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Ephrai towards the boy’s parents "I aain to sit your ass down" Mike crossed his arms over his chest in an act of defiance "Now!" Ephraim snapped Mike juain"

Principal Mason stood next to the football players He was clearly shoho he was supporting Not sainst the wall next to Chris and his friends She hispering soht, but nodded He heard what she was saying and she knew he that did

He stopped hiuy and to trust him He already knew Chris was innocent He knew the moment he stepped into the school and saw Mike The scent of the girl’s blood was perirls

"Detective Williams, if I could be of service?" Mason said

This should be good "Please do," Ephraiainst Madison’s desk

"These are fine boys" He gestured to the football players "Not one of them has a black mark on their files and they’ve never been in trouble otherwise"

"What the hell are you saying, Mason?" Chris demanded Madison put a hand on his shoulder If that boy hurt her, Ephraim would kill him The boy looked up at Madison and nodded before he sat back down

Mason held up his hands "I’ out that these boys," the football players, "are not involved in this It’s just a "

Ephraiet in good with Mike’s parents They ealthy and connected If memory served hi led around by his wallet

Chris jumped to his feet "Look at her face! You call that a ? He beat the shit out of her!"

"Sit down this instant!" Mason snapped, giving Chris a look of disgust

"No! You’re talking about her like she’s nothing Look what he did to her!" Chris yelled

Ephrainored the little drarinning like an idiot His buddies were duave him an idea

"Carol, I know you’re upset and you don’t feel co me who did this I have a favor to ask that won’t force you on the issue Is that okay?"

She cast a look at her parents and nodded "Good" He looked at Chris "Come here and sit in the front" Chris looked to Madison She encouraged hio Smart

He looked back at Carol and pointed at Chris’ friends "Now, froentle Do you mind if I allow them to leave? If one of them is involved just say no and you don’t have to say who it is I’ll keep theure it out"

"No," the word cao"

The boys noticeably relaxed and filed out of the roo Chris luck The football players stood up expectantly "So, we can go too?"

"No," Ephraim said flatly

"What? That’s not fair"

"Life isn’t fair Get over it" He looked back at Chris "Chris, if memory serves me correctly you’re sixteen years old, correct?"

"Yeah"

Ephraim nodded He looked over the football players They were all seniors "Are any of you boys under the age of eighteen?" They shook their heads "Good Coht?"