"we don't keep anything that current in collections," she said, "but if you look online, i believe the portland press herald keeps archives on their website. head straight down the hallway behind you and you'll see the media lab on your left."

inside the lab i signed onto a computer. i was about to dive into my assignment when an idea struck me.

i couldn't believe i hadn't thought of it earlier. after confirming no one was watching over my shoulder, i googled "patch cipriano." maybe i'd find an article that would shed light on his past. or maybe he kept a blog.

i frowned at the search results. nothing. no facebook, no myspace, no blog. it was like he didn't exist.

"what's your story, patch?" i murmured. "who are you-really?"

half an hour later, i'd read several reviews and my eyes were glazing over. i spread my online search to all newspapers in maine. a link to kinghorn prep's school paper popped up. a few seconds passed before i placed the familiar name. elliot had transferred from kinghorn prep. on a whim, i decided to check it out. if the school was as elite as elliot claimed, it probably had a respectable paper.

i clicked on the link, scrolled over the archives page, and randomly chose march 21 of earlier this year.

a moment later i had a headline.

student questioned in kinghorn prep murder

i scooted my chair closer, lured by the idea of reading something more exciting than theater reviews.

a sixteen