Either Pierpoint hadn’t heard about Derek from Principal Dane, or he wanted to trick Leland into talking. What if Pierpoint worked for the sheriff? This felt like a trick.
“Nobody is in trouble.”
A mirthless smirk stretched Pierpoint’s face. He reached below the desk and pulled out a pumpkin mask. Leland’s eyes widened.
“Perhaps your prank got out of hand. I take it you’re behind the dummies. They’re all over the school.”
Pierpoint glanced from Leland to Gardner.
“Don’t look at us.”
“Oh, please. This scheme is right up your alley, Mr. Trivett. Or was it you, Mr. Raimi?” After neither boy replied, Pierpoint huffed and tossed the mask into the corner. “Since you won’t take credit for the prank, I guess the mask belongs to me now.”
Gardner sat on the edge of his chair and asked, “Can we go?”
“Not until I get answers.” Pierpoint shifted his gaze from Gardner to Leland. “You mean to tell me the sheriff of Nightshade County and a city detective called you into the conference room, and you did nothing wrong?” He wagged an accusing finger at the two boys. “You know why Derek didn’t come to class today. Time to fess up, gentlemen.”
“Maybe he’s sick.”
“Derek appeared fine yesterday. Is his stepfather causing trouble again?”
Gardner cleared his throat, a not-so-subtle message for Leland to keep his mouth shut. Leland ignored his friend.
“How do you know about Derek’s stepfather?”
“Derek told me everything about Cole Holland. The way he mistreats Derek, the lack of interest he shows for his stepson’s education. Unlike the two of you, Derek Jordan has the smarts to attend an Ivy League school next fall. With my guidance, he’ll achieve his goals. If he comes to class. Now, why did Derek skip school today?”
Outside the door, a bell rang as harried students rushed down the hallway. Silence fell over the room.
“Derek didn’t skip school.”
Gardner chewed the inside of his cheek and looked away, disgusted with Leland. Pierpoint stared expectantly across the desk.
“Then where is he?”
Leland hadn’t planned to tell Pierpoint the truth. It rushed from his mouth with a desperate need to free itself.
“Derek is dead, Mr. Pierpoint.”
Leland choked on his words. Pierpoint’s face turned ghost-white. The tension in the room became a palpable thing, a white-hot oven that would burn Leland’s fingers if he reached out and touched it. The teacher’s voice fell to little more than a whisper.
“Is this some sort of sick Halloween prank?”
Leland scraped a tear off his eye and shook his head.
“Someone murdered Derek last night. That’s why the sheriff called me out of class. Principal Dane is making an announcement after this period.”
“You’d better not be lying to me, Mr. Trivett. If I find out you’re playing games, I’ll ruin you.”
“I’m not lying. Go to Principal Dane if you don’t believe me.”
Pierpoint’s hand trembled as he ran it across his forehead. The teacher’s chair squeaked beneath his weight as he shifted left, then right in confusion. Leland prayed someone would knock. Any distraction to free him from Pierpoint.
After a long moment, Pierpoint screwed up his face and leaned over the desk.
“Get out of my office.”
Leland and Gardner rose to their feet and scurried into the hallway before Pierpoint changed his mind. Halfway down the corridor, Gardner yanked Leland aside and pressed him against the lockers.
“What was that bullshit? The cops told you not to talk until Dane made his announcement.”
“What does it matter? Derek is gone. I don’t give a shit what Pierpoint or Dane say about me.”
Gardner regarded Leland for a moment, his powerful arms holding Leland in place.
“One thing is for sure,” Gardner said, staring back at the closed office door. “Pierpoint is lying.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Didn’t you notice his reaction? He already knew about Derek. The bastard wanted to catch you in a lie and turn you over to the sheriff. He’ll frame you.”
Leland sniffled and wiped his nose on the back of his hand.
“I don’t trust him.”
“You shouldn’t. Makes you wonder where he found the mask. He says he pulled it off the dummy. But who planted the dummies in the hallway? You didn’t do it, right?”
Leland straightened his shirt. Why would Pierpoint place Halloween Man dummies around the school?
“Now that I think about it, Pierpoint has access to the costume room.”
Gardner bobbed his head.
“That makes sense. Don’t say another word around Pierpoint. He wants to pin Derek’s murder on you.”
But why would Pierpoint hurt Derek? Did a monster hide inside the literature teacher? Suddenly, Leland thought of Valerie and slapped his forehead.
“Damn. Valerie left for her dentist appointment before the news broke. Who’s gonna tell her about Derek?”
“I should be the one the break it to her. She needs to hear about Derek from a friend, not from two cops.” Gardner set his chin. “And I’ll keep her safe from Pierpoint.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
October 31st
2:15 p.m.
Chelsey stood at the bedroom window inside the farmhouse and peered down at the empty landscape. Behind her, LeVar rummaged through the closet, searching for anything they’d missed. Now that they’d cleared the house after searching the basement, attic, and every nook and cranny in between, she could breathe again. The long driveway and the open expanse of meadow made it impossible for Benson to sneak up on the house without her noticing. But she couldn’t quiet her nerves. Though Chelsey and LeVar were safe for now, Raven wasn’t.
Chelsey checked her messages and realized it had been a long time since she’d heard from LeVar’s sister. Last she knew, Raven had joined Deputy Aguilar in Kane Grove after they spotted someone who matched Benson’s description fleeing from the gymnasium.
“Why don’t you call Thomas again?”
Chelsey jumped at LeVar’s voice. She hadn’t heard him approach. The teenager could move quietly when he wanted—an excellent skill to have, if he planned to go into law enforcement or remain a private investigator. When Chelsey last tried
