Page 111 of Kings & Corruption

We strolled casually down the hallway opposite the teachers’ lounge, scoping out the crowd as we made our way around the corner and across the back of the building.

I shifted my bag on my shoulders. We’d debated whether it would be a help or a hindrance on our mission but had eventually decided we needed it, both in case we had to explain our presence in the lounge and because we would need a place to put the medals once we removed them from the case.

Now I was glad to have it on my shoulder. It wasn't very heavy, but even its minimal weight felt like an anchor in the storm of rules I was intent on breaking.

We’d sat in the car for twenty minutes after leaving Daniel’s house, planning our timing to line up with an hour when most of the teachers would have class: after morning coffee and gossip time but before lunch.

There was still no guarantee the lounge would be empty, but that was where my bag came in. I would slip inside while Rock kept watch, and if someone was in the room, I would remove my notebook and say I was looking for Professor Ryan.

I knew he had a class, so I wasn't worried about him being there. Worst case, someone was in the lounge, and Rock and I would have to try again later.

It wasn’t foolproof, and the last thing I wanted was a repeat of our breaking and entering at Daniel’s house to get the keys a second time, but we had to play the cards we’d been dealt.

I only hoped we had a good hand.

Chapter49

Willa

Rock waved and smiled at our fellow students, acting like it was just a normal day as we walked along the back hall and headed for the stairs. I hoped I was doing as good a job acting casual, but I felt like I was about to shit myself.

We didn't slow down as we emerged onto the second-floor landing and into the hall with the teachers’ lounge. We’d talked in advance about how important it was to act like we knew exactly where we were going and like we had every right to be there. Acting nervous might not tip anybody off then and there, but later, after the medals went missing and campus security reviewed the tapes, any nervousness on our parts — or should I say my part? — would tip them off that we were the thieves.

I wasn't thrown when, as we came closer to reaching the door to the teachers' lounge, Rock acted excited to see someone and stopped to talk to them. It was all part of the plan. The Kings knew everybody, and it had been a pretty safe bet to rely on Rock using an acquaintance as an excuse to pause outside the door and keep lookout.

I looked up at him. “I'm going to see if Professor Ryan is in the lounge.”

It was said for the benefit of his friend — Brady somebody-or-other — but Rock nodded absently and continued talking.

I had to hand it to him: he was a good actor. If I didn’t know any better, I would have assumed he was on his way to or from one of the admin building’s offices, stopping to compare class notes with a friend.

I forced myself to keep breathing as I opened the door to the teachers’ lounge.

It was harder than I’d expected not to hesitate as I stepped inside. Bravado was one thing, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t supposed to be here and that went against every one of my pathetic rule-following instincts.

Act like you belong, Willa. Act like you belong.

I closed the door behind me and I breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the empty room. It didn't last long though.

Now I had to actually steal the medals and hope no one walked in while I was doing it.

I hurried across the room, trusting that Rock would do whatever was necessary to keep anyone from entering the lounge while I was there.

When I got to the case, I reached into my bag and withdrew Daniel’s keys. Then I started trying the ones that looked like they would fit the tiny lock on the glass doors.

There were fewer than I expected. The lock on the case was obviously meant for a small key, and most of Daniel’s keys were full-size. I was on the third of five small keys when the lock on the case clicked open.

A giddy rush of excitement raced through me as I slid the doors open and came face-to-face with the medals. They were the key to the Kings’ win.

And not just their win, but mine.

Once I took the medals, I would have real cred at Aventine, and while I didn't care what anyone on campus thought of me for my own sake, there was no doubt that being trusted would give me access to more information about Emma.

Plus, there was the added benefit of proving Neo wrong about me. I'd never admit it to his face, but that had started to become just as important. I didn't dare examine the reasons why.

With the case open, grabbing the medals was easy. There were six of them spanning two decades, small circular discs in fake gold engraved with some kind of emblem and various accolades, fromCollegiate Teacher of the YeartoTop Five Private University.

I pulled them off their hooks and stuffed them into my bag, then quickly shut the glass case. I locked it behind me for good measure, hoping it would be a while before anyone noticed they were gone. The more time that passed, the harder it would be for campus security to narrow the list of potential thieves.

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