Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Bexley
W hen I’d first heard the shots, I initially thought someone was banging a door or one of the lockers. Then the alarm started to shriek, and it went from a confusing situation to one of the most terrifying ones of my life.
We got trained for instances like this, but never once did I ever think it would happen until the alarm started. The kids had all recognized the particular tone we had for the situation, we’d only just shown them this morning for Christ’s sake, and the fear on all of their faces was gut-wrenching.
“Don’t panic,” I said quickly, holding my hand up. “We’re going to do this the way they told us to. Close the curtains in case they’re outside, and if some of you are feeling strong, help me move the filing cabinet and everything else we can in front of the door.”
Running over, I locked it and moved right over to the cabinet to push it in front of it.
“Here, I’ll help,” Lamar, one of the best students I’d ever taught, offered as he nudged me out of the way. “Once we get it in place, we need to tip it on its side because it has wheels, and that’ll make it harder to move if they get through the door. I think the big bookcase there is on wheels, too, so if we do the same with that, it should be enough weight to stop anyone coming in.”
Smiling gratefully at him, I stood back as he and some of the other kids moved it over and laid it on its side.
Once everything was in place, I turned the lights off and waved the kids over to the far corner of the room.
Every three minutes, an automatic update was texted through to teachers' phones, so I’d put mine on silent so that it didn’t draw attention to our room.
The next update came through just as one of the girls asked what was going on.
Piersville HS Emergency: Shots believed to be off-campus. Police en route. Remain in response groups.
Okay, that was good news, but I was also worried about Logan.
Almost like thinking about him made him appear, my phone buzzed, and his name came up with a text.
Logan: We can’t talk, but we can text. We know what’s going on and are dealing with it. Stay wherever you’re safest, and don’t come out until we confirm it’s all clear. I love you.
Me: I’m doing okay, all of the kids are safe. We’ve barricaded the door with furniture, and I’ve got them in the safest area away from the door and windows. Please stay safe, but also make sure they don’t hurt anyone.
It felt like hours, but it was only minutes when my phone buzzed again.
“Are we okay?” one of the girls whimpered through her gentle sobbing, breaking my heart.
Reaching over, I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “We’re good, honey. The Police are dealing with it, and it’s all going to be over soon.”
“My— My boyfriend’s in Miss Waite’s room this period. Is he okay?” she croaked.
Ignoring the text from Logan for a moment, I sent one to Tamsin to double check. “I’ve just texted her, so I’ll be able to give you that answer in a second. I’m almost certain they are, though. She’s damn smart, isn’t she?”
“You both are,” she replied. “We all think you and Miss Waite are the shit— Sorry, we think y’all are great. You talk to us like we’re humans and our opinions count, and you teach us stuff no one thinks about.”
I wasn’t sure if that last one was a compliment per se, but I’d take it.
“Thanks, honey.” Then my phone buzzed with a message from Tamsin, and I relaxed slightly. “Okay, she says they’re all great, and the boys are playing poker.”
There was a gross sniff which made me regret eating a cinnamon roll on my way in, but then she giggled. “That’s just like Drew.”
Scrolling down, I opened Logan’s message.
“I just need to check on my boyfriend now. If he’s playing poker, I’ll kick his butt,” I told them, smiling when I heard quiet chuckles.
Logan: We’re behind the school. There are shells on the ground, but no one’s here. Stay where you are until we know more.
Was that advice really necessary? Of course I was going to stay where I was until they found the asshole.
Sending a message to tell him that I stayed alert in case the person was in the school.
The next update came through from the school system.
Piersville HS Emergency: Remain in classrooms until further notice. Parents have been informed and told to stay away from the property. Zero casualties reported so far.
“Jesus,” I breathed, getting the kids' attention. “So far, they haven’t found anyone who’s been injured. That’s great news.”
“Is your boyfriend helping out with it?” Lamar asked, his maturity shining through as he watched over the others.
“Yeah, so we know we’re in the best hands.”
“My mom says that y’all’s relationship is like a real life romance book,” Ashlienne, one of the girls, said. “Everyone knew y’all would get together when you were kids, so they’re happy you finally got your asses into gear.”
I would not laugh, I would not laugh.
I laughed, but I still managed to say, “Don’t say ass.”
“Are you getting married?” someone else asked, and I realized they were doing it to distract themselves and everyone else from our situation from hell.
“Maybe one day,” I shrugged.
“Has he asked you yet?”
I was relieved the room was dark when I blushed, remembering this morning. “Uh, no, he hasn’t asked.”
“Will you say yes?” one of the girls whisper hissed.
“I’ve never been someone who wanted to get married, but I guess if he does it on the right day, I’ll say yes. I can’t make it too easy for him, can I?”
For the next hour, we discussed things like my relationship and the kittens while I kept an eye on the updates coming in.
I was so killer at multi-tasking that I even managed to play a game of I spy with Tamsin while we were in different rooms. Crazy but true, and it helped to keep me calm and level-headed.
