Enemy Match Chapter 5

Enemy Match

Chapter 5

The ride to Police Headquarters was a short distance but the trip seemed to take forever. Once inside I followed Paul back to one of the interrogation rooms.

Seated inside were Courtney Clubine and Jake Prestwick and they didn’t look happy. They really didn’t look happy when I walked into the room.

Jake just glared at me and Courtney sneered. At least I was getting some kind of reaction out of them.

Canning left the room and said he would be back in a few minutes.

You spiked my water bottle? Courtney said, turning to me. What kind of an idiot are you, Macdonald. Thanks to you the police come by my house and bring me in for questioning.

Yeah, Jake said. You’re in a lot of trouble now. How’s your old man going to handle this. He turned to Courtney. His old man will get him off somehow—the Macdonalds fall into a mud puddle and come out clean.

That’s not true, I blurted. You know that isn’t true. My dad will be furious—but I’m not guilty of anything.

Sure, Jake said, turning away.

Is that what you think? I asked glancing between Courtney and Jake. You think because of who my dad is, that I get away with stuff?

The whole school thinks so, Courtney muttered.

I doubt that, I retorted. But you guys all think that.

Jake nodded.

Because Daryl told you. Daryl never liked me since day one of high school when I didn’t put up with any of his crap. I was just standing up to him—a bully. That’s all he is.

Jake just bit his lower lip but didn’t respond.

You guys gotta get a mind of your own. You can’t take everything that jerk says, he’s got it in for me and will say anything to get back at me. He’s turned you all against me and my friends when he’s the real villain. You just can’t see it.

He’s not a jerk, Jake spat. You’re the jerk, Macdonald.

OK, Gentlemen,  Miss Clubine. Canning said coming back into the room. Enough banter. Now Justin, you phoned me last night about a certain water bottle—.

You called it in? Courtney said. Should have known. I thought it was your girlfriend.

Yes, I said to Canning, ignoring Courtney. I remembered seeing it at the match and Daryl was fine—ahem, relatively speaking, until he was drinking from it then he seemed to get sick.

Well, he did get very sick. There was a trace of a poison in Ms. Clubine’s water bottle. She claims she knows nothing about it.

That’s right. Why would I put poison in my water bottle. I love Daryl, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.

I rolled my eyes. OK, I said. I believe you.

What!? She blurted.

You’re not smart enough to know about what poison would be the most effective. So I don’t think you poisoned the bottle. I mean it would be pretty dumb to tamper with your own bottle—or very smart—which you aren’t.

She tsked loudly and looked away. She knew I was right, but also couldn’t figure out if I just insulted her or not. She and Daryl belonged with each other, that was for sure.

I turned to Paul. Why do you think I’m involved. I don’t know much about poisons. Well not a lot. We had a module on it in Science class a few weeks ago.

Canning pulled a paper from a file folder and passed it to me. On it was a chemistry test from a few weeks ago. It was on poisons. It was my chemistry test.

How did you get this? I said, looking up at Paul.

We went to Mr. Murphy and asked for it. We got a tip that your class just finished a module on poisons and that you aced the test. That one listed next to last. Malathion—a pesticide.

Yes, I said, getting a lump in my throat.

There were mild traces of this pesticide in Mr. Peter’s lungs. It wasn’t enough to cause any serious long term effects, but he will be on a ventilator for a few days.

I put the test down on the desk and looked at Paul. You—think I did this? How—?

Well, no, Justin, he said with a sigh. Of course not, but the signs all point to you or someone you know. Only you and one other person in your class got that question about Malathion correct. But I honestly don’t think you did it because I know you—.

See! Jake blurted. He’s guilty but you don’t suspect him. It’s not fair. And you wonder why we don’t like you, Macdonald.

I glared at Jake. I didn’t do it, but someone is doing a nice job of framing me for it, I remarked. Anyone in that class could have known about the pesticide from the module. And besides, what would I possibly have to gain by hurting Peters. I might think he’s a first class jerk, but I wouldn’t intentionally harm him. Not like this anyway. I’m not cruel.

Courtney just rolled her eyes.

But, I might give him what you gave me, I added, gingerly touching my nose. But that’s about the extent. You guys want to know something. I could care less about trying to hurt Daryl. I wouldn’t waste my time on him.

Courtney and Jake looked at me a little surprised.  

Look, I’m sorry he’s in the hospital but you have to believe me it wasn’t me who put the poison in Courtney’s water bottle. I don’t know who did, but I’m going to find out.

We need to talk to you, Justin, Canning said. Alone. You two can go now I’ve called your parents and they are on their way, he said, looking at Jake and Courtney.

They got up silently and left the room without looking at me.

I turned to Paul. I’m glad you don’t think I had anything to do with this.

Well, I didn’t say that, Canning remarked. I know you, Justin and I’ve known your family for years—your dad and I are friends, but I can’t ignore the evidence. If you tell me you’re not responsible, I believe you, Justin, but only because of who you are. But you have to see my side. I don’t have any other suspects at this point. The police will continue to investigate of course, but I’m sure you’re already hard at work trying to find the culprits?

