AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Tori?” Penny says, gently.
I don’t respond, because if I open my mouth now, I’m sure a scream is going to come out.
XXXVI
Tori
Iskip breakfast, so I have no idea how pissed Syn is. Given the videos circulating social media, and the camera outside my room, I’m certain he knows I spent last night with Penny.
As it’s early on a Saturday, the campus is deserted. After spending most of the night ranting with Penny, I’m feeling a little calmer. While I am with the professor, she’s going to look for the guy who wrote the article.
Standing outside of Dr. Wright’s office, I take a moment before I knock on his door. The damage to my room wasn’t caused by me, and if he’s bothered to watch any of the videos, he can tell that, but this professor has it out for me too. Last night, we looked at the university rules and the last drop of hope rides on the fact that if he decides it’s my fault, I’d at least need a hearing before being expelled.
I knock on the door and then enter.
Dr. Wright is standing behind his desk, staring out of the window. I close the door behind me and walk over, but he doesn’t turn around straight away. When he does, his expression is unreadable. He moves and sits down in his large leather seat then points to a less comfortable one on the other side of the desk. “Sit.”
In silence, I do as he says.
“Why don’t you tell me why you’re here?”
“I didn’t do it,” I start.
He raises his hand. “I didn’t ask if you did or didn’t do it. I asked you to tell me why you’re here.”
Trying to keep my emotions in check, I place my hands on my knees and take a deep breath. “Is there any point when you’ve already made your mind up?”
Pursing his lips, Dr. Wright clasps his hands together and lowers them to his desk. “Ms. Anderson, why are you here?”
Since being here, it feels like I’ve been stuck on a rollercoaster in the dark, not knowing where the ups and downs are, or when I can get off. After last night, I’m already exhausted, but having to explain myself again, to someone who clearly doesn’t want to listen, has me slumping back in the chair. “Do you think my answer has changed from last time?”
He says nothing, just staring back at me.
“Because I don’t believe that my brother killed James Patrick Keyingham despite his confession. I have spent the last two years trying to find out what happened that night, and all I find is nothing. My brother won’t tell me what happened, my mom won’t tell me what happened in court. I’ve requested the official documents and transcripts, yet despite proceedings lasting days, the papers are almost blank. There are no witnesses. Cops involved in the case all seem to have retired at the same time. I swear, it’s like someone is trying their best to wipe the whole thing out of existence. So, I’m here. I’m here because this was the last place JP was seen alive, and somewhere on this campus is where he was killed.”
“What happens if you find all this evidence and it just confirms that your brother did kill someone?” Dr. Wright asks.
Glancing out of the window, I sigh. “Then at least I get a reason behind it. Cole wouldn’t kill someone. If he did, it would have to be an accident, and if it was an accident, why didn’t he say so?” I look back at the professor, but his face is still expressionless. “He just confessed…”
One of the things I regret most is not asking questions sooner.
Why?
If he hated JP, or if he felt JP had wronged him in some way, that would make sense. Hell, even psychopathic serial killers who showed no remorse are able to say they did it because they wanted to.
Cole didn’t even say that.
“And what happens if you discover your brother killed more than one person?”
“Are you talking about this Lucy Barnes again?” Dr. Wright’s cold brown eyes don’t flinch as glare back at him. I throw my hands in the air. “Then I accept that too.”
Finally, the professor decides to end his strange staring competition and stands. “Very well. Come with me.”
“Where?”
Dr. Wright doesn’t answer, instead grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair before he starts walking towards the door. This is the first time I realize he’s not wearing the more formal clothes I’m used to seeing him in. Today he’s wearing a pair of dark jeans, running shoes, and a cream, knitted sweater.
I stand and hurry after him. In the hallway, he stops to lock his office door behind us, but he then continues to walk out of the building.
