Liars' Games (Project Chameleon Book 1)

by Susan Finlay

  He contemplated the tip he’d received last night, indicating that Juliet was living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It might be a waste of time and money to fly there without verifying the information first, but he didn’t want to wait and give her a chance to run again. After a year, he couldn’t wait to see his son again. How big was he now? Was he in preschool?

  Of course the biggest question was, would he remember Callum? God, he hoped so. Aidan had been two-and-a-half when they’d last seen each other. Surely, he would remember his father. The problem was how he would get to see Aidan when Juliet would probably try to block him. She’d been so angry with him the last time they’d spoken on the phone and she’d blamed him for her almost being killed by a sniper. She’d sworn that she would never let him near their son again.

  The Pilot welcomed the passengers on board the airplane on the loud speaker as Callum buckled his seatbelt and turned off his mobile phone.

  FRIDAY, AFTER SCHOOL, Claire and her new committee set up six easels and flip charts in the school cafeteria. Claire chose that location for the full faculty meeting because of its long picnic-style tables, allowing all of the faculty to spread out the worksheets she would be handing out. Bill set up a slide projector and screen.

  The worksheets, seating arrangements, and presentation had all been worked out by the committee during a meeting on Wednesday. Before the meeting began, Claire checked for messages on her mobile phone. It had been four days since she’d left a voicemail message for Brad, and he still hadn’t returned her call.

  Frank and Steve walked in and stood in the back of the room, as planned.

  Once everyone else was seated, Ron and Nancy handed out a packet of papers and a pencil to each person while Claire introduced the topic for the meeting and explained the associated theories, much like she’d done in the first meeting with the committee. Throughout her speech she noticed people typing text messages, falling asleep, or doodling on the papers in their packets.

  Ron took over for part of the presentation, while Bill ran the slide projector for him. Some teachers were inattentive for his presentation as well, but less noticeably. They at least attempted to show him a modicum of respect. Claire sighed, making notes for future reference to let Ron be in charge of the meetings as much as possible. Unfortunately, they’d already planned out how this meeting would go.

  Ron finished his section and turned the meeting back over to Claire. She talked about Maslow’s theory and about getting the community involved in their plan. Again, teachers fidgeted and some even started whispering to each other.

  One teacher, Eric Johnson, interrupted Claire. “We’re only asking for more trouble. Didn’t you learn that a couple weeks ago?”

  Claire frowned. What did he mean by that? Did he know about the attack?

  She took a deep breath and let it out. “I know there will be retaliation if that’s what you mean.” She went on to repeat what she’d said at the first committee meeting.

  Some teachers nodded, but others sat with their arms crossed.

  Moving on, Claire asked them to open their packets and take out the materials. “I’d like you to take fifteen minutes to read through the papers. After that, Ron and Nancy will hand out questionnaires. You’ll be asked to answer them, and then we’ll break up into groups, each table making up a group.”

  After everyone had presumably read the paperwork and completed the questionnaire, Claire instructed each assigned group leader to take their place at the head of the seven tables to facilitate discussion.

  Frank, Steve, Ron’s friend, Shaun Bales, and Claire walked around the room and listened as the faculty members read the school goals they’d written on their questionnaires and discussed them. The group leaders jotted down notes with markers on their flip charts.

  Several times, shouting caught everyone’s attention. Steve would rush over and find out what the teachers were arguing about and would calm them down.

  At one point Judy Cartwright said, “I’m not stepping into the middle of a student fight and you can’t make me. I’ll quit before I’ll put myself in that kind of danger. I’m too damn close to retirement to take that chance.”

  “Everybody has to get involved,” Bob Johnson said. “We have to send a message that we’re united.”

  “And get knocked on the floor. Do you have any idea what a fall could do to someone my age? I could get a broken hip. That’s happened to friends of mine. I’m not doing it.” She crossed her arms and glared at him.

  Claire waited for Steve’s response.

  “We’re only getting ideas right now, people. We’re weighing all of the possibilities. If we come up with a mandate that all teachers must step in to break up fights, it will be carefully thought out and people will be trained. No one will be fed to the dogs.”

  Ron said, “Sorry to butt in, but I would like to add something. We’ve already done a little training on fight intervention. Claire led the training. Only a few of us were involved in it because there weren’t many people interested. We tried out the techniques we learned, and they actually worked. I want to also stress that no employee should intervene alone. You do it as a team of at least three.”

  “That’s good, Ron,” Steve said. “Thanks for telling us about that. You’ve reiterated a primary point that we need to take an organized approach to fixing the problems.”

  At the end of the meeting, Claire told the committee, “We’ll compile all of your notes and put together a more detailed plan in the coming weeks. We’ll hold our first school-wide assembly on Tuesday at ten o’clock. Several guest speakers from outside will also be there, including today’s guests and someone from Restorative Justice.

  TUESDAY MORNING, CLAIRE, Ron, the team, and guest speakers, including Steve, entered the auditorium. Everyone except Claire sat down in chairs that the head janitor had set up onstage. It should be obvious that the assembly was now ready to start, but the students were either clueless or didn’t give a damn. Probably the latter, thought Claire. Paper airplanes flew through the air, students were turned around talking loudly to friends. Some stood up and shouted at friends higher up in the stadium, while others wandered around the auditorium. Claire shook her head, clearly frustrated.

