Rose And Aaron : Shadows Of Rosewood

Chapter 12: Shattered Illusions

The morning light filtered through the tall windows of Rosewood High, casting a warm glow on the bustling hallways. The usual hum of teenage chatter filled the air, a stark contrast to the silent tension that had gripped the school since last night. In the principal’s office, however, a storm was brewing.

Principal Harris stood at the podium in the school’s auditorium, his face grave. The students, packed into rows of seats, exchanged anxious glances. Rose and Aaron, seated towards the back, watched intently. They had barely slept after last night’s events, their minds still reeling from the revelations.

Principal Harris cleared his throat, the sound echoing in the silent room. “I have some difficult news to share with you all today. It has come to light that Mr. Blackford, one of our esteemed teachers, has been involved in an illegal gambling ring. Additionally, he has been implicated in the tragic murder of our fellow student, Leana.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd, whispers escalating into murmurs of disbelief and shock. Rose felt a pang of sorrow for Leana’s friends, who were visibly distraught. Aaron placed a comforting hand on her arm, his touch grounding her.

“Well, that’s one way to start a day,” Rose muttered, her voice laced with sarcasm despite the somber news.

Aaron leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. “Leave it to Harris to drop a bombshell before lunch. He’s got a knack for timing.”

Principal Harris continued, oblivious to the growing unrest. “I understand this is a lot to take in. Counselors will be available throughout the day for anyone who needs to talk.”

As Harris stepped down, the auditorium erupted in chaos. Students and teachers alike were struggling to process the betrayal by someone they had trusted. Rose and Aaron exchanged a glance, their unspoken agreement clear: they needed to dig deeper.

They slipped out of the auditorium amidst the commotion, heading towards the now-vacant teachers’ lounge. Once inside, Rose shut the door and turned to Aaron. “We need to find out more about Mr. Blackford’s involvement. There’s got to be more to this.”

Aaron nodded, his expression serious. “Agreed. But first, let’s see what we can find in his office.”

Navigating through the now-chaotic school corridors was no easy task, but they managed to reach Mr. Blackford’s office unnoticed. The door was locked, but Aaron pulled out a small tool from his pocket, flashing a grin at Rose. “Old habits die hard.”

Rose rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Breaking and entering? You’re such a bad influence.”

The lock clicked open, and they slipped inside. The office was neat, almost too neat, as if Mr. Blackford had been expecting someone to go through his things. Rose moved to the desk, rifling through drawers, while Aaron inspected the bookshelves and cabinets.

“Look at this,” Rose said, holding up a stack of papers. “Bank statements, and lots of them. All with large deposits.”

Aaron glanced over, eyebrows raised. “Gambling profits, no doubt. But what’s this?” He pulled a small notebook from behind a row of books. “It’s a ledger.”

They skimmed through the pages, eyes widening at the detailed records of bets placed and money exchanged. Rose frowned, her mind racing. “This goes back years. How did he manage to keep this hidden for so long?”

Aaron shook his head. “People see what they want to see. He was a trusted teacher, no one would suspect him.”

Rose’s phone buzzed, startling them both. She glanced at the screen and sighed. “It’s Principal Harris. He wants to see us in his office.”