Chapter 3: The Real Thief
The classroom remained silent after Mrs. Sharp's words.
"You still haven't found the thief."
Officer Martinez stopped halfway to the door.
"What do you mean?"
Mrs. Sharp looked strangely satisfied despite the handcuffs around her wrists.
"I never said Lily stole the money."
"You accused her."
"I accused her of being suspicious."
Colonel Rob Hayes stepped forward.
"No."
"You demanded five hundred dollars from her father."
"You threatened Child Protective Services."
"You intended to report a felony theft."
He stared directly into her eyes.
"So I'll ask you once."
"Where is the money?"
Mrs. Sharp smiled.
"I don't know."
Officer Martinez frowned.
"But the reflection clearly shows you holding the cash."
"I moved it."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't want students touching my purse."
The excuse sounded ridiculous even before she finished speaking.
Daniel folded his arms.
"Then why did you tell everyone Lily stole it?"
Mrs. Sharp looked away.
"I... assumed."
"You assumed?"
"You assumed enough to ruin a child's future?"
She said nothing.
Principal Henderson suddenly spoke.
"There is another camera."
Everyone turned.
"What?"
"The classroom cameras don't record sound."
"But the teacher's desk has a document camera used during online lessons."
Colonel Hayes looked interested.
"Does it record continuously?"
The principal nodded.
"It uploads directly to the school's cloud server."
Mrs. Sharp's face changed instantly.
For the first time...
May you like
She looked genuinely afraid.
"Bring it up."
