Higher Learning

by Clare Kauter

  “If anyone catches me, I’ll lie and say I got lost on my way out.”

  She gave me directions to the staff’s break room and I made my way down the corridor. I checked up and down the hall to make sure I was alone before opening the door to the break room and slipping inside, closing the door quietly behind me. I glanced around the room and spotted the roster hanging on the wall above the bench next to the sink. I strode over to it and began to study the names and times, trying to find the box labelled ‘William McKenzie’. The door opened behind me and I whipped around.

  “What are you doing?”

  I recognised the woman standing in the doorway. Her name was Hannah and she was one of the nurses here. I’d met her before and knew that she was really uptight. She was definitely not going to be impressed to find me here, and I couldn’t imagine my story about surprising Will would work on her.

  “Sorry,” I said, smiling and walking towards her. “I don’t really know how, but I got lost. I saw that sheet on the wall and thought it might have been a map. Not wearing my glasses,” I explained, gesturing at my face.

  She opened the door and pressed herself against it, gesturing into the corridor and indicating that I should leave. I obliged. When I walked out, I noticed that the glass doors down the hall to my left were open and there were a couple of people out on the lawn. I did a double take when I spotted a familiar face across the courtyard, sitting at one of the tables, reading a book. I frowned and squinted a little, trying to get a better look. Was that... Adam? What was he doing here? Did he have a lead on the case? Was he questioning someone he thought might be connected to what was going on at the high school?

  “Will isn’t here,” Hannah said, “and unless you’re visiting someone –”

  “I am,” I said, and pointed across at Adam. “I’m visiting him.”

  Before she had a chance to respond, I walked away, crossing the lawn towards the table where Adam sat. As I got closer, I realised that he looked different, although I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. I sat down across from him and opened my mouth to say something, but instead I just studied him for a moment longer. It was him. But he looked...

  “It’s not that I’m not flattered that you’re staring at me,” he said, putting his bookmark back in the book he was reading. He closed it and sat it on the table. “And it’s not that I don’t enjoy it – honestly, it’s kind of flattering – but it’s just a little intense for my liking. Usually I start by saying hello.”

  I continued staring at him. His muscles were not as defined and he looked less filled out than normal – not that Adam ever carried a lot of weight. But here he was, thinner than he’d been this morning. How was that even possible? Unless...

  “Not Adam,” I said, everything finally clicking. “His twin brother.”

  He leaned back and folded his arms. “Eli,” he said. “I didn’t think Adam told girls about me.”

  “Well, I told him it was one of my fantasies to sleep with twins and he let slip.”

  He shook his head. “You’re not sleeping with my brother.”

  Now it was my turn to fold my arms. “What?”

  “My brother doesn’t usually converse with his lady friends, especially not about his family life. So who are you really?”

  “Charlie,” I said, holding out my hand. Eli, instead of shaking it, turned it over gently and kissed my knuckles.

  “The pleasure’s all mine,” he said, still holding my hand.

  “I think I like you better than your brother.”

  “Don’t say that. You’ll break his heart.”

  “Heart? What heart?”

  “Oh, now,” he said with a pout. “That’s not fair.”

  “Really?”

  “You know it’s not.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  Eli shrugged. “Because he told you about me, which means you’re more than just acquaintances.”

  “But you don’t think I’m hot enough to be sleeping with him.”

  “Au contraire, my dear Charlie. I think you’re exactly his type – except for one thing.”

  “What?”

  “You know him, and he doesn’t usually stick with one woman for long enough for that to happen.”

  “Maybe I’ve only slept with him once. You don’t know.”

  “I do know. Who are you – med student? Paralegal?”

  I shook my head. “Nope.”

  “Private investigator?”

  “I think technically I’m still just the receptionist, although I do have a PI licence now.”

  He frowned. “Are you the one who’s undercover at the school?”

  “Ah, so you have heard of me.”

  “I have indeed.”

