Shattered

By: Abellen

Chapter Fifteen: Foes

I ran a hand through my hair and looked up at Tehama; she was sitting opposite me, supposedly studying French vocabulary. She'd tracked me down in the girls' bathroom, and had stuck with me ever since. I would have had to be blind, or at least unreasonably self-absorbed not to notice what Fillmore was up to. Without a doubt he was working on the case as well, and Anza and Karen had either volunteered to help, or had been recruited.

I turned back to the book I was reading, hoping that they'd had more luck than me. I had nailed the motive late last night, when I should have been sleeping, and while I suspected that Rossi was involved I couldn't really prove anything. I smiled briefly when I remembered the rush of excited relief I had felt when I worked out the reason behind the whole horrible scheme. It had faded swiftly, though, leaving behind it a gnawing dread when I realised I couldn't make any charges.

Whoever was doing this was doing it for the money, and it was all based on the upcoming exams. While the tests meant nothing to the student record they directly influenced the school's standing and its budget. If the top five students in the scholarship fund failed to meet expected grades then the money would be re-allocated to a different topic area. One of those was sport, and I instantly thought of the newest cheerleader on the squad. Miss Tanja Rossi.

The brunette hadn't seemed too fussed about their lack of funding, but if someone wanted to stir up bad feeling about the lack of school support all they would have to do is cut off the cheerleaders' alternative funding. The thefts had left them without a dime, and I knew that Tanja would be saying how great it would be if they got a cut of the budget.

However, there was still the accomplice to account for, and a lot of unanswered questions. Like who had the power to hold Harris back if I did as they demanded? From what I knew he wasn't the kind to take orders from anyone. If it was Rossi I wondered how she had managed to control him, rather than getting a punch or two. I definitely had her prints on the book, which suggested that she had read it, and her prints were also present in the cash box, although there was nothing suspicious about that in itself. It was all so circumstantial, and that made it even worse.

It was hardly easy fulfilling my promise to Tony without drawing suspicion to myself. Every time I asked a question, or stuck my nose in where it didn't, strictly speaking, belong I imaged the feel of Harris' hot breath on my face and his rough hands on my body... I balked at the idea and shook my head viciously to clear the thought away.

When Fillmore had been in the office yesterday, finally listening to the truth I'd realised that the answering machine tape with the second threat on had still been in the machine, and the red message light had been flashing fast. I was amazed that Fillmore hadn't noticed it immediately. I guess he'd had other things on his mind. As soon as he left I'd taken it out of the machine and put it in the evidence drawer. If someone was looking for it they'd find it, but it wasn't immediately noticeable.

I winced when I thought of the promises that I'd broken to Ariella, Fillmore and even myself. I'd promised both of them so easily that I would tell an adult if the threats continued, particularly if Harris was involved. Instead I was keeping it to myself, and living in a world of terrible fear. Harris was lurking around every corner and behind every door. I was desperate to tell someone, and to place the problem on someone else's shoulders, but I was still clinging to the vague hope that somehow I could prove who was doing it, before it was too late.

'Ingrid, are you ok?' Karen asked quietly, touching my forearm to draw my attention back to the real world and away from the horrors of my imagination.

'Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just thinking.'

'You don't have to hide it from us. Whatever they've threatened you with, people can protect you, right?'

'Did you work that out, or was it Fillmore?' I asked bitterly, my voice not rising above a whisper.

'We know you Ingrid. We know that it would take something serious to stop you telling an adult about it.'

'I can't tell anyone about it, Karen.'

The young woman across the table frowned and her lips plumped into a slight pout. 'I thought you were tough, Ingrid. I thought you were the kind of person who'd never give in to someone else's demands, no matter what the consequences!'

I lowered my head back to the book in front of me, ignoring the fact that the words were blurring with tears. 'You thought wrong.'

'Karen, can you go and help Anza?'

Fillmore's voice caught me by surprise, but I didn't lift my eyes to meet my gaze. Were they taking it in turns to nag me, or something?

'What is it, Fillmore?'

My partner didn't say anything for a moment or two, and eventually I looked up at him. He was sat in the chair that Karen had recently vacated, and his dark eyes were watching me carefully from behind his glasses. His face was entirely unreadable, and I wondered what he was thinking about.

'This might be useful.' He flicked Anza's battered, coffee-stained notebook across the table, making it land neatly on the book I was reading. Hesitantly I picked it up and leafed through it.

'Chlorine and ethanol?' I asked, referring to the bottles stolen from the science lab.

'That might not mean anything,' he said dismissively.

