No Honor Among Thieves

Chapter 16 - Poker begins.

FRIDAY

Brought my laptop for possibly the biggest presentation of my life yet. No script this time, not like I used to do every for every presentation I did in class.

I enter the room and everyone turns to look at me, definitely expecting something today. I continue to stride to my seat when someone voices out their thought.

"What's become of your investigation?"

Another voice rings out. "You haven't told us anything since Tuesday."

"Did you even get anything out of everything you did, if you did anything at all?"

Even when asleep, I can tell that the last one was Henry.

One sentence answers all. "You'd do your best to stay after class if you want to know something."

Everyone suddenly got excited, save Jane. She doesn't seem excited, but more like worried. I almost forgot that I needed to confirm one last thing from Jane.

I stand to the front of the class and ask them as a whole.

"This is very significant to the investigation so I require everyone to please be as honest as possible."

Their eyes still fixed on me, desperate to know what I'll ask of them.

"Does anyone here happen to be sick in any way? Like a flu, chickenpox or something else?"

Elle raised her hand. "I'm asthmatic."

Ron raised his. "Heart condition."

No one else raised their hand, just the two.

"If you refuse to tell us anything that's significant to this case, you're waiving your right to be heard."

Still, Jane kept her hand against her table.

"Alright, thank you," he said before stepping down from the front.

The day went on as usual– a lecture, an activity, a quiz, a homework– except this day will end in a very different way.

On our last room assignment, after our last class, everyone stayed because each had their own reasons– to find out who the thief is, to see if Jason makes the biggest blunder of his life yet, to see if Nicky was right, or to confirm if their suspicions are accurate.

After setting up the laptop and preparing the presentation (as in a PowerPoint Presentation), Jason stands in the limelight once more, and this time, their attention was already focused on everything he'll say.

"Good afternoon to all of you. Today is Friday, the specified day to return the phone to the office."

Everyone remains dead-silent as he continues.

"Today, I, along with those who helped in solving this case, will present the evidences gathered this week and tie them together to come to a solid conclusion."

He pauses to look at everyone in the room, who returns the same look he gives them.

"Let's begin."

He presses a button and poker begins.