Page 153 of The Ruthless Note

“And I can’t let anything happen to Serena,” I snap back.

She tilts her head to the sky as if I’m the most frustrating thing she’s ever come across.

“Is there any way we can reverse the decision?” I plead. “I know Serena. She wouldn't do this.”

Miss Jamieson shakes her head. “Unfortunately, they found a lighter with her fingerprints at the scene. There's also footage of her going towards the music room minutes before the fire was started. Eyewitness accounts have her fleeing the scene too.” With a worried frown, Miss Jamieson admits, “It doesn’t look good.”

My heart burns with indignation. I meet Miss Jamieson’s eyes and state clearly, “Serenawouldn’tdo this.”

Miss Jamison turns to me. “I don't want to believe it either. But there is no denying the evidence.”

“Evidence can be manipulated!” I shriek. “Remember what they did to Mr. Mulliez?”

She rubs her temples. “Yes, you're right. The evidence can be twisted. But the facts are clear. The lighter found at the scene was Serena's. She did go to the area before the fire started.”

“She cleans that area every day for work study!”

“There's no denying that she ran away like she was guilty.”

“Probably because there was a freakingfirein the building!”

Miss Jamieson sighs. “For what it’s worth, Serena was let off easy. They could have charged her with arson and destruction of property. I had to get on my knees and beg for them to lessen the punishment.” Miss Jamieson looks shaken. “Given her situation, they just let her leave the school quietly.”

“What do you mean given her situation?”

Miss Jamison shakes her head.

I lean forward. “Please. Tell me. She's my friend and I want to help her.”

Miss Jamison licks her lips and closes her eyes. It seems like she’s wrestling with herself. At last, she blurts reluctantly, “The General City Hospital.”

“Is Serena sick?”

“Her mother has cancer. It’s not looking good.”

It’s like a mountain just landed on my chest. No wonder Serena’s been so distracted lately. No wonder she’s always pinching pennies and never spends a dime, even on food.

Miss Jamieson studies me. “Cadence, there’s… there’s something else.” She folds her arms over her chest. “I don’t know if I should even tell you this but…”

I dig my fingers into my skirt to keep from hurrying her along. The suspense is killing me.

“One of the teachers was here early this morning. They saw someone leaving The Kings’ practice room around the start of the fire.”

“You mean… they were at school before Serena got here?”

She nods. “There’s no footage of that person heading toward the music room, so it was not evidence that was admissible in the case. But I know those brothers have been giving you a hard time and I agree that Serena wouldn’t do this.”

My nostrils flare.

It’s the confirmation I was hoping I didn’t get.

A dark hand falls on my shoulder. “Cadence, I didn’t tell you that so you could do something stupid. I feel that you really want to help Serena. And so do I. If there's ever an opportunity to bring her back, I will jump on it. I promise you that. I will fight for her, just like I fought for you. But right now, there's not much we can do except look for more clues. When we have more evidence, we’ll hit them with everything we’ve got.”

I feel speechless and numb. The bad guys get to win again because there’s nothing we—the poor, scholarship kids can do to stop them.

In my heart, a frantic rage is bubbling to the surface. The picture’s all starting to come together.

Dutch promised that he would break me.