Fracture ns-3

by C. J. Daugherty

  ‘Come quick.’ Carter was breathless. ‘Something’s happening.’

  Exchanging a puzzled look, the girls hurried after them for the door, where the sudden exodus was causing a bottleneck.

  As soon as they extricated themselves the boys led them down the hallway to the front door, which stood open despite the cold February wind.

  Seeing it, Allie’s heart sank. Whatever was happening, it wasn’t good.

  In front of the school building a Bentley gleamed in the driveway. A powerfully built man in an odd uniform – half military, half bellboy – was marching towards it. In one hand he carried a designer suitcase. His other hand gripped the arm of a struggling girl.

  ‘That’s Caroline Laurelton. What’s he doing to her?’ Rachel frowned in dismay.

  ‘What is it?’ Zoe squirmed in front of them to try and see.

  ‘Let me go!’ The girl squirmed in the driver’s grip, her short brown hair flying from the effort, her voice rising to a scream. But he was more than six feet tall and appeared to be made of muscle. She was small and slight. She didn’t stand a chance.

  ‘I don’t…’ Allie turned to Sylvain, who stood next to her. His jaw was tight, and she could see the anger and disgust in his eyes. ‘What’s happening?’

  ‘Her parents are taking her out of the school. They’ve sent their driver to take her home.’ As he explained, Sylvain kept his eyes on the girl who, Allie could now see, was weeping. ‘She doesn’t want to go.’

  His gaze shifted. Allie turned to see what he was looking at. One of Raj’s guards stood to one side of the door, watching the scene. Meeting Sylvain’s gaze, he shook his head.

  They weren’t to interfere.

  Back in the drive, the man was shoving the tearful girl into the capacious car.

  ‘This is wrong,’ Allie said, mostly to herself.

  ‘I know.’ Sylvain’s voice was bitter.

  Straightening his cap, the driver picked up the girl’s suitcase and tossed it on to the front passenger seat. Then, without acknowledging the crowd of students watching, he got into the driver’s seat and drove away.

  As the car disappeared into the forest, the students milled, their voices rising in a rumble of confused excitement.

  Zoe reappeared at her side, with Rachel right behind her.

  ‘Why didn’t anyone stop him?’ Zoe asked.

  ‘Forgive me if I’m wrong but did that look like a kidnapping to anyone else?’ Rachel asked. When no one replied, she looked around in bafflement. ‘I don’t understand what’s happening. Where is my dad?’

  Sylvain and Carter exchanged a look that spoke volumes. Carter tilted his head at the door behind them. ‘Let’s go inside.’

  The dining room was mostly empty when they returned to their table. Shoving the plates out of the way they huddled, speaking in low voices.

  ‘Here’s the thing. Caroline Laurelton’s parents are on the board,’ Carter said. ‘Not fans of Lucinda. Rumours are everywhere that they issued a statement to the other board members this morning saying Isabelle and Lucinda are dragging the school down and they wouldn’t be part of it.’ He hesitated for a second before giving the last bit of bad news. ‘They said they were just the first to pull their kids out. They said everyone would go.’

  Allie’s stomach dropped.

  ‘More theatre.’ Nicole sounded bitter. ‘That girl is a pawn in her parents’ game. They don’t care about her feelings. They’re using her to send Nathaniel’s message to Isabelle.’

  ‘We think this is Nathaniel’s next move.’ Sylvain’s face was intense. ‘He’s divided the board. Now they’re dividing the school. It’s started.’

  SIXTEEN

  ‘I don’t get it.’ Zoe said. ‘If this is happening, the instructors must know. But they’ve all completely disappeared.’

  ‘What do you mean, disappeared?’ Allie asked.

  ‘No one’s seen Zelazny, Jerry, Eloise or Isabelle since last night,’ Zoe explained. ‘Everyone’s talking about it. Jerry didn’t show up for a weekend workshop. Zelazny was supposed to do an extra class today but he wasn’t there. They’re just –’ she held up her hands – ‘missing.’

  ‘Well, where are they? Teachers don’t just evaporate,’ Allie said.

