Chapter 3: Riyoko’s Insights

The following morning, Hanna met Riyoko at a quiet café near the school. It was a small, cozy place with muted lighting and soft jazz playing in the background—an ideal spot for discreet discussions away from prying eyes. They each ordered coffee and settled into a corner booth, ready to dive deeper into their investigation.

Riyoko pulled out a notebook and began to make some notes. "I've been thinking about our conversation with Ms. Langford," he said. "It's clear that something is off, but we need more concrete evidence. I suggest we look into the principal's recent activities and connections."

Hanna nodded, sipping her coffee. "That sounds like a good plan. I've also been thinking about the teachers who might be involved. If they're working with Finch, they could have access to crucial information or be able to steer us toward key details."

Riyoko flipped through his notebook, revealing a list of names and potential leads. "I've compiled a few people who might be worth investigating further. Some teachers have been rumored to have close ties with Finch. If we can find out more about their connections, it could lead us to some answers."

As they reviewed the list, Hanna's phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. She glanced at it and her heart skipped a beat. The message read: *"If you're looking for answers, check the old storage room. It's not just dust you'll find."*

"Another cryptic message?" Riyoko asked, noticing her reaction.

Hanna nodded, showing him the message. "It seems like someone else is trying to guide us, or at least offer us a hint."

"We should check it out," Riyoko said. "The old storage room could be a lead. But let's be cautious. It might be a trap or another attempt to mislead us."

After finishing their coffee, Hanna and Riyoko headed to the school's old storage room. It was located in a seldom-used part of the building, filled with forgotten equipment and dusty boxes. The door creaked as they opened it, revealing the dimly lit, cluttered interior.

They began to search through the boxes and files, their movements careful and deliberate. Riyoko's keen eyes spotted something unusual—a stack of documents buried beneath old textbooks and files. He pulled them out and began to sift through them.

"These look like financial records and personal files," Riyoko observed. "If Finch is involved in something illegal, these documents might contain evidence."

Hanna carefully examined the files. Among the documents were budget reports and payroll records. But one file caught her attention—a folder labeled *"Confidential: Personnel Matters"*. Inside were notes and memos about various staff members, including some negative evaluations and suspicious remarks about certain teachers.

"This could be what we need," Hanna said. "These documents might show who's involved with Finch and why."

As they continued to review the files, Hanna and Riyoko found references to secret meetings and questionable transactions. It was clear that Finch had been using his position to manipulate staff and cover up his activities. The deeper they delved, the more they realized how extensive and dangerous the principal's network was.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway outside the storage room. Hanna and Riyoko quickly hid the documents and retreated to a shadowed corner, holding their breath. The door creaked open, and they saw a figure enter—the principal's secretary, Ms. Reed.

Ms. Reed was known for her efficiency and discretion. She busied herself with organizing some files and appeared unaware of Hanna and Riyoko's presence. After a few tense moments, she left, closing the door behind her.

Hanna and Riyoko exhaled in relief. "That was close," Hanna said. "We need to be more careful. If Finch is involved in something this serious, there might be more people trying to cover his tracks."

Riyoko agreed. "We've got some valuable information here, but we need to verify it and keep digging. The principal's manipulation runs deeper than we thought."

As they left the storage room, Hanna felt a mixture of determination and apprehension. They had uncovered important evidence, but the stakes were higher than ever. With Riyoko's insights and her own resolve, she knew they were on the right track, but the path ahead would be fraught with danger.

-------