I paused outside Cassie’s room. I could tell someone was inside, but I wouldn’t know what was happening until I opened the door. Pushing it softly, I was greeted with the sight of Cassie sitting on her desk chair, her eyes open but unfocused, and my heart leapt into my throat. The girl blinked, and I breathed again. She wasn’t dead, but by the look on her face she’d been drugged.

Looking up, I saw Liz Marcek standing by the side of the bed.

Oh, I’m glad you’re here, Paige, Liz signed. She wore an expression of concern that I knew to be fake, but I thought it was safest to go along with her for now. I think Cassie’s taken something. She told me what happened, that she’d been messaging Steve and he told her about his messages to Leon.

I nodded, unsure of what Liz thought was happening.

She and Leon must have killed Steve together when they realised what he was doing. The deputy head shook her head slowly. I wouldn’t have thought she had it in her. But now she’s taken something, I need to get her to a hospital.

I’ll call an ambulance, I replied, pulling out my phone.

No! she snapped, but regained her composure a split second later. No, it’ll be quicker if I take her in my car. By the time an ambulance gets here, in this weather, it might be too late.

What has she taken? I asked.

I have no idea.

Yes you do, I replied, inching closer to her. You gave it to her, didn’t you? To keep her quiet about what she knew. She found out about your little plot to get rid of Jane, and you’ve been bribing her since with messages and little gifts. When she spoke to the detectives this morning she didn’t give you up, you know.

You don’t know what you’re talking about, Liz replied, a scowl darkening her face. She stepped forward, moving closer to Cassie.

The police are here, I told her, moving so I was blocking Cassie from her. I bent down to look at the girl, slapping her hand a few times. Cassie’s head lolled as she tried to turn to look at me. Her hands waved vaguely, but she couldn’t form a coherent sign.

Cassie was easy to manipulate, wasn’t she? I signed, trying to distract Liz for long enough to allow the police to find us. She was jealous of the other students, so you knew if you made her feel special, feel more important than them, that she would keep your secret.

Liz sneered at me. What would you know about it?