Page 26 of What Happened on Roslyn Street?
It’s myrealname, but I don’t sound sure of it. Do I want to claim my identity? Something about the stern voice tells me I’m in trouble.
“I need to have a word with you,” the stranger says.
“You can speak in here.” Professor Cruz smiles brightly, diffusing the tension. In a flash, he’s standing beside me, resting a hand on my shoulder. It’s a small act, but it feels protective—and comforting. “What is the problem?”
“I’m here on behalf of the current investigation,” he says. “Namely, the most recent murder. Where were you last night, Underwood?”
“Um… in my room?” I frown. “I walked by the crime scene with everyone else, and a professor escorted us to our dorms. I stayed there for the night. It was late, quiet hours and all, so I slept… or I tried to. I doubt anyone got much sleep last night.” I laugh nervously.
The sound of my laughter dies as the man continuesto stare me down.
“That’s the only thing you did?” the investigator asks. His face is like stone, unmoving and cold.
“Um… yes.” My heart is racing. I didn’t do anything last night—other than stealing evidence. God, did he see me take it? I look up to the ceiling, pretending to think. “I stopped outside my dorm to talk to a friend”—not that Caldwell is a friend—“but that’s all I did.”
“And today.” He presses. “Where were you this morning?”
Shit.
“I went on my usual morning walk,” I say smoothly, getting the hang of lying. “And I had breakfast with the same friend. After that, I came to class and sat with another friend—Amelia.” I can’t trust Caldwell enough to use him as an alibi, but he’s the only one I have. “You can confirm with my roommate, Margaux Cruz. She saw me last night and this morning.”
“Mr. Mercer.” Professor Cruz finally speaks. “Is there a reason you’re questioning my student? They are in the same danger as everyone else on campus. This feels inappropriate.”
Professor Cruz speaks with a smile on his face, but there’s an edge behind his words. He has a voice that commands respect.
“A professor brought your name up.” The investigator—Mercer?—pauses, looking Professor Cruz up and down. His gaze turns back to mine. “Supposedly, you were late to your dorm last night, and today, you were spotted around the scene. Do you have anything to say about that?”
“I was outside talking to a friend,” I say. “It only took a moment. You can confirm with him.”
“And this morning?” Mercer asks, eyes narrowing.
“Why are you making me repeat myself?” I ask. Atleast my alibis are real. “Like I said. I was on my morning walk. I take one every morning.”
Mr. Mercer fixes me with a long stare. “Take another route tomorrow morning,” he says. “As your Professor pointed out, these are unprecedented times. Stay out of danger.”
“I will!” I haven’t done anything wrong.
Well, mostly. The pocket watch says otherwise. It doesn’t burn, it doesn’t weigh heavily, but I remember it’s there.
This is the opportunity to hand it over for the investigation. I don’t.
The room falls silent as he leaves, and it stays that way until the footsteps disappear.
“Are you all right?” Professor Cruz asks.
I shake my head, letting out a steady breath. “I didn’t do anything—I swear.”
“I believe you,” he says. “He’s trying to collect information because it’s his job, nothing more. No one is accusing you of anything. But he was right. You shouldn’t be walking around alone. It’s not safe.”
Professor Cruz cares about me. I can feel it in the way he smiles and in the way he defends me to Mercer. In a place where no one cares about me, it feels like one person is looking out for my well-being.
That’s what drives me to take a risk. Margaux already knows. How long will we be able to keep my secret from him?
He’s either going to help, or he’s going to kick me out. I decide to take the chance.
I smile—a nervous, shaky one. “Can I… admit something to you?” I ask.
“Of course,” he says. “You can talk to me about anything. That’s what I’m here for.”
