Deadly First Day, page 18
part #1 of Embassy Academy Series
“Is she back in Haiti?”
Ricardo hunches over, taking his time picking another bite of plantain. Sitting back, he pops it into his mouth, chewing slowly. He swallows, and then turns to me. “As far as I know.” His expression is tight, and he won’t meet my eyes. It’s obviously a sore subject for him, so I don’t press any farther.
We sit in the uncomfortable quiet for a few minutes, snacking and listening to the hum of street noise. Slowly, the clouds break and stars start to twinkle in the indigo dome above us, but not nearly as many as I could see from my backyard at home. My heart squeezes. I miss that, too.
Another shiver courses through me, and Ricardo glances down at his watch. “It’s pretty late. Let’s go back in, shall we?” Standing, he offers me a hand, which I take.
“Thanks for this. I really needed it.”
“It was my pleasure, chouchou.”
I smile in amusement at his nickname for me. I should really remember to ask Genevieve if he used it on her, too, some time. Part of me wants to confirm that he is, indeed, a perennial playboy, as he put it. But another part of me doesn’t want to know. Instead, that part would rather stay this way, thinking that to Ricardo, I’m someone significant. Someone worth re-creating his mama’s fried plantain recipe and spreading a picnic blanket on the grass to watch the stars.
He escorts me back up the stairs, but halts with his eyes fixed on my door.
My shoulders sag when I see it.
There’s a poster-sized photo of a killer with long knives for fingers, but someone has taped a photo of my face over the killer’s, and written words in red marker. “Happy Halloween. I know what you did.”
I rub my goosebumpy arms, frowning.
Ricardo hisses and yanks the poster off my door, crumbling it up and tossing it down the hall. “Jerks. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“It must be rough, having everyone watching your every move.” So he’s noticed.
“I’m used to it.”
He squeezes my arm. “It’ll be over soon, and in the meantime, you have more plantains.”
The cookies smell heavenly as I ascend the stairs. Several people crack their doors and peek out looking for the source of the mouth-watering aroma, which makes the corners of my mouth curve up in a smile.
Charlotte is staring at a color-coded calendar on her laptop when I tiptoe into her room, bearing the tray of molasses cookies I brought to butter her up. She grins when she sees them. “Oh, those look divine. Thank you. I could really use a cookie right about now. I have so much studying to do I don’t know how I’m going to get it all done.”
Charlotte takes the plate of cookies from me and sets it on the desk beside her, munching on one as she looks back at her calendar. Her knees jiggle in a disorganized way as she eats. She’s so wound up I’m positive she’s had at least three caffeine infusions, but when I glance around there’s no empty coffee cup or energy drink in sight.
“Um, Charlotte? Can I talk to you?”
“Shoot.”
“Well, it’s just that, Gul told me that everyone thought Na was sleeping with Professor Rook, and—”
Charlotte spins around to face me, rolling her eyes, hard. “You can’t believe everything Gul says. She’s a good source of gossip, sure, but it’s not always accurate. It’s called gossip for a reason. Try not to be so gullible, Adrienne. And anyway, there’s no way Na was sleeping with Professor Rook. She dated my brother for most of last year, and as catty as she could be, I doubt she’d cheat on him with an old guy.” She shudders at the thought, and takes another cookie.
I want to believe her, but I saw the way Na and Professor Rook looked at each other the morning the girl was killed. Close. Overly familiar. Like they’d shared more than lectures and innocent questions during the course of their class time. I’ve replayed that moment so many times, I’m not even sure if I imagined her touching his arm, or if it really happened. Either way, I’m pretty positive there was something going on between them.
“Right. But then, I’m wondering. If she wasn’t you know, involved with him, why did she spend so much time in his classroom?”
Charlotte shrugs. “Look, I’ll admit that Professor Rook is cute, but it wasn’t that. He’s got his favorite students, okay? And he’s nice to them, lets them hang out in his classroom if they want to get out of another class for a few minutes. He’s got an open door policy. Think of it like a break room, but with desks.”
