“I’m sorry, Austin.” Livy took his hand in hers.
Austin nodded, and he and Livy ordered drinks when the server came by.
“So… you were saying you couldn’t prove something?” Austin leaned back in his chair.
Heather told him the whole story about Blake.
“And Emily is certain Jeanie Francis is involved somehow. She’s been hanging out with Kade Parry, who’s quite a troublemaker.” Livy reached for the drink the server brought and took a sip. “Ah, needed this. It’s good.”
Heather leaned forward on her elbows, scowling. “And Mrs. Grimshaw—wow, she isscary—said it would go on his permanent record. Do you think colleges will know that he got suspended? This is such a mess.”
“I think some admission applications might ask. I’m not certain.” Livy frowned.
“I’m not either. It’s not something I thought I’d ever have to deal with.” She sighed as she leaned back in her seat, wanting to pound the table in frustration.
Austin frowned and rubbed his chin, his forehead creasing. “So you said that Blake used SupremeMax Drive? Hm…”
“What are you hm-ing about?” Livy elbowed him.
“There has to be some kind of redundancy. Some kind of backup. Let me do some checking around.” Austin nodded slowly. “I might be able to find something. No promises though. And I know a guy that works for SupremeMax Drive Corporation. I’ll call him tomorrow.”
“That would be great. Thank you for at least trying.” A small glimmer of hope flickered in Heather.
“I’ll try. Let me do a bit of research into the service and I’ll see what I can find. I’ll need his password.”
“I’ll get it for you when they get back on land tonight. I know he changed it to some impossible combination of unrelated letters, numbers, and symbols.”
“That’s good he changed it. Never use your girlfriend’s name.” Austin shook his head. “You’d be surprised at the passwords my clients tell me. ABC. 123. The name of their dog or cat.”
“I’m sure he’s learned his lesson about passwords. I hope so.” Heather looked over at Austin, the computer wiz, and hope stirred. Maybe she could make up for not immediately believing him like she should have. Like Jesse did. And maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to help Blake out of this mess.
Chapter 18
By Wednesday Heather had almost given up hope. Austin hadn’t called saying he’d found anything, and Blake was getting progressively more sullen. She’d been coming over and making his lunch and showing her support.
She puttered in the kitchen, cleaning up the lunch dishes at Jesse’s after Blake left to go work at Parker’s. She turned as Jesse entered the kitchen.
“Did I miss Blake?” He frowned. “I wanted to get here before he left for work.”
“You just missed him.”
“How was he today?”
“He’s… quieter now. Subdued. He didn’t even perk up much when Angela called him. I’m worried.”
“I’m sure it’s hard to be accused of something you didn’t do and not be able to prove it. It was hard enough starting a new school where almost every kid grew up together here in Moonbeam.”
“Emily told Livy that all the kids were talking about Blake’s suspension. It’s going to be so hard for him to face that when he goes back next week.”
“I know.” Jesse plunked down in a kitchen chair.
Her phone dinged, and she looked at the text message. “It’s Austin. He found something. He wants to come over.”
“Tell him yes.” Jesse’s eyes lit up. “I hope whatever he found can help Blake.”
She finished the dishes, then paced the floor, waiting for Austin to arrive. Jesse sat at the table sipping some iced tea, lost in thought.
Finally Jesse jumped up at the sound of a knock. She hurried to follow him to the door. Austin and Livy stood there on the front step. She grabbed Livy’s hand and tugged. “Come in.”
