Lorelei returned to the area where she'd submitted the project earlier, but found a completely different teacher stationed there.
"Excuse me, where's Romano's project? Why isn't it on display?" she demanded.
The new teacher looked puzzled, clearly unaware of what had transpired with her predecessor. After a brief pause, she replied, "Miss, perhaps Ms. Harper simply overlooked it. Let me go remind her immediately. Please don't worry."
"Well, make it quick," Lorelei snapped impatiently.
The teacher nodded briskly and hurried away.
Lorelei's phone chimed just then. The caller ID showed "Sweetheart." She scanned her surroundings briefly before rushing outside without delay.
Down in the audience area, Romano watched anxiously as the voting period concluded, yet his project remained conspicuously absent. His eyes darted around the room, panic rising, but Lorelei was nowhere to be seen.
