Page 62 of A Scandal in Homeroom
“I did,” Heath announced. “See, I’ve figured everything out.”
“Beth?” Fitz was striding toward us. He didn’t look happy. Great. This was not how I wanted to do this. “What are you doing here?”
“What did you figure out?” Beth asked Heath.
“Who’s behind the List. You’re not going to like it.”
“Don’t believe a word he says, Beth,” I told her. “You can’t trust him.”
Heath only shook his head. “Poor, sad, little Irene. You just couldn’t help yourself, could you? All that money just sitting there for the taking.”
“What are you saying? Fitz, what’s happening?”
Fitz stopped next to Heath, but his eyes were on Beth. His expression was grim. “Heath texted me. Said he figured out who was behind the List. I’m sorry, Beth, he said it was Reen.”
“No! That’s a lie. It’s him,” I said, pointing to Heath.
“Don’t try to lie your way out of this, Reen. I have proof.” Heath pulled out an envelope from his back pocket and handed it to Fitz.
“It’s a bank statement,” Fitz said, pulling out a sheet of paper.
“Yep” Heath said. “I found it in her garbage. Once I suspected she was behind the List, I knew I was going to need proof. Look at the ending balance. Where, oh, where would Reen get a chunk of money like that?”
Fitz looked at the page, then at Beth. “I’m sorry, Beth.”
“No!” I screamed. This wasn’t happening. How the fuck had Heath done this? Turned everything around before I had a chance to tell the truth? “You don’t understand. That’s not what you think it is. I’m telling you, he’s behind the List!”
I pointed again at Heath, willing Beth to believe me. I didn’t expect Fitz would pick me over his friend, but Beth had to know I wouldn’t have created the List, wouldn’t have put the safety and well-being of girls at risk. Not to her or her sisters.
“But you have no proof, do you?” Heath asked me. “You’re accusing me and I’m accusing you, but I have a bank account in your name with over twenty-thousand dollars in it. And if you told me you earned it by turning tricks, I would say there’s no way you’re that expensive.”
“You asshole!” I started to charge at Heath, but Fitz stepped between us.
“Stop it! Reen, explain this,” he said, thrusting the paper in my face.
I ripped the paper out of his hands. “I don’t have to explain shit. All Beth has to know is that I’m not behind the List. And I sure as hell didn’t run Wick off the road with Fitz’s car.”
“She couldn’t have.”
The sound of the new voice startled us all. As a group, we turned to find Locke also walking out of the woods. Dressed in his usual black shirt and jeans. This time sporting a black peacoat to ward off the chill.
Great. Exactly what I needed. Someone else not on my side.
Or was he?
“She wasn’t anywhere near this place the night Fitz’s car was stolen.”
“And how do you know that?” Fitz asked.
“Because I was following her.”
I looked at him, furious at how calmly he’d said it. Followed? For how long? “Locke, you asshole...”
He gave me that smug look. “Sorry, darling, but we both know you’re a part of this game.”
“So wait, Reen is behind the List?” Beth asked. She turned to me, her face ashen. “Reen?”
“No,” Locke said, seemingly coming to my defense. “Reen’s playing another game. Aren’t you?”
