“Over there’s the auditorium.”
He peered at the opposite wall, noticing the same sort of cases.From where they were, Atticus couldn’t make out what was in them, but he figured the same, only showcasing artistic achievements versus sports.High above on that same wall was an enormous banner announcing the upcoming performances ofRomeo and Juliet,which would take place in a couple of weeks on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 14ththrough the 16th, in the auditorium.
Fun stuff.
Atticus followed Slade deeper into the school, pausing at the hallway that bisected the common area and a wall of glass that separated them from a handful of adults working on the other side.The banner taped to the window announced homecoming tickets were still on sale in the cafeteria, and the small placard on the single wooden door read: MAIN OFFICE.
Not sure what Slade was waiting for, Atticus watched kids and teachers as they walked back and forth, some disappearing through sets of double doors on each end of the glass wall.If he had to guess, that was the cafeteria since the smell of pizza was stronger there.
Slade confirmed it a moment later when he pointed and said, “Cafeteria’s back there.”His finger shifted toward the end of the hallway on the right.“Stairs on each end that lead to the second and third floors.The school forms a large square with the largest classrooms at the back.Behind the cafeteria is a courtyard.”
“You went here?”
“Yep.Graduated 2008.”
Atticus wondered what Slade’s high school years were like, but didn’t get a chance to ask because they were walking again.This time toward the main office door.Slade paused to open it, allowing him to walk in first.Before Atticus took a single step, two kids squeezed between them and into the office.They were laughing, but at what, Atticus didn’t know.
Suddenly nervous, Atticus forgot why he was there.
Thankfully, Slade didn’t have the same problem, walking inside and right up to the short counter that separated visitors from several people working at small wooden desks on the other side.An older woman stood at the counter, a book open in front of her, a slim finger skimming over the page.The finger paused when she looked up and smiled like she was happy to see strangers walking into the school during what looked to be a busy afternoon.
“Hey, Mama.”
Wait.What now?
Atticus took a step, then another, not sure he’d heard correctly.Surely not.Mama?As in… the older woman wearing a CRHS sweatshirt and flashing a big grin was Slade’s mother?
“What’re you doin’ here?”Slade asked.
“Just fillin’ in this week.”The woman who looked nothing like Slade pinned her blue eyes on him.“Who’s your friend?”
“Mama, this is Atticus James.He’s my partner.”
Her eyes lit up like her son had just told her he was getting married.“Is that right?”
“Task force partner,” Atticus clarified.“I mean…” His gaze snapped to Slade.Help me.
Slade chuckled.“Atticus, meet my mother.Rose Jameson-Elliott.”
“Nice to meet you,” Atticus said with a nod, rubbing his hands on his jeans since he wasn’t sure what to do with them.
“The pleasure’s mine.What brings you boys by?”Rose asked.
“We have an appointment with Callie,” Slade answered when Atticus couldn’t seem to find words.
“The statue,” she said, her voice quiet.“Good.I’d hoped Brantley and Reese would get someone to look into it.”
Slade’s eyebrows dipped.“You’re the one who brought this to Brantley?”
She shrugged one dainty shoulder.“I might’ve mentioned it when I saw them at the diner.”
Well, that explained—sort of—why Brantley and Reese had taken on something drastically different than their usual.
“You know we don’t look for missin’things,” Slade told her.
“Usually,” she corrected, grinning at Atticus.
Atticus didn’t know what to do with his face.Was he supposed to smile?Remain stern to maintain professionalism?Not that it mattered.If she kept looking at him like that, there was a good chance he was going to run out of the office crying.