  I frowned. “What exactly have you heard?”

  “Not that you’re sleeping with Adam.”

  “Maybe he’s keeping it secret from you.”

  “Adam doesn’t keep secrets from me.”

  “That’s what you think.”

  “Fine. When’s his birthday, then?”

  Fuck. Now he had me stumped.

  “Thought as much,” said Eli.

  “When is it?”

  “Just before Christmas.”

  I thought for a second. “Do you think I could get away with just getting him one present, then?”

  “Well, I don’t know,” said Eli. “I don’t know the nature of your friendship yet. Still, my guess would be no.”

  “Thought as much. Although given that he currently isn’t speaking to me, I may not have to get him a present at all.”

  “Lovers’ quarrel?”

  I smiled and rolled my eyes. “Something like that.” I paused. “If I were to get him something, what should I go for? Something Star Wars themed?”

  Eli smiled. “Wow, you really do know him. Now I’m certain you haven’t slept together, because if he told you about his love of Star Wars, he definitely wasn’t trying to put the moves on you.”

  “Fine, you got me,” I said with a sigh. “I admit, I’m just a lowly employee.”

  Eli smiled. “So what are you doing here?”

  “Nothing important. Sometimes I just come to rehab to hang out. What about you?”

  “I’m rehabilitating. That’s kind of why most people come to rehab.”

  I frowned, a thought suddenly occurring to me. “You wouldn’t happen to be a fan of meth, would you?”

  “Not so much anymore. We used to have a thing, but we went through a bit of a messy patch. I’m here while we sort out the divorce.”

  I nodded. Now that I knew that, everything made sense – why Harry was so concerned about this case and why Adam had been so furious when he thought I wasn’t taking it seriously. It was about more than just the dead girl. For them, it was personal.

  “You have any vices that you’re trying to kick?” Eli asked.

  “Only gratuitous violence,” I said. “Although my therapist tells me I shouldn’t say I’m ‘kicking’ the habit. I’m taking ten deep breaths and walking away from the habit. Why do you ask?”

  “Well, that tends to be why people come here,” he said. “To stop doing something.”

  I shrugged. “I’ve got some things to work through, but today I’m just visiting.”

  “Visiting who?”

  “You.”

  He folded his arms. “Really.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I was trying to get a look at my friend’s roster.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s probably better if I don’t tell you. You don’t want to be an accessory.”

  “Ooh, intriguing,” he said. “What day did you want to check?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” I replied. “I just need to know a time when he’ll definitely be here.”

  Eli frowned. “Are you going to steal something from him?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “But you are going to break into his house.”

  I moulded my face into a mask of innocen
ce. “Whatever gave you that impression?”

  “What does he have that you want to see so badly?”

  I sighed. “You’re as bad as your brother.”

  “Oh, I’m worse,” he said. “But if you tell me what you’re looking for, maybe I’ll help you.”

  I thought for a moment. Was this a bad idea? Probably, but with Hannah around I didn’t know how I was going to get back into that room to see the roster. I didn’t really have another option.

  “Fine,” I said. “Are you sure you can help me?”

  Eli nodded. “I know exactly when he’ll be here.”

  I frowned. “I haven’t even told you who I’m talking about yet.”

  “I know exactly when everyone is going to be here.”

  “Photographic memory?”

  He shrugged. “If you tell me yours I’ll tell you mine.”

  I nibbled my lip, finally deciding to tell him and just hope he didn’t decide to pass the information on to his father or brother. “If I was to break in to my friend’s house – which is something I would never do –”

  “Obviously.”

  “Obviously. But if I did, I’d imagine that the thing he has in his possession that I’d most like to take a look at is a letter.”

  “A letter... How intriguing. Who is it from?”

  “From my brother.”

  “I get the feeling that it’s significant.”

  “My brother disappeared five years ago,” I explained. “Nearly six, now.”

  “And you think this letter will help you find him?”