  ‘They must be with Eloise,’ Sylvain said. Next to him Carter nodded his agreement. ‘They’ll be questioning her with Raj – somewhere away from the school building because they don’t want to be interrupted.’

  Zoe perked up. ‘Let’s find them and tell them what’s happening.’

  ‘The thing that scares me is… what if this is just what Nathaniel wanted?’ Rachel mused. ‘What if he set up Eloise just for this? The more chaos the better, as far as he’s concerned.’

  ‘He can’t have done,’ Allie said miserably. ‘I’m the one who accused Eloise. He didn’t make me do that.’

  ‘I think Allie’s right,’ Nicole said. ‘I think it’s the other way around.’

  ‘That makes sense,’ Sylvain said. ‘He found out Eloise was being blamed, so he’s decided to strike now.’

  ‘Yes, that is a smart move,’ Nicole said. ‘Hit us while all the teachers are distracted.’

  Rachel’s brow furrowed. ‘Wait, how did you find out about what her parents said to the board?’

  ‘Katie.’ Sylvain spoke with clear distaste. ‘She’s telling everyone.’

  The others groaned. Everyone knew Katie Gilmore’s parents were very active members of the Cimmeria Board.

  ‘But how did Katie find out?’ Allie asked. ‘She’d need a phone.’

  Sylvain’s brow creased. ‘That’s a good question. I’ll go and speak to her – she was just outside so she can’t have gone far. I’ll see if she knows more as well.’

  When he’d gone, the others were at a loss.

  ‘We have to do something,’ Zoe said, her sharp tone betraying her impatience. ‘We’ve got to find the teachers and tell them what happened.’

  ‘How?’ Carter asked. ‘Right now we don’t even know where they are.’

  Nicole looked at Zoe. ‘Why don’t we do a quick sweep outside? See what we can find?’

  ‘I’ll talk to the guards.’ Rachel stood up. ‘They might talk to me because of who my dad is.’

  Relieved to have a purpose, they left in a rush. Now Carter and Allie were alone at the table.

  ‘So… what should we do?’ she asked, twisting her napkin into a knot of white cloth.

  ‘We need to find out what’s really going on, and how much the teachers know.’

  ‘How do we do that?’ Allie asked.

  His replying grin had a dangerous glint. ‘I’ve got an idea.’

  That afternoon, Allie was again outside Isabelle’s office. This time, though, she wasn’t alone. As she leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms in a pose of affected nonchalance, Carter stood across from her, his back against Isabelle’s door, whistling tunelessly.

  Every so often his eyes met hers and his eyebrow arched questioningly. Each time she shook her head.

  Not yet.

  She knew from experience he only needed a minute to do what he was about to do. But if he was spotted it would be disastrous; she had to be certain it was safe.

  Finally, the hallway went quiet. Twisting her neck, Allie checked the stairs and the corridor behind them. Empty. She turned back to where Carter waited, poised.

  ‘Now,’ she said.

  Moving with swift confidence he bent over the lock to Isabelle’s office door and inserted a shiny metal pin.

  As he worked, Allie stood beside him, blocking him from view as she watched the empty corridor for any sign of activity.

  ‘Still clear?’ he murmured without looking up. Glancing down, she had to admire the way – even under pressure – his steady hands worked the pin in the lock.

  ‘Uh-huh.’

  The hallway was so quiet, the click the lock made when it gave seemed to echo.

  ‘They really should replace this lock,’ Carter said softl
y, as the door swung open. ‘It’s too easy.’

  Slipping inside, they closed the door behind them.

  The windowless room was very dark. The noises of the building were muted here; the quiet was unnerving. Allie could barely make out Carter’s shape but she could hear the sound of his even breathing.

  She moved swiftly, dropping her blazer from her shoulders, stuffing it into the crack underneath the door.

  Feeling his way around the furniture, Carter flipped on the brass desk light and the room leapt into life.

  In the yellow glow, he met her gaze and pointed at the desk. ‘Let’s start here.’

  As usual the imposing, mahogany desk was covered in stacks of paper and they looked through them hurriedly for anything about Eloise or Nathaniel. Anything that could give them some idea what was happening right now.

