Shatter by Nikki Trionfo

Author:Nikki Trionfo [Trionfo, Nikki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cedar Fort Publishing
Published: 2017-08-15T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Iwake up Sunday thinking how Cordero suspects Dad. He has to be wrong. Mayor Knockwurst is the one who threatened Carrie. He should be hauled to the police station this second—and arrested this second and sentenced to jail for life this second and maybe executed tomorrow. I’m not even sure of my views on the death penalty, but I figure one day is plenty of time to decide.

I stew on questions. If the mayor is the killer, I can trust Dad, right? What about the police?

I get through breakfast fueled by physical pain. My cheekbone only hurts when I put pressure on it, but my hip and shoulder throb no matter what. Bits of antibiotic goo from my shallow cuts get stuck in my hair, so I shower twice. The lady who treated me kept saying I might have been exposed to the blood of the perpetrator, who surely has all sorts of diseases. I prefer to think this is inaccurate, but don’t protest when Dad takes me to the hospital for a battery of blood work.

We get home to a message from Officer Haynes that police have lifted perfect fingerprints from Elena’s house, but don’t have the match in their system. I’m relieved. Seeing Cordero is as important as getting my hands on that grower’s tape. We’re a team now. AddyDay is on my side too. Ordered to rest for the day, I’m unable to go to her house. I leave a voicemail for her explaining the official version of the house break-in in case her mayor stepdad intercepts it. She doesn’t respond, which worries me.

Monday morning finally comes. I tell Dad I want to go to school.

“You sure?” he asks, nodding at my face.

“The cuts have sealed. I think makeup will mostly cover them.”

“Well, okay.” He’s been cautious around me since the break-in. Willing to give me anything I want, even space and silence.

I put on twice my usual amount of foundation, a pair of quick-dry running pants, and a long-sleeved cotton tee. I stare at my reflection. I look puffy and red, but more boy-troubled than assaulted.

At school, I find out both community leaders are at the gym to meet with the prosecution team—Rick Thornton and Officer Haynes. Both the men who were with me Saturday night.

Mr. White calls to me the moment I step into the gym. “Salem, get ready to record a round of witness questions.”

Nodding, I sit next to AddyDay on the bleachers. We glance at each other significantly, but we have no privacy for chatting.

Cordero doesn’t arrive by the time the bell rings. Mr. White begins class.

“Team, your community leaders are here to help you hone your courtroom skills,” he announces. “In this scene, Officer Haynes will be a prosecution lawyer and Rick will be Lee Oswald, the suspect accused of killing JFK. Officer Haynes will deviate from the script written by your team and ask his own questions. Take notes on what kind of information he digs for. Uncover strategies you haven’t thought of.

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