“Of course it’s not true,” I interject. “This is a complete fit-up. Who called the security staff in to do a check?”
“It’s routine,” the head begins, drawing the immediate ire of my father.
“It certainly is not. I pay good money to this school to ensure my son can complete his studies in peace, then I find out you’ve set up a witch hunt that’s pulled him out of his classes at a crucial time for his education.”
“Ah… Okay… Yes. We had an anonymous tipoff.”
“From Carrod?” I narrow my eyes while a beat of hope sounds in my chest.
“Well… the point of the tip line being anonymous is—”
“How many prank calls does it get a week?” Creighton demands.
“Oh, um. A few. Yes, quite a few.”
“And you don’t respond to all of them, do you?”
She shakes her head, belatedly deciding that talking is irrelevant.
“What does it matter?” I ask, trying to steer him off the subject. I hadn’t made the call myself but I’m willing to bet someone could easily identify Alastair’s voice if they wanted to. From there, it won’t take a rocket scientist to reach his connection to me.
“Why’s she here?” Kari asks, further distracting him.
“Apparently, I’m not allowed to go to Kingswood,” George answers in a desultory voice. “Or something to that effect.”
My dad glares at her. “I never said a damn word.”
“How about I call in the security guard?” the head says, jumping to her feet and scurrying around the desk. “I’ll just let him know he’s needed.”
I’m surprised that my father lets her leave the room but as he flicks the lock to stop her re-entering, I understand.
“Good. Now we can discuss this ridiculous situation in private.” He glares at George. “Where did the drugs come from?”
She helps herself to a chair, sinking low into it. “Kari.”
My dad’s lips twist. “Carrod says he saw—”
“Carrod’s a damn liar,” I interrupt.
George shrugs. “I’m not responsible for what other people say. I’m answering your question to the best of my ability.”
“Right.” Creighton leans over, pinning her with his gaze.
I know this game. Know how it goes. “Leave her alone. She has nothing to do with it.”
“Right.” He changes targets to Kari. “You’re fine with this relationship happening right under your nose?”
“What relationship?” she asks in a syrupy sweet tone. “I don’t know of any relationship.”
“D’you know why I’m here?” When she doesn’t answer, he ploughs ahead, regardless. “The call came through to your father, but he was in the middle of a delicate operation. He sent me instead. How do you think he’d feel, walking in here, hearing another student say this girl fitted you up?”
She tries to hold his gaze but soon drops it, deferential as usual. “I really don’t think he needs to know.”
“Someone has to take the blame for this mess. If it’s not George, it’s you.”
“Nobody needs to,” I snap. “It’s a stupid drugs charge. Just buy the school off and we can all get back to class.”
All I wanted was a room free so I could move George into it. The idea of having her here, under the same roof, has been my plan all along but it’s not worth this level of hassle. I’ll find her another place close by.
