My worst fear had come to life.
I was so worried about someoneusingme for my money, the realization that I would be discarded because of it was hard to swallow. A pang in my chest grew as I got ready for the luncheon. How exactly did one act after what had happened? I would apologize about not telling him about my family’s month. I owed him that, but everything else was on him.
My blood burned with a little bit of anger as I put on a bright-red dress, lipstick that matched, black pumps, and an extra layer of mascara. If I had to face him, I was going to look good. That was just basic math. I knew money would hinder me from finding love or happiness or anything resembling what Grace and Brock had, but that wouldn’t prevent me from making Christopher regret his decision. Finding love wasn’t for me, but I still wanted to look good as I figured out how to piece my heart together. My phone went off, and while my stomach somersaulted from the sound, it was just anI love youfrom Grace.
I’d always have her, and that thought helped as I got into my car and drove toward the high school. Listening to Taylor Swift normally soothed whatever mood I was in, but her badass tunes didn’t do their magic this time. Everything felt hard, heavy, and sad. Cars lined the parking lot, and I shoved my keys in my purse as I walked toward the entrance. A police officer stood outside the building, scowling as I approached.
“Morning,” I said, forcing a smile.
“Gilly Carter, right?”
“Um, yes?” I frowned, instantly thinking about anything this could be about. I sped, sure, but I hadn’t run any red lights or anything. “Is everything okay?”
He sighed and jutted his chin to Fern, the high school NHS sponsor. “My name is Detective Peter George. I need to ask you a few questions about the scholarship funds you collected for the National Honor Society scholarship for future teachers.”
“Okay.” I swallowed and held my bag tighter to my body. “I deposited the portion from the elementary school earlier this week. I could find the receipt for it if I ran to the elementary school if you need proof. Why are you asking me? Did something happen?” My pulse raced like I’d run up and down the stairs ten times without a breath, and I tensed, trying to read his facial expression.
“Yes, there’s evidence of you depositing the three thousand dollars,” Fern said, frowning and sharing a look with Detective George. “But, Gilly, you withdrew it yesterday morning.”
“No, I didn’t.” Blood seemed to leave my head, making me dizzy. I wobbled and tried to make sense of her words as I blinked away the confusion. I was at school yesterday morning.
“Gilly,” she said, huffing a little bit. “I’m sure there’s a reason for it. I’m notblamingyou or accusing you of anything, but it was your signature on the deposit slip.”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t withdraw anything.” I blinked and tried to settle my pulse, but it was out of control. Sweat poured down my back, and the same gross feeling of dread I got yesterday came back full force. Something had happened. I shook my head hard, reiterating the truth. “I was at work. At school. All day.”
Fern’s brows came together, and she shifted her weight back and forth. “You didn’t withdraw the amount of three thousand dollars?”
“What? No. Why would I?” I stared at the detective.
He uncrossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. “Could you verify that you were at the school?”
“Yes,” I said, so loudly a few people walking into the high school looked our way. “I use my key card to get in, which time-stamps it somewhere. I don’t know who tracks it, but I can call my boss or something. I always get in early.”
I blinked a few times, trying to clear my head. Friday morning now felt like a month ago, even though it was just yesterday.Christopher.The stab of hurt, disappointment, and anger hit me right in the gut, but I pushed that away. They thought I took money, which I absolutely didn’t, and this took priority. I spoke to him that morning. He would vouch for me…right?
“I talked with a colleague. Christopher Callahan. He would tell you I was at the school. Could you explain to me what the heck is going on? I am not comfortable with what you are both insinuating.”
“I got a call yesterday from one of the recipients,” Fern said, cracking the knuckles on one of her hands. “They tried to deposit the check they received yesterday morning, and it wouldn’t go through. There were no funds, so I checked the history.”
Everything seemed to still at that moment. The air, my heart, the dread that I’d felt all morning finally made sense. Before she said the words, I already knew. I knew in my gut.
“There was a withdrawal check from you, with your signature and everything.”
Samantha.
It had to be her. The checkbook sat in my top desk drawer, where it always had, and guilt clawed at me, inside out. I was naïve. Foolish. I never thought she’d steal fromstudents.The bitch probably impersonated me. She could’ve forged it easily. After all, she had a check from me for ten thousand dollars.
“Well, it wasn’t me. That checkbook must’ve been stolen from my classroom,” I said, my face growing hot and my throat getting dry. I needed water, or a straight shot of tequila at this point. “I would never do that, but I know who would.”
“Oh?” Detective George said, the skeptical look shifting to curiosity. “What makes you say that?”
“Samantha Sullivan. She’s been blackmailing me for the past month, and I refused to pay her. Things escalated between us, verbally.” God, the last thing I wanted to do was confess this to an officer and Fern. Word would spread fast, but at this point, I was done caring. My relationship with Fritz and Grace would always be there, Larissa would always have my back, and Christopher wouldn’t care to hear it.
I straightened my posture and crossed my arms. “In fact, I never saw her at the school yesterday. That would be convenient for her to disappear after cashing the check, right? Make it look like me, then ditch. I’m telling you. Christopher Callahan can verify, along with the school cameras, that I was on the school grounds all morning. I would never take those funds, and I have zero motive.”
Detective George nodded a few times before saying, “I’ll be in touch, Gilly. Thanks for the information.”
He walked away, leaving me and Fern in an awkward standoff. She blinked a bit and let out a long, nervous laugh. “It was your name. I had to call them.”
