SHAWN’S POV
What the hell was she talking about? What text message? He has never texted her if he remembers clearly.
Maybe she was just pissed and wanted to make trouble.
Sighing, he returned his focus to the road.
His phone binged almost immediately and a message from Rachel popped up on the screen. “I am sorry for what happened. It won’t happen again.” The message read.
He sighed and looked away from the phone.
MARY’S POV
She walked into the class and went straight for the locker.
Looking around to make sure no one was in sight, she used the Master key with her to unlock the locker.
Then she took out the ink she hid in her undies and emptied the entire content on the books. Satisfied with havoc the ink had caused, she hurriedly locked the locker and hurried out of the class.
TIFFANY’S POV
She had just returned from the cafeteria with her friends and was rushing to take her statistics textbooks and writing materials before heading for her statistics class.
She happily unlocked the locker, as she couldn’t wait to go for class. Statistics was one of her favorite subjects and she could not afford to miss it for anything.
She finally opened the locker and screamed at the sight that faced her. Everyone in class rushed to her including the teacher that was just entering.
Everyone shrieked at the horrible sight before them. Tiffany textbooks and Notebooks were all drenched in red ink with a pungent smell.
“Who could have done this?” The students kept murmuring.
“Return your seats everyone.” The teacher ordered.
“Miss Dion, kindly lodge a complaint to the principal.” The teacher said to a sobbing Tiffany.
Tiffany left for the principal’s office and returned a few minutes later. Mrs Campbell the principal took pictures of the books and then ordered the cleaners to clean up the mess.
“We will get to the root of this. But the school will pay for the damages. Kindly meet the school bursar for new books.” Mrs Campbell said, patting Tiffany who had been crying uncontrollably.
“I can’t believe anyone will do a thing like that to you.” Freya said as they headed for the parking lot.
Tiffany had missed her remaining classes for the day because she had been crying. Her friends’ attempt to console her fell on deaf ears.
“This is becoming serious. Someone is indeed after Tiffany.” Timothy said.
“What do we do?” Freya asked.
“I’m clueless, but we can’t keep letting this person hurt Tiffany.” Timothy said.
“Wait…the school security room. There should be CCTV footage, right?” Freya asked.
“You have a point, Freya. Let’s go and suggest it to Mrs Campbell.” Timothy said.
“Hi, guys.” A voice sounded behind them and they all turned back in fright. “Can you stop creeping up behind people? You startled us.” Freya yelled when they saw it was Oscar.
“I’m sorry about that. And Tiffany, I’m sorry about what happened to you.” Oscar said.
“How did you know about what happened to her?” Timothy asked.
Oscar was taken aback, but quickly regained composure. “I heard some senior students whispering about it.”
“It’s fine. Thank you for your concern.” Tiffany said.
“Bye, guys.” Oscar waved before walking away.
“He is so weird.” Freya muttered.
“Can we go to Mrs Campbell now?” Tiffany asked.
“Of course. Let’s go, guys.” Timothy said.
They got to The principal’s office and knocked before they were asked to come in.
“How may I help you guys?” Mrs Campbell asked.
“Ma, we have a suggestion that will help catch the person who spilled ink on Tiffany’s books.” Freya said.
“I’m all ears.” Mrs Campbell said, taking off her glasses.
“CCTV footage from the security room.” Timothy said.
“That’s right. I wonder why I and other teachers did not think of this. But there is a problem…” Tiffany cut Mrs Campbell Short immediately. “What problem, Ma?” She asked anxiously.
“Derek, the technician in charge of the security room is on sick leave and will not be returning until next tomorrow. So, we will have to await his return.” Mrs Campbell explained.
“That’s fine. we will wait.” They chorused.
“That’s alright. And thank you for suggesting this.” Mrs Campbell said.
They thanked her before leaving the office.
“You will be fine, Tiff. Hopefully, the footage will provide us with the answer we need to catch the culprit.” Timothy said.
They all bade themselves goodbye before leaving. As they left, a figure came out of the shadow and smiled menacingly.
MRS CAMPBELL’S POV
As the students left her office, she quickly dialed the technician’s number. “Hello, Derek.”
“Good day, Ma” He answered over the phone.
“Good day. How is your health?” Mrs Campbell asked.
“Very well, Ma. I’m fully recovered.” Derek replied.
That’s good to hear. I’m calling to ask if you are still resuming next tomorrow being Wednesday?” Mrs Campbell asked.
“Yes, Ma. Actually, I was going to resume tomorrow because I feel better now. Is it okay if I resume tomorrow?”
“Yes, it is fine. We actually need your help with an incident that happened today in school. I will relay the details to you tomorrow.” Mrs Campbell said.
“Okay, Ma.” Derek replied.
“Okay, then. See you tomorrow.” Mrs Campbell said, before ending the call.
Unknown to her, someone was eavesdropping at the door.
DEREK’S POV
He sat in the dark, dimly-lit room as he stared at the computer monitor in front him, and its glowing blue light. On the screen was a list of menu options, and he navigated through them with a mouse.
He clicked on the option for CCTV footage, and selected it. Scrolling through the footage he searched for the one that has the date Mrs Campbell told him, and to his surprise it was not there. All the footage from when he took his sick leave were intact except the one for that particular day.
He took off his glasses in confusion. Then it suddenly clicked, someone had deleted the footage.
He looked around for any sign of forceful entry, and checked if anything else was missing, when he found none, he jerked up in shock and quickly hurried to Mrs Campbel’s office.
“Yes, come in.” Mrs Campbell’s voice came from her office.
He opened the door and walked in. “Good morning, Ma. There is a problem, Ma.” He said, as soon as he got inside the office.
“What problem?” Mrs Campbell asked.
“Someone deleted the CCTV footage.” Derek said.
“What!?” Mrs Campbell yelled, taking off her glasses.
“I just discovered it now. The footage for yesterday is missing.” Derek said.
“This is serious.” Mrs Campbell said.
“It is, Ma. We are dealing with a very smart perpetrator.”
“How did he or she know we were going to check the footage?” Mrs Campbell asked no one in particular.
“I don’t know, Ma. And there was no forceful entry and nothing else Missing. I suspect the person used a master key.” Derek said
“From the look of things, the person did this while school was going on because he or she can not carry out the act when school has dismissed and everyone has left.” Mrs Campbell said.
“Or the person might have scaled the school fence after everyone has left.” Derek suggested.
“You have a point. Thank you for your help, Derek. I and the school management will take it up from here.” Mrs Campbell said.
As Derek left the office, his interest was piqued and he wanted to find out who was behind the act.