“Standard administrative language. ‘Matter addressed internally.’ ‘Situation resolved through appropriate channels.’ ‘Parties counseled on professional boundaries.’” Paper shuffles again. “Nothing specific. Nothing actionable.”
Lightning flashes again, closer now, and the subsequent thunder rattles the windows in their frames as the storm converges above Misty Pines.
“Carson was protected,” I say.
“At every level. Education boards hate scandal. Wealthy donors hate controversy. Moving problematic faculty between institutions keeps reputations intact while preserving plausibledeniability.” Martin’s professional distance cracks as he adds, “Nobody wants to admit they hired someone with his history.”
I stare at my notes. “Thanks, Martin. You’ve been invaluable. I owe you.”
“Buy me dinner next time I’m in town,” he replies. “And be careful, Grady. People who’ve gotten away with this behavior for years don’t surrender power without a fight.”
If Leif filed complaints, there must be documentation beyond the vague administrative dismissals. “Were you able to get your hands on Leif’s complaints? His exact words?”
“Wondered when you’d ask.” His keyboard clicks in the background. “I found the letter. It’s comprehensive.”
My chair creaks as I lean forward, pen poised over a fresh page. “Tell me everything.”
“It’s a twelve-page document, formatted with a table of contents and appendices,” he says with a note of pride. “Your Omega friend can build a case. He included dates, times, witnesses, and exact quotes. Even corroborating statements from other faculty.”
My stomach twists into a knot. Twelve pages. A lifetime of academic training distilled into an airtight case, only for it to go nowhere.
“The incidents span three years,” Martin continues. “He categorized them by professional undermining, isolation tactics, manipulation of resources, and implied threats regarding students.”
I dig the pen into the paper, the blue ink spreading in a growing dot as I hold it too long in one place. “And the board’s response?”
“I found the email thread between board members after receiving his complaint.” Papers shuffle on his end. “Want me to read some quotes?”
“Please.”
“From the board chair: ‘This level of documentation presents a potential liability issue. We need to consider donor perception if this becomes public.’
“From the vice chair: ‘Carson has strong community connections. The Whitaker family’s contributions funded the west wing renovations. We need to approach this with delicacy.’”
My pen snaps in my hand, blue ink spilling across my fingertips. I drop the broken pieces, wiping my hand on a tissue as Martin continues.
“From the principal: ‘Reassignment is the cleanest solution. Hollis is well-regarded but replaceable. Whitaker has institutional history and family connections we can’t afford to lose.’”
“And their official response to Leif?” I ask, grabbing a new pen from the drawer.
“A three-paragraph email thanking him for his ‘commitment to professional excellence.’ They assured him the matter was ‘addressed through appropriate administrative channels.” His voice hardens. “No investigation. No follow-up. No acknowledgment of the specific complaints.”
Lightning flashes, illuminating my reflection in the window glass, my jaw tight and shoulders hunched over the damning evidence.
“There’s more.” Martin’s typing resumes. “Six weeks after Leif’s complaint, he submitted his resignation. Two weeks later, Carson received the offer from Pinecrest Academy.”
The information clicks into place. “They hid his transgressions again and promoted him into a different district’s problem.”
“Yep.” Disgust underscores the word. “According to their hiring committee emails, Pinecrest Academy received glowing recommendations from Westbrook. Carson’s personnel filementioned his reassignment as a ‘promotion recognizing leadership potential.’”
I flip back through my notes. “Anything connecting Carson’s transfer to Leif’s new position?”
“Nothing I could find. Leif switched from private education to become a private tutor and nanny. I couldn’t find any link between Carson and the Wright Pack. But the references Leif used to get his new job came from his Westbrook connections, so it wouldn’t have been hard for Carson to locate him. I’m sure that Carson sees Leif as the one who got away, and he doesn’t like that. So, he followed Leif here. He wants a totalwin.”
The acid in my stomach churns. Carson tracked Leif’s movements and waited for the perfect moment to insert himself back into his target’s life.
“The system isn’t broken,” I murmur. “It’s functioning as the ones in power designed.”
“Protection flows upward,” Martin agrees. “Those with connections get second chances. Those who speak up get pushed out.”
