Push and Shove: The Ghost Bird Series: #6 (The Academy) (49 page)

I didn’t even want to consider the fact that some of them seemed so okay with this kissing among everyone. What was happening to us?

I brushed my hair out again and when I thought I couldn’t stall any longer, I made my way out of the bedroom and down the hall.

Downstairs, the air had changed. Smokey. There were white stick candles in silver candleholders on the dining room table. Each one was lit and complemented the soft lighting from other sources in the room.

Three places were set at the head of a long table. Serving dishes were filled with spaghetti, salad, French bread and a fruit salad. There were cloth napkins and fancy water glasses and multiple pieces of silverware.

I hovered in the entryway, feeling the heat flushing across my face. It was an enchanting set up, but I felt completely out of my element. I’d only read about things like this.

Mr. Blackbourne stood by the table with Dr. Green. They had their heads tucked together and were chatting quietly. Dr. Green had buttoned his shirt, tucked it in and put on a tie.

When they spotted me, Mr. Blackbourne immediately went for the chair to the right of the head of the table, pulling it out. He looked at me expectantly.

This was supposed to be relaxing? My stomach was in knots. Which fork was I supposed to use? How was I going to make it through dinner with Mr. Blackbourne’s critical gaze on my every move? I was having a hard time not falling to pieces just standing here.

I stepped up slowly, sitting carefully where he was directing me. He tucked my chair in. I didn’t dare touch my lip even though my finger twitched to do it. Wasn’t there a thing about elbows at the table? I planted my palms in my lap and tried to not appear as intimidated as I felt.

Dr. Green sat at the head of the table. Mr. Blackbourne sat across from me.

Dr. Green immediately unfolded his napkin and dropped it into his lap. “I like these candles,” he said. “How come we never use them?”

“If you want them,” Mr. Blackbourne said, “take them out and use them. We can get more.”

“Do you two have dinner together often?” I asked.

“It’s a convenient way to compare daily notes,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “Speaking of which, we need yours.”

That was a cue to spill it. Relieved to have something to talk about, I recounted my day while Dr. Green served, and while Mr. Blackbourne occasionally assisted where appropriate. They started eating and I picked at my own food, but found little opportunity to eat when I was trying to relay information. I got them up to date on Mr. Crowley as well as the thing with Jade and Rocky.

Mr. Blackbourne kept his left hand planted in his lap, twirling his spaghetti against the side of his plate, collecting only a few strands for a small bite. Dr. Green twirled his spaghetti, using a spoon as a holder, catching a lot and then biting loose anything that was too much for his mouth. I swayed between doing a little of each, trying to follow examples but finding their differences hard to mimic.

Mr. Blackbourne patted the cloth napkin at his lips. “I appreciate the effort you put into following Mr. Crowley, but in the future, I hope you won’t. It’s highly likely Mr. Hendricks had told him about you. He may not recognize you now, but he will.”

Dr. Green tore at the bread with his fingers, eating tiny bites. “That was some incredible instinct from her, you have to admit.”

“It was a good catch, but now that we’re closer to solving
who
we’re up against, we’re still not sure exactly
what
they’re up to.”

“It’s school funds,” Dr. Green said. “We knew that from the start. We just don’t know which ones. Or where it’s going.”

Mr. Blackbourne nodded. “It’s something that passes by Mr. Crowley’s desk. Since it involves Mr. Hendricks, it’s specific to Ashley Waters. But if the accounting paperwork is fraudulent, we need to figure out which documents were falsified. We need to know how they’re shifting so much money without anyone noticing, not even the bank.”

“We’ve been through the paperwork,” Dr. Green said. He sat back, almost tilting on the back legs. “We’ve been through the accounts. You saw them yourself. It didn’t look like anything was missing.”

“Something was missing,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “It has to be big. It might be multiple things. We’ll have to research those numbers on the napkin she collected. However much we’re talking about, it has to be enough that three men can disappear without a trace next year, leaving us all looking like idiots if we don’t figure it out.”

“Well, we’re on the right trail, now,” said Dr. Green. “And now we have to look at what they could have compromised that would have happened today. What kind of money could have been moved in an afternoon that would require Hendricks and Crowley to have an alibi elsewhere? We’ve spent so much time running after McCoy thinking he was involved. And since he’s run off...”

