Chapter 13 Unusual Return
By the time we reached the station, the day had turned gray. The interrogation room was small, lit by a single flickering fluorescent light. Oliver and I sat at a metal table, our wrists cuffed together.
The sheriff tossed a folder onto the table, its contents spilling slightly. “We found this during the search last night,” he said, tapping a photograph.
Oliver and I stretched our heads forward. My stomach dropped. It was the husky, the one Julian had bitten.
The sheriff tapped his pen rhythmically against the file, each click echoing like a heartbeat. “Did you see this dog last night?” His sharp tone cut through my chest.
“No, sir. I didn’t,” Oliver said quickly.
The sheriff’s eyes turned to me. “What about you, Miss Lambert?”
I lowered my gaze. “No,” I whispered.
“What time did you return to your dormitory?” he asked, clasping his fingers together.
“I… I didn’t check the time. I was lost in the woods,” I said softly.
“Then how did you find your way back?”
His question pierced through me like a blade. He was too good, the kind of man who could make truth sound like the only safe answer. But I couldn’t mention Julian. If I did, he’d become the prime suspect. He wouldn’t survive the daylight… or the questions.
“A com…”
“I helped her,” Oliver cut in quickly. “I found her after I couldn’t find Sally.”
The sheriff leaned back in his chair and sighed. “The both of you will remain here for now.” He gathered the papers, nodding to an officer, who came forward to remove the cuffs.
“Your guardians will be here any minute,” he said, then stepped out of the room.
Silence fell, heavy and stale.
A soft growl broke it, Oliver’s stomach. I looked at him in disbelief. He gave a small, sheepish grin. “I’m hungry,” he admitted with a nervous laugh.
I dropped my face into my palms. “I can’t believe this is happening to me. Aunt Harvey is going to kill me,” I muttered.
Oliver drummed his fingers lightly on the table. “Don’t worry too much, Lexie. We’ll get out of here,” he said gently.
I scoffed under my breath. “Did you… know what happened to that dog?” he asked suddenly, his tone shifting to something serious.
I met his gaze, steady, curious, and perceptive. I shook my head. “No.”
Oliver was my friend, but I couldn’t trust him with the truth. Not because I didn’t trust him, but because I didn’t trust what that truth would do to him. If Julian found out… he’d come for both of us.
Oliver’s lips curved faintly, but his emerald eyes betrayed him, he didn’t believe me. Not entirely.
“What happened to that dog must’ve been awful,” he said. “Maybe it was shot?”
“It didn’t look shot, Oliver,” I replied quietly.
“Then bitten?”
The door clicked open before I could respond. Aunt Harvey rushed in, I jumped to my feet. She pulled me into her arms without a word. I blinked in shock, I hadn’t expected a hug… but scolding.
She pulled back and cupped my face. “What happened? You look so pale. Have you been sick?” she asked, her voice edged with worry.
“I…” The words stuck in my throat. My eyes darted to Oliver, who clearly seemed troubled.
“I… uh, I’m fine. Just got into a little… trouble,” I stammered, forcing a smile before looking back at her.
Aunt Harvey’s gaze dropped to my hand, where a thin scratch glared red against my skin. She took my hand gently. “You always get into trouble, Lexie. I heard what happened… a student from your group went missing in the woods. But I know you’re innocent.” She brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, her touch soft but firm.
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. “I really need to get out of here, Aunt Harvey.”
“You will, Lexie,” she said quietly.
For a moment, silence sat between us, comfortable, but heavy.
“How have you been coping at your new school?” Aunt Harvey finally asked.
“I’ve been… okay, lately.” I turned toward Oliver. “Meet my friend, Oliver.”
Oliver looked up, stood, and gave a small, polite wave. “Hi, Mrs… uh, or Miss Harvey?”
Aunt Harvey laughed softly. “You can just call me Harvey. How are you doing?”
“I’m…”
The door clicked open, cutting him off. Sheriff Fitzroy stepped in, his expression unreadable. We froze, watching him.
He took a deep breath. “Lambert. Oliver. You’re free to go home.”
“Huh?” Oliver blinked, confused.
“You mean… we can go back to school?” I asked carefully.
“Yes,” the sheriff said. “Sally has come back.”
“What?”
He was already turning to leave. “She returned on her own. The case is closed. You can head back.”
I jumped up. “What about Adrian?”
He paused at the doorway and looked back at me. “He’s been in school this whole time. In his dorm. He didn’t attend that class.” His eyes softened slightly. “The case is closed.” Then he left.
“What the…” I whispered. My eyes met Oliver’s.
“I’m as confused as you are,” he said, stepping to leave. His voice sounded tired, drained.
Aunt Harvey rested her hand on my shoulder. “Now everything’s fine.”
I wished it was.
Sally came back on her own, just like that? No questions? No explanation? And Adrian… how could he not be questioned at all? The sheriff was quick to close the case. Of course he was. Sally’s parents had influence, and maybe Adrian’s did too.
Outside, I watched from a distance. Mrs. Hansen held Sally tightly, sobbing like she feared letting go. Kaitlyn stood beside her father, smiling, and a group of students beside Sally. Then her gaze flicked toward me. The smile vanished. Her glare cut sharp through the distance.
My breath caught. I turned quickly and walked away. I’d had enough stares for one day.
I found Oliver in the theater hall. Gravenmoor Academy’s theater was huge, echoing softly with piano notes. On stage, a ballerina practiced, graceful but imperfect, falling and rising again with a stubborn rhythm. Oliver sat alone in the middle row, watching.
“It still remains a mystery, huh?”