'It was Rossi who put in the call to Vallejo about Harris attacking me. So that's how…' I trailed off, deep in thought.

'Something you want to share with me?'

'No, but I might share it with Principal Folsom. Thanks, Fillmore.'

He drummed his fingers on the table before leaning forward and taking my chin in his hand. The feeling of his strong fingers on my jaw and the pulse point on my neck was enough to send electric shivers down my spine, and my voice wavered unnaturally. 'What is it?'

'What's going on, Ingrid? I don't care that you don't think you can tell me. I want to know what's happening, and if you don't talk to me I'll find out myself.'

'I thought that's what you were doing, or trying to do with Anza and Karen?' I tried to sound angry, but my voice lacked any force, and it came out sounding petty.

'We're partners, and that means sharing information. I've shared what I know with you. Now it's your turn.'

I shut my eyes for a moment, and then shook my head. 'I can't, not right now. Believe me there's a lot more at stake than you think.'

Fillmore grabbed my arm and pulled me away between the bookshelves, before pinning me effectively in place. He had one hand on either side of my head, and was blocking me from moving away. If it was anyone else I would have felt threatened, but when Fillmore did it, it just made me angry.

'I think that you and the other four students have received the second threat,' he hissed quietly. 'I reckon that your moment with Monaco was him asking you for help, and begging you not to tell anyone for fear of the consequences, and now you're doing just that.'

I was about to give an angry response when I noticed someone at the end of the aisle move a bit closer, as though trying to hear what we were saying. Her manicured hands were splayed against the book covers and her face was half-hidden by her hair, but I didn't need to see her face to know that it was Rossi. If she was behind it and she heard what Fillmore was saying…

I thought fast and took a tiny step forward before I pressed my lips against Fillmore's, silencing him easily. For a second he didn't move or respond, but then his hands fell to my waist and he deepened the kiss, dipping his tongue softly past my lips. All thoughts of Rossi fled my mind entirely and I barely heard the squeak of annoyance and the sound of a book snapping shut. I could have just put my hand over his mouth, but this was much much better.

After what could have been second, or could have been hours we broke apart, both of us flushed and breathing harder than normal. My lips tingled deliciously and my knees felt as though they were too weak to support my weight. Fillmore looked utterly dazed, and I carefully kissed him again, this time letting my tongue play across his bottom lip. He made a quiet sound, halfway between a moan and a groan and tightened his grip.

Someone clearing their throat in a pointed way made us jump apart. The librarian was standing close by, tapping her foot impatiently and scowling at the two of us. 'A library is for reading only!' she said pointedly, before turning and marching back to her desk.

Fillmore looked at me, the pleasure on his face giving way to confusion. 'Why did you do that?'

'Well, the first time it was because Rossi was trying to hear what you were saying.'

'Oh,' he said quietly, looking down at the floor.

I wondered if he was trying to hide his disappointment, or if he was relieved. Before I could back out I took a deep breath and said, 'The second time it was because I wanted to.'

This time I saw him trying to smother a smile and grinned sheepishly before squeezing his hand. 'Thanks for the notebook, Fillmore. I'll catch up with you in class, and I promise when this is all over I'll tell you everything.'

'When's that going to be?' he asked softly, the anger from his voice replaced with something close to tenderness.

'Hopefully by tomorrow.'

'So it's something to do with the exams?'

I winced and cursed myself silently. 'Um, maybe.'

Fillmore just nodded, and grabbed my arm before I left. 'Ingrid, I – um – I kissed you back because I wanted to, too.'

I felt the blush race up my cheek and dipped my head, trying to hide the pleasure that gave me. 'Thanks, Fillmore.'

'See you in class?'

'Sure.'

I got my stuff and left the library, trying not to laugh in elation or grin like a fool. It had been an impulsive move, but as it turned out, it was worth it. Well worth it.

I glanced at my watch and picked up my pace. Most of the morning had already gone, and it was only fifteen minutes before the start of afternoon lessons. With any luck I had enough evidence, no matter how circumstantial, to get a report together for Folsom. If she thought the results of the exams were being influenced in anyway, it was within her right to postpone, or even cancel them entirely.

Quickly I ducked into the AV room and grabbed a tape recorder. It was about the size of a small TV remote and I signed it out hurriedly before tucking it in my bag. It was a backup measure that I hoped I wouldn't have to use. If someone decided I was causing too much trouble and decided to take me out of the picture there was a good chance I could get a recorded confession first.

