The Prom King: A Murder Mystery ✔

Chapter 14: Bless You

Jonas and I stared at the email. We couldn't wrap our minds around the fact that Chase lied to us. It just wasn't like him.

"Why would he tell us he was going to an Ivy League school, Jonas? He must have known that Stanford was good school, but that it definitely wasn't Ivy League. Jonas, I just don't think he would lie to us without a good reason."

"I was just thinking the same thing. We just have to figure out what that reason was."

I took a look at the clock. 3:00.

"So what do you want to do now?" I asked.

"I don't know. We could probably try asking the other members on that list if they saw anything strange."

"Yeah, that should be a good start. But my dad is already questioning them again."

"That's true, but maybe they'll respond more easily to us. Besides, how many people know your dad is a cop?"

"You're right, Jonas. So who do you want to call first?"

"I think you know the answer to that, Jo."

In unison we said, "Ethan Craig."

Jonas took out the list from his back pocket, and I took out my cell phone. I dialed the number, listened to the phone ring, and then I heard the wonderful sound of hope.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Ethan! It's Johanna. My friend Jonas and I met you earlier today in front of the Popeye's."

"Oh yeah, I remember you guys. How did you get my number?" I put the phone on speaker so Jonas could listen in.

"A friend of ours gave it to us," I said nonchalantly.

"Ok, that's not weird at all. Why did you want to call me?" I felt hesitant to continue, but continued to speak.

"We wanted to talk to you about prom. We heard you were on the food preparation team, and we were just wondering if you saw anything suspicious that night."

"Why should I tell you? I'm trying to relax at home after a very stressful day. You can't just call up a person's phone number and expect them to tell you their life story."

My cheeks burned red with embarrassment.

"I know that, Ethan. I'm sorry. It's just that Chase was my friend, and I just want some closure by finding out what happened to him. Please, Ethan?"

I heard him sigh on the other line.

"Ok, if I tell you what I told the police, will you not do this again? Seriously, it's just straight-up creepy." I could hear faint footsteps on the other line. The sound of his voice slightly changed. I could tell the phone was on speaker, but I didn't bring it up.

"I promise, Ethan."

"I got to the school kitchen with the rest of the team like two hours before prom started, so around 5:00. I stayed there the whole time with the team. Chase was there too. He and I were in charge of the dessert. He was fine the entire time. Then when it was time for prom to start, we brought out the trays of food. You know brownies, cupcakes, the works, and we displayed it on the tables, and then we went our separate ways. That was the end of it. I barely saw him again all night, and when I did, he looked fine."

Ethan's response seemed to be straight-forward, but I knew that I needed more information. Sophie.

"Hey, Ethan, just one more question. Who was your date to prom?"

Silence.

"Ethan, are you there?"

"Uh, yeah, sorry...Sophie was my date that night."

I heard a sneeze on the other line. A high-pitched sneeze. Silence.

"Are you all right, Ethan?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired. Like I said, work was a little stressful today. Is there anything else you wanted to ask me?"

I looked up at Jonas; he shook his head.

"No, that's all. Thanks, Ethan. We appreciate it."

He hung up without saying goodbye. I turned off the phone and turned to Jonas.

"Something's up between Sophie and Ethan," he said, "I mean, you heard how he answered when you asked about her, right? And what about that sneeze on the other line? It couldn't have been him."

"Definitely. Someone had to be listening in to the conversation when he put the phone on speaker. But who?" I asked.

"Just more fuel to this mystery fire."

A/N: Hey, everyone! As promised, AN EARLY UPDATE! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Why do YOU think that Ethan was so hesitant about his date? And who sneezed if it wasn't Ethan? Please VOTE, COMMENT, AND SHARE this story! I love you all!

Till next time,

-shalom900