Read Online White Ginger by Thatcher Robinson - Free Book Online Page B

quickly to issue directions. “If you’ll step through the metal detector, Mr. Ketchum and our head of security are waiting for you in the administration offices. The door is down the hallway on your right.”
    They passed through the plastic stanchions of the metal detector without incident and continued down the empty corridor. The black and white marble on the floor showed wear. The paneling on the walls displayed a patina wood only acquires with age. The building dated from the thirties and had originally served as a fashionable apartment complex before being converted to a private school.
    Black lettering on a glass-paneled door informed Bai she’d arrived at the administration offices. She opened the door to find a deserted lobby. The room was spartan. Four backless couches on a polished cement floor hugged the walls. An institutional odor, a combination of stale coffee, ink toner, and moldy building, permeated the air.
    Loud voices issued from an inner office. She stopped to listen while Jason and Lee stood in the open doorway at her back. A disembodied voice yelled, “You can’t pretend the video doesn’t exist.”
    The reply was conciliatory. “And what would you have me do? This school can’t afford a lawsuit.”
    â€œI won’t allow it, Ketchum. I’m still the head of security at this school and I’m not destroying evidence just to make your job easier. This recording proves the girl is innocent.”
    â€œYou know that child’s background as well as I do. Innocence and guilt are a matter of perception. You just need to do what you’re told and let me run this school.”
    Bai walked over to the door with “PROVOST” lettered in gold on frosted glass. She twisted the knob to fling the door open. Arms held rigidly at her sides, she surveyed the office as a strained hush fell over the room. Two men stood behind a large desk, their expressions frozen in surprise.
    A muscle in Bai’s cheek twitched. Her nails dug into the palms of her fisted hands. “It’s important to remember, gentlemen,” she said with venom in her voice, “‘there are always ears on the other side of the wall.’ And, since you’re well aware of my daughter’s background, I’m sure you’re also mindful I’m not the kind of mother you want to fuck with.”
    The threat wasn’t subtle. The two men facing her stood in stunned silence. Lee and Jason stepped into the room to stand at her side.
    Recovering first, the younger of the two men stepped around the desk to greet her with his hand extended. “Miss Jiang, my name’s John Race, head of security here at Hopkins. It’s a pleasure to meet you. This is Walter Ketchum, our provost.”
    He introduced the older gentleman, who nodded at her and muttered a brief, “Pleasure,” before seating himself behind his desk. He looked as if he’d bitten into something bitter. Bai hoped it was cyanide. She ignored Race’s outstretched hand and turned her full attention on the provost.
    â€œTell me about the recording.”
    Her eyes bored holes into Walter Ketchum.
    Ketchum remained silent as he turned his head to look at Race. Bai watched the interplay with interest. Race shook his head discreetly in denial, a gesture that in turn elicited an angry glare from Ketchum. Red crept slowly up the provost’s neck until it covered his face like a bad rash. He continued to stare malevolently at Race until finally, he tossed up his hands. “I was hasty in calling you, Miss Jiang,” he blurted out. “We hadn’t reviewed the digital recordings before I made the call. It’s now evident your daughter was not at fault. She was acting in self-defense. The video clearly shows a case of bullies getting exactly what they deserved.”
    â€œI want my daughter brought to me immediately, and I want to see the recording.”
    A shadow seemed to drop