  She pinned the microphone lavaliere to her blouse and checked to assure it was live. She was supposed to give the opening remarks and then turn the microphone over to Ron. First she shouted, “I need your attention. Please settle down and take your seats.” That reduced the noise slightly. She repeated the command, and added, “Quiet down.”

  Finally, the noise was reduced to a buzz and Claire began. “In the short time I’ve been here it’s obvious to me that Midland’s students and faculty aren’t safe or happy. We’re going to change that.”

  “You’re wasting your time, Bitch!” someone shouted.

  Claire gasped. Did she really hear what she thought she heard?

  Laughter broke out. Someone else yelled, “You can’t change anything. You’re fucking stupid if you think you can.”

  Claire couldn’t tell who the speaker was. She glanced at Ron and the guests.

  Ron stood up and walked over to Claire. He whispered, “Why don’t I go ahead and speak first?”

  She nodded, took off the lavaliere, handed it to him, and took his vacated seat.

  “Everyone needs to shut up and sit down. NOW!” Ron said. “No more crap. Anyone else who disrupts this assembly will be removed and immediately suspended.”

  That was met with guffaws, but no one said anything more.

  “Now. We’ve put together a plan and a team to make changes. This school will become a place where everyone is safe and everyone is treated with respect. There will be no more drug dealing and drug use, no more gangs and no more fighting or bullying.”

  Coyote-like yells rang out and reverberated, and from where Claire was sitting on stage, she still couldn’t pinpoint where they were coming from.

  “Over the next few weeks, this whole school will meet in the
auditorium every other day. Today, I’m going to tell you about the basic plan and introduce the people who will be working with us. The first thing you need to know is we’ve established core principles that this school WILL meet. They are: Cooperation, Pride, Safety, High Expectations, and Success. We’ve also established some core values that we are committed to: Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Integrity, and Appreciation of Diversity. These principles and values are all topics that we’ll discuss in depth beginning the day after tomorrow.”

  Boos and foot stomping made it impossible for Ron to continue.

  Steve and Frank glanced at each other, then stood up and flanked Ron.

  Ron nodded at them and then shouted at the audience, “SHUT UP.”

  When the audience was reasonably quiet, he said, “We will no longer tolerate this kind of behavior. Beginning with our next assembly, we’re implementing new procedures. Students will be assigned seats with their classmates and teachers. The teachers will sit on an aisle and in a position to see all of his or her students. Any student who disrupts will be removed and receive detention. At the end of assemblies, students will return to their classroom with their teacher, and roll will be taken.” He paused and then added, “Before the next assembly, your teachers will discuss with you proper behavior. Any disrespect to that teacher will result in the student receiving after school detention.”

  On that note, Ron concluded the day’s assembly. He hadn’t introduced the guest speakers, but Claire understood why. Students burst out of the huge auditorium in a stampede, and the teachers prodded them like cows to proceed to their next class.

  After the assembly, Ron and his friend, Shaun Bales, went to Ron’s office. Steve left to go back to Central Administration, but Frank accompanied Claire to her office. “I have to tell you, Claire, I’m impressed with what you and the committee are doing.”

  “Thanks. We aren’t exactly off to a good start, though.”

  “No. It takes time. I would have been shocked if the first assembly had gone as planned.”

  Claire gave him a half smile.

  “Hey, I was wondering if there’s anything else can I do to help.”

  “Well, yes, there is actually something.”

  “What’s that?”

  She gave him a conspiratorial smile. “Is there anything you can do to get some building improvements done?”

  “What kind of improvements are you talking about?”

  “For starters, we could sure use a better heating system. We need more lighting for the hallways and stairs, new paint throughout, and better locks on the lockers. . . .” Claire paused and stopped herself. “Probably too much, right?”

  “Hmm. I can’t really promise you anything, but I’ll certainly see what I can do. I have to warn you though, it might take some time.”

  “I understand. That’s fine. I appreciate any and all help I can get.” She was beginning to realize how much Frank’s support meant to her. He was a lot like Steve, and yet different.

  As he turned to leave, Claire added, “Oh, there is one more item. I hesitate to mention it because I know it’s not popular.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Surveillance cameras.”

  Frank winced. “That one is doubtful, to be honest. But I’ll throw it in with the others when I ask for approval. Maybe it will force them to give in on the less controversial items, you know.”

  While Claire was walking upstairs to visit a classroom Monday morning, her mobile phone rang. Please let it be Brad. She still hadn’t heard from him. She grabbed the phone from her pocket and answered.

  “Hey, it’s Frank.”

  Her shoulders slumped, and she leaned back against the stairs, one foot on one step, and one on the step below that.

  “I got approval for a new heating system. Wasn’t easy, but they gave in.”

  “Oh, Frank, that’s fantastic,” she said. “And quick. How did you do that?”

  “I was able to sneak into a budget committee meeting this morning. Couldn’t have sold the request if Steve hadn’t pushed it, too.”

