Chapter 29

Afterward, he wished he hadn’t bothered.

Somehow, Kenny’s father had managed to bribe everyone into not pressing charges by offering them a large monetary settlement. Elliot blinked like an owl when he was told that all the other parents had happily agreed. He had no idea how much money Daryl Coleman had to dish out for them to go from the screaming hyenas who had demanded Kenny’s head on a platter a week ago, to smiling, back-patting dummies.

He tried to object, saying Kenny wouldn’t learn if they let him off without consequences. Did they really want to teach him money could buy his way out of anything? But Kenny’s father smiled—the same creepy smile as his son—and doubled his initial offer.

When Elliot protested, saying the money wasn’t the issue, the principal took him to the side

“Think of the school’s reputation,” Mr. Billings hissed between clenched teeth.

“But—”

“Mr. Dunn!”

“What happened to zero tolerance for violence? About teaching the students right from wrong?”