  With no idea when the headmistress might return – or even where she was – they had to be quick. Getting caught would be the end of everything for both of them.

  For ten minutes they searched in silence. Most of the papers were English essays the headmistress had been reviewing or normal school paperwork, bills and accounts. Nothing useful at all.

  As Allie opened a file that proved to contain only utility bills, Carter stopped her. ‘Here.’

  Looking up she saw he was reading something hand-written on a sheet of white paper.

  ‘What is it?’ He lowered the paper so she could see.

  ‘It’s the allegations against Eloise.’

  The page held a numbered list of charges in square, precise handwriting, mostly related to the fact that she said she was alone on many of the dates and times Nathaniel’s spy was suspected to be active.

  ‘Look at that,’ Allie whispered, pointing at the page. ‘It ignores the fact that she couldn’t have got in the chapel to light those candles before we got there.’

  ‘It’s Zelazny’s handwriting.’ Carter’s tone was flat.

  She looked up at him doubtfully. ‘Do you think…?’

  He shrugged, his lips in a tight line. ‘If he’s accusing her… I have to wonder if he’s got something to gain by doing it. The real spy knows it’s not her.’

  His words gave Allie that same sensation she’d had earlier of having ice at her core, and she shivered. ‘It’s just… hard to believe. Zelazny seems so loyal.’

  In the glow of the desk lamp, Carter’s eyes were fathomless. ‘I don’t trust anyone any more.’

  Unsure of how to reply to that, Allie turned back to the papers on the desktop.

  The history teacher was grumpy, yes, and a stickler for the rules. But he’d always seemed like the most rock-solid of all the teachers. The one who never shifted. Utterly loyal to the school.

  How could he possibly…

  Her mind in a whirl, she was half looking at papers relating to the school’s accounts when something about the numbers struck her. Picking up a page she held it closer to the light.

  ‘Carter,’ she whispered, ‘this is weird.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘It’s just… Are we broke?’

  ‘Broke?’ He frowned, reaching for the paper. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Look here…’ She pointed at the bottom line. ‘It says the school has negative three hundred and seventy-four thousand pounds in its accounts. That’s a lot of minuses.’

  He scanned the paper quickly and shook his head. ‘I don’t understand,’ he said. ‘That’s not possible.’

  But Allie was looking at another paper now. ‘Wait. Look at this one.’

  She read aloud: ‘… as nearly half the parents have failed to pay their fees this term, I’m depositing the necessary funds into Cimmeria’s account to make up the difference. However, this indicates that Nathaniel is preparing to make a move during this term. Thus we must increase our efforts to stop him and his group before this can occur. Otherwise, the school could be destroyed. And the organisation lost to us.’

  The letter was signed with Lucinda’s sweeping signature.

  ‘So they knew this was coming,’ Allie said. ‘That’s why they’re all hoping they’ve caught the spy.’

  Carter met her gaze. ‘They think it’s their only chance to stop it.’

  When he reached for the page to read it again, his fingers brushed against hers, causing an electric spark and Allie jumped back, letting go of the paper. The page floated to the floor.

  ‘Sorry,’ they both said simultaneously, bending over to pick it up at the exact same moment and hitting heads with a cracking sound.

  Clutching her head, Allie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she reeled away from him.

  Carter held his own temple. ‘Are you OK?’

  Though her head was throbbing, Allie gave an embarrassed laugh. ‘I’m fine, I think.’

  But as she ran her fingers through her hair she felt a lump beginning to rise. It was sensitive to touch and she hissed from the pain. Seeing this, Carter’s face darkened with concern.

  ‘What is it? Let me see.’

  ‘No, I’m fine, really…’ Allie demurred, but he shook his head sternly.

  ‘Come on. Let Dr Carter have a look.’ He held the lamp up close to her head and, with a touch as soft as silk, parted her hair.

  Allie stayed very still – afraid if she moved he’d stop. And go back to ignoring her.

  He whistled softly. ‘That’s a nice goose egg you’ve got there, Sheridan.’