Hmm. My fingers tap on my thigh as I form the words. “Can I ask you a question?”
“If you have a question, just ask it. You don’t need to get permission first. It makes you look timid and weak, which you can’t afford to be at this school. Or anywhere. Remember that.” The words are harsh, but something about her tone makes me buck up rather than shrinking. Even though the last time she heard me talking about this, she was not happy. But she’s right. I should just ask.
“What’s your relationship with Professor Rook?”
Charlotte goes rigid.
I’ve hit a nerve.
A beat passes, and Charlotte turns from her desk, a wall of composure making it impossible for me to get even a hint of what’s going through her mind. I wince. I haven’t seen this cold look from her since the night I had dinner with her and her family, earlier this summer. It’s surprisingly painful to be the object of her impassive stare after so many weeks of being in her inner circle.
“Are you implying something about me and Professor Rook? Because it sounds like you are, and I don’t like it. First you come in here, asking if Na cheated on my brother, and then you have the nerve to ask me this. You think I’m sleeping with Professor Rook?”
My mouth clamps shut. That is exactly what I’m implying, what I’m wondering. But oh, how I wish I had kept it to myself.
Charlotte’s voice rises as she unfurls from her desk chair and looms in front of me. “Are you serious? Is that what you really think of me? That I’m some entitled slut who would bang a teacher, even though I have the perfect boyfriend? That I would do it just for the fun of it? Or do you think I’m using him to get better grades? Please, Adrienne. I do NOT need Professor Rook’s help to get straight As. And I certainly wouldn’t sleep with him. It’s insulting, and beneath me. And beneath you, too. You should know better than to ask me something like that. I thought we were friends.”
Her words twist in my gut like a knife, and my mouth drops open. I’ve gone way, way too far. “I’m sorry,” I stammer. “I didn’t mean to imply that you were, um, sleeping with him, but I saw you go in there, and then the door was locked.” I finish with a lame shrug, my gaze tangled in the fluffy faux-fur rug running over the hardwood floor.
“That’s none of your business, and I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t repeat it to Dali. Or anyone else.” So maybe Genevieve told her about the conversation we had in the bathroom after all.
Charlotte plunks down in her desk chair, back rigid, not looking at me.
It’s an obvious dismissal.
With a sigh, I reach for the plate of molasses cookies.
“Leave the cookies,” Charlotte commands.
I obey, shutting her door with a quiet snick as I leave. Guilt crawls up my throat, making me swallow hard. I can’t believe I accused her of sleeping with a professor. I clamp my eyes shut, pinching at the bridge of my nose. As a stepsister, I feel like I’m failing.
23
Charlotte is ignoring me this morning, which was better than the active shunning I had figured was coming. For a second there I thought I might have to find a new table to sit at in the eatery, and I’m not brave enough to try to sit with Ricardo, even though we’re becoming good friends. And I’m definitely not going to sit with Gul and her friends. They’re way too intimidating. Plus, I don’t have the information Gul asked me to get, so I doubt I’d be welcome anyway.
Next to me, Mikhail is wearing his usual suit, despite the colder temperatures. When I asked him about it, he merely said that Moscow in November is much colder than D.C., which made me shiver. He chuckled. It was adorable.
I glance at Callahan, whose head is resting on an arm slung over the tabletop. His eyes are half-closed, and he’s not moving. In fact, he looks like he’s fallen asleep, despite the rumble of voices and screeching trays that fill the room. There’s no way I’m asking him directly if he thought Na was sleeping with Professor Rook. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t yell at me like Charlotte, but it still wouldn’t be pleasant.
Speak of the devil, Professor Rook strolls into the eatery with a mug in hand. He crosses to the coffee station and makes himself a cup with a good amount of cream, and some natural sweetener. His cup shakes as he picks it up so he switches it to the other hand.
Another student walks up beside him and starts making a coffee of her own. Professor Rook doesn’t move, as if listening to something. I can’t tell because she’s facing away from me, but it looks like the girl and Professor Rook are having a conversation, low, with their backs turned to the room.
