But the equipment list included several items Nora couldn't find anywhere on campus.
She printed the page.
Then she searched for the invoices.
Most were missing.
One remained.
A payment for $42,000.
Recipient:
Sterling Community Consulting.
Nora stared at the screen.
Sterling.
Again.
Always Sterling.
She printed the document.
A shadow moved behind her.
Nora turned.
Nobody.
She looked toward the library doors.
Empty.
Then her phone vibrated.
UNKNOWN NUMBER.
Stop searching.
Nora's hands went cold.
She put the documents into her backpack.
She stood.
And this time, she didn't hesitate.
She went to the principal.
Principal Howard listened in silence.
He examined the documents.
Then he removed his glasses.
"Nora."
"Yes?"
"Where did you get these?"
"The public records."
He looked at her.
"You shouldn't be investigating financial documents."
"Then someone should."
He sighed.
"You don't understand how complicated this is."
"That's what everyone keeps saying."
"Because it is complicated."
"I think that's why they expect nobody to question it."
Principal Howard looked toward the window.
"Go home."
"What?"
"Go home tonight."
"Why?"
"Because I need to make some calls."
Nora stood.
"Are you going to investigate?"
He didn't answer.
That frightened her more than a yes would have.
The following morning, the school announced that the fundraiser vote had been postponed.
Officially, there was a technical problem.
Students didn't believe it.
Rumors spread before lunch.
Someone said the ballots had been stolen.
Someone else said Nora had accused Victoria of cheating.
Another rumor claimed Nora had fabricated financial records.
By afternoon, Nora was being called a liar by students who had never spoken to her.
Victoria posted a photograph on social media.
It showed her smiling beside her friends.
The caption read:
Some people can't stand losing.
Nora stared at it.
Maya took her phone away.
"Don't respond."
"I'm not going to."
"You look like you're going to."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Nora smiled.
"Maybe a little."
That evening, something unexpected happened.
Victoria came to Nora's house.
Alone.
Nora opened the door.
Victoria stood on the porch without makeup.
Without her friends.
Without the confident smile.
"What are you doing here?"
Victoria looked around.
"Can I come in?"
Nora hesitated.
Then stepped aside.
They sat at the kitchen table.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Finally Victoria said,
"My father knows."
Nora's stomach tightened.
"Knows what?"
"That you found the records."
"What does he want?"
Victoria looked down.
"He wants you to stop."
Nora waited.
"He said if you keep going, he'll make sure you regret it."
Nora's hands curled into fists.
"Why are you telling me?"
Victoria looked up.
"Because I don't think I can keep doing this."
"Doing what?"
Victoria swallowed.
"Lying."
Nora stared at her.
"You helped them."
"I did."
"Why?"
"Because my father told me to."
"That doesn't make it okay."
"I know."
"You changed the ballots."
Victoria nodded.
"You removed me from the committee."
Another nod.
"You threatened me."
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
"I know."
Nora stood.
"Then why should I trust you now?"
Victoria whispered,
"You shouldn't."
Nora stopped.
Victoria continued.