Droid and I were halfway downstairs on the way to dinner when Steven and Nate caught up to us. They asked if I had a minute.
“Not really,” I said. I wanted to get through dinner fast and try phoning Abby again. If I didn’t hear from her tonight, I was going over to Wallingford. She had the photo, and we needed to decide what to do with it.
“It’s important,” Steven said, blocking my way.
“Easy,” Nate said, putting a protective hand on my shoulder. “Bram knows what’s up. He’ll hear us out. Right, Bram?”
Droid and I exchanged glances. “You want me to stay?” he asked.
I shook my head. “It’s okay. Save me a spot.” If I didn’t show up, he’d know something was wrong.
Droid continued downstairs. Steven, Nate and I waited on the landing until everyone had gone. The landing had a stained glass window, but it was already dark outside.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “What’s up?”
“You’ve been asking some questions lately. Hanging around with Jeremy’s sister. Anything you want to tell us?” Steven asked.
“That it’s none of your business who I hang out with,” I said, moving closer to the stairs.
Nate leaned against the window ledge. “Down boy,” he said. “We’re here to help you. You said something about having proof that Coach was at that party. This wouldn’t happen to be a photo you got from Jeremy, would it?”
I grabbed the banister. “How do you know about that?”
He smiled. “I’m resourceful. All I want to say is, it’s better for everyone if that photo never existed. What’s the big deal anyway? It was three years ago.”
“You weren’t even there,” I said. “What does any of this have to do with you?”
“Coach is a friend of Nate’s father,” Steven said.
The friendly look vanished from Nate’s face. “Shut it,” he said. He turned back to me. “Coach came to my father for help. Dad was able to…guide the investigation, so that things worked out best for everyone.”
I thought of the Tams, back at the hospital. “Everyone.”
Nate nodded. “And now all we need to do is make sure that the photo disappears. You can help me with that, right, Bram?”
“I don’t have it,” I said. I was glad I had given it to Abby for safekeeping.
“We know,” Steven said.
My mouth went dry. The only way they could know that I didn’t have the photo anymore was if they knew I had given it to Abby. Had they seen me hand it to her? Or had they gotten to her somehow? Was this why she hadn’t answered her phone?
“We’re asking about copies,” Nate said. “You didn’t copy it, did you? Or scan it, or do anything silly like that?”
I shook my head.
“So you won’t mind if we check your room? As teammates and all.”
My heart pounded. I had to find Abby. I had to make sure she was all right. My hands were sweaty. I fumbled for my keys and handed them to Nate. “Here!” I said. “Knock yourselves out.”
I ran downstairs to the refectory. Droid was at our usual table, talking technology with his friends. Red Cap was sitting with them. I did a double take.
“Dude,” Droid said, spotting me. “All is well?”
I shook my head. “They’re searching the room,” I said. “Take your friends, grab a teacher, don’t go alone, but don’t let them hurt your computer. You have to send that picture to the police as soon as you can. Tell them everything. I’m going to find Abby.”
His face paled. “On it,” he said.
As I left, Droid said something to Red Cap, who nodded. At least Droid would have some muscle on his side.
I raced for the bike rack, but someone had slashed my tires. Mumbling an apology to Droid, I took his bike instead. It was time to talk to the one man who might have some answers. Coach.