"What about the security cameras? Did you check them?"
Something flickered in her eyes.
"The cameras... they're broken."
"Besides, these girls are exemplary students. They wouldn't lie."
"Irene, on the other hand, has always been a loner. Antisocial. She has motive."
I almost laughed.
Exemplary students?
I could smell the cigarette smoke on them from six feet away.
And the girl who'd spoken first—wasn't that the bracelet I'd bought Blanche just last month on her wrist?
So that's how it was. Blanche had been using my money to buy loyalty, playing queen bee at school.
And my daughter had become their punching bag.
"Margot, stop making excuses."
Vincent waved his hand impatiently.
"Just have Irene return the necklace and apologize to Blanche."
"We're family, so we won't involve the police."
"But if this goes on her record, her future is over. You understand that, right?"
Blanche peeked out from behind Vincent, a smug little smile curling at her lips.
She mouthed two words at me:
Pay up.
So that's what this was about.
This whole performance—just another shakedown.
She knew Irene was my weak spot. She thought she could use my daughter's future to force my hand.
Too bad she'd miscalculated.
I pulled out my phone, opened the voice recorder, and set it on the table.
"Call the police."
