Chapter 20
“I’m worried about you staying on at the school after I leave,” Garrett said. They were sitting in his truck cruising down the highway late on a Saturday afternoon. He still refused to tell her their destination, wanting to keep the element of surprise for as long as possible, but she was growing impatient. Luckily, his GPS said they were now less than fifteen minutes away.
“I’ll be fine,” Reese said. “Wait, have you had a breakthrough in your case?”
“I might have broken it wide open the other day, but I’m still waiting on some lab results.”
It had been two days since her meeting with Principal Ryker, and while she hadn’t seen the man since leaving his office, she had the odd feeling he was somehow keeping an eye on her. It was probably all in her imagination, and after what she’d just been through with Vivian and Russell, she likely didn’t have an objective view on the situation. After all, Principal Ryker hadn’t actually said or done anything inappropriate, and having a private conversation in his own office wasn’t exactly a crime.
“How are your students feeling about being in the art exhibit?” Garrett asked.
“I think most of them are excited. The museum had me pass out consent forms. Both the artist and their legal guardian has to sign it for them to participate, so it’s really up to them if theywant to be a part of the exhibit. It won’t affect their grade either way”
“Good,” Garrett said with some relief in his voice. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” Reese said. There was nothing she wouldn’t tell this man who’d opened his home and life to her, and made her the happiest she’d ever been.
“When the kids are doing art in your class, are they allowed to talk freely, or do you ask them to be quiet like I do when they’re working on a paper or engaged in silent reading?”
“I don’t mind a little conversation as long as the focus remains on their work. Why do you ask?”
Garrett drummed his fingers on the steering wheel for a few seconds like he was contemplating his next words. “Have you noticed anything odd about any of your students? Maybe something someone said or did, or lost, or dropped?”
Well, if that wasn’t the strangest question she’d ever been asked. “No,” Reese said. The only person who came to mind was the principal. But Garrett had asked about her students specifically.
“Okay. I was just asking. I can’t tell you anything about the case, but just know if you ever see or hear something that doesn’t feel quite right, you can always come to me. Even if it turns out to be nothing, I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
Reese nodded, knowing she could turn to Garrett for anything. This was the man who’d saved her from Vivian, dropped everything to search for her in the dead of night in the woods, and continued to help her every day when she didn’t have money or a place to stay. He bought her food, gave her clothes, and a free and wonderful place to live. He was the one who’d turned out the lights on his property just to get her to come out of the guest house and have a conversation with him. This was the guy who’d arranged a party in the dark using nothing butstring lights, candles, and a bonfire for light just so she could meet his friends and feel normal for a few hours. And now he was driving for nearly an hour to surprise her with something - she still had no idea what - but she knew she was going to love it.
Reese nibbled her bottom lip, overwhelmed by just how much the man sitting next to her had done for her in such a short amount of time.
Principal Ryker deserved his privacy, but if he was involved in something illegal or dangerous, it could help solve whatever case Garrett was working on. And if that led to Ryker being sent to prison where he’d be killed, there was nothing she could do about it. If she knew something and didn’t tell Garrett, and it later cost him the case, or worse, she’d never forgive herself.
“Principal Ryker,” she blurted out.
Garrett jerked his head toward her, then turned back to watch the road again. “Come again?”
“All the students seem just fine to me, but the other day, when I met with Principal Ryker about the museum thing, he was - well, I don’t know for sure.”
“Tell me,” Garrett said, his voice even, his tone almost comforting.
“Mrs. Arbiter stopped by my third period class to tell me that Ryker wanted to see me. So, after class, I walked over to his office. The door to the reception area was open so I just walked right in. Mrs. Arbiter wasn’t there, but his door was ajar and I heard him talking to someone. I don’t know what they were talking about, but it felt intense, like the other man seemed to be threatening Ryker, and Ryker promised to take care of it. He never said what. After the man left, Ryker asked what I’d overheard and I truthfully told him nothing. The conversation on its own was completely unmemorable. It just left me with an uneasy feeling.”
“And that’s when you ran into me in the hallway?” Garrett asked.
Reese nodded. “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I wasn’t sure what to say. Like I said, they didn’t mention any names or places, or even what they were actually talking about. I’m just a teacher, Garrett. It’s not my business who Principal Ryker talks to, right? I also didn’t want you to use this as an excuse to try to get me to quit my job.” There, she’d said it.
Garrett swallowed, clearly displeased that she’d kept this from him. “I’m only trying to protect you, Reese. Tell me more about the other guy.”
“I honestly tried not to look at him. He was big. Bigger than you. He wore a suit.”
Garrett took her hand. “Anything else?”
“No. Do you think it was something important?”
