Chapter 9 - SOMEBODY WAS AFRAID
The story leaked on Tuesday.
Not the whole story.
Just enough.
LOCAL SCHOOL EMPLOYEE SUSPENDED AFTER SECRETLY RECORDING TEACHER.
The headline made Mr. Ortiz look like a creep before anyone read a word.
The article said the school was investigating “a staff member’s possible violation of student and employee privacy expectations.”
It mentioned Maisie only as “a student involved in a classroom dispute.”
Daniel nearly threw his phone across the kitchen.
“They turned you into the story.”
Mr. Ortiz read the article once.
Then closed it.
“Don’t read comments,” Elena told him.
“I wasn’t going to.”
He absolutely was.
Some people defended him.
Others called him a janitor playing detective.
One comment read:
HE SHOULD HAVE DONE HIS JOB AND STAYED OUT OF TEACHERS’ BUSINESS.
That one bothered him.
Because he had been doing his job.
Maybe not the job written in the handbook.
But the job adults were supposed to do when a kid was scared.
At 4:30, Daniel called.
“Turn on Channel Eight.”
A reporter stood outside Roosevelt Middle School.
Behind her, parents held handmade signs.
PROTECT KIDS, NOT REPUTATIONS.
RELEASE THE VIDEO.
WHO DISABLED CAMERA 2B?
Mr. Ortiz sat upright.
The reporter continued.
“New questions emerged today after records appeared to show a hallway security camera was operational during at least part of the school day in question.”
Elena looked at him.
“They know.”
“Daniel must’ve sent the repair log.”
The phone rang.
Assistant Principal Webb.
Mr. Ortiz answered immediately.
“You okay?”
“No.”
Her breathing sounded fast.
“Where are you?”
“In my car.”
“Why?”
“I can’t talk at school.”
“What happened?”
A long silence.
Then:
“Danner told me to change the incident timeline.”
Mr. Ortiz stood.
“What?”
“The original report said Ms. Kendrick called the office at 1:21. He wanted it changed to 1:12.”
“Before the hair cutting.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So it looked like she asked for administrative help before the situation escalated.”
Mr. Ortiz closed his eyes.
“Did you change it?”
“No.”
“Does he know?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“He told me loyalty matters.”
Mr. Ortiz felt anger rise through his chest.
“Save everything.”
“I did.”
“Send it to the district.”
“I’m scared.”
“I know.”
“No, Miguel. I mean I am really scared.”
He heard a car door slam on her end.
Webb gasped.
“What?”
“Someone’s here.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
“Stay on the phone.”
Footsteps.
Then a knock against glass.
Webb whispered, “Oh my God.”
“Call 911.”
Another knock.
Then a man’s voice, muffled through her car window.
“Ms. Webb?”
She stopped breathing.
Mr. Ortiz said, “Who is it?”
Webb looked.
Then whispered:
May you like
“It’s Danner.”
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