Alibi High

She stared across the desk of at me. I didn't think she was used to being on the defensive too often . ; S s he was too savvy , too much of a politician. And I didn't think she liked that that's where she was now.

“I have interviewed with Blue Lake, yes,” she finally said. “For their president's position, yes.”

I shook my head. “So you're leaving?”

She hesitated. “It hasn't officially been offered to me yet ,” she answered . . ”

“But if it is?”

“That's a...hypothetical question at this point.”

“So you don't know if you will or not?”

Her mouth twisted again. “As of this moment, I am still the president of Prism and , until I announce my resignation, I will remain the leader of this school community.”

I shook my head again, wanting to strangle her with that locket around her neck. stared at her, my expression incredulous. “So you really would leave in the middle of the school year?”

She didn't say anything.

“And what about your contract?” I said, hoping it surprised her that I knew she had one. “Isn't there a non-compete clause?”

If she was surprised, she didn't show it. Instead, she leaned back in the chair again. “There is . ,” she said cooly. “ But it's irrelevant at the moment.”

“At the moment? ” I raised my eyebrows. “How is a clause in a contract ever irrelevant?” What does that mean?”

She folded her perfectly manicured hands together into a bridge position and placed her elbows on the desk. and set them in her lap. “It means that at present, there are conditions that may allow for me to exit my contract. Not that it's any of your business, but seeing as how you've apparently been using your time here at school to look into my position here , I would think you might already be aware of that .” She smiled, but it wasn't terribly friendly gave me a thin smile . “Perhaps you're aiming to fill my position, should it become available . ? ”

“What conditions?” I asked, ignoring her dig at me.

She arched an eyebrow. “My contract maintains stipulates that certain things ...conditions must be kept up to par for me to remain here,” she said. “And if some of those thing fall below the standard written into my contract, I am free to seek gainful employment elsewhere.” She paused. “So, if, say, the computer lab isn't fully operational at a school that's supposed to be a technological leader in the state, then I would have the freedom to look for a place that might meet those standards.”

I stared at her, unable to believe what she was telling me.

“And if the school doesn't have the resources to replace them immediately,” she said , then shrugg ed . . “Well, then who am I to turn down an opportunity to explore other opportunities?”

“Did you have something to do with the theft?” I blurted out, trying to sort everything out my eyes wide . “Did you do that so you could leave?”

She frowned and tucked her chin so she could look looked down her nose at me. “Come now, Daisy. I can't believe you are even suggesting that.”

“And I can't believe you would leave the school in the middle of the year , especially when it's struggling,” I said countered . “That's not leadership. That's cowardice.”

“Call it what you like,” she said, unfazed. “But what you're suggesting did not happen. I had nothing to do with the loss of those computers. The timing is coincidental. That's all it simply is.”

“And what about the insurance?” I asked . , glaring at her. “Did you let that lapse on purpose?”

She frowned again. “You are watching too much television , but I'll answer your question anyway . No, I did not and I'm a bit insulted that you even have to ask.”

“Which is probably how everyone will feel when you walk out,” I said. “Insulted.”

“I doubt that very much,” she said . , her voice calm.

Nothing I said was rattling her. And there was one thing that didn't make sense, even with all of her explanations.

“Why did you push the fundraiser then?” I asked. “ If this was your way out of the school W , w hy not just let it fester?”

She leaned forward , a condescending smile on her face . “Because whether you believe it or not, I do care about this school and while I am here, I will always have the best interests of the community at heart. Raising money for computers was something that had to be done and , despite this surprise attack you've thrown at me today, I appreciate all the work you've done.”

“What if we raise enough money?” I said. “To replace all the computers? Won't that nullify your out?”

“If it were enough to cover the replacement costs of everything lost, yes, it would be,” she said. “But you and I have discussed that isn't going to happen with a single fundraiser.”

We sat there in quiet for a moment I didn't say anything and the silence engulfed us . I wanted to throttle her. I wasn't sure if I believed her about not stealing the computers or not, but I wasn't sure it mattered now. She'd used Prism as a stepping stone to a better job and didn't seem to care one bit that she'd be leaving the school in a precarious position. I wondered if all the incompetency Jake and I had witnessed had more to do with a lack of caring than general incompetence. It was hard for me to believe that she was terribly invested in the school if she could so easily walk away so easily .

“Have you informed the board about this?” I finally said. “That you're interviewing for another job?”

That flicker of irritation or whatever it was flitted through her eyes again She pursed her lips . “Given that there isn't anything to share at this time, no I have not. But that shouldn't be a concern of yours.”

“This school is a concern of mine because my daughter goes here,” I said, standing up . “So everything that affects her here concerns me. And your leaving, unfortunately, would affect her and every other student in this building.”

“The board will be duly notified if they need to be notified when and if the time comes ,” she said sternly firmly . “And once again, I must ask you – where did you hear about my discussions with Blue Lake? . Th e o se interviews were strictly confidential , to avoid precisely this awkwardness. Where did you hear about it?” .”

I looked at her and gave what I hoped was just as condescending of a smile as she'd given me . “It's not a concern of yours .” .”

THIRTY THREE

I stormed out of Evelyn Bingledorf's office, mad, sad and unsure of what to do about any of it . I stomped down the hallway, back to my temporary home, ready to hash it out with spill my entire conversation with the pres ident to Charlotte , but . But her desk was still empty, no sign that she'd even stepped into her office that morning. her desk was empty and I didn't see any sign that she'd been there. The copier was quiet, which meant Harriet was gone, too.