Yes, I said. You know me.

I do, Canning said, softening a bit. But please don’t get into any more fights—and stay clear of Daryl and his group.

Don’t worry, I will, I said. And I’ll get to the bottom of this.

The filing didn’t get done, but Dad understood. I spoke with him briefly after returning to the lab. He left with Matt around noon and I headed home, leaving Toby working in the lab. It mystified me as to what their case was and why it was so secret, but they would tell me about when they could.

I got home to find Van’s beater of a car parked out front and Van and Raj sitting on patio chairs in the back yard.

So someone sprung you from the pen, Van muttered.

Yeah, something like that, I said. What are you goofballs doing here. Sure you want to be around me today? After the way I talked to you last night.

Well, I didn’t want to come, but Raj talked me into it, Van said with a straight face.

Raj turned to Van as if to say something but Van held up his hand. Don’t say it, he added, glaring at Raj.

I just shook my head. Very well, you boneheads, what’s up?

We came to cheer you up, Justin, Raj said. You need cheering up!

You’re right about that. But until I find out who’s making my life a misery, then I won’t be in a good mood. I explained to Raj and Van about the water bottle and the pesticide that was found.

Whoa! Van muttered. That’s serious.

You’re not kidding, buddy, I said. Someone’s trying to get on my bad side. And someone else must hate Daryl Peters as much as me. Problem is I have no idea who—or why.

That Prestwick is some piece of work, Van remarked. He’s only been in town a few months and already he’s Daryl Peter’s lap dog. Co-captain of the basketball team already when Marcus Bricker was gunning for the position.

Who? I asked. I don’t know Marcus. Was he was at the match the other night? If he was, he’s probably one of the ones who wanted to punch me out.

Yeah, he was there but you wouldn’t know him, would you, Van said. He’s a—.

Jock, yeah, I know, I said ruefully. You know, Van, we are all humans. We all breathe the same air. We can interact once in a while—jocks and non jocks.

Yeah but—

Never mind, Van, I’m only kidding. Come on, what was your plan to cheer me up. Weekend trip to Vegas?

That’s a little over our budget, Van remarked. How about the movies? There’s the new Tomb Thief movie out.

Sure, I said. But first I want to visit the hospital. See how Daryl is doing. I don’t like him—sure, but I wouldn’t harm him. I want to see if he’s OK.

Are you sure that’s a good idea? Van said cautiously.

Not really, but I have to make a show of concern—it might help my case with Peter’s gang.

Van and Raj exchanged glances. OK, but the movie starts at 4 so we have about an hour—then we’ll take you to Billy Burger—our treat.

Sounds good, guys, I said. Come on we’ll take my SUV.

Twenty minutes later we were at Port Salser Hospital, located down by the lake. It was a new facility and was a two storey structure with a lot of windows.

I parked and we headed to the entrance.

Uh-oh, I muttered as we reached the front doors. Daryl Peter’s father, Howard was coming out. He was even more unpleasant than his son and I wasn’t ready for an altercation with him. He was tall and had blond hair like his son and looked like he had been an athlete in his  younger days—but he had let himself get out of shape over the intervening years.

You, he roared coming at me. What are you doing here? He spat reaching me and putting out his hand in a fist. Was he going to hit me?

Whoa! Mr. Peters, I said. Hold on.

What are you doing here, he growled again.

This is a hospital, a public place. I’m visiting someone.

You stay away from my son. You almost killed him. The police were stupid to let you off. I’m going there now to complain. This is an outrage!

Wait, I said, putting up my hands. I didn’t harm your son. Sure I don’t like him but I wouldn’t poison him, I swear. But I will find out who is responsible.

Why would you do that?, he said, taken aback.

Because contrary to popular opinion, I’m not a total creep. This was a nasty thing to do to him—even I will admit that. In fact, whoever did I should be arrested.

Why are you here, then? He asked.

I just wanted to see if Daryl was OK.

Leave him alone, you’ve done enough, Howard growled and pushed past me to go to his car.

Well, that went well, I muttered as I walked into the hospital, Van and Raj following me inside.

I inquired at the front desk and we learned that Daryl was on the third floor but wasn’t receiving visitors as he was still unconscious.

We can’t give out patient information without the family’s consent, the nurse on duty reported. And Howard Peters  does not want to give out any information about his son.

That’s fine, I said then turned to Van and Raj.

Happy now?, Van said. Come on, let’s go. This place gives me the creeps.

I turned around and we headed to the exit. Someone  vaguely familiar was coming into the hospital. Someone from school. The person glanced up and when they saw us, turned back around and headed out of the building.

Who was that? I asked.

That looked like Marcus Bricker, Van said. He’s one of Jake Prestwick’s and Daryl’s friends. The guy we were just talking about back at your place.

When he saw me—us, he changed his mind about coming in here. I wonder why?