Chapter Seventeen

Ellie stood outside of the interrogation rooms, waiting for everyone else to be done.

First Manny joined her with tear-stained cheeks.

Ellie put her hand on Manny's arm, "What's wrong?"

"Spin. I don't know how he is or where he is or any of it." Manny choked on a cry.

Ellie nodded understanding and wrapped Manny in a hug.

Next Marco joined them, "Well, that was weird."

Manny and Ellie broke away, both giggling a little.

"Have you guys seen JT?" Marco asked.

They both shook their heads.

A few minutes later Jay walked out of the room, shaking his head.

"What happened?" Ellie asked.

"Let's just say that babbling makes you a suspect." Jay sighed.

"So they think you killed Burnish?" Marco asked.

Jay shook his head, "They think I burned down the school."

Manny laughed. They all turned to stare at her and she became quiet.

Then JT came out.

"Hey." Manny greeted.

JT just nodded at her.

"What happened?" Marco asked, taking JT's hand.

"They think I killed Burnish." JT sighed.

Jay laughed, "And I thought I had it bad.
JT gave him a confused look.

"They thought he set the school on fire." Ellie explained.

"What would make them think you killed Burnish?" Marco asked, squeezing JT's hand tighter.

"The fact that they think my fishing line strangled him." JT explained.

"Did they not notice the bullet hole in his forehead?" Ellie asked, shocked.

Sean walked out of the interrogation room, slamming his hand against the door, making a loud crashing noise.

Ellie rushed up to him, "Sean, what happened?"

"Get this," he said, "My parole officer was the guy asking me the damn questions. He thinks I did it. Great guy."

"Dude, that's funny." Jay laughed.

"Yeah, yeah." Sean rolled his eyes, "Any news on Spinner?"

Manny solemnly shook her head.

Sean scanned the group, "Where's Emma?"

"Right here." A voice behind them said.

Everyone turned to see Emma standing there with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"What's wrong?" Jay asked, hugging her.

"Everything. I can't believe he thought I killed Rick." Emma shrugged.

Jay back away, "What?"

"Rick's dad. He said he was gonna kill me because I killed Rick." Emma blurted out.

"But, Em, you didn't kill Rick. And his father is dead now, too. So you don't have anything to worry about." Sean tried consoling her.

But he only made it worse, "But I could've saved Rick's father! He was only unconscious. Not dead. We could've saved him, Jay. We could've saved a life. But instead we left him there to burn." Emma screamed.

"Look on the bright side," Jay said, "At least he was unconscious. He didn't feel the pain of the heat."

"Shut up!" everyone said in unison.

Then there was a voice, "Hey Emma." She turned around and her eyes widened, "Nice to see you again, Emma. I hope you're having a nice life."

"C'mon." the cop said to the handcuffed man that was talking to Emma.

"Hope to see you again soon Emma." He said, before being dragged off.

Emma turned back around, fear clouding her vision. She stumbled a bit and then fell to the ground.

"Emma!" Jay exclaimed, and ran to her, helping her up, "Who was that?".