Chapter 5: Lies, Threats, and Evidence

He sounded almost curious, like a teacher catching a kid in a lie.

“Because Brandon recorded our conversations about cheating. If I backed out, he’d give the recording to the test authorities…”

I remembered the fear, the way my heart pounded when he threatened me.

He might also lose his test eligibility, but his family was rich and powerful—repeating a year meant nothing to him.

For him, it was just a setback. For me, it was the end.

I couldn’t. The SATs were my only way out; I couldn’t lose this chance.

I felt like a rat in a trap. There was no way out.

Detective Harper frowned. “Where’s the recording?”

His eyes narrowed. He was searching for a weak spot.

“I don’t know, he said he’d give it to me after the test.”

It was the truth. Or at least, part of it.

“What did you talk about when you met?”

He leaned forward, elbows on the table. I swallowed hard.

“Brandon brought a few strangers with him—guys who looked like they meant business. I didn’t dare speak, just listened. They discussed the whole process.”

They looked older, rough around the edges. The kind of guys who didn’t belong at a high school.

They divided the participants into three groups: those sending and receiving answers outside the test center, me, and the students buying answers inside!

It was all mapped out, like a heist movie. I couldn’t believe how organized it was.

For every section, I had to leave half an hour early to pass the answers to the people outside.

I practiced memorizing answers until I could recite them backward. My head spun from the pressure.

They would then use a transmitter to send the answers to the students inside.

I saw one of those earpieces—tiny, almost invisible. High tech for a bunch of teenagers.

Eight hundred dollars per subject, one student is $3,200, and over thirty students participated!

I did the math in my head. The numbers didn’t seem real. We were just kids, but the stakes were sky-high.

In two days, they could rake in nearly $100,000—a number I couldn’t even imagine.

That kind of money could change lives—or ruin them.

But the greater the profit, the greater the risk!

I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, one wrong move away from disaster.

I told Brandon firmly I’d only pass answers this time, not get involved in anything else.

I drew a line, hoping it would protect me. I knew better, deep down.

After it was done, I didn’t want the $4,000 either.

I wanted out. I just wanted to disappear.

If he didn’t agree, I’d quit right then.

I tried to sound tough, but inside I was shaking.

Seeing I was resolute, he agreed.

He shrugged, like it was no big deal. I didn’t trust him.

After that, he and those guys organized everything. I knew the process, but didn’t participate, nor did I benefit from it.

I tried to keep my head down, stay invisible. It didn’t work.

“How did you get the answers out of the test room?” Detective Harper continued.

He leaned in, eyes narrowed.

“I memorized them.”

It sounded unbelievable, but it was true. My memory was the only thing I could count on.

“You mean... you memorized all the answers?”

He looked skeptical. I nodded, not noticing his surprised face. For someone with a strong memory, it wasn’t hard.

I shrugged. Years of spelling bees and flashcards paid off in the worst way possible.

After listening to my explanation, Detective Harper thought for a while, then shook his head.

He looked tired, like he’d heard it all before.

“You’re still not telling the truth. Why would Brandon involve a cheating ring? Even if he was dumb, he should know the fewer people involved, the safer it is. Why would he risk his future for money?”

He had a point. I didn’t have an answer.

Brandon’s actions made no sense, but what did that have to do with me?

I wanted to say, “Ask him,” but he was gone.

“You’re still hiding something.”

His voice was soft, almost gentle. That made it worse.

“I’ve told you everything I know. Why don’t you believe me?”

My voice was barely a whisper. I felt smaller than ever.

Detective Harper lit a cigarette and took two slow puffs.

The smoke curled in the air, stinging my eyes. He stared at me through the haze.

“You seem to have forgotten an important person. This person also participated in your cheating plan.”

He let the words hang. My stomach dropped.

“Who?”

I tried to sound innocent, but my voice shook.

“Miles Evans!”

Miles? That name surprised me!