TIFFANY’S POV
The school atmosphere was calm and thick with tension. Teachers didn’t come to teach the students.
News of Derek’s attack spread like wildfire across the school. His almost lifeless body was found by the school’s security in the hallway. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with fatal brain injury and internal bleeding. No one knew if he was alive or dead.
Anyone who heard the news shuddered in fear. The fact that he was attacked in school made everyone feel scared and unsafe.
“I can’t believe what happened to him. Who could have come to attack him inside the school? How did they gain entrance and bypass the security at the gate?” Freya asked in a hushed tone.
“I don’t know. The recent turn in events is so scary. I’m scared, Freya.” Tiffany said.
“We all are. This means no one is safe.” Freya replied.
Suddenly there was silence as the principal walked in with some men in armed uniform and another in suit.
“Good morning, everyone. We all have heard about what happened to one of the staff of this schoolDerek. In respect to that, Detective Copler and his team are here to question you guys in order to aid his investigation. Kindly give him your cooperation.” Mrs Campbell said.
“Good morning, students. I am detective Ray Cooler and my team and I are from the FBI. We will need your utmost cooperation to nab the culprit behind Mr Derek’s attack. Kindly comply by letting us know if you saw or heard anything. If you can speak up here, you can meet your principal and she would set up a meeting with us. Stay in your seats and my team and I will come to interrogate you.” Mrs Copler said before giving his men a nod to begin the interrogation.
His men moved from seat to seat interrogating each student and asking if they saw or heard anything suspicious.
After the exercise, no one agreed to have seen anything so the detective and his men left with the principal.
MRS CAMPBELL’S POV
“We searched the security room and hallway, and we also looked through the CCTV footage with the help of our tech guy. The footage of 4:00 Pm to 4:30 was deleted. We suspect that was when the incident happened. The culprit must have deleted the footage after attacking the victim.” Mr Copler said.
“I can’t believe this. And oh! I just remembered, I saw Derek’s calls yesterday, but unfortunately I was in a board meeting so I directed it to my voicemail.” Mrs Campbell said.
“And you kept such information from us?” Mr Copler said, raising his eyebrows at her.
“I’m sorry, detective. It slipped my mind.” Mrs Campbell said.
“Can we see your phone call history and the time he called?” Mr Copler demanded.
“Sure.” Mrs Campbell said, and took out her phone from the drawer.
Mr Copler went through it, and gasped in surprise. “He called at 4:10 and 4:29.” Mr Copler said.
“Oh my God!” Mrs Campbell gasped.
“I think he was trying to tell you something that whoever attacked him didn’t want you or anyone to find out.” Mr Copler said.
“Oh my God, Oh my God. I can’t believe that while I was ignoring his calls he probably was in danger.” Mrs Campbell said and burst into tears.
Just then, one of Mr Cooler’s men walked in. “Sir we found this.” He said, raising an object up.
“Hmmm…a flash drive cap. Where did you find it?” Mrs Copler asked, writing on his jotter.
“In the crime scene, Sir. It was lying on a corner.” The Man replied.
“Is a flash drive what we are looking for? If yes, what is in the flashdrive and who took it?” Mr Copler asked, rhetorically.
Everyone stayed quiet and just looked into space. Just then, Mr Cooler’s phone rang. “Yes?” He spoke into the phone.
“I have to go, Mrs Campbell. The hospital just called, they said they have successfully operated on Derek and he was out of harm’s way, however, he is in a coma. I have to go and see him.” Mr Copler announced.
“Thank Goodness. I will stop by the hospital after school. Thank you so much, detective.” Mrs Campbell said.
“You do not have to thank me. I am doing my job. Here is my card, put a call across if you or your students remember anything.” Mr Copler said, handing her his business card.
“I will. Thank you once again.” Mrs Campbell said.
“Good bye.” And with that, Mr Copler left the office with his men.
RACHEL’S POV
After checking herself out with the little hand mirror, she returned it to its place in the drawer.
She stood up, straightened her suit skirt, and smoothened her hair before heading out. She got to Shawn’s office and knocked on the door. “Come in,” his voice sounded from inside.
She pulled the door open and sashayed inside. “Hey, Shawn. I just closed a million dollar deal with “Relishers delight” fast food. I want us to go out for lunch to celebrate my win.” Rachel said.
“Not now, Rachel. I have a meeting with the board directors.” Shawn said.
“Won’t you at least say congratulations before complaining?” Rachel said, pouting.
“Congratulations, Rachel Sparks. You are a genius.” Shawn said.
“Thank you, Shawny. So, are you going out with me?”
“I Just said no. I have a meeting.” Shawn said bluntly.
“I don’t recognize who you are anymore. The Shawn I know never turns me down. Please, tell him to come back to me.” Rachel said dramatically.
“He is still the same Shawn. Nothing has changed, just that, responsibilities have doubled.” Shawn said.
“Or because you got engaged to that girl?” Rachel said.
“Must you bring her into every and any discussion we have? Keep her out of our conversations, please.” Shawn said, flaring up.
“Anyways, I will be going alone. I might ask one of the male staff members to join me, though.” Rachel said, trying to elicit a reaction from him.
“Good luck with that.” Shawn said, not looking up.
“You are unbelievable!” Rachel said and walked away.
SHAWN’S POV
He sighed and looked up from the paperworks. Rachel was driving him nuts and he doesn’t know how to put a stop to her overly clingy attitude.
As much as he hated to admit, but her attitude was beginning to irritate him, and he found her company suffocating. He just wished she could give him some breathing space.
The intercom on the table rang and he picked it up. “Hello?” He answered the phone.
“Hey, man. Been calling your cell phone and you were not picking, so I decided to call your office. What’s up?” Bryan’s voice boomed from the other end.
“Oh, I didn’t realize my phone was on silent,” Shawn said, taking out his phone from his pocket.
“It’s fine, Man. I was hoping we could play snooker this evening.” Brayn said.
“I’m up for it. Something to let off some steam with.” Shawn said.
“We have a date then.” Bryan said, teasingly.
“Two men going out is not a date, Bryan. Why do I keep reminding you?” Shawn said.
“Well, it’s a date for me. Let’s meet at our usual spot, my love.” Bryan said.
“I’m not your love, man. Don’t call me that. That’s for the LGBTQ community.” Shawn said.
“See you at 4:00 Pm.” Bryan said and ended the call.
Shawn smiled, Bryan always had a way of lightening his mood and he can’t wait to see him.