I asked.

“Shortly before spring break,” she said. I narrowed my eyes.

“Did you tell anyone else?” I asked.

“No.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“She had me keep a secret.”

My jaw about dropped. Oh no. This sounded much worse than I thought. I pushed my hair from my forehead.

“Okay listen to me,” I said. “Go to the police and tell them everything that you know.”

“But----” Angelique said.

“No! Listen!” I said. “If you have anything useful that could help this girl, you have to speak up. If you are too scared to be the one to revealed as the person who spoke up, then do it anonymously. Do you understand me?” There was a pause on the other line.

“Is that really okay?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said.

“Alright,” Angelique said. I breathed out.

“Anything else?” I asked.

“No,” she said. Angelique hung up before I could say another word. I stared at my phone. What the hell was going on in Boston?

I walked down the street to find Spoony walking up to me. I already knew what he was going to ask. I held up my phone.

“No, I am not telling you what my former student told me,” I said. “Don’t bother asking.” Spoony stared at me, looking disappointed. I breathed out.

“Shall we get going?” I asked. “Where exactly are we going again?”

“Uh… we’re just going to meet with another buddy of mine,” he said. “It’s totally legit. I swear.” By now, I’ve heard enough shady things going down over the past few weeks. I don’t have it in me right now. I threw up my hands.

“Fine, let’s go,” I said. I think Spoony looked shocked when I said that.

“Alright,” he said, putting his hands up.

“Lead the way,” I said.

“Yes sir,” he said. I followed him further down the street. I was going to sort all of this out later.