“I won’t be here long. I know this is hard on you with Angela gone, but I’m here because I also want to know the truth about what happened to her.”

Mandy doesn’t answer right away. I notice her eyes are puffy and red. I can sense the ache of pain shuffling through her body. I know the feeling, when you’ve been through so much you can’t even talk because it hurts so much.

“Did you know Angela and Jamal were seeing each other?” I take a chance and let out their secret.

“Of course.” Mandy musters an eye roll.

“Did you know she wanted me to work on some exposé?”

Mandy nods slowly. Looking around, checking to see if anyone else is within hearing distance. I look to where Quincy was waiting and notice he’s gone now. He’s moved up the stairs to the top deck where Tasha waits.

“You think my brother killed her?”

“I’m not talking about it.” Mandy grips the swing handles and takes a seat. She’s not yelling at me to leave, so I take a seat next to her.

“I know that Jamal was worried about her,” I say. “Before she went to the Pike.”

“I can’t talk about it.”

Mandy flicks her eyes. There’s fear there.

“If you know who killed Angela, you have to say something.”

“I don’t know who killed Angela.”

“But you don’t think it’s my brother.” I hold my breath, hoping she agrees.

“Jamal wouldn’t hurt Angela. I don’t think he’s the type to let anything ruffle his feathers. If she was arguing, it was always with Chris.”

My chest explodes in relief. If Angela’s own best friend doesn’t believe it, then maybe Jamal stands a chance.

“What was she working on?” I croak out. “I can help.”

“How can you help? You’re talking to me, which means you know nothing more than I do.”

“Angela had a micro SD card with photos from Tuesday nights at the Pike. Angela was out there on Tuesday—”

“You found them?” Mandy whispers, leaning toward me. I stay silent. I need Mandy to let something slip. “I couldn’t find them anywhere.”

“Was that why you were cleaning out her desk, putting things in a backpack?”

“If they knew you had them, you could be in danger, Tracy.” Mandy grabs my arm. “You have to stop looking around. Angela is dead because of those photos from the Pike.”

“I don’t get it. Why because of the photos?”

I don’t share that Beverly has them now.

“Not because of the photos—what she uncovered.”

“Who trashed the classroom?”

“I don’t know. Just that you didn’t. It’s not your style. But someone wanted to make it look like you did it. I just wasn’t going to let them get away with that.”