Between the Lies (Book One - The Northern Lights Series) Read Online Free Page A

possession of my limbs for the second time that night.
    “I took care of it for you. I sent the letter to the board in an email from your account. I’ve always had complete access to your school computer. I assure you, it is all taken care of. The board of The Lyons Academy of Fine Arts and Music accepts your resignation, and wishes you the best in your future endeavors. You will be receiving a packet with our referral letters in a few days, along with a list of schools in the nation looking for an art teacher of your caliber. A generous severance check will also be deposited into your account. You will be teaching to the end of the year, which is two weeks away.
    “When you decide on a position, please let Justine know. She will then provide you with a real estate contact in that location. Your car is leased in my name, and will be available to you for as long as you live in this building. The parents of your students have also been notified, and we’ve asked them to send you any positive comments they have for you as well. They understand you will want to use them in your resume and will include their contact information. Mine will be included in the package we’ve assembled.”
    Michelle placed her hand on Alan’s arm. “I’d like to give Olivia my phone number as well. Then if she has any questions, I can relay them to you immediately.”
    He nodded. She glided over to the desk, picked up my pen, and wrote on one of my notepads, as if she owned the place, which of course, she did.
    Then she walked over to the private elevator and pushed the button. Alan rose and joined her.
    “Olivia, tomorrow when the police question you about the deceased, please cooperate with them fully. If you feel at any time you need an attorney, let Michelle or Justine know. Keep my family’s name out of your comments. It’s bad enough having a murder connected to the building.”
    I’d followed them toward the elevator the way one does with guests. I felt like a polite robot.
    Before the door whispered shut, I saw Michelle slip her hand into his.
    As the mantel clock struck one, my mind and body went on auto-pilot once again, and did the normal late night things; I made sure the door was locked, and the lights were off. I tucked my new gown into the bag it came in. It had a special pocket for my princess shoes. As I walked across the cold, wood floor, feeling returned to my bare feet. By the time they hit the ceramic tile in the bathroom, I was no longer numb. I watched my reflection in the mirror, fascinated by the bright-red blotches of shame mixed with anger staining my neck and face.
    When the eruption came, it was sudden and loud. As if in slow motion, I saw my mouth open and heard a scream so piercing it caused me to jump. At the same moment, I heard something glass shatter in the hallway outside my front door.
    A fury I’d only felt twice before in my life took over. I opened the door and when I saw no one, I stepped into the hallway. A piercing pain in my foot caused me to look down. Broken glass and water shone in the dim light, and a single red rose, the color of blood, rested in the shimmering ruins.
    The water was soaking into a note that read, Remember ? Other than the mess, the oak paneled hallway was empty. “Remember what?” I said as I closed the door with the note in my hand.
    Picking the glass out of my foot, I wondered which thing the visitor wanted me to recall; someone who knew about the rapes, or the one who knew I was a murderer. Whoever it was, my scream had startled them badly enough they’d dropped their cruel gift on the intricate parquet floor I’d always detested. Alan said his father had preferred wood to a hallway sound-proofed by carpet. That night I was thankful for the old man’s paranoia. A wild giggle escaped from my throat into the quiet of the room. I found it extremely enjoyable that the enemy in the hall had been startled by my scream instead of causing it.
    I thought briefly about the