Chapter 17

During the quiet ride home, tensions surface over Cassie and Michael leaving Lia at the party, but Lia downplays any risk and pivots to debrief. Michael describes Geoffrey’s reaction to seeing him with Bryce—guilt, possession, condescension, and titillation—while Cassie profiles Geoffrey as someone who enjoys authority and chose her because she appeared young and impressionable.

Cassie infers that Professor Fogle is a charismatic performer who attracts admirers, aligning with Derek’s claim that Emerson had been involved with him. Michael adds that Geoffrey relished discussing Redding’s methods and, when denied Cassie’s shock, steered the topic to Emerson.

Pressed on Emerson, Michael reads no guilt in Geoffrey, only a sliver of fear, satisfaction, and loyalty—raising questions about to whom he is loyal. Lia reports only one clear lie from their rooftop encounter: Clark’s claim that Emerson “wasn’t like that.”

Michael’s read on Clark—longing, fear of rejection, and rage—supports Lia’s conclusion that Clark knew about Emerson’s relationship with Fogle. This consolidates suspicion around the professor while leaving Geoffrey’s role ambiguous but invested.

The trio decide their next step is determining whether the FBI knows about Emerson and Fogle. If not, they will pass the information along without exposing themselves. Cassie and Lia agree not to tell Dean, believing he would risk himself for them but wouldn’t accept them taking risks for him.