Key test papers are test papers with answer key. It's the one teachers passed to the head teachers for final checking and approval. Upon approval, it will then be sent back to respective subject teachers for final edit then printing. Normally, they only print the test papers a day before the exam. As for the key test papers, it's submitted to the head teachers ten days before the exam for checking. For the midterms test paper for Grade 10, it is submitted to Miss Jimenez by the subject teachers, ten days before the scheduled exam. According to Miss Jimenez, she gathered all the key test papers for all high school levels and allotted at least half a day to checked everything. Before going home that day, she put it inside her desk drawer and locked it, like she usually do. She remembers also locking her office door before heading home. The next day, she noticed that her office door was slightly opened. When she walked in, she immediately headed to their mini vault where their petty cash and fund was kept and sighed in relief that it was not opened. She sat in her desk and opened all her desk drawers to check if something is missing and then baam, one of the drawers fell, which wasn't supposed to happen because it is not broken the day before. She picked it up along with it's contents and suddenly realized that this is where she put the key test papers yesterday and they are all gone! She panicked and tried to looked some more, checking all her drawers. When she confirmed that it's really not there, she called security. She also sent an emergency email to all the teachers concerned and reported it to the school Headmaster.
They were frantic the whole day. From school security reviewing the CCTV's to the whole high school department going in and out of Miss Jimenez' office to grasp what's happening and having their own versions, to the Headmaster reporting the incident to the school board and owners. They then had an emergency meeting to discuss what will happen next. When the students found out what happened it's already lunchtime. Libby and the other Mystery Club members went to Miss Jimenez' meeting to snoop around and ask for permission to officially investigate.
The Mystery Club's request was denied by the school board. They were advised that a private investigator was already contacted and will have the sleuthing in secret, so that the students won't be bothered by their day to day tasks. But since Libby has contact everywhere, she knew that the said investigator is Mr. Francisco Gallego, a renowned private investigator. Mr. Gallego started started investigating immediately. He interviewed Miss Jimenez and the other high school teachers and those that visited Miss Jimenez' office that day including the students - Mimi, she needed Miss Jimenez' insight regarding their topic in English Literature, Libby who needed Miss Jimenez' signature for an excuse letter, Marco who said he had some questions for Miss Jimenez, Chloe who needed to get her iphone from Miss Jimenez who confiscated it. He also reviewed the CCTV footage not just for that day but one week before the incident. He checked the whole office for prints and possible clues. He walked thru the hallway connecting Miss Jimenez' office to the teacher's lounge to the classroom nearby. He also checked the storage rooms and lastly the students lockers. His investigation stopped when he found one of the test papers in Mimi's lockers. He made a report and presented it to the school board and administration, the high school teachers and to the Headmaster.
When Mimi was pointed as the prime suspect for stealing the test papers, many of the teachers did not agree to Mr. Gallego and even appealed, showing Mimi's school records. They cannot believe that their star student, who showed excellency in her studies, will be the culprit. The school owner's also did not agree. They said they know Mimi personally, and she wouldn't do it. But Mr. Gallego convinced the board and other teachers. He showed them Mimi's interview wherein she's kinda nervous and rattled. Coach Bradley also spoke there that he heard from one of his team that Mimi confessed to a friend that she has no time to study and has a short cut to get perfect scores for the upcoming exam.
The Headmaster called on Mimi to his office. Miss Jimenez, Mimi's class adviser is also present.
As Mimi walked in, she had this strange feeling that something bad is gonna happen. She was advised to sit up front. After a while, Mimi's mother enters the room?
"Mom?" Mimi is surprised.
"They called me. Said something important will be decided and you need a guardian present," Mimi's mom explained.
"What's happening?" Mimi asked in panic. "Miss Jimenez?" She turned to her class adviser.
The Headmaster spoke.
"Miss Cruz, Mrs. Cruz, please sit down. This is regarding Mimi's involvement on the stolen test papers," he said softly.
"My involvement?" Mimi thought she heard the Headmaster wrong. She's in utter disbelief. Why would they drag her in this mess? "I didn't do anything wrong. I did not steal any test papers. Why would I?"
