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“It’s not enough evidence to point at Theo,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “And we’re not going to accuse him. So far, while it might be possible, there’s no proof. Unfortunately, whoever is doing this has picked a bad time to start.”
“But with Theo,” Dr. Green said, “we may have to ask a favor of another team to keep an eye on him while we deal with the school.”
There was a small grunt from Silas, and he shook his head.
“We’ll be asking the favor,” Dr. Green said. “And in this instance, we need the extra hands. We’ve now advanced Academy involvement for Middleton and for the homecoming dance. We’ve got our people in place ready to go.”
“What about the football game?” North asked. “We need to survive that.”
“Luckily, they’ll extend the security here through tonight,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “And the phone lines are being highly monitored. Anyone getting in or out of the game will have to show student ID, or an ID of some sort. No one can get onto the football field with anything bigger than a wallet or purse without security knowing about it.”
Luke shook his head, frowning. “The security was hired by Mr. Hendricks.”
“And I’m wondering if it isn’t Mr. Hendricks tricking these kids into calling in the bomb threats,” North said.
“We’ve got some of the same suspicions,” Mr. Blackbourne said. He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. His voice dropped a little lower. “Unfortunately, if he did plan this, or is part of this, he’s not the one provoking these students.”
“Maybe it’s that superintendent,” Victor said.
“I don’t think so,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “He’s been confirmed as being at his office all week, with only the occasional lunch meeting. If they are involved, it’s that third party.”
“Who would have the power to manipulate kids like that?” North asked. “None of them are talking.”
“I’ve been checking phone logs on their cells,” Victor said. “Whoever is talking to them, is doing it in person, because it isn’t over the phones. There’s no unusual numbers on their lists.”
“Let’s focus,” Mr. Blackbourne said. He lifted a hand, pointing at his knee. “He’s got us right now because we’re scattered. We need to set aside some things at the moment. The Theo situation is, for the most part, under control. Tonight is the football game. We should all attend.”
“I’ve actually got an idea for that,” Victor said. “I was telling the others that we’re being manipulated and watched over. We’re monitored to keep us contained so we don’t move. Maybe... maybe we should make a move.”
Mr. Blackbourne’s steel eyes focused on him. “What are you suggesting?”
“He’s keeping us distracted and busy, let’s keep him busy, instead,” he said. “Let’s set up distractions. Fake phone calls to security about a small fire here, a complaint about a fight there. I don’t want to make a dangerous situation out of this, but we can see how he and security reacts. If security is hired by him, and he’s got them trained to work according to his plan, maybe we should be occupying him.”
“It’s a risk,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “We don’t know what the bomber or anyone else has planned. And we could be barking up the wrong tree completely. We don’t have any proof.”
“Let’s get a couple of older Academy people to act as ‘parents’,” Victor said. “If we can bring some in, they can be planted in different locations to distract or monitor, and also for safety. It’ll be a good time to do it, because parents and relatives will be around, so they’ll blend in. They’ll also be less suspected of being part of our team.” Victor ticked off fingers as he rhymed off names, “Doc Roberts, Uncle, maybe Rose if she’s feeling better, and...”
My eyes widened. Uncle? Luke and North’s uncle? He was in the Academy?
Mr. Blackbourne sliced his hand through the air. “I understand,” he said quickly. “I can make a few calls. A lot of team members are focused on the dance. This game wasn’t a priority before, because the dance seemed a more likely location for attention. After these bomb threats, the homecoming game should be monitored.”
“I like his idea,” Dr. Green said. “I don’t know who can make it out tonight, but I can put in some phone calls.”
“We’ll create a plan,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “If they’ll be provided distraction, the rest of us should be the supplemental security in case anything should happen. We’ll have to monitor the field and the stands.” He pointed at Nathan, Kota and I. “I want you three on the home team stands.” He pointed to Victor, Luke and Gabriel. “You three on the away team’s stands. North and Silas, keep an eye on the teams. Try to not be on the field too much. Fake an injury if you need to. I’m willing to forego winning the game if it means you can keep a better focus.”
“Not a problem,” North said.
“Don’t take anyone for granted,” Dr. Green said. “If the phone calls are coming from kids now, anyone could be making that next call. Try to talk to them before they’re caught by the police. Maybe we can learn something.”
“But the main focus,” Mr. Blackbourne said, “and the first priority, is getting through this game without a panic. Let’s get through today. I want to make sure we address how the kids are handled as far as expulsion and see if we can’t put a stop to that, but it will have to wait until next week. We also need to meet with Gretta for final fittings. Everyone should be on alert at all times. Keep the phone lines clear for emergencies. Safety first. Family first.”
Everyone nodded at the same time. “What about school today?” Kota asked. “Anything we should do?”
“Actually, let’s start not doing what we’re supposed to,” Victor said. “Let’s pretend we’re actually making a move. We’ve already started by not being in class right now.”
“I do have to teach a class,” Dr. Green said. “I can’t leave those minions to their own devices.”
“Let’s position ourselves around the school,” Victor said. “Under orders from Mr. Blackbourne and the school board, we’re here for safety. We should be monitoring. Let’s talk quietly, communicate in false codes, and slip false information. Let’s see what kind of attention we can attract. We don’t blend in anymore.”
“There’s a plan in action to change our status at this school,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “It depends on our survival here this week. I suppose now is a good time to start.”
“Let’s not get too crazy. Not to mention not letting Mr. Hendricks find a good reason to kick any of us out,” Dr. Green said.
“One thing at a time,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “Let’s just be careful.”
???
For the rest of the day, I was assigned to Luke. We were told to walk the hallways during class. We ran into security on occasion, some of them asking us questions.
When Luke answered, he replied that he was given orders from Mr. Blackbourne. When asked what those
orders were, Luke would pass it off. “Ask the school board for details. I’m not allowed to talk about it.”
It worked. Security was following us around after a while. We made circles, tested lockers to see if they opened, but then closed them. We entered the main office, went into the private office used by Mr. Blackbourne and Dr. Green. Luke picked up a file and then we waited five minutes, left and walked around, looking at the contents of folders. We entered the library, he asked permission to use the shredder. We shredded papers and then distributed the shredded documents in different bins across the school.
Victor told us that at each bin we used, a security person came along and collected the contents we’d left and were trying to now piece them together.
Luke and I sat together on the stairs for a short time, quietly smiling. Maybe this was working. Maybe for once, doing what Mr. Hendricks suspected we would do would keep him busy, instead of the other way around.
I had a lot of hope. I wanted to believe this was the start of change on how things worked at the school. I wanted to see the boys succeed in their plan.
I couldn’t be selfish and wish they’d never leave.
Pranks
No bomb threat had been sent out that afternoon.
Since no one had homework, everyone was preparing for the game instead.
Gabriel stood inside Nathan’s closet, and started to sort through my clothes. North and Silas were at the school getting ready for the game, with Dr. Green and Mr. Blackbourne monitoring. “We are going to go shopping again,” Gabriel said. “We got cut short last time. But Mr. Blackbourne was right. You need clothes.”
“I can manage for now,” I said. “Can I wear jeans tonight? It’ll be cold.”
“It’s the only warm things you have right now.” He pulled a pair of jeans down from the shelf, and then plucked through the hanging shirts for a soft V-neck sweater. “The hoodies won’t be enough,” he said. “You need a coat.”
“I had an old one somewhere,” I said.
“Too thick,” he said. “And it’s ugly.”
