He would have shown it to me this morning as promised if only he had not left it at home. My stubborn streak emerges, and I tell him I plan to be here as long as it takes for him to finish his work. Side by side in silence except for the clicking of the computer keys. Maybe by sheer will I can cause him to finish this one project he has spent so much time avoiding. Minutes before the dismissal bell was to ring, we have two credible witnesses, two credible alibis, and no concrete finding.
Race cards continue to be played.
He is unconvinced. Thinking these hours of investigation a colossal waste of time, I struggle to find some meaning in this fruitless pursuit. Perhaps the significance was the assurance to the students that we were serious in our search, following up on every lead and tracking down every rumor. We make a good faith effort to hear what the students say and validate their contribution to helping us find who among them has been at fault. We want an orderly school, so inevitably we end up in the role of detectives and avengers.