I round the corner to my first stop, which is Dr. Conlon’s office. I figured it was smart to go there first given the content of Mason’s message. I hope this is all some weird mistake. That there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for why Heather found a bullet on Mason’s desk, and now there are gunshots echoing through the halls.
But when I see the body lying on the floor, any hope vanishes.
It’s Dr. Patrice Winters. She’s lying on the floor, the pool of blood beneath her growing wider by the second. Her eyes are open, staring up at the ceiling, unblinking. I don’t need to bend down to feel her pulse—she’s definitely dead.
I wonder if she made any money tonight, before someone put a bullet through her chest.
I reach into my coat pocket, feeling the gun nestled within. I had been on my way to Patrice’s office when I came to the school, and if things had gone differently, wouldIhave been the one to pull the trigger? I was mad as hell, that’s for sure.
I yank my hand out of my pocket, wishing I hadn’t brought the gun. It sickens me to think of what I might have done—I’m not a killer. And the last thing I want is for the police to find it on me.
The door to Dr. Conlon’s office is still closed, although light is coming from below the door. I listen for a moment, but I don’t hear anything from inside. No voices—nothing. But if Dr. Conlon were here, surely he would have come out of his office at the sound of gunshots in such close proximity. So does that mean…?
I put my hand on the doorknob, not wanting to turn it. Maybe it’s better to wait for the police. But what if Dr. Conlon is injured and bleeding? What if I can save him?
I start to turn the knob, but before I can, my attention is jerked away by a sound from around the corner. It sounds like a door slamming shut. It’s coming from the direction of the anatomy lab.
Mason must have gone there next.
But there’s nobody in the anatomy lab. It’s so late. Who would be in the lab with the dead bodies at this hour, even the night before the final? If that’s where Mason went, he can’t possibly do any harm, can he?
And then the scream cuts through the air.
98
I start running.
Most people would run in the opposite direction of gunshots, especially after the police have already been called. I always thought I would have. But I’m either an idiot or braver than I thought or a little of both, because here I am.
When I reach the anatomy lab, I can tell from the window in the door that the lights are on in there. My heart is doing cartwheels in my chest as I peer through the window, trying to see what’s going on inside without opening the door. Unfortunately, I can’t see a thing.
Just as I’m contemplating my next move, I hear a familiar voice from inside the lab: “Do exactly as I say if you don’t want to die.”
It’s Mason. He’s in the lab, and there’s someone else in there with him.
I crane my neck, scanning the hallways for signs of the police. Heather called them several minutes ago. How long does it take for the police to arrive? I bet they’ll be here soon. Maybe I should wait.
But if I do, it could be too late. Patrice is already dead in the hallway. If someone else dies and I could have stopped it, it will be my fault.
I know what I’ve got to do.
I take a deep breath and crouch down on the floor. As quietly as possible, I punch in the code that opens the door to the lab and slowly turn the doorknob to enter the room. The second I crack open the door, I can see that Mason has a gun pointed at my classmate, Danielle Stern. The fans in the lab are very loud, and I pray I can sneak in unnoticed and that I don’t knock down something on the way inside, giving away my position. I wish I weren’t such a clumsy oaf.
I hold my breath as I slide inside the room. I don’t look up or even breathe again until I close the door quietly behind me. To my relief, Mason is still pointing the gun at Danielle and has no idea I’m here. I’m not sure if Danielle sees me, but she isn’t giving anything away. She’s too busy sobbing.
“What do you want?” Danielle whimpers.
I pause, waiting for Mason’s answer. “I need you to help me get rid of something… someone…”
My legs quiver and, to my horror, I stumble against one of the tables. Mason whips his head around at the sound. So much for being stealthy.
“Abe?” Mason blinks in confusion. “What are you doing here?”
“Mason, what are youdoing?” I hiss, taking a step toward them.
Mason is still holding the gun, but it’s no longer pointed at Danielle. I consider taking out the gun in my own pocket, but I worry that’s just going to escalate things. And when the police arrive, I don’t want to be the guy holding the gun. That’s a great way to get shot.
“Her,” he says. “She heard the gunshots. I have to get rid of the other witness.”
