chapter 9

Uncovering the Truth*

Monday morning, I stopped by my locker to grab some textbooks. As I turned, I bumped into Nora.

"Nora, you scared me!" I exclaimed.

"We can't afford to be at ease, not when we have a Berry High culprit to catch," Nora said, her eyes serious.

Emily, Isaac, Liam, and Josh joined us.

"Sattorn denied painting the elephant," Liam said.

"I know, they claimed they didn't," I replied.

Nora's determination kicked in. "Someone from Berry High did it. I need someone to help me uncover the truth."

"I'm in," I said.

Isaac cautioned, "Be careful, guys. We don't want you getting into trouble."

Josh added, "Yeah, we care about you."

I teased, "Aw, Josh cares."

He playfully warned, "Don't make me take it back."

Emily smiled. "See you guys later."

Nora and I headed to the elephant statue to search for clues.

"Search everywhere," Nora instructed.

I found a red paint can and a torn note.

"Look what I found!" I exclaimed.

Nora produced a gear mask. "Good job! This note says 'paint and else, N'."

"Must be Natalie," Nora said. "She loves painting."

We confronted Natalie in the cafeteria.

"How could you?" Nora accused.

Natalie defended, "That's not mine! I've been working at a painting shop across the street."

We compared paint cans, and Natalie suggested investigating Chloe.

"Her family's connected to Sattorn," Nora explained.

We found Chloe at the gym, leading cheerleaders in a wheelchair.

"Chloe, how could you?" Nora asked.

Chloe denied, "I'm on a wheelchair; how could I paint the statue?"

Kelvin's text led us to the swing.

"Check Henry," Kelvin said before disappearing.

Henry, engrossed in video games, denied involvement.

Nora dragged me aside. "That means it was Nicole."

We confronted Nicole at the music arts room.

Nicole confessed, "Alex and his friends threatened to hurt Henry if I didn't paint the statue."

Nora decided, "You'll help clean up, but we must report this to the principal."

As we left, Josh's urgent text arrived.

"Meet us at the library, it's urgent."

Nora received the same message.

"What's Josh's emergency?" I wondered.

TO BE CONTINUED.