electrical sparking from above
the door, suggesting that perhaps
the exit sign had shorted. He and Helen had run outside to stomp
out the sparks that had drifted onto the grass. As he wove his story,
Helen could hear how honest he sounded, how convincing. She
nodded every time he looked at her, knowing that she needed to
keep her mouth shut or she?d ruin the whole thing. Since the fire
was obviously electrical and the only possible source was the exit
sign, the story was believed.
Helen and Lucas insisted they were uninjured, but as a precaution
they were told to go to the nurse?s office for a quick checkup.
Just before Lucas led her away, Helen spotted Zach staring at them
from the crowd, his eyes frightened and resentful. He knew they?d
caused the fire. Helen touched Lucas?s shoulder and pointed Zach
out, and Lucas nodded, understanding her meaning perfectly.
?So much for letting it blow over,? she murmured ruefully.
?We?ll discuss it tonight with my family. Cassie will know what to
do,? he whispered, taking her sooty hand in one of his and texting
his cousins with the other as they walked down the hall to the
nurse.
Mrs. Crane checked them over, shook her head in wonder, and
declared them both perfectly well enough to go home, or even back
to practice if they wanted, though she gave both of them a nonsensical
lecture about hanging around under electrical death traps.
Then she looked at Helen?s necklace and smiled sweetly. ?I?ve always
loved butterflies,? she murmured, lightly touching Helen?s
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charm, before shooing them both out of her office in her stern but
kindly way.
Helen and Lucas beat everyone else back to the Delos compound,