Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“That might not be easy, some of them could easily hide it just by wearing a shirt and tie, which most of them do,” I point out.
“Well, you need to pay extra attention.” Spike throws in. “Because one of those fuckers is a murdering, stalking bastard and if we don’t find out who it is soon, we’re goin’ to end up in deep shit.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I say. “Gerard is taking me to see Alyssa’s parents tomorrow, maybe they know the teachers at the school and if Alyssa ever mentioned any of them.”
“You know, Gerard might just know if you ask him. He would know the staff...” Addison points out.
She’s right.
He would.
“I’ll call him.”
I take my phone and step outside, calling the number I have for Gerard. I have all my teachers’ numbers; in case I have a question outside of class with regard to something I’m studying. It’s beneficial, especially when I’m working at home.
He answers on the second ring.
“Gerard speaking.”
“Gerard, it’s Ciara.”
He pauses. “Is everything okay?”
“Sure, I just wondered if you had a second to answer a question?”
“Of course. How can I help?”
I explain everything I’ve figured out, and then ask him if he knows anyone in the school who might fit the description.
He ponders it, before going silent. “There is one teacher.”
“What’s his name?” I whisper, my heart skipping a beat.
“His name is Derek. He’s been here for as long as I have, but there have been a couple of complaints made about him in the past because he has made girls uncomfortable. He’s good-looking, fits the age range, and he has tattoos. I can’t tell you what they are, but I have seen them.”
Derek.
I think about the social media name I found @yourmandan and wonder if it could be a tricky way not to use his actual name, but still using the same initial.
“Do you know what days he works?”
“He’ll be there tomorrow. He works Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Do you think he has something to do with this?”
“I’m starting to think it’s possible. It has to be a teacher doing this, nothing else makes sense.”
“I can help you figure it out, but I think you should go to the police with this information. He could be dangerous.”
“I can’t do that, not when they think I’m the one who did it. They won’t believe anything I say, not without proof. I have to get proof.”
Gerard exhales. “It seems unsafe. Let me see what I can find out. I’ll discuss it more with you when I take you to Alyssa’s family tomorrow. Her mom has agreed to the meeting.”
“Thank you, Gerard. Seriously.”
“Just be careful, Ciara. We don’t know anything about this person.”
“I’ll be careful.”
Hanging up the phone, I join the group again. “I think I have a lead.”
“Let’s bring this fucker down,” Spike growls. “Once and for all.”
I think it’s about time we do.
“ADDISON AND SERENITY, this is Gerard. Gerard, these are my very best friends,” I say the next morning when Gerard comes to collect me.
“Nice to meet the two of you,” he smiles, shaking their hands. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Thank you for taking Ciara today. We all want this over for her,” Serenity says gratefully.
Addison nods. “Seriously, this freak show needs to be put to a stop and this might be the only way.”
Gerard chuckles. “I agree.”
“Did you find anything out about Derek?” I ask, facing Gerard.
“He was working here when your sister went to the school, and I did manage to find out that he was seen with Alyssa outside a store one afternoon. It might be nothing, but it could be something.”
“He’s our man, I can feel it.” I say. “Hopefully, Alyssa’s parents can help us piece it together.”
“I hope so,” Addison holds up her crossed fingers.
“You two drive safe and let us know the second you find anything.” Serenity says, stepping closer and hugging me.
“I will.”
I climb into the car with Gerard, and we begin the trip to Alyssa’s family home. They live about an hour and a half away, which direction I don’t know, but I get myself comfortable as I scour through everything I’ve found, in hopes of finding something to prove that Derek is the person who killed Alyssa.
“Do you think Derek has done this to others?” I ask Gerard as we drive.
He nods. “I mean, it’s likely. He sounds unstable. After what you’ve told me you found out about your sister, and then Alyssa, it is possible he has done it to a few before or even in between.”
“Have there been any other deaths on campus?” I question.
Gerard shakes his head. “There was an assault two years ago, the girl was beaten pretty bad, but they figured it was one of the other students. They never said who did it.”
This asshole has been doing this for far too long.