  She shot him an ironic look. ‘Will I make it, doctor?’

  His replying smile made his eyes crinkle.

  It was just the way things used to be between them – so natural and easy. Allie wanted the moment to last and last. But as if he’d suddenly remembered who he was with, Carter cleared his throat and took a step back, returning the lamp to its place. When he spoke again his voice was cooler.

  ‘We’d better hurry. Why don’t you check the drawers?’

  ‘Oh… yeah.’ She moved to the other side of the antique desk, keeping her face down so he couldn’t see the colour in her cheeks.

  This is so hard. Can’t we just be friends again?

  With a sigh, she tried the top drawer.

  Locked.

  The one below it was locked, too. And all the rest.

  ‘No joy,’ she said.

  ‘I —’ He began to reply then stopped.

  They both heard the sound at the same moment. Frozen in position, Allie stared at the door in horror.

  Somebody was trying to get in.

  Without a word, Carter grabbed her hand, pulling her to his side. Then he turned out the desk light.

  The room was plunged into darkness.

  SEVENTEEN

  Crouched low behind Isabelle’s desk, Allie held her breath. In the darkness, she couldn’t see Carter but she could sense him next to her.

  Whoever was trying to get in was having a bad time of it.

  The doorknob rattled again and they could hear the faint jingle of metal against metal.

  ‘He has a key,’ Carter whispered, so quietly his words barely disturbed the air. They stayed very still.

  For a long moment the rattling sounds continued. Then, abruptly, they stopped.

  ‘It doesn’t fit,’ a muffled voice said outside the door. ‘She must have given us the wrong key.’

  It was a man’s voice. After that, they could hear other voices conferring.

  If they have another key, Allie thought, they’ll use it now. Then they’ll find us.

  The thought made her quiver – getting caught now would ruin everything.

  But outside the conversation faded away. Holding her breath, Allie listened hard but could hear nothing.

  A full minute ticked by as they huddled together in the dark.

  ‘I think they’re gone,’ Carter whispered at last. ‘We should get out of here before they come back with the right key.’

  They stood, careful not to make a sound. Carter kept a hand on her elbow as they made their way through the dark room to the door. He did
n’t need to – Allie knew this room well. But his touch made her feel safer; she was sorry when he let go.

  As they stood at the door, she looked at the shadow shape of him beside her – wishing there was something she could say that would make all the bad things that had happened between them go away. That would allow them to be friends like this again.

  But there wasn’t.

  ‘Ready?’ he said.

  She lifted her chin. ‘Yes.’

  Then she opened the door and walked out into the light.

  ‘We’ve found out they are keeping her somewhere else,’ Nicole whispered.

  ‘Could you be more specific?’ Carter’s tone was too sharp; a nearby student glanced up from his physics book.

  ‘Carter,’ Sylvain said quietly. ‘Volume?’

  Allie expected Carter to glower at him or say something sarcastic. Instead he merely lowered his head in acknowledgement.

  Watching the two of them, she frowned. Something had changed between them. They weren’t enemies any more. They didn’t act like friends exactly, but there was clearly some sort of understanding between them. They were like… allies.

  When Carter spoke again his voice was low. ‘Sorry, Nicole. Go ahead.’

  They’d gathered in the far corner of the common room, perched on a leather sofa and chairs and leaning in to hear each other speak. The room was packed with bored students in various stages of relaxation – some played board games, others read books or gossiped.

  The ambient noise was loud enough they’d thought they could talk here without being noticed.

  ‘Wait,’ Sylvain said, before Nicole could proceed. ‘Pretend to talk about something fun. Like football.’

  ‘Football isn’t fun,’ Rachel said pointedly and Nicole giggled.

  Even though everything was still bad, even though nothing had yet been resolved, the mere fact that they were at last doing something lightened the heavy atmosphere. They weren’t in the dark any more. They were involved, investigating – and they were finding out what was going on.

  With a beleaguered sigh, Sylvain pulled a polished mahogany box of chess pieces from underneath the occasional table in front of them and began to set them up on the chessboard painted directly on to the table top. Black on the right, white on the left.