  “Ah. Thank you so much, Frank. I’ll have to thank Steve, too. You two are marvels.”

  He was quiet for a moment, then cleared his voice and said, “Ah, I also have some bad news to share.”

  Claire held her breath.

  “I wasn’t able to get approval for any of the other items. They were a no-go. I’m really sorry.”

  Claire wasn’t surprised and didn’t expect to get everything on her list. She remained delighted that Frank and Steve had gotten approval for the most expensive item. She could always work on other items later. “Frank, it’s all right. I figured that might happen. Thanks for trying and thank you for the good news.”

  When she disconnected the call, she checked again for messages, thinking she might have missed a call from Brad. Nothing.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  STEVE ARRIVED AT Cameron High School at noon on Wednesday for their Round Table Meeting. He looked for Claire. Not seeing her, he looked to see if John Richmond had arrived yet. Steve’s cell phone rang and he answered. A few minutes later, Frank rushed in, glanced around, and then walked over to Steve.

  “Oh thank God, I was afraid I’d get here late,” Frank whispered, “and expected Richmond to chew my ass. I didn’t see his car, though. Does that mean he’s not coming?”

  “Afraid not. He just called a few minutes ago. He’s on his way and wants us to wait to start the meeting until he gets here.”

  “Crap. I was hoping he wouldn’t show.”

  “Speaking of no shows,” Steve said, “have you heard from Claire? She can’t miss another meeting.

  “I called, but she wasn’t in her office. I left a message with Ron and he said he’d remind her.”

  Steve’s jaw tensed as John Richmond strode into the conference room.

  Everyone took their seats. Come on, Claire. Get here before John notices.

  John looked around the table. His face turned to stone. “We seem to be missing someone again.”

  “She’s on her way.” Steve and Frank said it in unison.

  “She’d better show up if she knows what’s good for her.”

  Steve clinched his jaw, opened up his notebook, and began the meeting.

  TWENTY MINUTES LATER, the door burst open and Claire rushed in, breathless. She slid into the only empty seat at the table and blurted out, “I’m sorry for being late.”

  John clenched his jaw, knowing he should be glad she’d shown up. Why wasn’t he?

  She shrugged off her coat and draped it on the back of her chair.

  Pointing laser eyes in her direction, John said, “You think you can waltz in here whenever the hell you feel like. No wonder your students are so irresponsible. Look at the example you’re setting.

  “I’m sorry. I tried to get here on time and would have been on time, if I hadn’t been pulled over by a police officer for speeding. It was humiliating, so go ahead and yell at me, but believe me, even you can’t rival a cop when it comes to intimidation.”

  There were chuckles around the room.

  John bit back the insult that found its way to the tip of his tongue. He couldn’t let the others know how deep his hatred went. “Leave on time next time and you won’t have to speed. That’s what responsible adults do.”

  “Look, John, I was late leaving because two students had gotten into a fight. I am the principal. I had to deal with that first. I tried to make up the time and would have until I saw red lights swirling in my rearview mirror.”

  Several people laughed and John gave them a warning look.

  “Oh, and by the way,” Claire said, “it’s not true that male officers take pity on women and don’t give them tickets.”

  By now, everyone was laughing, except John. Claire’s face reddened once again, but she smiled apologetically, making John want to take a rag and wipe that smug smile right off.

  Instead, he just leaned forward and said, “Speaking of students
fighting, I’ve seen troubling reports about problems at Midland. Vandalism, including tires slashed on teachers’ cars, violence, and drugs on campus. What the hell are you doing over there? It’s worse under your leadership than Carl’s, and everyone knew he was incompetent.”

  Claire’s face turned beet red. “We’re in a transition period right now. We’re working on taking back control of the school. We’ve put together a plan—“

  John said, “Don’t give me excuses.”

  “It’s not—“

  Steve said, “Frank and I are working with Claire and her faculty to fix the problems over there. We only started working on it last week.”

  “Hold on there. You two have your own jobs to do. Neither of you has time to devote to one school. What about all the other schools in the district?”

  “Don’t worry, John. We have everything under control.”

  “Hmph. We’ll talk about this more later,” John said, turning to other meeting topics.

  AT THE END of the meeting, Claire waited for a chance to sneak out to get back to work and away from John.

  She heard John saying, “I’d like to see this school. Cameron is one of the few high schools in the district that I’ve not toured.”

  “Well, come on. I’d be happy to show you around,” the principal said.

  “Mind if I join in,” Frank said.

  “And me,” several other principals said.

  Claire listened politely and then slipped out without anyone noticing.

  In the parking lot, she heard someone call her name and she looked up. Steve had followed her outside. So much for slipping out unnoticed.

  “I’ve been dying to catch you alone for a moment. Tell me the truth. Did you really get a speeding ticket?”

  Claire grinned sheepishly and nodded.

  “Sorry to hear that. However, since you did arrive late, I’m glad it was a funny entrance. Put John in his place for once. Hey, I also wanted to talk to you about us. We haven’t had much time lately. Are we still okay?”

  “Uh, are you talking about our dating?”

  “Yeah.”