What are they talking about? I’m itching to get closer, but they’d spot me for sure.
I don’t know what that’s all about, but I’m going to find out.
Maybe he’s not sleeping with Charlotte, but maybe he is sleeping with this girl.
Slowly, she takes a small bit of paper out of her pocket and slides it across the counter.
Professor Rook picks it up, pockets it, and leaves, sipping on his steaming coffee.
The girl dawdles around for a couple of minutes, making a show of adding cream, sugar, and caramel syrup to her mug before she, too, leaves Only she’s not subtle like Professor Rook. When she goes, she looks back over her shoulder to make sure no one is watching.
But she doesn’t see me.
I follow as casually as I can, walking on the balls of my feet so my shoes don’t squeak on the slick floor.
It’s no surprise when she goes into Professor Rook’s classroom and closes the door behind her.
Inching forward, my fingertips brush the cool knob, and I turn it just enough to test it.
It’s locked.
Taking a quick inhale, I lean against the door and strain to hear anything from inside. Nothing. It’s dead quiet in there. Either that or the door is much more soundproof than I expected. Then again, maybe it’s a good thing. If they’re doing what I think they’re doing, it’s not something I’m dying to hear anyway. Giving up, I return to the eatery.
If I really want to find out what Professor Rook is up to with his female students, I’m going to have to do something more drastic than follow a student back to his classroom. Because once they’re inside there’s no way for me to know if he’s taking advantage, or giving homework help.
My gut is telling me that there’s more to his relationship with Na than just teacher/student, and Charlotte isn’t going to be any help. I could just ask him, but the odds of him actually being honest with me are astronomical. No, I’m going to have to do something much more drastic.
Butterflies skitter around my stomach as I climb the stairs to the fifth floor and stand in front of Mikhail’s door. After the incident, my father arranged for him to have a room on campus so he’d always be available if Charlotte or I needed him. It seemed like overkill at the time, but tonight it’s going to come in handy.
Still, I’m nervous. I’ve never come up here to seek him out before, and I fidget under the stares of the other guys who see me standing here in my olive green leggings and loose black top. Their curiosity almost makes me reconsider what I’m about to do.
Everyone at this school ignores Mikhail, as if he’s nothing more than a lifelike statue, silent and observant, but never a participant in the dramas that unfold within these walls. But I’ve gotten to know him over the past couple of months. He’s observant, yes, but he’s also caring, protective, and gentle. He makes me feel seen, calm, and safe.
If I’m being honest with myself, I have to admit that I’m starting to feel something for Mikhail, but I know by the way he watches Charlotte that he doesn’t see me that way. No, he’s interested in my taller, thinner, sassier stepsister. And really, I don’t blame him. Charlotte stands out.
Yet, Mikhail is my friend, and he has valuable skills. So I smooth down my top, hold my head high, and rap on his door.
He opens it, pulling a gray tee over his head.
My eyes snag on his firm abs, and I make myself look up at his face. I bite my lip at the sight of him in the snug gray t-shirt and knit pants. He looks so good out of his suit.
Mikhail catches me staring, and his eyes shine as he asks, “What is it, Adrienne? Is something wrong?”
My face flames, and I drop my gaze to the floor, twining my fingers together in embarrassment. I can’t believe he caught me staring at him. My palms start to sweat. This was a terrible idea. I want to flee down the stairs and hide in my room, but I can’t seem to make my feet move.
Grazing my chin with his finger and thumb, Mikhail lifts my eyes to his. “You do not have to be embarrassed. I am here to help you.”
A guy walks by, eyeing us, making me wish I could become invisible.
Mikhail steps out of his room and closes the door behind him, making it clear that nothing fishy is going on between us. He ushers me down the hall into a nook off the student lounge. “What brings you up to the fifth floor?”
I’m rethinking my plan in my head. Maybe I shouldn’t have come up here, but I could really use his help. “I was hoping you’d come downstairs with me? There’s something I’d like to do.”
