Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous, Robert. You’re exaggerating, don’t you think?”
“I prefer to err on the side of caution. He was my friend and turned on me. I’m not going to allow that to happen again to you or me.”
I turned to look across the field once more and frowned to see Max coming back. My heart plummeted once more as he walked up to us.
“I like to be a man of my word. I promised I would make a contribution to my old school so here it is. I’m prepared to meet any shortfall in the budget for the refurbishment of the lab.”
“Keep your dirty, stolen money. We don’t need it. I wonder where you’re skimming it from now. Maybe you’ll be behind bars before the ink on the check even dries.”
Max turned his stony face to Robert. “You worry about your money and I’ll worry about mine. And, for your information, my money is clean and untouchable. I can’t say the same for yours.”
I looked from one to the other as they engaged in a dangerous silent war. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the security team approaching and knew I needed to diffuse the situation immediately.
“Gentlemen, now is not the time or place for this. Please. People are looking.”
“Let them look, Savvie. Why shouldn’t I defend myself from the slurs this bastard has been throwing around since he got out?” He faced Max again. “Do you think I don’t see the side-eyes as people wonder if there’s any truth in the allegations that I framed you? Do you think I don’t know that you’re still saying I framed you or that you’re trying to ruin me on top of everything?”
I watched as Max ignored Robert and stepped up to me. He pressed a card into my unresisting hand. “Let me have the figures as soon as possible so we can talk about my legitimate donation.”
Then he turned and walked away once more. My eyes followed his determined stride and rigid back. Each step resonated with anger and I could not help but feel as though I was caught between a rock and a hard place. Behind me, I could feel Robert fuming.
“He’s got some nerve even showing his face to us.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to remind him that there was no ‘us’ but I could not be bothered to entertain Robert any longer.
“Be careful, Savvie. I know you need the money but I wouldn’t take a cent from him. If you’d like, I can have my accountant look at your books and see how much more you need and if you can find another source for funding.”
“The school’s accountant is taking care of that, Robert, but thanks for the offer.”
I looked at my watch and saw it was past closing time. It had been a long day with an unpredictable end. “I’ve got to go, Robert. Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it.”
“Anything for you, Savvie.”
He reached out to hug me once more, but I stepped back with a frown. We didn’t have that kind of relationship and I didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. I saw his face grow hard and anger flare in his eyes, but just as suddenly as it had come it was gone. A benign smile was in its place. He inclined his head slightly before walking away in the same direction Max had gone.
I stood looking at his retreating figure, wondering if I was going to have to send security to the parking lot to break up a fight if Max still lingered. I knew who my money would be on in such a fight. Robert would be too conscious of messing up his hair or sweating off his cologne to throw a proper punch.
“That was awkward.”
I turned to find Stacey at my elbow. What was it with all these people sneaking up on me today? I smiled grimly. “You started it, you know.”
She placed her hand on her chest and raised her eyebrows in shock. “Me? How did I get dragged into this triangle?”
“You generated that damn alumni list. And gave ME their names. So. Yes. I. Do. Blame You.” I punctuated each word with a stab of my pointer finger at her chest.
“Well? Would you have reached out to him otherwise?”
I tilted my head and looked at her curiously.
She stared back innocently. Too innocently. I knew Stacey well enough to know she was up to something. My mind raced back through the series of events over the last few weeks.
I frowned. “You had the list out before he was even released.”
She shrugged. “The timing just worked out perfectly, I swear. I just thought it was worth a shot seeing that he was an alum and all. Did it work?”