“That would be good. So what’s your plan? Sounds like you have one. What is it you think would help?”
I nod solidly. “Northview university has a new position opening today. One they haven’t announced, or maybe even know about yet. And I think you’re the man for the job.”
“Job?”
“Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.” He doesn’t need to knowhowI know Dean Dutta just vacated his position.
His posture finally eases. He bends over the counter infront of me and huffs in a laugh. “Between you and my wife…”
Quieter, I beg him. “Tell me I’m wrong about the board. About the need to keep good people on there. To oppose what the university seems to be planning.”
He lifts his head, and his crystal eyes study me with something like respect. “Youaren’twrong. In fact, I’d say you’re pretty wise, Apollo Griffin.”
I flinch when he moves close, but he only jabs his hand out at me to shake. I take it, and he squeezes my knuckles in his grip.
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s a…I willtry. But mainly, it’s a…thank you. Thanks for looking out for my daughter.”
Almost puffing up my chest, I tell him, “My wife.”
He smiles sadly. “My little girl.”
“The one and the same. But she’s strong. And fierce. I just…worry that she’s not going to play the game like we need to in order to stay under the radar. To check in with the university or just even wear the bracelet that they want.”
Though I did see her wearing it when she left the house today.
“Hell. There’s nowaymy Padawan will do what they say unless she wants to. You’ll have to bribe her or use logic to convince her. No other way.”
Logic. That makes sense. I think I’ve gone about this all wrong. Remembering the way I talked to her aboutproducingfor the Seven. The bracelet. I die a little inside. “Thanks for the tip.”
“I suppose, if there’s one thing I learned today?” he says as he guides me back to the front door.
“Yeah?”
“It’s that I won’t have to kill my daughter’s husband. Yet anyway.”
“How about we make that you’llneverhave to kill me?”
With a slight smile, he opens the door for me. “That’s up to you.”
“I won’t let you down,” I tell him as I step outside.
By the time I get home, Scout’s already there. But instead of relaxing or studying, she’s peering through the blinds as I enter. She runs toward me and pulls me in, then slams the door shut.
“What’s up, tulip?”
Fist wrapped around one of my fingers, she shushes me, then tugs me toward the front window.
“I think someone was outside.” Her eyes dart back and forth through the dim space. It’s overcast. A gray day. And shadows are easily wafting through just as the branches of the bare trees sway in the breeze.
I spot the unopened bottle of pills on the counter in the kitchen. “Yeah?”
“I couldn’t study.”
“I’m worried about you, Scout. I am. I don’t like being away from you.”
That seems to melt some ice around her body. She blinks up at me and nods. “I’m not one torelyon people for anything. It feels weird.”
