The atmosphere at Sherringford becomes tense in the wake of Dobson’s murder. Many parents pull their children out of the school. Reporters descend to quiz the remaining students. James does his best to avoid them. Even the local drug dealer gives a statement to the press: “I’ve heard the stories too. I have a lot of, uh, friends who say Charlotte Holmes is the head of this messed-up cult, and James Watson is, like, her angry little henchman” (63). Despite the turmoil, the school prepares for homecoming weekend, and students plan to attend the dance. James says, “It might have been a waste of time and money, but for once, I understood it. Better to focus on pageantry than on death” (64).

During the week, Charlotte and James spend most of their time in the lab trying to assemble clues. Charlotte breaks into the infirmary to see if Dobson was there complaining of poison symptoms in the days before he died. Shepard learns of her visit and lectures her about breaking and entering. In addition, he notices her collection of poisons in the lab and says that he’ll interrogate both Charlotte and James at Mr.