What happened outside the classroom was a matter for speculation.

It began to be claimed that the plainclothes detectives had been backed up by uniformed, armed cops. It began to be claimed that there'd been a SWAT team with high-powered rifles, bulletproof masks, and vests. Few could truthfully claim to have seen the SWAT team on the premises, though the building wasn't exactly deserted at the time Matt was led out of study hall.

Where had the detectives taken Matt exactly? Some believed that they'd all gone downstairs to Mr Parrish's office, and had left for police headquarters later; others, impatient with such an inessential detail, insisted that Matt had been "arrested" immediately and taken away to headquarters.

"If he'd made a break for it, they would've shot him? Wow."

"No way Matt was gonna make a break. They had him, and he knew it."

"Did they search his locker? Did they confiscate scate stuff?"

"Did he confess?"

"Did you ever see any gun of Matt's, like in his locker?"

"I didn't know Matt had guns."

"Stuff to make bombs? Or, like plans? Drawings?"

"They'd be downloaded from the Internet. All that kind of shit you can download if you know where to look."

In Mr Parrish's office, the door shut tight.

Matt's teeth were chattering. He tried to speak calmly.

"Look, this is crazy. I never … what you're saying."

"We've had a report, Matt. Two reports. Two witnesses. They heard you."

"Heard me … what?"

"Threaten to 'blow up the school'."

Matt stared at the detective, uncomprehending.

"Threaten to 'massacre' as many people as you could. In the school cafeteria today, just a few hours ago. Are you denying it?"

"Y-Yes! I'm denying it."

"You're denying it."

"I think this is all crazy."

"'This is all crazy.' That's your response?"

There was an undertone of disgust and incredulity in the man's voice that reminded Matt of his dad. Matt shivered.