Read Online Liars' Games (Project Chameleon Book 1) by Susan Finlay - Free Book Online
Authors: Susan Finlay
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“And then there’s the constant bullying.”
She paused, took another sip of tea. “ Not only do the teachers let it continue, but some also have shoved each other or argued with one another right in front of students. I’ve seen it happen. They’re supposed to set good examples. It’s taking all of my self-control not to scream ‘Grow up’ to all of them. Students and teachers.”
“Maybe you should,” Frank said. “Don’t be so polite. Be tough. Don’t go postal, of course. Remember, these students and teachers need to be reined in. Disciplined. Sometimes a bit of fire and brimstone are necessary. It’s about time someone with guts let them have it.”
“Huh?”
“Look, you can’t win a war without fighting. Give ‘em hell, but stay in control of your actions. And remember, I’m here. You can call me whenever you need support. Or when you need someone to listen.”
And he did listen. For an hour, he let her vent, offering advice when he could. His manner was so relaxed, his comments coming at the right times, and showing unwavering interest and compassion, that Claire came away feeling like she’d gone through a counseling session. Frank talked, too, about his longtime friendship with Steve Jensen and about his own family. It was the first time anyone in the school district had engaged her in a real conversation without causing her anxiety.
However, the following day, Claire’s spirit hit a new low. After her worst morning yet, she sat at her desk scoffing down a sandwich between emergencies. The day had begun with a fire that students had deliberately set in a storage closet. It went downhill from there.
Her phone rang, and she groaned. Don’t answer it. Whoever it is can leave a message.
But when she heard Steve Jensen’s voice on the answering machine, she picked up.
“How’s your day going?”
She sighed. Did he already know? Had Frank told Steve about their talk? Why else would he call now?
“Well, I’ve had better. I’m having one of those days, the kind where you wish you’d stayed in bed even if that meant you were sick as a dog. It’s pretty bad when I’d rather have the flu or food poisoning than come to work.”
“ Hmm, I’ve had those days, myself. Believe me.” He chuckled.
“I guess I shouldn’t complain. Things will get better. The first weeks on a new job are always hard, aren’t they?”
“Absolutely. It takes time.” After a brief pause, he said, “Hey, the reason I’m calling, I got a call a few minutes ago from the police chief. I heard there was a problem at Midland.”
“Uh, yes.” Which one was he referring to? “Uh, we had a student overdose on cocaine this morning. Paramedics and police came. It was a frightening scene.”
“How’s the student?”
“The hospital says he’ll recover.”
“That’s good . Anything else?”
She told him about the early morning fire and about an incident involving a BB gun. “No one was hurt in either of those.”
“Did you put the school on lockdown?”
“Yes. We’ve been in lockdown off and on all morning. I think the student body’s goal is to get the school in permanent lockdown. We finally found something they’re good at.”
“That’s gotta be tough,” Steve said. “At least you’re getting the chance to perfect the procedures.”
“ Procedures? Should I have called you or Frank about these incidents?”
“Frank needs to know. In the future, when these things come up, give him a buzz. He’ll notify me if he thinks I need to be informed.”
“Right. I didn’t know, but I probably would have called when I had time, anyway.”
“On another subject,” Steve said, “I came by the school yesterday morning. Your assistant principal told me you were in a meeting. Said he’d let you know I was there.”
“He didn’t say anything.” Damn, he had plenty of chances to tell me yesterday and today. So what’s going on? “I’m sorry,” she said. “I would have called had
She paused, took another sip of tea. “ Not only do the teachers let it continue, but some also have shoved each other or argued with one another right in front of students. I’ve seen it happen. They’re supposed to set good examples. It’s taking all of my self-control not to scream ‘Grow up’ to all of them. Students and teachers.”
“Maybe you should,” Frank said. “Don’t be so polite. Be tough. Don’t go postal, of course. Remember, these students and teachers need to be reined in. Disciplined. Sometimes a bit of fire and brimstone are necessary. It’s about time someone with guts let them have it.”
“Huh?”
“Look, you can’t win a war without fighting. Give ‘em hell, but stay in control of your actions. And remember, I’m here. You can call me whenever you need support. Or when you need someone to listen.”
And he did listen. For an hour, he let her vent, offering advice when he could. His manner was so relaxed, his comments coming at the right times, and showing unwavering interest and compassion, that Claire came away feeling like she’d gone through a counseling session. Frank talked, too, about his longtime friendship with Steve Jensen and about his own family. It was the first time anyone in the school district had engaged her in a real conversation without causing her anxiety.
However, the following day, Claire’s spirit hit a new low. After her worst morning yet, she sat at her desk scoffing down a sandwich between emergencies. The day had begun with a fire that students had deliberately set in a storage closet. It went downhill from there.
Her phone rang, and she groaned. Don’t answer it. Whoever it is can leave a message.
But when she heard Steve Jensen’s voice on the answering machine, she picked up.
“How’s your day going?”
She sighed. Did he already know? Had Frank told Steve about their talk? Why else would he call now?
“Well, I’ve had better. I’m having one of those days, the kind where you wish you’d stayed in bed even if that meant you were sick as a dog. It’s pretty bad when I’d rather have the flu or food poisoning than come to work.”
“ Hmm, I’ve had those days, myself. Believe me.” He chuckled.
“I guess I shouldn’t complain. Things will get better. The first weeks on a new job are always hard, aren’t they?”
“Absolutely. It takes time.” After a brief pause, he said, “Hey, the reason I’m calling, I got a call a few minutes ago from the police chief. I heard there was a problem at Midland.”
“Uh, yes.” Which one was he referring to? “Uh, we had a student overdose on cocaine this morning. Paramedics and police came. It was a frightening scene.”
“How’s the student?”
“The hospital says he’ll recover.”
“That’s good . Anything else?”
She told him about the early morning fire and about an incident involving a BB gun. “No one was hurt in either of those.”
“Did you put the school on lockdown?”
“Yes. We’ve been in lockdown off and on all morning. I think the student body’s goal is to get the school in permanent lockdown. We finally found something they’re good at.”
“That’s gotta be tough,” Steve said. “At least you’re getting the chance to perfect the procedures.”
“ Procedures? Should I have called you or Frank about these incidents?”
“Frank needs to know. In the future, when these things come up, give him a buzz. He’ll notify me if he thinks I need to be informed.”
“Right. I didn’t know, but I probably would have called when I had time, anyway.”
“On another subject,” Steve said, “I came by the school yesterday morning. Your assistant principal told me you were in a meeting. Said he’d let you know I was there.”
“He didn’t say anything.” Damn, he had plenty of chances to tell me yesterday and today. So what’s going on? “I’m sorry,” she said. “I would have called had
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