Mr. Blackbourne planted both palms on the table. “Dr. Green,” he said sharply.

I stilled my fork, catching some silent communication between the two of them. There was something off with Mr. McCoy. My heart fluttered, catching what they possibly meant. I knew he was running around somewhere, because I’d seen him myself. There was something they weren’t telling me. Academy secrets?

Dr. Green glanced at me, smiled and winked to dispel the awkward moment. He took another bite of bread, effectively ending the conversation.

The table was quiet for a moment, until Mr. Blackbourne shifted, taking out his cell phone.

“No cell phones at the table,” Dr. Green recited.

Mr. Blackbourne shot him a look like he knew better, pushing the button on the phone.

Dr. Green leaned in to me to whisper while Mr. Blackbourne listened. “That’s a lie. Cell phones around here take precedence. Just giving him a hard time.”

“I could tell,” I said.

Mr. Blackbourne frowned and then pulled the phone away from his head. He placed it on the table and pushed the button to put the call on speaker.

“Say it again,” Mr. Blackbourne said, and his eyes focused on me, holding my attention.

“I was wondering if you could put in a call to my mom’s hospital,” Kota said. “She’s taking another shift covering for people the manager took off the schedule. I haven’t seen her in two days because she’s been working.”

“New manager?” Dr. Green asked.

“Yeah,” Kota said. “Sounds like a power play. Someone with a fresh MBA trying to cut funds and make a name for herself. There’s talk people are going to be fired, and they’re understaffed as it is.”

“We’ll get it taken care of.”

“I don’t have any favors left,” Kota said.

I glanced at Dr. Green. Favors?

Dr. Green shook his head quietly.

“We’re well aware,” Mr. Blackbourne said to the phone. “Anything else we need to know about?”

“Nathan is at Sang’s for the night. His father was released and seems to be sleeping right now.”

“Keep an eye from a distance,” Dr. Green said.

“Will do. I was able to get a good look at the driver of the black car. Another teacher, I’m pretty sure. I don’t know the name but will tomorrow. I’ll comb the school records for an ID.”

“Start with the list Miss Sorenson found,” Mr. Blackbourne said.

There was silence. “Gabriel may stay with Victor tonight.”

“It’s happening more lately,” Mr. Blackbourne said.

“Pam’s got a new boyfriend. She’s drinking a lot.”

Again I looked at Dr. Green. Pam, Gabriel’s stepmom? And drinking? It didn’t sound good. Was Gabriel going to be okay? How come I didn’t know about this? Is this why he wanted to move out?

Mr. Blackbourne put a fingertip to his eyebrow and slid it across. “We’ll send someone to her beauty shop when she’s there. Maybe we can pick up some information, and encourage her friends to try to sober her up more. If that doesn’t work, maybe a DUI will remind her.”

My jaw dropped. DUI? He could send the police after her to issue a ticket? And how? Why?

“Marie’s at home. Danielle’s at her house. Nothing new about the incident. They still aren’t talking about it. I think that’s it,” Kota said. There was a pause. “Sang’s there?”

“She’s right here,” Mr. Blackbourne said.

Another long pause. “Listening?”

“You’re fine,” Mr. Blackbourne said.

“Anything I need to know?” Kota asked.

“Gathering details, but you know the important items. I’ll fill you in later tonight. I still have a few more phone calls to make.”

Kota said goodbye and hung up. Mr. Blackbourne retrieved his phone, tucking it into his pocket.

So Kota did check-ins with Mr. Blackbourne on what the others were up to, including his mother and the others’ parents. Mr. Blackbourne was in charge, but Kota kept tabs on everyone. It was interesting to see how they worked together.

I had so many questions, I didn’t know where to start, but Dr. Green spoke before I got the chance. “So which country club did he take you to, anyway?”

“The... Rivertowne?” I checked with Mr. Blackbourne to make sure I was correct and he nodded in approval.

“Aw,” said Dr. Green. “I wanted to take her to that one.”

My heart soared as he mentioned this, but my gaze was locked on Mr. Blackbourne, looking for his reaction to Dr. Green admitting that he wanted to take me somewhere, like on a date.

“You can still take her,” said Mr. Blackbourne, focusing on his food. “We weren’t there to play and she didn’t see much.”