Then we got the message we’d all been waiting for.
Piersville HS Emergency: Police have cleared the school, and parents have been updated. Students are being released immediately. Police will be in attendance to ensure the safety of all people on campus. An update will be given to all staff once we have one.
It took a hell of a lot more strength to lift the filing cabinet and bookcase back up again, but we finally managed it and cautiously made our way to where DB, Raoul, Alex, and Logan were standing at the front doors.
“Good afternoon, we’re your friendly escorts this afternoon,” DB greeted, smiling widely at them.
Hopefully, the students didn’t notice how pissed off he was, but for me, it was evident in the clenching of his jaw and the hardness in his eyes.
“Now, your parents are going to meet you, and you’re to get into the vehicle quickly. We’ll walk you down and make sure everything’s okay, but the sooner we get y’all home to recover from today, the better.”
Amazingly, it all went smoothly. I was shocked that none of the parents stopped to demand answers, but maybe the updates they’d received told them they had to be quick.
Within an hour, everyone was out, leaving just the faculty behind.
Holding a hand up, Principal Teller got our attention. “We have no answers aside from what our law enforcement officers have no doubt told you. There’s no damage to the school, but they found casings on the football field, just out of sight of the security cameras.”
Then, almost like he was talking to himself, he added, “Which we’ll be sorting out tomorrow. Who sets up security cameras that don’t get the whole property. Waste of fucking money and an absolute risk to our safety and the safety of the students. I better speak to John Tafferty about organizing something with Tamsin to help the students.”
“Who decided on placement and arranged the funding for it all?” DB asked, interrupting his planning for what sounded like therapy for the students if Mr. Tafferty was involved. He was a psychologist who worked with Tamsin to educate the kids on the subject and touched base with them about mental health when a student needed it.
“Mayor Kirkwood. We had a new security system put in when Tabby started working here, I think? Yes, it must have been back then.”
DB’s eyes flashed at the mention of his wife, who was tucked securely under his arm, looking pissed off at the information.
“Alejandro and Carter are looking over the footage you’ve got to see if they can spot the person responsible, and we have Garrett fingerprinting the casings. Palmerstown P.D. is sending over some of their officers to search for footprints and any trails they can find. If everyone could go home—using the door at the front because we don’t want the casings to be disturbed or any evidence to be lost—it’ll make it easier for them to work.”
Almost jumping at the authority in DB’s voice, Principal Teller nodded frantically. “Absolutely, of course. I’ll speak to the mayor about—”
“No,” DB barked, making him jump properly this time. “For now, we’d prefer that Mayor Kirkwood wasn’t involved in this. He’s assisting us with our investigations…” he trailed off, but the look on his face said otherwise.
Surprisingly, Teller was quick to grasp what he meant. “Finally! I think y’all are going to be busy once you get to looking into his affairs. He’s the most crooked man I’ve ever met, and I hope you’ll excuse me for saying it, but he and his sons are complete assholes.”
“I’m willing to bet you’ll be right about his affairs, and you’ve got no argument from me on calling them assholes,” DB agreed, rocking back on his heels.
Logan walked with me out to the car, keeping his arm around me and his attention on our surroundings.
The fact that someone was shooting near or at a school was terrifying, but my nightmare wasn’t over because Logan was going to be investigating it. What if he came across the person and they still had the weapon?
“Are you going to be okay?”
He didn’t reply until we got to my car, and then he was glaring for a new reason. “After this is all over, we’re going car shopping.”
“No, we’re not. I like my car, it’s what I can afford, and it’s better for the environment than yours is. Do you know how much I pay for gas every month? I’ll bet it’s half what you do.”
“Then we’ll find you an environmentally friendly vehicle. Just not this one. ”
Throwing my bag across my seat and into the passenger’s side, I scowled at him over my shoulder. “I like my car, and I’m keeping my car. It reminds me of one of the Decepticons in the Transformers cartoons.”
Rolling his eyes, he motioned at me to get inside. “Go back to the motel and lock yourself in the room, okay? I’ll text you when I know what’s going on.”
Searching his eyes, I saw his concern clear as day. I could give him this. “I’ll do just that and text you to let you know I got there.”
“Thank you,” he whispered, giving me a lip touch. “Stay safe, and I love you.”
“Ditto, honey.”
I’d just gotten into my seat and was reaching for my seatbelt when he added, “And give the babies a kiss for me and tell Miracle I’ll see her tonight.”
Jesus, this man, and those kittens. “Anything you want me to tell Doyle?”
With his hand on the door to shut it, he smiled and winked at me. “Yeah, tell him to look after all of my girls, and if anyone comes that he doesn’t like, he’s okay to attack them. If he doesn’t get the memo, throw one of my t-shirts at the person and let Doyle go to town on them.”
He might have slammed the door shut after he said it, but there was no way he didn’t hear my laughter, even over the purring of my baby.