The next day, while I'm sitting in the auditorium during break, I see the police enter. I thought they were done with their investigation, but it looks like they might still want to question some people. Before I can fully comprehend it, I see them walking up to the IT guy in the middle of the hallway and handcuffing him.
The man's surprised face was visible from my vantage point in the auditorium. Soon, several others noticed, and people quickly shouted that the matter must be resolved; it was the IT guy. But something didn't feel right. I'd spoken to the man several times, and I'd been observing some of them for a few days now. Surely it couldn't be this man? His heart always seems so in the right place, but then again... I've seen him walking around the school late at night before. So maybe it is...?
After the break, the atmosphere at school immediately felt different. Tension had been high for a few days, with the assumption that a thief was still on the loose among us. Apparently, the visible arrest of the IT guy has had a positive effect; people assume the problem is solved. The culprit has been found and taken away by the police. Everything can go back to normal.
Then I suddenly remember something; I was standing in the hallway. I didn't see many people walking around, just a few shadows here and there. What I do remember is that after the theft, when we were all in lockdown, the IT guy was wearing his yellow work shirt (the one that says "IT" because people in this school sometimes just have trouble remembering who's from which department). When I was in the hallway during the theft, I saw several shadows, but none wearing yellow work shirts. Surely that would have been noticed?
I text Mrs. Brooks, and she quickly texts back:
I was also surprised when I saw them arrest the IT guy, so I checked the schedules again. I think he has an alibi. There was a meeting scheduled just before the theft. Then I remembered, because the principal told me. They had a meeting that ended just before the theft. But he had asked the IT guy to take care of some things they'd discussed during the meeting. Now I've looked back at my email, and the IT guy emailed all that information to the teachers right after the theft. It couldn't have been him, because he was busy organizing the information.
Then I realize it. I quickly reply:
"Then the real perpetrator may have left traces on the new (most suspicious) employees."