Read Online Theodore Boone: The Scandal by John Grisham - Free Book Online Page B

formed a tight circle, and no one was willing to talk. But a school is a school, and word spread rapidly. By lunchtime, there were little groups of teachers in every hallway, whispering fearfully as the rumors roared through East Middle School.
      
    Meanwhile, during lunch Theo found April in the cafeteria and sat next to her. They couldn’t talk because other kids were close by, so they went for a walk on the playground. She had checked online and knew of the investigation. “I guess you’re getting what you wanted,” Theo said.
    “Looks like it.”
    “You seem worried.”
    “Did I do the right thing, Theo? Please tell me I did.”
    “I don’t know. If the investigation reveals a cheating scandal and the bad guys get punished, then you can say you did the right thing. If there’s no scandal, then nothing bad happens to anyone, and your letter was harmless.”
    “So what’s bothering you?”
    “I don’t know. It’s just that I’m uneasy about why you did it. In some way it seems selfish. You felt cheated because you didn’t make Honors, so you kind of stirred things up almost in revenge.”
    “I’m not selfish, Theo. That hurts my feelings.”
    “I’m sorry, but you asked.”
    “And it wasn’t revenge. That sounds strange coming from you, a person who claims to always believe in justice. Let’s say those teachers did what they did, and they’re wrong, and because of their wrongdoing some students—yes, me and you and others—are being treated unfairly. Don’t you think they should be exposed and punished?”
    “Yes. And I’m not saying you are wrong, April. I’m just not sure what I think right now.”
    “I need you to be my friend, Theo.”
    “I’m always your friend. And besides, no one will ever know what you did, right?”
    “Right.”

Chapter 13
    M uch to April’s delight, Janelle called Saturday morning and asked if she wanted to go to the movies. They could watch a matinee and have a pizza afterward. April’s father, Tom Finnemore, happened to be at home, which was rare, and was also in a good mood, which was even rarer. He said okay and gave her the money. The girls walked a few blocks to the cinema, watched a romantic comedy with Amy Poehler, and afterward walked to Santo’s, a popular place claiming to serve “World-Famous Sicilian Pizza” near Stratten College.
    April felt like the luckiest person in town. She was hanging out with an eighteen-year-old high school senior, a hip cool girl who would soon be leaving home and going away to college.
    Over pizza, Janelle talked about her sister Binky and the storm brewing at East Middle School. Binky was worried about her friend and colleague, a teacher named Geneva Hull, one of the five teachers who may have cheated. Geneva was supposedly full of regrets for taking part in the scam and was worried sick about getting caught. The school had been “crawling” with investigators and reporters, and everyone was nervous. Even Binky and the teachers who were not involved were anxious. If the scandal blew up, the entire school would get a huge black eye. East had enough problems to begin with. This would probably seriously damage it and might even lead to its closing.
    April suddenly had a knot in her stomach. A huge one. How much of this turmoil could be blamed on her? She had no idea, but she felt guilty about something.
    Janelle knew that April was close friends with Theo, and that Theo’s mother was a respected lawyer. Binky was wondering if Mrs. Boone might agree to a meeting with Geneva Hull.
    Things were now really getting weird, April thought to herself. She nibbled on a slice of pizza but had no appetite. It was all very confusing: Theo, an eighth grader himself, had missed making the Honors track by one point, just like April, and now his mother might become the lawyer for one of the teachers who cheated and thus could be responsible for Theo not making the cut. April explained that she had no idea if Mrs. Boone would have