Chapter 45: The Arbiter:

Det. Tamura's POV:

After I just exited the best donut shop in Riverdale, I entered my car, but then it locked itself and started driving itself.

"Hello Detective Tamura," says a voice I didn't recognize, "we're going to play a game."

"Who are you," I asked.

"Someone who knows that everyone has a dirty little secret. You can call me the Arbiter."

"What the heck is an arbiter," I asked.

"A person whose views or actions have great influence over trends in social behavior."

"And what does that have to do with-"

"I'll ask the questions here! Now, the topic is... August 13th, 1999!"

I was horrified!

Nancy's POV:

We were at Pop's, but then we had a surprise. Det. Tamura entered.

"He must be hungry," says Shaun.

He walks over to us. "Drew, I... need help."

. . .

Now he was sitting with us. "... and somehow, they knew about this incident I made in August 13th, 1999!"

"What did you do," asks George.

"It's probably going to be on the news, so I might as well tell you... I took a bribe!"

"No way," says Nancy.

"Isn't that something a police officer should never do," asks Ned.

"I know. I'm not proud of it, but I needed the money... I was desperate. Look, this Arbiter-"

"What is an arbiter," asks Shaun.

"It's supposed to be someone that controls trends on social media, but this guy/girl apparently interrogates people of things they've done in the past."

"We'll see what we can do," I said.

He then walks away. "He's not exactly our fan," says Bess.

"I know," I said, "but that doesn't mean we shouldn't help him. Besides, he'll owe us after this."

"Hey, there's the guy I told you about, Danny Moss," says George, "excuse me. I'm going to talk to him."

"Let's hope your third wheel doesn't ruing things," says Shaun.

"On second thought, maybe I should avoid it until my situation is over," says George.

"Well, now we just need someone who has skeletons in their closet," says Bess.

"Ryan," we all agree.

Veronica's POV:

I was at the mall, and I got the perfect outfit. When I was about to change, I was suddenly in a glass box. "What the-"

"Hello Veronica. I have questions about your family."

Nancy's POV:

We were following my birth Dad and so far,... things seem pretty normal for him.

"Is the Arbiter waiting for the right opportunity or something," asks Ned.

"Oh," I said, "I just realized all of his dirty secrets have already been exposed! We may have jumped to conclusions!"

We then saw the first responders escorting Veronica out of the Mall. "It's going to be okay," one said.

I then ran towards her. "Veronica, what happened?"

"Some creep forced me to tell them everything Daddy has done," says Veronica.

I then ran into the mall.

. . .

"Who are you," I asked. Nothing.

Mr. Weatherbee's POV:

My name is Waldo Weatherbee, and I am the Principal of Riverdale High. I then attempted to exit my office, but the door was locked. "What in the-"

"Hello Principal Weatherbee. Now it's time for you to answer questions."

Nancy's POV:

The Arbiter got to Principal Weatherbee. Apparently, he once used some money from the school's budget to get his car fixed.

"I'm so ashamed," says Principal Weatherbee.

"Who or what is this person," asks Bess.

"And how do they know so much," asks George.

"I don't know," I said.

. . .

I decided to look into each victim's past. To see if there is a common enemy. First, I looked up about Det. Tamura in August 13th, 1999. I didn't know he was married and apparently, he needed the money to help his wife... but then she died. I then looked up something about Veronica's Dad. He was practically the worst. And about Principal Weatherbee's car... I can see why he needed the money for that. But what is the connection? I then had a phone call. "Hello?"

"I'm just someone like you," says the Arbiter, "someone who won't rest until the truth gets out!"

"We're not the same," I said.

"Aren't we?" The Arbiter then hangs up.

. . .

At school, I was still trying to figure out who the Arbiter is.

"Is there a problem, Nancy," asks Miss Grundy.

"It's just a case I'm trying to figure out," I said.

"Well, I'm sure you'll get it," says Miss Grundy, "everyone has a dirty secret."

. . .

This time I used Reggie as bait.

"And you swear I'm on a reality show," asks Reggie.

"Positive," I said.

Then Reggie gets a phone call. "Hello?" Reggie nods. Then he backs down and admits to cheating on all his tests. Why would the Arbiter care about... then I realized!

. . .

I knocked on Miss Grundy's door. "Yes?"

"Miss Grundy... are you the Arbiter?" She then pulls me inside.

. . .

"Remember, everyone has a dirty secret," says Miss Grundy.

"Why'd you do it," I asked.

"It's not me technically," says Miss Grundy, "ever heard of Jekyll and Hyde?"

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"The Arbiter is like an alternate personality I've had ever since I was a child when my brother got away with stealing my neighbor's pie! The Arbiter is obsessed with making people confess no matter how silly the crime is!"

"You need help," I said.

"You're right," says Miss Grundy, "call the police before it's too late."

Just as I was going for my phone, the Arbiter takes control and Miss Grundy attacks me. I had no choice, but to defend myself and I knocked her out.

. . .

A regretful Miss Grundy was taken in by the police. I then took a look and I realized she was there for all the things everyone has done. I hope she gets all the help she needs.

In the next chapter, Nancy heads to Crocodile Island.