  I shrugged. “I have no idea. I don’t know what it’s about or what it says. But it’s another piece of the puzzle.”

  “And your friend won’t just show it to you?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know. He says it’s not relevant.”

  “But you think he’s lying?”

  After taking a deep breath, I exhaled and said, “No. But I just want to check.”

  Eli nodded. “It’s good to be thorough.”

  “So, can you help me?”

  He nodded. “He’ll be here tomorrow morning.”

  “I haven’t even told you who –”

  He put his hand up, indicating that I should be quiet. “There was a clerical error. I heard a bunch of counsellors talking about it earlier today. Every staff member is rostered on for tomorrow morning, and even though it’s a mistake, management is insisting that they all come in.”

  “What time?”

  “Eight until eleven.”

  “Tomorrow morning.”

  He nodded. “Yep.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “Is there, um, any chance you won’t tell your brother about this?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “About what?”

  Excellent. I had the feeling that Eli and I were going to be friends.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  As I was walking out of the clinic, my phone buzzed. It was Jared.

  At D&D. One of those guys is here.

  I frowned in confusion.

  The guys who hang around the school? That’s weird. I wouldn’t have thought they’d be into that.

  My phone buzzed again a few seconds later.

  Apparently he’s a big fan of Stranger Things. You coming?

  I checked the time. Even if I got an Uber there, I’d miss the start of the game. Plus it would seem kind of weird that as a new kid at the school I’d already discovered the underground Dungeons and Dragons circle. I decided against it.

  Can’t come, sorry. Let me know what’s happening.

  Jared sent back:

  Should I try and buy stuff from him?

  Probably not, to be honest, but it was too good an opportunity to pass up. He was really throwing himself into this. I think Jared liked working as a spy. (Or it could have been the Abhati thing, I guess. Maybe it was a bit of both.)

  See if you can get him to tell you prices or something. Don’t put yourself in danger.

  It’s OK, I’ve seen Breaking Bad. I’m all over this.

  Well, he was one step ahead of me.

  By the time I’d walked all the way home and fed Arnold and myself an afternoon snack (noodles), the game was over and I had another message from Jared.

  He told me to back off. Don’t know if it’s because he didn’t have any or he didn’t want to be seen associating with me.

  That was a bust, then. My phone buzzed again and I found that Jared had sent me a sneaky photo he’d taken of the guy wearing a robe and throwing the dice. (A d20, if you’re curious.)

  Maybe you can use this for blackmail?

  I grinned.

  Jared, you’re brilliant.

  * * *

  The next morning I got up at six, wishing that Will’s shift had started at noon. My vision was blurry even with my glasses on and I blinked hard to try and wake myself up. After I got dressed, Arnold and I ate roughly five kilos of fruit between us for breakfast. Tim called me as I was driving to Will’s.

  “I’m heading over to Will’s now,” I said.

  “I’m just heading to therapy, honey,” said Tim. “Are you going to be OK going alone?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure? Because my phone is going to be off for the next hour. I’m not going to be able to come and bail you out if something goes wrong.”

  “I promise I’ll be OK,” I said. “Don’t worry about me. Go fix your brain.”

  “Out of the two of us, I’m not entirely sure that I’m the one who needs my brain fixed more urgently.”

  I hung up. There was no point engaging in that argument – it wouldn’t end well for either of us. Stepping out of my Mustang, I beeped it locked behind me. I’d parked around the corner from Will’s house, somewhere he wouldn’t see my car if he did happen to come home early. It was unlikely, but I didn’t want to be too brazen about this whole thing. After all, I was kind of breaking in. Yeah, I had a key, but I was using it for slightly nefarious purposes. Stealth was probably a good idea.

