The principal of Joe's High School heard the most astounding news he had ever heard that morning. While he had his breakfast, what he saw made him lose appetite.
     "Parents lament over not reaching out to their kids since embarking on a school tour", was the breaking news of the morning.
     "Parents have not been able to hear from their children since they went on a tour with the founder of Joe's High School as the supervisor", reported the journalist.
     Upset by the news, he hurriedly dialed Joseph's number once more. The line could not still be reached and the call ended. "Line is still unreachable", he became anxious.
     "What's going on darling?", his wife walked into the parlour, feeling curious. She checked the news on TV, looking unhappy with what she saw.
    
* * *
     The principal had an emergency meeting with the Board of Students Welfare. Everybody was obviously looking saddened and worried. They held their meeting in the General Meeting room.
     "I'm telling you!", a board member banged his fist on the table in anger, "Mr Joseph is behind the recent dilemma in the city", he averred.
     "I had a very bad feeling about this tour at first", the board chairman was disappointed with himself.
     "I just hope he isn't doing anything silly. I just found out he and those our students never visited the national park", the principal revealed to everyone. They all were unhappy to hear such an information.
     "Where could they have gone to for the tour?", the board Secretary asked desperately in a raised voice.
     "That's the problem! His line can't be reached", the principal expressed his devastation.
     The principal's messenger opened the door and barged in looking disturbed. "Sir! There are angry parents at the gate. Just that the gate is locked, wonder how the school compound would have been by now", he informed the principal.
     He began to feel anxious. "How are we going to explain this to them?", he glimpsed at everyone.
* * *
     Dominic parked outside, opposite the school, across the road. He stepped down from the car in a hurry, followed by Rita and Donald, the Lieutenant. They crossed the road and met the angry parents at the gate protesting. Dominic was already outraged by everything.
     He squeezed himself past the crowd until he arrived at the gate. He brought out his badge. "Hey!", he called on the security personnels, "Let me in right now!", he ordered, showing them his badge. Rita and Mr Donald showed them theirs too.
     "I'm Detective Rita", she introduced herself.
     "Do you guys promise to bring back our kids safely back to us?", a Mum lamented. The rest asked theirs, and also laid their own complaints, producing a disorganized and noisy atmosphere.
     Some grappled with three of them when they tried going into the school compound after the gate was opened for them to go in. The three of them struggled to get off their grip.
     "Relax guys!  We're investigating on the case.  If you could just let us in, things could be better", Mr Donald pleaded with them. He forced himself out of their clutches, so did Dominic and Rita.
     They ran inside and the security men immediately tried closing it up. Dominic, Donald and Rita gestured for the angry crowd to stay calm.
     "My sister is among the missing students. I promise to get to the bottom of this", Dominic assured them. They then briskly walked down, into the school compound.
     They went into the main building and interrogated the receptionist. The receptionist looked intimidated by Dominic's angry face the most.
     "Where's the principal right now?", asked Dominic.
     "Can't really tell. Since I came to work I haven't seen him. Maybe he came before I did", he replied in a haste, feeling nervous.
     "How can a receptionist not know where the principal at?", Dominic hit hard on the table in annoyance. The receptionist kept silent, having nothing to say in defence.
     "Or you were told to tell us this right?", Dominic glared with an intimidating look.
     Mr Donald placed his hand on Dominic's shoulder. "I think you'd better calmed down", he advised.
     "Let's just check out his office first", Rita spoke calmly to him. Dominic sighed and eyed the receptionist in an angry manner before he swiftly ascended the stairs. Rita and Mr Donald followed him.
     Dominic opened the door to his office and got even more pissed off to see he was not there.  He angrily walked out just when Rita and Mr Donald were about to walk in.
     He stopped a staff and questioned her;"Where's the principal? Did he come to work today?"
     "Oh yes! He's having a meeting with the Board of Students Welfare", she responded.
     "Where's the meeting being held at the moment?", questioned Rita.
     "The next floor. Just go up", the staff pointed upwards.
     "Thank you so much!", Rita remarked with a delightful smile. The staff nodded her head in return and walked away. In a hurry, they went up the stairs.
     In the middle of their discussion, Dominic barged into the room and interrupted them. Rita and Mr Donald followed him behind.
     "Where's my sister?", Dominic demanded in a high tone. They could all see the anger in his eyes.
     "Who's the fellow here?", the chairman asked the principal.
     "He's a Detective. They're from the police", he answered.
     "Where's my sister? I ask again!!", Dominic yelled.
     "I've been trying to call Joseph but his line's been unreachable, I don't know why", the principal gestured for calm.
     "I know you partnered with Joseph to abduct those students", Dominic accused him.
     Observing everyone's eyes were on him, the principal quickly stood up to defend himself. "I have been calling Mr Joseph for more than 30 times now", he said strongly, showing Dominic his phone to see for himself, "He has never picked up my calls...I mean to say his line can't be reached", he stuttered, feeling tensed.
     "But you're here in a meeting, not bothered about the children", Dominic argued.
     "It's because of them we're actually in this meeting", the chairman replied.
     There was silence for a while, Dominic looking randomly at the various people, showing his sad face.
     "The last time you came to see me, you told me Mr Joseph is a bad person. What bad thing does he do?", the principal asked Dominic curiously.
     "Actually", Rita stood in front of Dominic, "Mr Joseph performs the black arts", she replied.
     Her answer sounded way too unbelievable for anyone to believe, especially the principal. "That can't be true", he shook his head with contempt.
     "This isn't mere assumption. The ex wife-to-be of the Late Father Christmas confirmed this", Mr Donald added. The principal and the board members were dumbfounded by such news.
     "All of you are suspects. If the truth comes out and anyone is involved, or she will be arrested", Dominic warned with a glaring look.
     "Let's go!", he said to his colleagues and zoomed out the room. They both gradually went after him, Rita shutting the door.
     "What they said can't be true right?", the principal asked everyone in disbelief. No one gave him a response as they were as shocked as he was.