I felt the good feelings fade, and the old worry reinsert itself. I paused for a moment and shut my eyes in the dark room, wishing with ever fibre of my being that I could go back to being a normal girl; a girl with parents, who didn't have to look over her shoulder at every moment for fear of enemies and threats. With a deep sigh I promised myself that once this was over I would do what I wanted to. I'd spend more time with Fillmore, for one thing, and I meant as more than just his partner.

The bell rang for class and I hurried out of the AV room, intent on getting to class before the teacher. I didn't notice a slim figure across the hallway, watching me with narrowed eyes and drumming her long nails on the doorframe.

The young woman dialed a number on her cell-phone and rolled her eyes as an irritable male voice answered.

'What is it, class is about to start.'

'She knows too much. We need to do something.'

'Tomorrow morning,' the boy on the other end said. 'It'll give Harris more time to have his fun before he's discovered.'

'What about the plan?'

'Don't worry. Folsom doesn't have a clue. The exams will go through and the others will fail as instructed. As for Ms Third, well, she'll be indisposed.'

'This better work, Flint.'

'You just keep paying Harris to keep his hands off. Tomorrow morning he'll get his prize, and so will we. Remember your half of the deal, Rossi. I'll remember mine.'

As soon as lessons ended I made my way to the office and switched the computer on. Writing reports had never been my favourite job, but now I settled down to the task, entirely focused on what I was doing. I didn't hear people coming and going around me, and it was only when Fillmore tapped me on the shoulder that I glanced up from the screen.

'Ingrid, I have to go. My parents are expecting me back for dinner.'

'Oh.' I bit my lip, not liking the idea of walking home alone. 'I have to finish this off tonight. You go on ahead. I'll get Ariella to come and pick me up in a taxi.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yeah. This really can't wait. I promise I won't walk home.' I smiled at him gently, seeing the concern in his eyes. 'I know I'm not very good at keeping promises right now, but I swear I'll get a cab.'

Fillmore hesitated for a moment, as though he were debating whether to call his parents and tell them he'd be late.

'Go on, Fillmore.'

'Okay. I'll call you at eight and make sure you got home all right.'

'Thanks.'

I bit my lip again, but this time it was to resist the temptation to kiss him goodbye. Fillmore saw the little movement and grinned before turning away and departing with one final goodnight. I scowled at Anza and Danny. If they hadn't still been here I would have followed my instincts, but kissing Fillmore in front of them wasn't a good idea. For a start it would lead to questions that neither of us could answer yet.

The minutes ticked by as I laid out the evidence against Rossi. There were still some things I couldn't answer, but there was enough to bring her in for questioning. Perhaps that would reveal her accomplice, and the more intricate details of her scheme.

With a deep breath I hit print and collected together the evidence before slipping it into a manila envelope. I shut the office door behind me and made my way to the group of rooms that were Folsom's domain. The lights were still on, but the corridors were eerily silent and I found myself almost sprinting to the safe refuge of the Principal's office.

Once there I knocked on her door, hoping that it wasn't too late, that she hadn't already gone home.

'Come in.'

I opened the door and slipped around it before approaching the woman's desk. She was sipping an espresso and looking worse for wear, but she gave me a warm smile and motioned for me to have a seat.

'Officer Fillmore came to visit me earlier. Can I assume that you're here to discuss his concerns?'

'Yes Ma'am. There's enough evidence to bring one suspect in for questioning, and you have my written report to show that, at least in the case of Tony Monaco and myself, we have been threatened. They want us to fail the exams tomorrow intentionally.'

The Principal straightened up, her eyes suddenly intense. 'Why?'

'I'm not certain of the motive, but I think it's an attempt to sabotage the scholarship fund. If the top -'

'Five students fail… Yes, Miss Third. I wrote the policies so I know them well. I never thought anyone would try and use them against another student though. I assume they want the funding reallocated?'

'I believe so. Thefts of money from the cheerleaders' club coincide with the threats, perhaps to help the suspect justify what she is doing. If she has the approval of her peers she's less likely to back down.'

The Principal took the envelope and read through the contents in great detail, pausing only to ask me a question. 'You say you were threatened. What was the nature of the threat?'

'I was told I would be physically harmed if I didn't comply.' My voice cracked and I cleared my throat, trying my best not to show my fear.

'Were the threats the same to the other students?'

'I don't think so. They seem to be more targeted. The people threatening us are being specific to each individual.'

Folsom nodded and got to her feet, picking up her jacket from the back of her chair. 'Your persistence in this matter is to your credit, Miss Third. However, you must know that you've put yourself in danger by coming to me?'

