"I'm always near the music room after hours," Elijah countered. "I practice there with Mr. Delacroix's permission."
"Convenient," Cartwright murmured. "Unfortunately, our security footage from last night appears to be missing. Mrs. Drake reports a corrupted file." He leaned forward. "Until this matter is resolved, I have no choice but to suspend you pending investigation."
"What?" Elijah's voice rose in disbelief. "Based on what evidence?"
"Based on the fact that you had both motive and opportunity," Cartwright replied coldly. "Perhaps the pressure of living up to yesterday's performance was too much."
Before Elijah could protest further, Mrs. Drake handed him a formal suspension notice. "You are not to set foot on school property until this investigation is concluded," she stated. "All your belongings will be collected and delivered to your home."
As Elijah left the office in shocked silence, he found Dell waiting in the hallway, his face ashen. "This is outrageous," the old teacher sputtered. "They can't possibly—"
"They already have," Elijah interrupted quietly. "I'm suspended."
Dell placed a hand on Elijah's shoulder. "We'll fight this. I'll speak to the board. Call in every favor I'm owed. They can't get away with—"
His words were cut short as he suddenly grimaced, pressing a hand to his chest. His face contorted in pain.
"Dell?" Elijah asked, alarmed. "Are you okay?"
The teacher tried to respond, but instead crumpled forward. Elijah caught him before he hit the floor, lowering him gently.
"Help!" he shouted. "Somebody help!"
Teachers and students poured into the hallway as Elijah knelt beside Dell, who was now breathing in shallow gasps, his face gray. Someone called 911 while others cleared space around them. Paramedics arrived minutes later, quickly assessing Dell's condition as a mild stroke.
As they loaded him onto a stretcher, he reached for Elijah's hand. "Don't let them win," he managed to say before being wheeled away.
Alicia found Elijah sitting alone on the steps outside the school, watching as the ambulance carrying Dell disappeared down the street.