Page 22 of Monster's Mystery

Geoffrey snorted a laugh. “Most of the dragons belong to the school. Richard’s was his, but he stables him here over the summer. I believe the dragons travel by portal, out in the stables, but I never asked.”

“Fascinating,” I said, leaning closer. “I only just learned that this sport even existed,” I confided in him.

His face twisted up in a half grimace. “You should try living with one of the team members. It’s literallyallthey talk about, other than their conquests off the field.” He shrugged. “Or maybe that was justDick.”

I cocked my head at him. “It doesn’t sound like you two were all that close,” I said.

“We weren’t. His interests and mine differed greatly,” he said with a sigh.

“So you were paired randomly in your first year?” I asked.

“Yeah. I tried to switch rooms, but there wasn’t room for me anywhere else,” he said with a frown.

“Are your current roommates okay?”

“They’re fine.” He shrugged again. “I don’t know them very well. We keep to ourselves mostly. I haven’t seen Justin since we got here, actually.”

My ears perked up. “Justin... Is he in camouflage?”

“He is,” Geoffrey confirmed. “Do you know him?”

I shook my head. “No, but he’s one of the students that’s considered missing.”

“Missing?” Geoffrey’s eyebrows rose. “Like your roommate?”

“I’m not sure if they’re related, but yes.”

“Can we get back to themurder?” Paige drawled. “I want to know if you had a motive for killingDick, as you call him.”

“Uhhh,” Geoffrey stammered, eyes flicking from Paige to me and back again.

“For— Ugh! That isnotsomething you can ask someone!” I practically shouted. I took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Were you having any issues with him beyond not getting along very well?”

Geoffrey blushed. “He bullied me. There are records of the incidents in the office. It’s not common knowledge, I guess, but the staff all know about it.”

“And they continued to force you to live with him?” I said, outraged. “That’s... That’s...” I seethed for a second. “I can’t believe they did that to you!”

“Yeah, well,” he shrugged. “It was his word against mine, right?”

Paige squirmed excitedly in her seat. “His word against yours, but he can’t say anything now that he’s dead. Is that why you killed him?”

“Paige, knock it off!” I patted Geoffrey’s arm again, hoping to console him. All his color had blanched out of his face. “She’s just after everyone without a shred of proof. Don’t stress, please. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Geoffrey shook his head slightly. “I wish you luck in finding your friend. I’m sorry I can’t help. I didn’t see her at all the day we got here after the ferry.”

“You were on the ferry with her?” I asked eagerly. “Did she travel all right? I was so worried about her!”

“She had a miniature bonsai that she held the entire trip, her eyes closed and hands on the trunk,” Geoffrey said with a chuckle. “She looked pale, but managed to walk off the boat on her own two feet.”

“That’s a relief,” I said with a sigh. “I’m glad that trick works so well.” I stood up. “Sorry to have interrupted your lunch. I hope your afternoon goes well.”

I started to walk away and then noticed Paige was still sitting across from him. “Leave him alone,” I snapped.

Paige rolled her eyes but got to her feet and joined me. “We got a lot of information out of him. Now all we need is proof!” she said gleefully.

“I am taking no part in your so-called investigation,” I snapped. “You can’t just go around accusing everyone of murder and then find the proof afterward! It’s cruel.”

She shrugged. “It’s working so far.”

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