11.

Timothy meant to mention the water-balloon attack while still in the car, in front of Stuart’s mother, but by the time they’d driven up the hill to the college’s entrance, he realized that if he talked about what had happened at the museum, he might be forced to talk about why Stuart had done what he’d done in the first place. And if he mentioned the reason, he might be forced to mention some other things—things his parents had forbidden him mentioning, to Mrs. Chen especially. By the time the great gothic gymnasium appeared ahead, Timothy realized how much he wanted to talk about Ben with someone, anyone, who would listen.

But now, he wouldn’t give Stuart the satisfaction, even if he apologized a million times.

Mrs. Chen pulled up to the curb in front of the main entrance. Before Timothy was able to fully jump out of the vehicle, she called to him, “Please tell your mother I said hello.”

“I will,” Timothy answered, hiking his bag onto his shoulder.

“Timothy?” Mrs. Chen called. Stuart had already reached the top of the steps.

“Yeah?”

“She hasn’t returned any of my messages lately. Is everything okay with her? How’s Ben?”

She’d hit the nail on the head.

“I’ve gotta run, Mrs. Chen,” he said. “Thanks for the ride!”

“O-Okay then,” she said quietly. “See you boys after practice.”

As Timothy entered the locker room, he realized he didn’t want to be there. After everything that had happened that day, all he really wanted to do was curl up in bed and continue reading The Clue of the Incomplete Corpse. He was determined to find his own clue regarding the names written on pages 102, 149, and 203. Maybe the answer was in the story.

The locker room’s dim lighting, high ceilings, and dark stone walls created a unique cryptlike atmosphere deep inside the building. Timothy found a spot in the farthest corner away from the showers, hidden at the end of the longest row of lockers. From his bag, he lifted away the mysterious book and carefully placed it onto the bench beside him.

“Let’s hustle, July,” called Coach Thom from the far end of the row. Clapping his hands and moving on, he shouted, “Water’s waiting, Chen. Move it.”

Timothy’s face burned. So much for hiding out now. He flung his bag into the nearest locker. He quickly changed into his bathing suit, before grabbing the book from the bench. Zelda Kite’s worried eyes glanced over Timothy’s shoulder, as if she knew that someone had crept up behind him.

Spinning around, Timothy was met with a smile by Stuart, standing inches away. Timothy nearly jumped but managed to control himself. “What do you want?” he said.

“Scare you?” said Stuart. “Sorry.”

“You didn’t scare me,” said Timothy. “I just didn’t expect you there.”

“Right.” Stuart briefly looked at the book in Timothy’s hands. “Pretty funny what happened today, don’t you think?”

Timothy shoved the book into his locker, snatched his towel off the floor, and wrapped it around his shoulders. “What was funny?”

“What happened to your partner,” said Stuart. “The water balloon?”

“How do you know it was a water balloon?” said Timothy, playing the game.

Stuart smiled. “Whatever, dude. We all thought it was pretty funny.”

“Well, I didn’t. I got pretty soaked.”

“Whose fault was that?”

Timothy shook his head. “Are you saying I threw the water balloon at myself?”

“No. I’m saying you were too close. You stand next to the target, you get wet.”

“Stuart …” Timothy’ face turned red. “You’re such a … a fart-slap.”

“A fart-slap?” said Stuart, laughing. “What the heck is a fart-slap?”

Timothy stared at the floor, thinking of Abigail’s cleverness. “It’s not good,” he answered, then climbed over the bench and brushed past Stuart, heading for the showers.