I gave Stephanie a look to cool it.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Megan said.
"We've seen the security footage. Turn around and place your hands behind your back. You're under arrest for theft.”
Her face went long and her eyes bulged. Waterworks brimmed. "You're arresting me!?"
"Yes. Now do as you're told, or I'm going to add resisting to the charge.”
That turned on the faucet. Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she broke down into sobs as she complied. I pulled out my handcuffs and ratcheted them around her wrists.
We escorted her down the hall, away from the classroom.
Megan sobbed and sniffled. I don't think she had ever been in this situation before.
"Where's the laptop?” I asked again.
In staccato bursts between sobs, she said, "I've never… stolen… anything before… in my life.”
With an exasperated breath, I asked one more time, "Where is the laptop?”
37
"Isold it to Alexis," Megan finally admitted.
That enraged Stephanie. "How could you do that to me!?”
Through tears, Megan said, "I'm so sorry. She paid me a lot of money."
Like that was supposed to make it okay.
Stephanie huffed and rolled her eyes. "I thought we were friends.”
"We are friends," Megan said.
I don't think she was aware of the definition.
"Did you tell Alexis about Liam? About what he found?"
Megan's lips tightened, and tears spurted again. She nodded.
Stephanie glared at her, her jaw tight. "You’re pathetic.”
Megan just hung her head.
I had no doubt David had put Alexis up to it. All kinds of theories started to swirl in my mind.
“You’re going to call Alexis and get it back,” I said to Megan.
She hesitated for a moment, then said, “Okay.”
Jack released Megan’s handcuffs for a moment. She found her phone and dialed Alexis. She put it on speaker, and I recorded the call.
Alexis answered after a few rings. In an annoyed breath, she asked, “What?”
“I need the laptop back.”
“Tough shit. It’s not for sale.”
