“The world traveler decided to return.” Regina approaches, appearing as if she’s ready to pounce. “You know, instead of you and the other teachers gallivanting all over hill and dale with your pupils, had you been smart, you would’ve redirected the travel expenditures back to the school, kept those football jerks, I mean, jocks, here for the remaining weeks, and spared me from having to let A?—”
What Arthur said about running a tight ship reminds me of Connor’s story about burning the boats. “Actually, Regina, I was hoping to have this conversation with you in my office. Surely, you’re familiar with those four walls.”
A shadow of guilt crosses Regina’s eyes, but she lifts her chin, defying any further acknowledgment.
I smooth my hair as I settle behind my desk.
Regina takes the seat opposite me and says, “Arthur has to go.”
“During my timegallivanting, as you said, I’ve had some time to think about our mission at Blancbourg and our approach. In fact, it concerns me that we’ve been so preoccupied with cutting the budget instead of coming up with ways to earn more money.” I jiggle the computer’s mouse to bring it to life. I half expect one of Connor’s pranks, but we called a truce.
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one in charge of the fiscal duties.” Regina huffs.
“No, but I am in charge in general and what’s of great concern are several accounts I found in the expenditures sectionof our budget. There’s Cameo Advertising. I’m not familiar with their work.” My gaze flits from one of Regina’s many signature cameo brooches pinned to her blouse. I lift my eyes to meet hers. She looks away. “Perhaps you can give me their contact info.”
Regina blinks a few times.
I angle my computer monitor so the bursar can see. “There are several other accounts with high advertising budgets and yet when I looked them up online, I couldn’t find their websites or credentials.”
“They’re privately owned.”
I nod. “I’d like to talk to whoever your contacts are and discuss the return on investment.”
“You can’t. I’m the bursar.”
“As the headmistress, actually, I can.”
“They’re out of town.”
“Gallivanting, I suppose.” I didn’t want to think the worst, but when I pored over the files and accounts during my flight, red flags raised my suspicions.
“It’s not my fault that you’re ill-equipped to run this school. Ever since you’ve been the headmistress, you’ve been running it into the ground. I knew you were a clueless?—”
I get to my feet. “Excuse me. As an employee of this school, I expect you to uphold our rules of etiquette. Speaking disrespectfully is not what we do here. If you have a problem with me as the headmistress, you can bring that up with the Board of Regents.”
“I have. I told them you’ve been cavorting with your pupil and stealing money.”
I sit back down. There is no denying I overstepped with Connor. However, I’d never steal.
“We all remember when you came here with nothing. It makes sense that you’d sneak your way in and then pilfer from our coffers.” Regina glowers.
“That is a serious accusation.” I keep my tone even.
“We all know about your character. Poor girl. Finds her way into a posh job—what was rightfully my job—and gets greedy.”
An ache that’s been present in the pit of my belly since I left France grows. “It would be better to have this conversation with the Board present,” I repeat.
“I agree. That’s why I called an emergency meeting as soon as I learned you were returning. They should be here any moment.” Regina sweeps from the room.
I feel like crumbling, retreating. But I burned the ships. There is no going back. No choice but to win. I square my shoulders and march to the meeting room.
The Board of Regents, consisting of three men and one woman, sit expressionless at a long wooden table with Regina in their midst.
Following the usual formalities, they bring the meeting to the first order of business. Regina’s accusations. The bursar makes her case, accusing me of stealing funds.
“I’ve told her time and time again that if something doesn’t change, we’ll have to close the school. She doesn’t care about this place. Rather, she pursues her single-minded quest for riches. She’s a liar and a thief and not fit to be the headmistress. I move that we fire her. Who’s in favor?” Regina raises her hand. “Aye.”
“Mrs. Harrow. You know our process. Ms. Berghier, please state your case.”
