Read Online Murder as a Second Language by Joan Hess - Free Book Online

contrition, but his voice was chilly. “I’m just saying that if we accept money from this foundation, we have to comply with their restrictions.”
    â€œHey, I don’t want them breathing down my neck,” Austin said. “My karma’s shaky enough already on account of the untimely demise of one of the flying sheep in that furniture store commercial. Dumb creature ran bleating into the street.”
    Rick refused to be distracted. “So we’re going to take their money under false pretenses? What are you going to do if a representative from the foundation wants to observe a nonexistent class?”
    At that point, everyone except me felt the need to voice an opinion loudly and adamantly. Even Drake joined in, banging his fist on the table. Gregory rose to his feet, as did Rick and Austin. Sonya shrieked at them to behave. Frances shrieked at Sonya to stop shrieking. Willie demanded order in the court. Rick and Gregory were almost nose to nose, their hands clenched. I watched in awe. I’d expected a lot of polite dissension, not a vociferous uprising. Several Latino students came to the doorway, their eyes wide as they took in what might evolve into a bullfight. Olé!
    Frances was literally hopping as she howled for order. After another basically incoherent exchange involving improbable lineage, Rick and Gregory backed away from each other. Austin hastily began to make another round of martinis. Sonya took out a compact and checked her lipstick. Willie grimaced before downing her last few drops. Drake’s arms were crossed as he watched Gregory leave. I felt sorry for the amigos in the doorway, who’d had such high hopes.
    Frances found her voice. “The executive committee will meet Thursday at five o’clock at my house, when we will delve into these matters more thoroughly. Austin, I suggest you recruit Claire for the fund-raising committee. Any new business?” Rick waved his arm, but she ignored him. “If not, we’re adjourned. Please excuse me, but I’ve developed a dreadful headache and I cannot stay here another minute. Our next meeting is … hell, I don’t know. Ask Keiko.” She gathered up her things and marched out the door.
    Sonya fanned herself with the sheaf of papers. “You must think we’re terrible, Claire. Our meetings are usually short and boring. The financial situation has everyone on edge, I suppose. Gregory’s doing his best.”
    â€œYou’re defending him?” Rick asked. “Did corporate suck out your brains today as part of a new restructuring plan?”
    She quivered with anger. “You’re a damn bully, that’s what you are! Willie, don’t you agree that Gregory’s doing his best?”
    â€œWhatever.” Willie arose and picked up her purse. “This nonsense is too much for my aged bladder.”
    She left the room. Drake followed her, his expression rigid. I grabbed my purse, but before I could bolt, Sonya snagged me. “Please don’t resign, Claire. This won’t happen again, I promise. We all care about the Farberville Literacy Council, maybe too much, and so do the students. We can’t let them down.”
    I removed her hand. “I’ve been in faculty meetings where certain professors were threatened with defenestration. This was mild in comparison.”
    Austin’s laugh sounded like a bray. “From the top floor of the ivy tower?”
    â€œAcademians make a very fine splat, or so I’ve been told.” I escaped and went into the main room. In one of the classrooms, an elderly man was talking to a dozen students about bank deposit slips. Several of the cubicles were occupied by tutors and their students, while other students in the lounge cribbed off each other’s workbooks. Keiko was in her office, conversing with a man in a dashiki. Drake stood in the corner, still grim. Sonya and Frances were talking together in the lounge