“I’m going to ask you again before I talk to these boys. Who hit you?” He’d rather ask her in private again, but her parents demanded they do it this way. They expected their daughter to be strong and do the right thing. They obviously didn’t understand real fear.
She shook her head.
“That’s what I thought.”
Mike shot to his feet. “See, this is a waste of time. I’m going to practice.” He ripped his arm away from his father’s grip and stalked down the aisle towards Ephraim.
The boy was six feet tall, large and obviously an ass**le. Ephraim was used to dealing with ass**les. With his jaw set tightly he walked forward. Mike paused, unsure what to do. He probably wasn’t used to people staying in his war path.
Ephraim stalked forward, pointing towards the boy’s parents. “I am not going to tell you again to sit your ass down.” Mike crossed his arms over his chest in an act of defiance. “Now!” Ephraim snapped. Mike jumped and scrambled back to his seat. “Don’t move again.”
Principal Mason stood next to the football players. He was clearly showing who he was supporting. Not smart. Ephraim found Madison leaning against the wall next to Chris and his friends. She was whispering something to him. Chris looked tensed for a fight, but nodded. He heard what she was saying and she knew he that did.
He stopped himself from grinning. She told Chris he was a nice guy and to trust him. He already knew Chris was innocent. He knew the moment he stepped into the school and saw Mike. The scent of the girl’s blood was permeated in the boy’s skin. The little shit liked to hit girls.
“Detective Williams, if I could be of service?” Mason said.
This should be good. “Please do,” Ephraim said as he leaned against Madison’s desk.
“These are fine boys.” He gestured to the football players. “Not one of them has a black mark on their files and they’ve never been in trouble otherwise.”
“What the hell are you saying, Mason?” Chris demanded. Madison put a hand on his shoulder. If that boy hurt her, Ephraim would kill him. The boy looked up at Madison and nodded before he sat back down.
Mason held up his hands. “I’m not trying to point fingers here. I am just pointing out that these boys,” the football players, “are not involved in this. It’s just a misunderstanding.”
Ephraim leveled his eyes on Mason. The man obviously wanted to get in good with Mike’s parents. They were wealthy and connected. If memory served him correctly they were also on the school board. He was being led around by his wallet.
Chris jumped to his feet. “Look at her face! You call that a misunderstanding? He beat the shit out of her!”
“Sit down this instant!” Mason snapped, giving Chris a look of disgust.
“No! You’re talking about her like she’s nothing. Look what he did to her!” Chris yelled.
Ephraim ignored the little drama and focused on Mike’s reaction. He was chuckling and grinning like an idiot. His buddies were dumb enough to clap him on the back in front of Ephraim. That gave him an idea.
“Carol, I know you’re upset and you don’t feel comfortable telling me who did this. I have a favor to ask that won’t force you on the issue. Is that okay?”
She cast a look at her parents and nodded. “Good.” He looked at Chris. “Come here and sit in the front.” Chris looked to Madison. She encouraged him to go. Smart.
He looked back at Carol and pointed at Chris’ friends. “Now, from what I understand these five gentlemen became involved this morning. Do you mind if I allow them to leave? If one of them is involved just say no and you don’t have to say who it is. I’ll keep them here until I figure it out.”
“No,” the word came out on a rasp. She cleared her throat. “They can go.”
The boys noticeably relaxed and filed out of the room, wishing Chris luck. The football players stood up expectantly. “So, we can go too?”
“No,” Ephraim said flatly.
“What? That’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair. Get over it.” He looked back at Chris. “Chris, if memory serves me correctly you’re sixteen years old, correct?”
“Yeah.”
Ephraim nodded. He looked over the football players. They were all seniors. “Are any of you boys under the age of eighteen?” They shook their heads. “Good. Come up here and sit down, you too, Mike. You’re eighteen, right?”
He nodded. “Carol, unless you are going to tell me what I want to know now you and your parents will wait in the hall.”
“But we want to stay,” her mother protested.
“I’m sorry, but you need to leave.” When the mother opened her mouth to protest he held up his hand. “I’m sorry, but I want her out of here for a reason. I also have paperwork in the hall that I need you to fill out. Please,” he gestured towards the door. With a nudge from her husband they left.
Ephraim watched the boys intensely as he continued. “Mr. Mason, unless you are planning on staying on behalf of Chris who is the minor in the room I have to ask you to leave.”
“I’ll stay.” Mr. Mason moved to stand next to Madison.
“Miss. Soloman, I’m assuming you’re staying for Chris as well?”
“She doesn’t need to, I’ll handle this,” Mason said. Of course he would want her out of the room. She was the only one there to protect Chris.
“She stays,” Chris said firmly.
“I agree.” Ephraim nodded.
“Mike, your parents can leave. You are of age and I do not need them to question you. However, if you feel you need your lawyer then he can stay.”
“He stays,” Mike said firmly.
“Fine.”
Mike’s parents left without a protest. They trusted Mason and the lawyer to keep him out of trouble.
Ephraim casually made his way back to Madison’s chair. He sat down and watched the boys for several long moments. Chris looked pissed and kept staring at Mike like he wanted to attack the boy. Mike looked cocky and carefree. His friends looked a little anxious, but seemed to think that this was a joke.
“Miss. Soloman, would you please see if the officer in the hallway has some papers for me?” Ephraim asked. His eyes never left the boys.
“Sure.” She stepped out into the hall and returned a minute later holding a file. She brought the file to him.
“Thank you,” he murmured as he took the file. His fingers ran over hers, sending heat up her arm before he pulled the file away. She went back to the wall, but not before he opened the file on the desk. It held several blank pieces of paper, but no one would see that unless they were standing in front of the desk.