Police Investigation

Date: September 21

Frank saw the police as he passed the principal's office on his way to College Algebra. He had just gotten his test back when a freshman entered the room and gave Mrs. Dodds a note. She then ran out of the room like a scared bunny.

"Jason Grace, Frank Zhang," Mrs. Dodds said. "You're wanted in the office."

"Oooh," people said as the two of them stood up.

"Take your stuff," Mrs. Dodds said. "I'm not sure when you'll be back. The police want to talk to you."

"Oooh," the other students said again.

Jason was clenching his jaw as they walked to the principal's office. The secretary, Mrs. Iris, told them to wait in the chairs. Frank saw Connor and Travis leaving the office and the police called Jason back. The walls were thin and Frank could unfortunately hear the entire conversation.

"How old are you, Jason Grace?" the officer asked.

"Sixteen," Jason said.

"The same age as Miss McLean, then," the officer noted.

'Yes, we are in some of the same classes," Jason said.

"I expect you know why you're here?" the officer said.

"You want to ask me about what happened Saturday night," Jason said. "I messed up. I admit it."

"Are you admitting to taking the Snapchat?" the officer said.

"I would never do that," Jason said and Frank imagined him curling his hands into fists. "Piper is my friend."

"Not you girlfriend?" the officer pressed.

"I broke up with my girlfriend that morning," Jason said. "I wasn't in the best frame of mind."

"You sure won't," the officer said.

He continued to ask Jason questions about the party. Jason admitted to drinking, but he answered many of the officer's questions with "no"s. When Jason came out, he was incensed.

"They think I did it," he whispered into Frank's ear.

"What?" Frank said. "That's ridiculous."

"He wants to talk to you," Jason said. "I wish you luck, bro."

The officer was a burly man with an unpleasant expression.

"Frank Zhang, you were at the party at the Stoll mansion on Saturday night?" the officer asked.

"Yes," Frank said. "I wasn't planning on going, but Jason invited me. He was upset about Reyna breaking up with him."

"Upset enough to dupe a poor girl?" the officer asked.

"No," Frank said. "He wouldn't do that."

"Do you think Jason used Snapchat because messages disappear automatically after 24 hours?" the officer pressed.

"No," Frank said, frowning. "I told you. I don't think he did it. Jason is 16."

"16 year olds do dumb things," the officer said, "and he admitted that he was drinking."

"So was pretty much everyone else," Frank said. "Look, it's stupid to think Jason did it. He was in the video. He couldn't have filmed it."

"He could have asked a friend to," the officer said.

"Or someone else could have done it," Frank said tersely. "Do you really think he'd want everyone to think he's a guy who just uses girls?"

"Teenage boys can be irresponsible," the officer said.

"And so can police officers," Frank said, getting up and walking out of the room.