From the corner of my eye, I see Abigail carefully placing her hand in her lap and glaring at Eric. His declaration is clearly news to her, too.
At least there’s that.
Theo sits up straighter in his seat, apparently a part of all my embarrassing moments now. Stiffening my spine, I start to count.
One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three—
“There have been some concerns with your performance, and, in light of recent events, I think it prudent we evaluate your position here.” Eric folds his hands together and lifts one brow as if that alone proves his point.
“What events are we talking about exactly? The fire or the rumors about the fire. Because we both know those two things are vastly different.” I level Eric with a hardened stare. If he thinks I’m going down without a fight, he’s wrong. I’ve fought for my place my whole life, and I learned a long time ago not to cower under men who haveegos too big for them to support.
Abigail’s lips twitch, and for a second, I worry I’ve just made things worse—that the callousness in my voice will only add to her view of me—but then she turns her face toward me, just enough so Eric can’t see, and winks. The knot in my chest loosens just a smidge before I turn my attention back to Eric.
“Both. Frankly, some of the rumors I have heard are not fitting for someone in the high school principal position. It is my understanding there are concerns that the fire at the community building was no accident, and funnily enough, you were the only one there, Ms. Carson.”
My mouth drops open. I always knew Eric was a psychopath, but I never knew he was crazy enough to accuse me of arson in the middle of a school board meeting.
“You’re telling me that you’re calling my job into question based on rumors that have no basis?”
My whole body is trembling with anger, but I don’t notice it until a large hand covers my knee, keeping it from bouncing up and down. Heat seeps past the material of my pants and into my skin, and I can’t tell if it’s the kind that burns or comforts.
“Well, Chief Sylvis is here. I’m sure he’d be glad to set the record straight. Which is it, Chief?” Eric asks, pure glee on his face when he turns his attention to Theo. “Rumor or true?”
Theo’s fingers stiffen, the tips digging just slightly into my leg, and I get my answer. His heat doesn’t burn. It scalds. “I’m afraid that’s a closed investigation, Mr. Westbrook. Need to know only, and I’m afraid you don’t need to know.”
A slow grin spreads over Eric’s mouth before he turns to the other board members and addresses them. “This week, I have spoken with several of you about my concerns with Ms. Carson. It’s not just the fire, which we can all agree is suspicious, seeing as Ms. Carson wasthe only one there at the time. It’s more than that. She doesn’t belong here. She’s an outsider to the town, and we need someone who knows our town. Someone who will represent it proudly.”
A chorus of reluctant agreement ripples through the members, but I’m stuck on four words.
She doesn’t belong here.
The words hit me like an arrow, letting all my inner demons out through the cracked wound it creates when it lands.
“And what about me, Eric?” Abigail asks, her voice so icy it’s a little scary. “I’m part of this board as well. Did you not think about bringing your concerns to me?”
Eric’s Adam’s apple jumps, swallowing hard under Abigail’s ire. “I assumed you would be too busy for a meeting, Mrs. Harrison. I know those littlecommitteesyou’re on don’t run themselves.”
The way he says committees says precisely how he feels about them. In his eyes, Abigail is a bored socialite. He has no idea how much she actually contributes to this town.
“I assure you, Mr. Westbrook. I am never too busy for you.” It’s not a threat. It’s a promise. She will not stand by and take his disrespect, and neither will I.
“As fun as this conversation has been,” I say, interrupting the glare Eric is throwing at Abigail, “I have a contract for a reason. Unless you canprovethat I am unfit for the job with concrete evidence, that contract cannot be terminated.”
Steel stiffens my spine when Eric’s grin turns smug. “You’re right, Ms. Carson, it cannot. However, the contract does specify that you can be put on administrative leave in the case of an investigation of conduct, and with the actual investigation of a fire, I would consider that enough reason to put you on leave with the possibility of termination of your contract upon its conclusion.” He pauses, an evil grin on his face as he looks at Theo. “And I would assume thatthe possible involvement of the high school principal would provide enough reason to be in theknow. Right, Chief?
Theo growls. “You know what they say about people who assume.”
Eric narrows his eyes, but I can’t take anymore of their bickering.
“Fine,” I say. “Place me on leave, but when this is all over, and you are proven wrong, I will expect an apology and a raise. And,” I stop, looking at every coward who sits on the board beside Eric, “I think it would be prudent for the board to evaluate who the real problem is here.”
Without giving any of them a chance to respond, I grab my purse and stand, the chair scraping across the tile floor. Theo’s hand falls from my leg, and I try not to think about how cold I am inside without it.
Looking at Abigail, I give her one sharp nod before I march out of that room like a soldier with my head held high.
I stay like that until the door closes behind me, and then I let the weight of the world crush me.
Chapter 9
