“I’m transferring you the files,” Anthony said, the sound of his typing making its way over the microphone.

Conner watched as a small notification appeared on the screen, Erik downloading whatever Anthony had sent. Conner instinctively leaned in closer, Erik sliding the laptop over the bed so that Conner could see.

What looked like a video opened automatically on the screen, Erik maximizing it so that Anthony was just a small square in the top right corner. Conner glanced at the timestamp, gaping as he saw it was nearly three hours long.

“What speed should I set this to?” Erik asked, the mouse hovering over the progress bar.

“Ten times playback, probably,” Anthony said, “I just skimmed through most of it, but it’s definitely your culprit. Audio’s been scrubbed though if there was any, not that I can really tell. Call me back when you finish the video. Should take you maybe half an hour if you really want to watch the whole thing.”

“Thanks Anthony, we owe you,” Erik said, watching Anthony’s image disappear.

Together,  Conner and Erik examined what was a reconstructed timeline of someone dressed head to toe in black, beginning as they exited a room in the main science corridor. Over the next half hour, they were silent as they watched the figure walk through the science department and drop something in one of the classrooms. They followed the progression of the fire and explosion, watching from various angles as the culprit escaped through the window.

Conner saw the moment the person stopped to look at him, going around the side of the school where the cameras picked them up entering— “That’s the supply shed,” Conner said, frowning. “I used to go in there all the time in first year when we were doing our tree-planting-initiative.”

Erik didn’t look at Conner, watching for a few more minutes as the camera focused on the supply shed, before the video ended. He frowned, shaking his head. “So, they just never exited the shed?”

Conner looked up at him, his eyes darting to the small mark by his mouth. “Maybe there’s a secret passage?” Conner asked innocently.

“It would have to be really well hidden. Student’s go in there all the time. I mean, how many times have you been there? Wouldn’t someone have stumbled across it by now?” Erik shut the laptop, leaning against the wall as he bit his thumb. "I mean, why is there no evidence of any person going into the science classroom before this rando dressed in black comes out?”

Conner looked at Erik, seeing the wheels in his head turning. Conner sighed, Erik finally meeting his eyes. For the first time he knew exactly what Erik was thinking. “You think someone’s already altered the recording? Are you sure Anthony didn’t just leave it out?”

“Why would he?” Erik asked, “I mean the whole point is to find out who this creep is.” Erik passed his laptop to Conner, saying sternly, “Let's call him back.”

Conner did so, Anthony answering with, “Hey, what do you guys make of that?”

Erik leaned into Conner, resting his head on top of his. Erik didn’t seem to notice Conner’s embarrassment as he said, “None of the recording showed anyone entering the classroom before the culprit or leaving after they entered the shed?”

Anthony shook his head, swiveling in his chair. “No, I thought that was weird too. And you want to know something weirder? Everything I just sent you has been deleted from the system.”

“What?” it was Conner this time, “Are you sure?”

Anthony nodded, his face completely serious, “I’m looking at it right now. Everything around the time of the fire and after has completely been erased, or transferred somewhere else.”

"Anthony..." Erik’s face was blank as he said, “you’re tired of being on lock-down right?”

Anthony grinned, looking at Conner as he said, “Text me where to meet you. After dark is best. I’ll find the blind spots in surveillance. Everything before the fire is still there, so it shouldn't be difficult. See you tonight.” He winked and hung up before Conner could protest.

Erik closed the laptop, hopping off the bed and bringing it back to his desk.

“Wait a minute!” Conner said, rushing after him. He caught Erik’s arm, freezing as he felt Erik's tight muscles under the thin white dress-shirt. Conner forgot for a moment what he’d been upset about. Something about a night time excursion during curfew? Who knew?

Erik turned slowly, looking down at him in such a way Conner’s heart stopped for a moment, stuttering before racing again. Erik’s eyes flicked down at something, then up again to make eye contact. He put his hands on Conner’s elbows, still looking at him, silently.

Conner didn’t dare move, didn’t even breathe.

Erik’s chest puffed out slightly as he sucked in a deep breath. “Don’t you want to find out what’s going on?” Erik asked him, keeping the small distance between them.

Conner was unaware that Erik had actually asked him anything. Instead, he remembered last night when Erik had pulled him into his broad chest.

“Conner,” Erik said quietly, his voice low and gentle, “...don’t you trust me?”

Conner looked at Erik, blinking up at him. He returned to reality, clearing his throat as he stepped away from the other man. “I-I do, but… This seems really dangerous.”

Erik folded his arms over his chest, somehow seeming even more muscular. “Isn’t an arsonist in the school even more dangerous if the faculty is covering it up?”

“It might not be them,” Conner said, “I mean look how easy it was for Anthony to hack into the cameras. Someone else could have, too. We should tell the dean—”

“Wouldn’t he already know that someone started the fire and it wasn’t an accident? Wouldn’t someone have alerted him to the recordings?” Erik’s temper was rising, “Do you really want to risk being lied to when it could put everyone in danger?”

"The police then!" Conner hugged himself looking down. Of course he didn’t want anyone to be in danger, but he wasn’t some kind of spy either. “Look if we get caught, we could be in serious trouble! Expelled serious. I’m up for honors!”

Erik scoffed. “Oh, I see. So, it’s your good-boy reputation on the line. That’s what you're worried about?”

Conner felt the jab hit him hard. “It’s not just that,” he insisted.

“Then what?”

“What if we come face to face with the culprit? I mean they blew up the school! They might kill us if we—”

There was a knock on the door, Conner freezing as he realized how loudly he’d been shouting.

Erik stepped forward, unlocking it to see their dorm supervisor, Mr. McIntyre.

He smiled at Erik, a tablet in his hand as he said, “Looks like everyone will be under curfew until at least tomorrow morning. I'm just coming to get your order for dinner. Would you care to see the menu?”

Erik beamed, “Yes, thank you, sir,” he said, taking the tablet and scrolling through meal selections. He froze for a moment, a small twitch in his shoulders as he said carefully, “Sir,” his eyes were still scanning the screen, “are we under curfew because the police are investigating?”

Mr. McIntyre blinked at Erik, “Investigating? Why? What on Earth have you heard?”

Erik looked up at him, confusion evident on his face, “Because Charlotte’s missing…”

The supervisor chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, that was a simple misunderstanding. I really shouldn’t be divulging such personal information, but Charlotte’s grandmother came to get her yesterday before the incident.”

“But I thought her parents—”

“Hadn’t seen her, no, because she was not with them. She was with her grandmother," the man gave him a wide smile, “No, you’re under curfew while we reorganize the classrooms to accommodate for the science department being quarantined after the fire.”

Erik’s demeanor changed as he looked down at the man coldly. “Do they know what started the fire?”

“Apparently faulty wiring in one of the classrooms. The company who did the wiring is responsible, not the school. All those chemicals under heat are what caused the explosion.”

Erik nodded, his eyebrows raising momentarily. “The wiring company…huh, how worrying," he didn't sound worried in the slightest, "Did they do any other work on the school?”

Mr. McIntyre was solemn as he said, “Unfortunately they did quite a bit on the security system such as the locks, the computer labs, and surveillance cameras. But it’s all being taken care of, not to worry!” He smiled again at Erik as he said, “Now what can I get you for dinner?”