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A smile spread across Mrs Mercer’s face "Of course I don’t mind You kno proud your father and I are of your test scores so far this ter The Mercers hadher grounding for shoplifting fro Mr Mercer, in fact, was the one who convinced Mrs Mercer that their daughter should be rewarded for her hard work But it had all been an act Mr Mercer knew the girl getting the test scores wasn’t his daughter He was probably just rewarding her for going along with being Sutton

"I’ll be in my room" Emma raced up the stairs two at a time She shut Sutton’s door behind her and collapsed onto the bed, listening to the front door open and slah, happy voices sounded downstairs To Emma, they were like nails on a chalkboard All she could think about was that phone call fro on the other end

When a loud knock sounded on Sutton’s door, Emma shot up Before she could say a word, the knob turned with a click, and the door creaked open

"Sutton?"

Emma took in Mr Mercer’s face His dark eyebrows lifted Drake stood behind hi shampoo

"You’re back" Mr Mercer held a plate of pasta slathered in to up here" He stood in the doorway "Studying hard?"

E But he was playing it cool, a smile on his face, a proud look in his eyes "Uh-huh," shehow you’ve improved since school started A whole new Sutton"

Ee to be sick I’inal, she thought bitterly Are you happy that I’lad you can continue your little affair in peace, you horrible murderer?

All at once, she couldn’t deal with hirabbed the plate and silverware, and turned her back "Thanks, Dad," she said, spitting out the words Then she kicked the door closed on him, and turned the lock with an audible click

That’s right, Sis, I thought Get him out of there

Once she was sure Mr Mercer had returned downstairs, she grabbed Sutton’s laptop and googled local Super 8 Motels The second number listed looked familiar--she could have sworn it was the one that showed up on the caller ID in Mr Mercer’s office Taking a deep breath, she dialed

So "How may I help you?" It was a bored voice The TV blared in the background

Es’s room?" she asked in a barely audible whisper

The concierge let out a yawn on the other end "Sure thing," he said "Please hold"

Eht And suddenly, she knew she was right about everything else The wo on the phone call had to be the saht hiht of Sutton’s death The same woman Grandma Mercer had called toxic

There was a click, and then ringing Eled nervously Please, please, pick up

The call went to voice in room 105 wasn’t available

"I have information for you about Ted Mercer," she said, before she could even consider her words "I’ht at nine PM sharp Be there"

Then she hung up and stared at Sutton’s iPhone Was this really what she wanted? What if ain, who kne long this woht be her only chance

I had questions, too Had I ht in the canyon? Or had my dad just assumed I’d seen her and killed ?

Be careful, E into a trap

28

BREAKING AND ENTERING

Friday evening, the sreeted Emma’s nose as she, Ethan, and Laurel walked up the steps to the school A forgotten stainless steel Klean Kanteen glinted next to the gyht It was 7 PM, an hour after sports teams finished practice--and a half hour before the dance was scheduled to start Laurel and Gabby had been right The entire administration ay at a conference in Sedona, which meant they didn’t have to worry about Principal A up the party

A velvet rope had been set up at the back door of the gyly, looking the part with a headset in his ear and black sunglasses over his eyes "Hey," E hiym door opened easily and without a click--Charlotte had ht blue electrical tape