The Seduction Game novel · Chapter 14 of 24

Chapter 14: Search

Homeroom was in the old chemistry lab, forty seniors on stools at black-topped benches.

I walked in at 7:58 with my book bag held out in front of me.

Nash was already on his stool, and he looked at the bag and then at my face.

He mouthed at me:

Locker?

I shook my head.

Empty, I mouthed back, and watched him understand that empty was worse.

The teacher with the gray braids stood at the front with a clipboard.

Beside her stood the Dean, thin and upright, and the housemaster in his cardigan.

Camille sat in the front row with her ankles crossed.

She did not look at me once.

Teddy sat behind her, and he looked at nothing else.

"Good morning," said the Dean. "We have received a report that a copy of the Qualifying Examination left the safe before the sitting."

A hum went through the benches.

"Every locker on the senior hall was opened at seven this morning in front of two staff members."

She let that sit.

"Nothing was found."

I watched the back of Camille's neck.

It did not move.

"Bags now, please," said the Dean. "Set them on the bench and step back."

I stood up before anyone else did.

"Dean, before you open mine, I need to declare something in it."

Forty heads turned.

My legs felt like water, and my voice came out level.

"I'd like everyone to hear it, so nobody can say later what I did or didn't touch."

The Dean's eyes narrowed. "Go on."

I put the bag on the bench and unzipped the main pocket with my gloved hands.

I did not reach inside.

I tipped the bag toward the room so the long white envelope slid halfway into the light.

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