A shrug. “You can check with Mrs. Jones, the school guidance counselor. She might know more.”
Lotham nods. He’d mentioned talking to a school counselor earlier this morning, so I’m guessing he’s already covered those bases.
“Anyone seem rattled or particularly bothered when Livia stopped coming to school?” I speak up.
Mr. Riddenscail shakes his head. “Which is a shame. She was a good kid. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”
There doesn’t seem to be much more to say or do. Lotham shakes the teacher’s hand. I follow suit. Then we’re once more in the hallway.
“Where does this leave us?” I grumble out loud.
Lotham frowns, purses his lips. “I don’t know,” he says at last.
“Livia’s and Angelique’s disappearances have to be related.”
“I don’t believe in that big a coincidence,” Lotham agrees.
“The cash in Angelique’s lamp, the burner phones. The girls were up to something that put them in contact with fake currency while helping them earn real dough. Something that clearly got them in trouble. Leading to Angelique’s disappearance, then Livia’s. Except why the vanishing act three months apart? Help us, Angelique’s note said. Meaning they’re together now? And in even more danger eleven months later? Held against their will? By whom? How...”
Suddenly, I stop walking. I grab Lotham’s hand. “The footage. Angelique’s last day of school. All the cameras that don’t show Angelique exiting the school or walking down the street.”
Lotham regards me quizzically.
“You didn’t know about Livia then. You watched all those video frames looking for Angelique. This whole case, back then, was about one missing girl. One disappearance. But knowing what we know now...”
Lotham comes to a dead halt as well. “We gotta watch those tapes again.”
I smile. “We should absolutely do that,” I say, with just the barest emphasis on we.
He doesn’t deny me. Together, we rush out the door.