Page 92 of Animal's Reformation
“Olivia, we’ll have to reschedule next week. The boys and Marie will be out of town for spring break.”
“Sure,” she mumbled.
“Aren’t you going with them?” Harper asked. Her eyes then widened as if she was shocked she’d been so bold to ask him that question.
“No. I have too many things I need to take care of. They’re going to my in-laws, and I’m not that fond of them anyway.” Thurber chuckled.
A tense silence descended over the room, growing more acute as alarm bells starting ringing in Olivia’s head. She crushed her can then rose from the chair and crossed the room to throw it into the recycle bin.
“I better prep for the afternoon,” she said.
“Me too.” Harper jumped to her feet with Alice quickly following suit.
“I’ve got a lot to do before recess is over,” Kennedy said.
The four women began moving toward the door, and a low laugh rumbled from the corner of the room.
“I hope I didn’t drive you pretty ladies out,” Marcus said.
Olivia looked over her shoulder, pinning her gaze on him. “Not at all.”
The fellow teacher’s brown eyes were cold, distant. “That’s good. Maybe we can all go out for lunch or dinner sometime.”
“Will your wife be there?” Kennedy asked.
There was a split-second pause. His eyes narrowed, but Olivia couldn’t mistake the evil glint sparking from them. And then it was gone and a smile filled his face. “Of course. Why wouldn’t she?”
A tremor ran through Olivia and she couldn’t get out of the room fast enough. She closed the door behind them, and as they walked down the hall toward their respective classrooms, an audible sigh escaped from her parted lips.
“What the hell wasthatall about?” She ran her hands up and down her arms. “I’m chilled to the bone.”
“I wonder if he killed her,” Harper whispered.
“God! Don’t say that—it’s too frightening to think about,” Alice whispered back.
“That jerk’s got some real problems. He basically said that Daniel’s mom deserved what she got. Bastard,” Kennedy said.
“You should tell the police what you saw at the motel. As far as I know, you’re the only one who’s actually seen them together—the other stuff is just rumors,” Olivia said.
“I was thinking the exact same thing,” Kennedy said. “Even if he didn’t do it, it would serve him right to have to explain it to the cops and to his wife.”
“What wereyoudoing at the motel?” Harper asked.
Kennedy’s eyes twinkled. “Having some nasty fun.”
“Oh … I guess I should have figured that.” Harper looked down at her phone and smiled. “Darcy,” she said out loud.
“Still hot and heavy?” Olivia joked.
Harper looked up from texting. “Very. He’s so sweet. I never thought I’d meet a nice guy in a bar.”
“Just like I told you—when you least expect it. Like me and Jonathan,” Alice said.
“I’m still liking the uncoupled life too much, but I guess I’m the only one in our group who is.” Kennedy chuckled. “How’s your psych paper coming along?”
Olivia paused at the door to her classroom. “Pretty good. I’m sort of feeling guilty about leading this guy on, and when I talked to my prof about it, he said not to be. Dr. Davison is actually encouraging me to meet the guy. I don’t know if I feel comfortable with that.”
“That’s kind of strange that your professor would want to put you in a potentially dangerous situation. I mean, you don’t really know anything about this guy,” Alice said.
