Contents
Chapter 57
Overview
Mr. Loukas’s death is reclassified as homicide, intensifying scrutiny. Mabel confides to Daphne that she saw Mr. Loukas the night he died and punctured his tire. Police publicly detain Mabel at school using her father’s consent, but Cess arrives, invokes legal counsel, and halts any interview.
Summary
After ten days, Mr. Loukas’s autopsy rules his death a homicide, contradicting the accidental-jack theory. Rumors surge at school. Riding with Daphne, Mabel reveals she met Mr. Loukas in the equipment shed that night, hid when Brother Stanislaus appeared, then went to Mr. Loukas’s house and found his fiancée, who alleged other student relationships. Upset, Mabel punctured his tire and left.
At school gates, two police officers approach Brother Stanislaus and summon Mabel. In front of watching students, they say she visited Mr. Loukas’s house the night he died and insist they have parental consent—her father’s—to take her to the station.
Instead of the local station, they drive Mabel to police headquarters in the city. Frightened and alone, Mabel asks to call her aunt and is told she can only call after giving a statement.
On arrival, Cess confronts the officers, announces a lawyer is coming, and asserts they cannot question a minor without her permission. When officers try to move Mabel, Cess crawls under a desk to reach her, embraces her, and vows to “kill” Mabel’s father for allowing the interrogation. The interview is effectively halted as Mabel and Cess break down in tears.
Who Appears
- Mabel (Elsie)Teen narrator; admits seeing Mr. Loukas, puncturing his tire; detained by police using her father’s consent; rescued by Cess.
- CessAunt and protector; arrives at station, invokes legal counsel, physically reaches Mabel, vows retribution against Mabel’s father.
- DaphneMabel’s loyal friend; rides to school with her; hears Mabel’s confession; offers unwavering support and secrecy.
- Brother StanislausSchool authority at gates; previously interrupted Mabel and Loukas; directs police to Mabel.
- Police officersTwo stern officers; publicly remove Mabel from school, cite her father’s consent, transport her to city station.
- Mabel’s fatherGives police consent to question Mabel without her guardian; target of Cess’s fury.
- Mr. LoukasBeloved teacher; autopsy rules death a homicide; fiancée alleged student relationships; last seen by Mabel.