Ava:
I choose a table at Club Coffee, the cafe Lucas and I are supposed to meet in. I need more information about Steven, and he was the one closest to him.
He's taking an awful lot of time, though.
"Hey, sorry for being late, I was stuck in traffic." Lucas sits at a table next to me, still wearing his mask. This virus has really impacted every aspect of life - I cannot conduct a close interrogation so I need an empty cafe with tables far from each other.
It sucks.
"That's fine. I have a few questions I need to ask you about Steven." I come straight to the point.
"Uh, sure, go ahead."
"So you know Steven from a long time, right?"
"Yes. Since we were six years old."
"At any point of time, did you feel like he was hiding something from you?"
He pauses to think. I note the change in his demeanor - while seeming relaxed before, his jaw is now tight and shoulders tense.
Hmm.
"Well, this never happened earlier. But now, it looks like he's guilty of hiding something. He never answers my calls or replies to my texts."
"Since when has this been going on?"
"A week or so."
"Have you tried visiting him, maybe?"
"You know, strange thing, apparently he's been out of town but attends the lectures. And yet, he never responds or calls back. I have no idea what's up with him."
Allegedly out of town but able to attend lectures; and not in contact with anyone. A classic guilty hiding strategy, I write down.
"What are you writing down there?" Lucas frowns. No one else can get to read my notes, my brain immediately responds.
"Just some observations. Now tell me, Lucas," I try to remember the things he tells me instead of writing them down to not look suspicious, "has there been any changes in his personality lately? You may have seen some changes in his characteristics..."
"Yeah, a lot. Steven was always this mischievous kid who would yell and laugh like an idiot. He was such a chatterbox!" Lucas closes his eyes dreamily. I roll mine - if this kid starts getting emotional...
"Now he doesn't talk to any of us...and it's like, where did our Steven go?" Lucas puts his head down.
"Well, I'm sorry about that. But you have to talk to me more if we have to move forward. Tell me about his normal routine."
"He was very active on social media, especially Instagram - he used to regularly share memes. Then he'd check out a place to eat and hangout, and the three of us would sit there and chat, and he'd just keep eating."
"Where was this hangout place of yours?"
"Oh, it's near our high school. In fact, it's like a five minute walk from the main gate."
"Okay. Thank you for your time, Lucas. My partner and I will get back to you as soon as possible."
"If you need more manpower, please do call us. We're always ready to help."
"We will." Saying that, I rushed out of the cafe. Teenagers tire me.
I hope Harper has something good, because what I collected is not going to be of much help.
Harper:
"Classic." I remark, looking at this school's data.
Ms. Sternwall has had a past rivalry with another teacher in her department - I bet anything it's that teacher who's seeking revenge.
I'm coming for you, Ms. Scarlett Wilson. I only hope Jade's best friend, Selene Carter, will help me get through this investigation.
Keeping my research aside, I now log in to Ms. Sternwall's English class - a few students, including Mark, are already here. I roll my eyes at the over-punctuality of these students and wait impatiently for the teacher to join.
When she arrives, she seems baffled by Mark having logged in from two accounts - he smoothly covers it up by saying he has hardware issues.
Maybe this kid could prove to be a good asset for Ava and I...
"So, uh, are you like done with your assignments?" Ms. Sternwall looks down. Apparently, she's supposed to keep her camera on - but she's clearly very uncomfortable doing that.
Well, that's basic.
Something's bugging me, though...
I notice the students answering as they would in a normal class, but their teacher here is visibly shaking. Like she's wiping off her sweat at times and hesitantly looking beyond the camera. All signs that point to someone holding her hostage.
But the real question here is, are we sure it's related to Steven's story? Of course, it seems unlikely to be a coincidence that both these occurrences would happen at the same time. But would it be too much of a reach to declare they're connected?
"WAIT!" I finally realise what's been tugging at me.
Ms. Sternwall made sure all of her students answered her, and kept checking to see everyone was paying attention to her.
All, except Steven. Steven hasn't spoken a single word and yet she hasn't said anything regarding him.
I think I've established my theory.
~~~~
EVIDENCE+NOTES+PHOTOS
AVA'S NOTES:
Lucas: tenses whenever communication with Steven is mentioned. this can be a reach, but maybe he knows something more about the case than he is letting on. another random note - the three of them used to hangout at a cafe near their school. probably not necessary but I felt like I had to add it.
HARPER'S NOTES:
Ms. Sternwall doesn't mention Steven anywhere in her class. Keeps looking beyond the camera.
Her best friend - Selene Carter. needs to be contacted
Her supposed rival - Scarlett Wilson. needs to be investigated.
looks like the two stories are connected, after all.