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I glanced at my son. “Cass?”

“They’re not mine. Someone put them in there,” he stated casually.

“He would say that,” Geary retorted.

“Whose are they?” I asked.

Cassian smirked. “I’m not a rat.”

“Cass,” I growled, and he looked at me.

His eyes softened, and his mouth twitched. “Mom, I can’t tell. I won’t be branded a snitch. I’m sorry.”

“You will be. I’m suspending him for a week,” Geary said.

“No, you’re not. If Cassian says they’re not his, then they’re not,” I replied.

“Then he needs to state whose they are.” Geary folded his arms and smirked.

“Cassian. With everything going on, I don’t need this,” I stated.

“Mom—”

“No. I’m ordering you to tell him.”

“I want the police involved,” Cassian said suddenly.

I frowned, as did Geary. “What?” I gasped, my hand holding my chest. Was I having a panic attack?

“I didn’t do it, and my fingerprints won’t be on the bag or stink bombs. The cops can prove that. Get them in,” Cassian demanded.

“Are you insane?” Had Cassian lost the plot?

“No. Call them. Sir, they’ll establish I’m not behind this,” Cassian retorted.

I held Geary’s gaze, and he reached for the phone. Cassian didn’t flinch as he picked it up. He pressed the buttons and waited. Then Geary hung up. Cassian hadn’t backed down.

“Fine…” Geary sighed. He’d just called Cassian’s bluff, and Cassian had sat there as cool as a cucumber. “Take him home for today. I’ll keep investigating.”

“No suspension?” I confirmed.

“None. But if I discover Cassian’s involved, it’ll be a two-week exclusion.”

“Fair enough. What about cameras?” I asked.

“The entire system was down. Which was highly convenient.” Geary scowled.

“I can’t disagree. That is unfortunate.” I rose to my feet, and Cassian stood too.

“Thank you, Mrs Silver, for your time,” Geary said.

I nodded and walked out with Cassian at my heels. I waited until he climbed in the car and turned to him.

“You better hope your co-conspirators don’t squeal on you,” I snapped.

“There’s no evidence it was me, Mom.” Cassian looked angelic.

“And yet I know it was you. I can’t do this, Cassian. I’m struggling and don’t need you kicking off.”