“I will help you in any way I can.” The earnest tone in his voice makes my breath hitch.
I’m flustered as I step back from him, my heart pounding in my chest. He affects me way too much, and I can’t let it distract me right now. Besides, he likes Charlotte, not me. I take a step, but he holds out a hand.
“Wait.” Opening his door, he disappears inside and reappears, tucking a gun into a holster at the small of his back.
My eyes pop open. “You carry a gun?”
“Adrienne. Senator Holt has charged me with protecting you and your sister. I will do that, to the best of my ability.”
I nod, surprised speechless by the charged tone in his voice. Having someone so focused on keeping me safe is, well, kind of hot.
“Now, where are you taking me?” There’s a gleam in his eyes as he looks at me.
I’m taking a huge risk. I trust Mikhail with my safety, but I’m not positive he won’t refuse to help me and go straight to the senator when I admit what I’d like to do. Still, if I’m going to do something dangerous, who better to take with me than my bodyguard? “I’m hoping you’ll sneak downstairs with me?”
His eyebrows rise. “All the secrecy for another trip to the kitchen? I would be happy to go with you, especially if it results in cookies.”
I flush at his praise of my baking, but don’t let it distract me. I’ve come this far, and I have to keep going. “There’s somewhere I need to go, to look around, and I don’t exactly have permission. Plus, I don’t really want to do it alone. Will you go with me, Mikhail?” His name rolls off my tongue, and his eyes spark.
His gaze moves over me as he thinks about my request.
I smile, hoping it’ll coax him into playing along. “Do you trust me?”
“Lead the way.”
My heart is a fluttering ball of energy as we walk down the stairs together. Almost no one pays us any attention as we navigate the halls. They’re used to seeing Mikhail with me, and right now that’s an advantage.
We’re almost to the foyer when a girl I don’t know eyes Mikhail with greedy eyes before shooting me a nasty look. Inadequacy begins to pool in my belly.
Mikhail must have seen it, because he puts a hand on my arm. “Adrienne.” He waits until I meet his eyes, and speaks loudly enough that I’m sure the girl can hear him. “Do not let that girl bother you. You are no less important than her, or any of the others at this school. In reality, you are much more than they see. If someone does not value you, they are not worth your time. Do you understand?”
I nod, smiling. His words are like a cozy blanket around my heart. “Okay.”
“Good.”
The security guard at the door watches us as we approach. “The dormitory is closed for the night. No leaving the grounds.” His voice is a bored monotone.
“We are simply going to the kitchen,” Mikhail replies smoothly.
The security guard merely grunts in response, returning his attention to his phone.
We walk leisurely past him, but my pulse is racing. It hadn’t occurred to me that we’d have to give the security guard a reason for walking around the buildings at night. The other times I came down here, I waited until the guard was on rounds so I could sneak past without being seen.
Once we’re out of earshot, Mikhail scans the area. “What is our next move?”
I look up and down the hall but see no one. We’re alone. Now is the perfect time to put my plan in action. “Swear you won’t tell my father?”
“I swear it.” There’s not a trace of hesitation in his voice. I knew I could trust him.
“I want you to help me search Professor Rook’s classroom. I think there’s something going on between him and… another student.” I don’t dare tell him that the student is Charlotte, because I’m pretty sure he would tell the senator about that. Besides, I owe her that much.
Mikhail’s eyebrows twitch in surprise. “You want to investigate Professor Rook? I admit, I do not like him, but I do not understand your motives. Why are you interested in the professor?”
It’s reassuring that Mikhail’s instincts about the professor are in line with mine. Something is rotten in the state of Rook. “I saw a girl pass him a note in the eatery today, and then they met in his classroom. The door was locked.” I emphasize the last word, leaving him to infer whatever he wishes from it.
Mikhail’s eyes narrow. “Let us go.”
We creep the rest of the way down the hall and slither through the door to the professor’s classroom, closing it behind us. Only then am I comfortable lighting up the flashlight on my phone. “Will you look through the cabinets? See if you can find anything suspicious. I’ll start over here.”
