Page 81 of The Teacher

“Oh, unfortunately, it is.”

“Who’s been stealing? Why? How?”

“You wouldn’t know about this, Mr. Brown, but I’ve had my private team of lawyers and accountants hard at work the last few weeks reviewing the financial situation of the school. I’ve had them pouring over the school’s tax documents,” Skipper replies. He remains perfectly emotionless and calm as he delivers the information. He’s completely professional. It’s strange seeing him like this, in full-on work mode. But it’s also kinda sexy. I would be fancying him right now if it isn’t for what he did last night.

“A private team of lawyers and accountants? I don’t understand.”

“What they’ve discovered is that, for the past five years, someone’s been stealing from the school.”

“Stealing?”

“Yes, and I know who it is.”

“Who?”

“The information is quite… sensitive.”

Mr. Brown’s face reddens. “Well, please tell me, and let’s get this over with.”

“You want me to say it out loud, here?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, it took us some time to discover who the culprit is, but it’s you, Miss Tweed.” Every head in the room, including Skipper’s bodyguard, turns to the mathematics teacher.

Her?

Miss Tweed?

Is what Skipper’s saying true?

She’s been stealing from the school?

I mean, she is the bookkeeper of the place, but I would never think she’s been stealing. And for five years? That sounds crazy.

We all turn to her and immediately her face drops.

Miss Tweed looks guilty as hell.

It’s obvious she does not expect this accusation right now. She frantically flips her attention between the principal and Skipper over and over, her face getting redder. She lets out a nervous squeak of a laugh, trying to dismiss it.

“What?” she stutters. “Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“No, that’s impossible. Little old me?”

“Oh, it’s you, Miss Tweed,” Skipper coolly continues. “You’re the person stealing from the school.”

“That’s not right.”

“Seeing that you’ve been doing it for five years and you’re the sole bookkeeper of the place, you’ve stolen quite a lot. You’ve been lying to Mr. Brown here and you’ve been skimming off a lot of the tax for yourself. No wonder the school’s in dire straits.”

“This is simply not true.”

Skipper ignores her. “Poseidon’s Academy doesn’t have a problem with raising money, but it’s losing a lot due to you, Miss Tweed.”

I watch this all unfold with shock disbelief. Skipper is on the attack here against Miss Tweed, and she’s quivering in fear. This is what he wanted me to come in here for, or is there more to be unraveled?