Chapter 7 7

The Principal's office was large, paneled in oak, and smelled of lemon polish and fear.

Arleen sat in a hard wooden chair. Across from her sat Mrs. Vaughn.

Mrs. Vaughn was a woman who wore her wealth like armor. Chanel suit, diamond studs, and a face pulled tight by surgery and rage.

"I want her arrested," Mrs. Vaughn screeched, slamming her hand on the desk. "She is a menace! My Bryce is in surgery! His nose is shattered!"

Principal Sterling wiped sweat from his forehead. "Mrs. Vaughn, please. We are handling it."

"Handling it? She's still sitting here!" She pointed a manicured finger at Arleen. "Look at her! She's not even sorry!"

Arleen sat perfectly still. "I'm sorry his reflexes were so slow."

Mrs. Vaughn gasped. She stood up and lunged across the gap, raising her hand to slap Arleen.

Arleen's hand shot up. She caught Mrs. Vaughn's wrist in mid-air.

She didn't squeeze hard, just enough to stop the motion. But to Mrs. Vaughn, it felt like being caught in a steel trap.

"Let go of me!" Mrs. Vaughn shrieked.

"Sit down," Arleen said. She released the wrist with a dismissive flick.

Mrs. Vaughn fell back into her chair, clutching her arm. She looked at the Principal. "You saw that! She assaulted me!"

Hale was sitting in the corner on a leather sofa, watching the scene like it was a play. He hadn't spoken a word.

"Principal Sterling," Mrs. Vaughn hissed, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "If this girl is not expelled by the end of the day, the Vaughn family pulls its funding for the new library. And I will personally ensure the board reviews your contract."

It was a naked threat. The room went cold.

Sterling looked pale. He looked at Arleen, then at the checkbook represented by Mrs. Vaughn.

"Arleen," Sterling said weakly. "Pack your bags."

Arleen reached into her blazer pocket. She pulled out her phone.

"Did you catch that?" she asked the phone.

She tapped the screen.

...Vaughn family pulls its funding... ensure the board reviews your contract...

The recording played back, clear and crisp.

Mrs. Vaughn's face drained of color. "You... you little rat. That's illegal."

"Georgia is a one-party consent state," Arleen said. "And blackmailing a school official is a felony."

She looked at Hale.

Hale started to laugh. He clapped his hands slowly.

"Bravo," he said. He stood up and walked to the center of the room.

"Mrs. Vaughn," Hale said smoothly. "I think we have a problem. If that recording leaks, your husband's Senate campaign might hit a... bump."

Mrs. Vaughn looked at Hale, terror dawning in her eyes. "Mr. Clemons... surely you don't support this... violence?"

"I support the truth," Hale said. He stood behind Arleen's chair, his hand resting on the back of it. It was a possessive gesture. A shield.

"I propose a compromise," Hale said. "Tomorrow morning. A public assembly. A tribunal. Let the student body see the evidence. If Arleen is guilty, she goes. If not..."

He let the sentence hang.

Mrs. Vaughn stood up, smoothing her skirt with trembling hands. She knew she couldn't fight the Clemons money.

"Fine," she spat. "Tomorrow. But mark my words, girl. You will be destroyed."

She stormed out.

Sterling slumped in his chair. "Mr. Clemons, why..."

"Because it's entertaining," Hale said.

He looked down at Arleen.

"You play a dangerous game, Miss Brewer."

Arleen stood up. She was small next to him, but she didn't feel small.

"I play to win," she said.

Hale smiled. "We'll see."