He approved? The way he said it, it almost sounded encouraging.

“Wait, is that the one on the island?” Dr. Green asked.

“Mount Pleasant.”

“Oh, never mind,” he said. “I don’t like that one. Too snooty.”

“I believe that’s the point of country clubs,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “Their purpose is to sell exclusivity.”

“Well, that one’s the worst. I tried to just walk into the front foyer years ago and they wouldn’t let me get a foot in the door.”

Mr. Blackbourne’s mouth dipped slightly. “You were sixteen, wearing ripped jeans and you had a cigarette behind your ear.”

Dr. Green rolled his eyes. “Still, it’s stupid to have a dress code in a place where you’re supposed to relax.”

“I can’t believe you’d complain about a place having a standard.”

“Yeah, well, the other ones don’t have dress codes. Not like that. They’d at least let you change and offer you a sports coat.”

“The hospital has a dress code.”

“The only dress code there is I have to wear a white coat. And I can understand that one. If I don’t wear it, no one knows I’m a doctor.”

“And you like the white coat.”

Dr. Green’s grin broadened. “I do like the white coat.”

It was easy to imagine the two of them spending nights at dinner having discussions about the Academy, the school, perhaps the boys and this kind of thing. They talked like they’ve known each other for a long time. Did Kota often call during this time and fill them in? Was this normal for them? This felt different now, like I was being included. I liked that.

Mr. Blackbourne’s attention moved to my face and he took on a strange expression like he was trying to read what I was thinking. I swallowed, trying to look complacent.

“This reminds me,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “I believe we’ve found a new vitamin for you.”

“Have you?” I asked, although I wasn’t too thrilled with the idea.

“It seems a small percentage of the population has similar issues with different types of vitamins. I haven’t come across any official studies, but reports from individuals suggest they’ve tried different things. Switching brands works sometimes.”

He continued talking about what he discovered about vitamins. I was listening, because when Mr. Blackbourne spoke, he was enchanting. I felt compelled to absorb every word.

As he spoke, a foot nudged into mine. I slipped my feet closer to my chair, wondering if I was in the way.

The foot returned, covering mine with a hard sole, though the touch was clear. He wanted something.

I readjusted my gaze from Mr. Blackbourne quickly to Dr. Green, who had his elbows on the table, his head in his palm and he was focused on Mr. Blackbourne. He was feigning obliviousness to what he was doing under the table.

His foot wedged between mine and he singled out my right ankle, drawing it over. I let him guide my leg over. He stopped when he could get his foot to slip up next to mine, our inside soles connecting.

My face heated. I understood he was playing with me. The touch, as small as it was, left me excited by the attention.

I was looking at Mr. Blackbourne and trying not to appear odd. My eyes, though, kept going to Dr. Green, trying to figure out what he wanted from me. My thoughts kept returning to the kiss. My pulse quickened. I was worried that Mr. Blackbourne had X-ray vision and could see through the table.

“So Mr. Coleman may be correct that this particular formula might work for you,” Mr. Blackbourne said. He pulled from his pocket a single white bottle. He selected one of the tablets and placed it in front of my plate.

“Let her take it with a bit of chocolate,” Dr. Green said. “Or a sugar cube.”

“There’s no reason to have extra sugar,” Mr. Blackbourne said.

“Sugar helps medicine go down,” he said. “Everyone knows that.”

“There’s no proof.”

“In case you forgot, I’m a doctor,” Dr. Green said. “I’m telling you. A little sugar, and she won’t have a stomach ache.”

“Half the reason she’s in this predicament is because she’s eating sugar and not anything else.”

“A little more won’t kill her.”

Mr. Blackbourne’s face tightened and then he looked at me, his expression softening into surprise and then concern. “Miss Sorenson. Are you all right?”

His question caught me off guard, his tone made my insides tremble, making me worry that perhaps there was something wrong and I didn’t see it. “I think so,” I said, though it came out more like a question.

“Your face is flushed. Are you coming down with something?”

I shook my head.

Under the table, Dr. Green’s foot nudged mine until my leg was stretched out. A palm dropped onto my knee, warming through the cotton skirt. “She’s just fine,” he said with a smile. “It’s a new place. She’s still getting used to it.”