Now You See Me-Gifted 5 by Marilyn Kaye Read Free Book Online Page B

unacceptable was found in her locker during a routine security search.’
    ‘Was she suspended?’ Tracey asked.
    ‘I believe so,’ Madame replied. ‘As I said, I don’t have all the facts yet.’ Tracey knew Madame had to be upset about this. But being Madame, her tone was calm and unemotional.
    ‘I know we’re all upset, but we can’t jump to conclusions. Try not to listen to any gossip you might hear. And I don’t think we should discuss this in class until we know more about the situation. Today, I suggest we spend the class time practising our relaxation techniques.’
    As usual, Martin and Charles groaned, but Tracey could see the point of this. The exercises – in breathing and meditation – were supposed to help them control their gifts. Today, the soft music and Madame’s soothing voice would help calm their feelings.
    But even as they went through the motions of the exercises, Tracey’s mind continued to race.
    She knew all about Jenna’s past, how she used to practically live on the streets. Anything was better than staying at home with an alcoholic mother who used the apartment as ‘party central’ for her drinking buddies. Jenna hung out in train stations and bus stations, with people who wouldn’t be considered good citizens. Pickpockets, druggies, people with actual criminal records . . . they weren’t exactly Jenna’s friends, but they accepted her as another troubled soul with nothing to do and no place to go.
    Tracey knew Jenna herself had never been violent, and she never took drugs or did anything illegal. But she liked to act tough, she hung around with tough people, and she had got into trouble because of them.
    But that was then, and this was now. Jenna’s life had changed dramatically. She had a home with a sober mother, she had friends, she no longer saw her old street gang. She wasn’t looking to get into trouble, and there was absolutely no reason for her to bring a knife to school.
    So why did Mr Jackson find a knife in Jenna’s locker?
    Ken thought he knew. The second they were dismissed, he motioned for Emily and Tracey to join him in the hallway.
    ‘It’s a set-up,’ he declared. ‘Jenna didn’t bring a knife to school. Someone put a knife in Jenna’s locker.’
    ‘But why would anyone do something like that?’ Emily asked in bewilderment.
    ‘To get rid of her,’ Ken said. ‘And I know who that someone is.’ He looked past the girls. They both turned to see Amanda sweep by them.
    Ken waited until Amanda was beyond hearing before he spoke again. ‘I’ve got it all figured out. Amanda knows Jenna thinks she’s the class spy.’
    Tracey broke in. ‘How could Amanda know that? Jenna never accused her.’
    ‘She didn’t have to, not out loud,’ Ken said. ‘Haven’t you seen the dirty looks Jenna’s been giving Amanda?’
    Jenna gives lots of people dirty looks, Tracey thought. But maybe Ken had noticed something she hadn’t.
    ‘Besides, maybe Jenna did say something to Amanda,’ Ken continued. ‘Anyway, Amanda had to get Jenna out of her way. So she plants the knife, she sends Mr Jackson an anonymous note telling him that Jenna’s got weapons, and Jenna’s suspended.’
    Emily gazed at him thoughtfully. ‘Ken, have you been reading a lot of detective novels lately?’
    Ken ignored that. ‘Think about it – it all makes sense. Working in the office, Amanda could get her hands on Jenna’s locker combination. And it would be easy for her to slip a note under Jackson’s door when no one was looking.’
    Tracey had to admit there was logic in what he said. But . . .
    ‘You can’t prove this, Ken, can you?’ she asked.
    ‘Maybe I won’t have to,’ he said. ‘If we can get her to confess.’
    ‘How can we get her to do that?’ Emily wanted to know.
    Ken smiled grimly. ‘I’ve got a plan. What means more to Amanda than anything else?’
    Tracey blanched. Surely Ken wasn’t suggesting that they threaten to destroy the contents of Amanda’s