Kimberlee instantly made more sense to me.

“But we kept records and they match up with a lot of the stuff you’ve been returning. It wasn’t too hard to put two and two together. And that’s what gets you off on the theft charges.”

Hope flooded through me. “Really?”

“And the codes get you off on B and E.” He shook his head. “I tell you, I don’t know how you got that key and those codes, but since you had Hennigan’s personal code, he can’t prove he didn’t give them to you, and that implies permission to enter. It’s a technicality, but I’ll make it work.”

I wanted to hug him. Really.

“The damage to the chem lab, however,” Officer Herrera said soberly, “is a different story. There’s a dollar amount associated with it, and unless you or your parents cough up the money, the school can sue you for it.”

My stomach sank. Hadn’t Hennigan said ten thousand dollars? Good kid or not, my parents believed in natural consequences; they’d expect me to pay the bill.

And there was only one thing I owned that would cover it.

“But none of our prosecutors are going to try their luck arguing criminal vandalism or malicious mischief to a sympathetic jury,” Officer Herrera said, interrupting my dismal thoughts. “Which, under the circumstances, I have no doubt you’d get. I’ve spoken to some of my friends downtown and criminal charges are off the table. So it’s just the restoration expenses and those are between you and the school.”

I felt myself grow a little weak with relief and I sank down in my chair a little. “Really?”

“Yep.”

It was all I could do to keep myself from bursting into hysterical laughter. I had to take several deep breaths to push it back. “So I’m fine? Everything’s okay?”

“Well, almost. I can’t fix much with your school. And Mr. Hennigan’s not really the forgiving type.”

I hate Mr. Hennigan. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve spent the better part of the last hour on the phone with him and, since it’s a private school, the only people he really has to answer to are the board of directors. For starters, you’re suspended all next week.”

My heart sank at that, but it was a hell of a lot better than expulsion.

“I can’t convince him you’re anything but a hardened criminal, but I told him that keeping you in school is a vital part of rehabilitating you. That’s when he went ahead and decided against expulsion. You can remain at Whitestone.”

Lucky me.

“But he’s going to watch you like a hawk for the rest of high school; there’s just nothing I can do about that. This is the best I can do.”

“Oh no, it’s great,” I said. “It’s so much more than I expected. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He paused. “You’re a good kid, Jeff. I mean it.”

I didn’t feel like a good kid at the moment, but I hoped he was right.

“Now, standard protocol at this point—even though you’re being released without being charged—is to contact your parents and have them come pick you up. But we haven’t been able to get a hold of them.”

“They’re on a weekend getaway thing. They won’t be back till tomorrow.” Or so.

“Okay. I’ll vouch for you this time. And there better not be a next time.” His face got as hard as stone. “Are you done, Jeff? Because if you’re not, it’s time to give up this project. I’m serious.”

“I’m done,” I said honestly. “As of last week everything was returned and . . . Kimberlee can rest in peace.” Whatever that meant.

“Good. Because if I see you in here again, you’re on your own, good motivation or not.”

I nodded.

“Okay. Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“My shift’s over. I’ll drive you back to your car.”

He stood and opened the door for me. As I got to my feet my handcuffs jingled.

Officer Herrera rolled his eyes. “Oh, for the love—” he muttered, digging into his pocket.

There has never been a sweeter moment in my life than the second when those cuffs clicked open and released my wrists. “Thanks,” I said for what felt like the fiftieth time.

“Let’s go,” Officer Herrera said, pointing down the hallway.

Thirty-Three

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN as many weeks I slid into the passenger seat of Officer Hererra’s cruiser. The sky was dark now and for the first few minutes we rode in silence. Then I cleared my throat. “Officer Herrera?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you so much.” I ran my hands through my hair, the realization that everything had actually worked only beginning to sink in. My hands shook as the adrenaline of pure relief flowed through me.

“I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t believe you were doing the right thing, Jeff. You earned this.” Officer Herrera turned into the school parking lot—empty now except for Halle.

“I just wanted to make things right,” I said.

He pulled his car beside mine and shifted into park. “And that’s something I support. It’s why I came to your rescue.”

“Well, I’m glad,” I said, cracking a grin. “Because I would have been so screwed if you hadn’t shown up.”