The Similars (The Similars #1)(52)

And now this.

My heart races as I consider the implications of Jaeger’s cryptic note. He’s been ignoring my buzzes; Pippa’s too. I tuck To Kill a Mockingbird under my arm and head back into the cold night.

There’s only one person who can help me now. It’s time to find him.

*

Ten minutes later, I arrive at Headmaster Ransom’s house on campus. I’m breaking curfew and a million other rules by being here, but that’s far from important. I ring Ransom’s bell.

Moments later, he opens the door in his robe and slippers, looking bewildered. “Emmaline Chance,” he says. “It’s the middle of the night!”

“I know. I can assure you, sir, this is urgent.”

“By all means, then, come in.” Ransom gestures for me to follow him inside. “You look pale. Sit. Let me get you some water.”

I sink onto his couch, trying to calm my racing heart, and look around. His home is cozy and sparsely decorated.

He returns and hands me a glass. “I won’t ask why you’re out of your dorm room…” Ransom says as he settles back into a tufted leather chair, his pajama-clad legs crossed at the ankles, his house slippers in plain view.

“I’ll get right to the point,” I say, taking a deep drink of the water to fortify myself for what I have to do. “Headmaster Ransom, sir, I received some very unsettling information tonight.” I pull out the copy of To Kill a Mockingbird and flip to the front page. “It’s a note. From Prudence’s father—Jaeger Stanwick. He told me and Pippa that Pru’s in a hospital in her hometown, in a medically induced coma. Only this message…” I hand the novel to him so he can see it. “This message would suggest otherwise. He gave me this book the day he visited. I only noticed the message tonight.”

As Ransom takes in the note, his face sags and then hardens. “I agree, this is unsettling, Emmaline.”

“Jaeger told us the police think someone attacked her. Can you help, sir? Do you know why Jaeger would tell me not to look for her? Do you know who might have done this to her?”

“Oh, Emmaline, I’m afraid the investigation is up to the authorities. You see, as headmaster, I have power over my students,” he says with a small, sad smile, “but little power when it comes to the law. Once Prudence left campus, she was no longer under my charge. I’m afraid I know as much about her condition and whereabouts as you do. As for who attacked her, perhaps I should ask you that question. After all, you were there that day at the boathouse when the incident occurred.”

“Yes,” I respond quickly, “but I would have told you if I knew anything. I don’t. I was listening to music. Putting on primer. Levi and I were working side by side when we heard Prudence scream. When we got inside, when we found her lying in that canoe, it was too late to catch whoever hurt her. We were all alone. Though, if I may speak freely, sir…”

“Please do.”

“There is only one person at Darkwood who hates Prudence enough to want to hurt her.”

Ransom raises an eyebrow. “Go on.”

“Madison Huxley,” I say. “She’s made it clear from our first Ten meeting that she didn’t think Pru deserved to be there.”

Ransom no longer lounges across from me. He sits at attention.

“That’s quite an accusation, Ms. Chance. What proof do you have that Ms. Huxley is capable of committing such an egregious crime?”

“I don’t have any, not exactly. But she missed an appointment, something about getting her blood work taken? And it was the same afternoon Prudence was attacked—”

“Without proof, accusing Madison Huxley of such a crime would be pure speculation. Madison is the leader of the Ten. She has never acted unworthy of that role—no matter how you might feel about her,” he adds pointedly.

“But who else would have done this to her? If this was an attempt to hurt Prudence, or worse, to kill her, then who is responsible? The only people there, at least as far as we know, were me and Levi!”

Ransom studies me. The lines crinkling around his eyes make him look sad and burdened. “The answer may be right under your nose, Emmaline.”

“You aren’t suggesting I did this.”

“Obviously not. Prudence was one of your best friends.”

It hits me like a ton of bricks. “Then Levi?”

Ransom nods.

“It couldn’t have been him.” I shake my head. “That doesn’t make sense. He was standing next to me the whole time.”

“Are you sure about that?” he presses. I remind myself that I can trust Headmaster Ransom. He has no reason to suspect Levi, and all the reason in the world to prove the students he invited to Darkwood deserve our trust.

“Absolutely,” I say, though deep down I question myself. “My plum ran out of battery just before we heard Pru scream. Otherwise I wouldn’t have even heard her,” I say, running the events of that afternoon through my mind. “Levi was right next to me when it happened. I’m sure of it because we looked at each other,” I add. “I remember when our eyes met. We were both shocked.”

“But suppose Levi went into the boathouse, attacked Pru, then returned to your side. He could have been back beside you in an instant,” Ransom suggests.