I should have known I’d be called first. Me being the prime suspect and all…Strangely enough, I didn’t feel at all nervous when the summons came. I followed the peon into the principal’s office, steadfastly ignoring the voice which was shouting out the thoughts of my classmates. I didn’t harm Jolly, I told myself, so I have nothing to be afraid of.836Please respect copyright.PENANACFtBG1m96O
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It felt strange to see Lekha Madam standing at the door of her office like a security guard. She looked up when I approached and managed a small smile.836Please respect copyright.PENANA49bmmWqOPl
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“There’s nothing to be worried about, Amy.” She told me, gently. “Jut answer his questions truthfully and you’ll be fine.”836Please respect copyright.PENANAbYYxV3la1L
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“I’m not scared.” I said, slowly. “Not at all…” How did I dare say that in front of the principal? Maybe…I was just too afraid to care about the words that left my mouth.836Please respect copyright.PENANAd71qGmxl8b
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She looked at me in half in pity and half in exasperation. “Remember…Remember what I said.”836Please respect copyright.PENANAYfeX0JrQeN
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I nodded, trying to hide a smile. I had made up my mind to be defiant. The manager was going to get the biggest surprise of his life.836Please respect copyright.PENANA3YNNugA577
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“Inspector Sir…” Lekha Madam called out and knocked once on the door. “Amy is here.”836Please respect copyright.PENANAXlZiXCdNTX
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I heard the rough voice of the Inspector say come in. With a smile at Lekha Madam I walked inside.836Please respect copyright.PENANALzlRERqfkj
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The Inspector was seated at Lekha Madam’s desk. His lips twisted into a smile when he saw me.836Please respect copyright.PENANAIG7B3T9zss
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“Do you wonder why I called you first?” He asked. The voice was laughing with glee, so loudly that it hurt my ears. He would pin the crime on me if there’s a chance. I took a deep breath. There’s no use being nervous. I told myself836Please respect copyright.PENANAbAanEkX8xA
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“You want to question me about Lawrence’s accusations, I suppose.”836Please respect copyright.PENANAJlVmT37JiA
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He laughed. His laugh was even less pleasant than his smile. “Am I such an idiot as to lend so much weight to that’s boy’s ridiculous accusation?”836Please respect copyright.PENANAHoVPPEKbum
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“Then why…”836Please respect copyright.PENANA9wL02RbHFX
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“You and Jolly have a rather unpleasant history. I believe you fought before the crime took place?”836Please respect copyright.PENANASqzJqNmDtq
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“We have fought several times.”836Please respect copyright.PENANACgy2CAJFqA
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“So…” His voice was positively gleeful. “You admit you were her enemy.”836Please respect copyright.PENANAqJHaTlnZSJ
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“Not an enemy, Sir.” I said. “I didn’t like her. Many of us didn’t like her.”836Please respect copyright.PENANAV1qs7cAOHS
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“Would you count Nancy among these so called many?”836Please respect copyright.PENANALkxOgbIYqo
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The voice told me all the connections his brain was making. The Inspector knew very well that Lawrence’s words alone were too feeble to tie me to the crime. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t name me as an accomplice to someone with a bigger motive.836Please respect copyright.PENANAefY3gC1C2d
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“Nancy…She wouldn’t…” My facade of calmness deserted me for a minute. And that gave the Inspector time to pounce.836Please respect copyright.PENANAz85vWJDn1H
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“She wouldn’t hate Jolly after being taunted and humiliated day by day?”836Please respect copyright.PENANAyt07og2w0H
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“She’s not the only person that Jolly does that to.”836Please respect copyright.PENANATWCPN0zGRN
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“Ah yes…” The Inspector smiled. “There’s also your friend Jennifer…”836Please respect copyright.PENANAIST76xIpjg
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“Jenny would never…”836Please respect copyright.PENANAkuha4QgxoL
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“You always stand up for others, don’t you? If your two friends are desperate and hurt enough to want her gone…”836Please respect copyright.PENANAkJ9OCzTjKI
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I froze. Jenny too… His bloodshot eyes were slits. The smile had transformed into a leer.836Please respect copyright.PENANAQmtBIWgjxd
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To be continued...836Please respect copyright.PENANAqw3Vy1quAx