Page 134 of For Your Own Good

Zach stares at him until Crutcher has no choice but to walk over. But just as he’s about to say something, Frank Maxwell interrupts.

“How nice to see you, Zach. Though I’m sorry it’s under such tragic circumstances.”

Zach nods, shocked to see his math teacher for the first time since he left the school. Also shocked to see that white collar around his neck. “Hello, Mr.Maxwell. It’s nice to see you, too. I hope you’re doing well.”

“I am. Thank you so much.” He smiles, his face so calm and serene, it makes Zach wonder if he’s high. That would explain a lot. “I hope you’ll be coming to the Belmont memorial.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Zach says.

Mr.Maxwell nods and smiles and moves on, giving Crutcher a chance to move in.

“I didn’t realize you knew Fallon Knight,” he says.

“I did,” Zach says. He keeps his hands in his pockets so Crutcher won’t see them shake. That’s how nervous he is.

“Is that so?” Crutcher tilts his head up, appearing to think about this. “Well, it’s a terrible thing. Just terrible. And a good reminder for everyone to have a carbon monoxide detector.”

“My parents bought eight of them,” Zach says. “And a brand-new water heater.”

“Good for them. Better safe than sorry.”

“It’s funny, I was just telling Fallon that the other day,” Zach says, bringing the conversation back to the point. “Her apartment wasn’t really in a good area.”

Crutcher looks surprised. “Oh my, you two really were close.”

“She helped me out with my homeschooling.”

“Did she now?”

Zach nods. Under his suit, his heart thumps against his chest so hard, he wonders if it’s visible. Crutcher’s a dangerous man. Deadly. In the safe confines of Zach’s home, talking to Crutcher seemed like a good idea. Now he isn’t sure. This shouldn’t be his problem, and he shouldn’t have to solve it.

But if he doesn’t, then who will? No one left but him.

“I saw you there,” he says to Crutcher. Voice low, blank expression.

“You saw me where?”

“At Fallon’s building.”

Crutcher looks at him like the idea is preposterous. “I’m sure you’re mistaken.”

“I was there the day before she died. We were meeting to go over an assignment I have.” The lie comes out smooth, just like the truth. “When I drove up, I saw you walking out of her building. You went straight to your car. The one you drove to Belmont every day.”

“I have visited with all the faculty members since the school closed,” Crutcher says, waving away Zach’s words with his hand. “You can check.”

“But you just said you weren’t there,” Zach says. “Now you say you were.”

Crutcher stares at him the way he used to in class: with a whole lot of contempt. It used to confuse Zach, to make him want Crutcher to like him. Not anymore.

Crutcher’s mouth morphs into a smile, a shift so sudden, it takes Zach by surprise. “We’re all very upset today, Zach. You’ll have to forgive me for speaking in error.”

“Which part?” Zach says.

“I don’t understand.”

“Which part was wrong? Were you there or not?”

Crutcher is still smiling, but his eyes aren’t. Something changes in them. It’s a look Zach hasn’t seen before, and it’s terrifying.