The security officer replayed the footage.
The hallway appeared empty at first.
Then a man wearing a school maintenance jacket walked toward the storage room.
Mrs. Carter leaned closer.
Mrs. Carter: “Who is that?”
Harris didn't answer.
Security Officer: “That's not one of our employees.”
The man entered the storage room.
Seconds later, Ethan appeared on the screen.
He looked around before opening the same door.
Ethan: “That's him.”
Mrs. Carter: “You saw him?”
Ethan: “Yes.”
Mrs. Carter: “Why didn't you tell anyone?”
Ethan: “Because he threatened my little sister.”
Mrs. Carter's expression softened.
Mrs. Carter: “What did he want?”
Ethan reached into his backpack and pulled out a small flash drive.
Ethan: “This.”
Harris immediately stepped forward.
Principal Harris: “Give that to me.”
Ethan: “No.”
Principal Harris: “You have no idea what you're doing.”
Mrs. Carter: “Then tell us what is on it.”
Harris remained silent.
The security officer connected the drive to the computer.
A folder appeared.
Inside were financial records, school contracts, and copies of payments made to a private company.
Mrs. Carter looked shocked.
Mrs. Carter: “These payments came from the school budget.”
Security Officer: “Hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Ethan looked at Harris.
Ethan: “That's why you wanted the footage gone.”
Harris finally sat down.
Principal Harris: “I didn't take the money.”
Mrs. Carter: “Then who did?”
Harris looked toward the hallway.
Principal Harris: “The superintendent.”
Everyone froze.
Security Officer: “You knew?”
Principal Harris: “I found out six months ago.”
Mrs. Carter: “And you said nothing?”
Principal Harris: “Because he threatened to close this school and fire every teacher who spoke against him.”
Ethan quietly looked at the screen.
Ethan: “Then why did you blame me?”
Harris looked ashamed.
Principal Harris: “Because I needed everyone to stop asking questions.”
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