Page 60 of The Tribes of Magic
I smiled. “I always am.”
“Do you have any evidence at all to support your wild theory?”
My smile faltered.
“Yeah. That’s what I thought. And what do you think, Dutch?”
“I think Bronte Vance doesn’t break the rules.”
“So you think I framed her?”
“Of course not. You’re too dumb to manipulate video files.”
Rhett snorted in appreciation of the statement. “I think we’re done here, Winters. But if you come up with any more baseless accusations, you know where to find me.”
His friends laughed.
“Let’s go, Dutch,” I said. “We’re not going to find any answers here.”
“Come find me if you get tired of hanging out with Little Miss Mission, Dutch!” Rhett called out to him as we walked away.
“So, did you get what you wanted?” Dutch asked me.
“Not really.”
“Rhett didn’t do it.”
I sighed. “You’re just saying that because he’s your friend.”
“No, I’m saying it because I don’t think he did it. Rhett is big and strong and he’s pretty good at memorizing random facts fortests and stuff, but he isn’t a technical genius. Maybe we should try talking to that kid Ansel. Heisa technical genius.”
“Ansel didn’t frame Bronte.”
“How do you know?”
“He has no motive. And I just know, ok?”
“Rhett doesn’t know the first thing about hacking into security systems and modifying videos.”
“That doesn’t prove anything. He could have had help. He could have made someone alter the video files for him. What do you know about Sara and Wayne?”
“You’re grasping at straws, and you know it, Savannah.”
“I think Rhett is jealous of Bronte. I think he and some of his teammates changed Bronte’s records while they were in the Black Obelisk this morning. All I have to do to prove it is break into the Watchers’ headquarters.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes, Dutch. We’re heading back to the Black Obelisk. One way or another, we’re going to get to the bottom of this.”
CHAPTER 7
THE ALCHEMIST
“Ok, Savannah. So, how exactly are we supposed to get past the impenetrable gate and all the armed soldiers?”
Dutch and I were crouched behind an overgrown bush, just across the street from the Black Obelisk. An iron fence covered in security cameras and topped with broken glass surrounded the compound. Beyond it, the Watchers’ headquarters awaited. The tall tower was entirely covered in black glass. It was both high-tech and hellishly medieval.
“Don’t panic, Dutch. The Watchers are constantly driving in and out of the compound. The next time the gate opens, we’re going to sneak inside.”
