"I don't know what to tell you. You could bring that to the police but they're not going to do anything. You can't hear what Braden's saying to Jason on that video and you can't prove what those pills are. The evidence is too weak to prove anything."
My phone rings.
"It's Alyssa," I say to Jackson. "She's probably calling to complain about Kade. They broke up at lunch. I can call her back."
"Go ahead and answer it. I'm going to get something to eat."
I answer the call. "Hey, Alyssa."
"Did you watch it?" she asks, talking really fast.
"Watch what?"
"The video. Did you watch it or not?"
"Yeah. You're the one who sent it?"
"I didn't know what else to do. You're the only person I know who doesn't think Braden is perfect. I knew you'd believe what you saw."
"How did you get this?"
"I took the video last year. I hurt my knee so I sat out that game. My cheerleading coach had me take video of our routine so we could critique it later. That clip you saw was just me taking a test video before the game. Last week my coach asked me to find the video so we could compare this year to last. When I was watching it, I saw Braden giving Jason those pills. Braden knew Jason was having heart palpitations. All the players knew. He complained about it all the time."
"But Jason didn't go to the doctor?"
"Only the team doctor. His parents couldn't afford a regular doctor."
"And the team doctor covered it up so Jason could play."
"I guess. But Braden's the one who killed him."
"Alyssa, what do you expect me to do with this?"
"Give it to the police. Tell them you've seen Braden taking those pills. Show them the ones from the drawer."
"Wait—you know about that?"
"I put them there so you'd have evidence. I did it when I brought the pizza over last week."
"Where did you get them?"
"From Braden's backpack."
"Why didn't you turn him in yourself? Why are you involving me in this?"
"Because you're not afraid of him," she says, her voice shaking. "I am."
"Why? Did something happen?"
"I don't want to get into it. I just know that as long as Braden's out free, nobody's safe. He's a monster but everyone refuses to see it. Except you."
"Alyssa, I can't do this. I wasn't even here when it happened. The police will ask where I got the video, and then what? What do I tell them?"
"Then send it anonymously. Tell them to search Braden's locker. He always has pills in there."
"But it's a year later. Finding the pills won't do any good."
"He'll at least get charged with having the drugs illegally. Will you do it? Please?"