  I entered Will’s apartment building and climbed the stairs to his floor. Once I was inside the flat, I locked the door behind me. That was one part done. Now I just needed to find the letter. I’d spent all morning thinking up a plan of attack for searching the house and I’d decided that the letter was most likely to be hidden in his bedroom, based on the fact that that was where I’d hidden the bottom half of my own letter. I strode to his room and got to work, starting with his bedside tables and clothes drawers. There didn’t appear to be any false bottoms in any of the drawers and I didn’t find the note hidden at the bottom or up the back of any of them.

  Will had a small bookcase in the corner of his room with about twenty of his favourite books on it. I thumbed through each, but didn’t find anything pressed between the pages. Where to look next? My eyes locked onto his wardrobe and I dragged his desk chair over so I could stand on it and look on the top shelf. As I was rifling through the contents of an old shoebox filled with Christmas and birthday cards, I heard a noise on the stairs outside. Surely that couldn’t be...

  Then I heard the key turning in the door.

  Shit.

  I shoved the box back into the cupboard and leapt down from the chair, muffling a scream as I rolled my ankle. I dragged the chair back to the desk and tried to figure out what to do. Should I come clean? Hell no. He’d never trust me again. Better to hide and hope that he was just coming home briefly and I’d be able to escape soon. I slipped into the wardrobe and slid the doors shut behind me as quietly as I could manage.

  “It’s nice to finally see where you live, Will,” said a woman’s voice. “We’ve been friends for so long and yet I’ve never been here before. I was beginning to think you weren’t going to invite me.”

  Will laughed awkwardly. “I don’t usually invite friends over. It’s, um, not exactly the Hilton.”

  The woman giggled. A little too enthusiastically, in my opinion
. “I quite like it, actually. It’s neat, but very masculine.”

  I shifted uncomfortably in the wardrobe. I hoped this wasn’t going to be a long visit.

  “Um, thanks.”

  “Quite the bachelor pad.”

  “Yeah,” said Will. “Um, would you like a drink? Something to eat?”

  “No thanks,” the woman replied. “What I would like is a tour.”

  “Oh,” Will said, sounding surprised. “Sure. It’s not exactly big, but if you come through here there’s the laundry, bathroom and bedroom.”

  “Hmm,” said the woman. “Do you think I could get a closer look at that bedroom?”

  Oh. This woman had not read the situation correctly at all.

  “Sure,” said Will, completely missing the woman’s point. I heard them enter the room. “Don’t mind the mess. I was in a bit of a rush when I left, so I didn’t make the bed this morning.”

  “Yeah, that rostering mix-up was a real nightmare.”

  I heard a kind of whooshing sound and guessed that the woman had thrown herself onto Will’s bed. “What do you say we mess these sheets up a bit more?”

  “Oh – oh, god,” said Will, finally catching on. “Hannah, I...”

  Hannah? I suddenly understood why she disliked me so much. She probably thought I was trying to put the moves on Will. Little did she know...

  “Come on, Will,” she said. “I know you want to.”

  Dear lord.

  “Hannah, I’m gay.”

  Hannah paused. “What?”

  “I’m gay,” he repeated.

  “How gay?”

  “Incredibly,” he replied, sounding a little scared. I didn’t blame him. Hannah was scary. And what kind of a question was that? “About as homosexual as it’s possible to be.”

  She huffed. “Seriously?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re not even slightly tempted?”

  He paused and I guessed he was shaking his head. “Sorry. Besides, even if I was interested, I’m seeing someone.”

  My eyes grew wide. This was news to me.

  She sighed. “Fine. I’ll go.”

  “Hannah...”

  “Don’t worry about it, Will. I’ll be fine.”

  I heard the door slam shut and grimaced. Dear lord, working with her after that was not going to be fun for Will. As much as I disliked Hannah, I kind of felt for her. I wondered if Will had made up the story about seeing someone. Maybe. But then, why bother adding that lie? He’d already told her he was gay. He didn’t really need to add another layer of unavailability. And I couldn’t even bring it up with him, because then I’d have to explain how I’d heard about it and that was not going to happen. Speaking of which, how exactly was I going to get out of this situation?