'I know,' I whispered softly, feeling the anxiety swamp me again.

'Why didn't you tell me earlier?'

'I didn't really have the chance. I wanted to bring you the evidence so that you could act as soon as possible, rather than leaving time for any revenge on the victims.'

The Principal nodded and turned to face me. 'I will be calling Harris and Rossi to a meeting with me tomorrow, along with their parents. If these allegations are true they will probably be expelled.

'What about the exams?' I asked.

Principal Folsom frowned and reached across the desk to pick up her cell phone. 'I'll have to discuss it with the Superintendent, but in all likelihood the exams will be cancelled. There's no way to tell whether or not other results may have been compromised. Cone along, Miss Third. I'll drive you home.'

The journey was filled with questions from the Principal, some of which I struggled to answer. She frowned at the noticeable gaps in the evidence, but nodded her approval when I pointed out that they could be discovered in questioning. 'I think the students can count themselves lucky that you caught them at this stage. If they had succeeded, and then been caught they would be in a police station, rather than the office of the safety patrol.'

'Will you really expel Harris?' I asked quietly, unsure of whether I liked the idea.

'Yes. I would never have let him back into the school in the first place, but I was forced to by one of the many school councils. It would be for his own good. He obviously requires special attention and education which X middle school cannot provide.'

We pulled up outside my house and I bid her farewell, thanking her quickly before making my way inside. Shortly after Fillmore rang to make sure I got home safe I made my way to bed, kissing Ariella goodnight and leaving her to chat with Mark on the phone. I was exhausted, and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. For the first time in days, I didn't dream.

Morning came swiftly and the hazy sunlight of dawn opened my eyes. I glanced at the clock and saw that I only had ten minutes before the alarm went off. I stretched luxuriously and stared at my bedroom ceiling, counting the painted galaxies and reading the stories in the stars. It was a relief to wake up and not feel the leaden weight of dread on my heart, or the nervous fear in my stomach. Folsom was dealing with it. There wasn't anything to worry about anymore. It was nearly over.

I got up and showered slowly, reveling in the feeling of the warm shower spray. A smile returned to my lips full force when I remembered kissing Fillmore, and him kissing me back. I shivered in pleasure and laughed quietly to myself. We hadn't talked about where that was going, but it was something I was happy to explore gradually, rather than rush into. I had found out that one, or even two kisses weren't enough. They tended to linger on my mind, and on my lips, which still tingled pleasantly at the memory.

I dressed in my normal black dress and tiptoed past Ariella's room. From the sound of it she was still fast asleep. With no lectures until eleven she didn't get up until well after I'd gone to school. I ate breakfast before putting on my gloves and bracing myself for the cold outside. My breath steamed on the air and goosebumps raced up my arms as I started the walk to school. It was time to put the dress away for the winter, I realized grimly, after today it was jeans until spring.

The trees were ablaze of yellow and orange and I knew in a couple of weeks that would be gone, and winter would be well on its way. The wind played among the branches, liberating leaves from the tree boughs one by one. They crunched under my boots and caught in my hair, and then I thought I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned around, my breath hitching in my throat with fear. For some reason I hadn't thought anything bad could happen to me on the way to school, but what if I was wrong. What if Rossi knew I'd given the evidence to Folsom? What if she'd just decided I was getting to close?

There was no one there.

I turned around and jumped back in fright as I almost collided with someone.

'Good morning, Miss Third.'

'Flint? What are you doing here? You live on the other side of town.'

Flint was standing in front of me, one hand on his hip while he examined his fingernails. His hair was neatly groomed, as always, and his arrogant face was twisted into a half-smile. 'I'm here to tell you how disappointed I am. You just couldn't leave well alone, could you?'

'What are you talking about?' I asked as I backed away, my heart sinking.

'I'm afraid that I outsmarted you, Miss Third. Goodnight.'

A hand clamped a piece of cloth over my mouth and nose and I drew in a deep breath to scream. The sickly sweet scent filled my nostrils and I gagged as my eyes smarted and stung. I felt rough hands on my arms and heard a horribly familiar voice whisper something vile in my ear as the chloroform numbed my mind.

My last feeling before I lost consciousness was one of terror. Harris was getting what he wanted. Me.

End of Chapter Fifteen

Author's Note: Sorry to leave you all on such a cliffhanger. The next chapter will be up by Sunday evening, (so Sunday mid-afternoon in the U.S.A) The only idea I've had for the sequel title is "Softly" because it contracts quite well with "Shattered". Thank you to all my reviewers, and readers. You guys are wonderful.