"Headmaster, what's the meaning of this?" Mimi's mom asked. "Are you sure it's Mimi?"
"I'm sorry Mrs. Cruz," Miss Jimenez interrupted. "We compiled evidence that will prove Mimi's involvement."
"What evidence?" Mimi asked frantically.
They showed the investigator's report, a video of Mimi coming out of Miss Jimenez' office, and the test paper found in her locker.
Mimi is crying. She saw her world crumbled. "How did that test papers appeared in her locker?" she desperately thought.
"Are you sure this is not a prank?" Mimi's mom asked calmly. She knows that her daughter did not do this.
"No, sadly Mrs. Cruz, these are all the evidence presented to us," the Headmaster replied.
"I never cheated my entire life. With all my achievement, now you're saying that I did this?!" She felt betrayed. After all the awards and recognition she gave the school from competing with other students academically, this is what she will be getting in return?
"We can only decide for this case based on the evidence presented and witnesses statements Miss Cruz. We know you've given the school prestige by the awards you've won until recently." the Headmaster pointed at a trophy in a display. "And we'd like to tell you that all of this is taken into consideration, also your teachers vote of confidence on you."
"This is a hard decision for all of us Mimi," Miss Jimenez said sadly.
"What do you mean?" Mimi asked.
Miss Jimenez looked at their Headmaster. He nodded. "Based on the evidence presented and witnesses statements, the school find you Mimilaine Cruz - guilty of stealing the test papers. For normal circumstance, a student found guilty of cheating is automatically expelled, but because we, your teachers vouched for you, the decision is for one month suspension."
Mimi felt dizzy. She felt nauseous. If this is a nightmare, she wants to wake up badly. She looked at her mom. She got teary eyed.
"A guard wil escort you to our room for you to collect your belongings then will escort you and your mother to the gate," said the Headmaster. "I'm sorry Mrs. Cruz, we know how you feel. But since this is a cheating incident, Mimi's scholarship grant will be forfeited."
She felt her mom's hand hold her tighter. That news is the final blow. Her mom almost collapsed.
"Ma'am, are you alright?" Miss Jimenez rushed to their side. The Headmaster suddenly stood up and brought a glass of water.
"I'm alright," she said. "But can we just ask a friend of Mimi to bring her things to our house instead? We can directly go home from here."
"That's fine Mrs. Cruz." said Miss Jimenez. "Here, let me help you walk up to the gate."
Martin is out of the Headmaster's office waiting. His mom called her earlier regarding Mimi's case. And as she knows that Martin is close to Mimi, she thought he needed to be with her in this time.
"Mimi?" Martin's voice quiver when she saw Mimi walked out with her mother and Miss Jimenez. She saw Mimi's eyes is red from crying. His heart ache. He wanted to console Mimi but can't find the right words to say at the moment. He brought Mimi's things with him when he left their classroom earlier. Mimi saw him and tried to hide her eyes. "I already know Mimi. Mom called me. That's why I'm here. I called Caloy and he'll be waiting outside. He'll take you home." He tried to sound strong for his friend, but deep inside, he wants to cry with her. How could this happen to her?
Mimi extended her hand to Martin. He held it and felt Mimi's squeeze.
"Thank you Mart," she said.
Caloy, Martin's driver is already outside. He opened the car door for Mimi and her mom.
"Take them to their house Caloy. Be safe please," Martin told his driver. She glanced at Mimi and saw her about to cry again. He sighed. Waved them bye and stared at the leaving car.
He walked back towards the school building feeling down. For the first time in his life, he doesn't know what to do. He looked up and saw Libby running.
"Where is she Mart?" she asked almost crying.
"They were escorted out Libby. I asked Caloy to pick them up here and sent them home."
Libby flopped down. She suddenly bawled her eyes out.
"What will happen to her Mart?" she turned to Martin. "Is it true? I heard that the board had evidence of her stealing those test papers. We both know that she can't do this kind of things."
Martin also sat down. "I also don't know Libby.. I don't know." He looked at the sky hoping it will answer their questions..