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“Your choice.” Elia started toward the door, her long legs carrying her swiftly away from Kamryn’s desk.

“I could use an orientation to the board.”

Elia halted, her shoulders so rigid that Kamryn wondered if they would break. Slowly, she turned and faced Kamryn, her cheeks pale and her eyes wide. “I don’t deal with the board often.”

“Doesn’t mean you don’t know who the players are. There seem to be a lot of missing communications between Dr. Waddy and the board and the board and Dr. Waddy. I’d like to rectify that before I leave if I can—maybe help get everyone on the same page.” Kamryn didn’t tear her gaze from Elia. There was something here that was off. Elia looked scared almost.

“That’s something you’d have to talk to them and Miller about, not me.”

“I understand, but I’d like an outsider’s point of view, if possible. And since you offered an orientation—”

“To the school,” Elia corrected, “not to the board.”

“The board is what leads this school, and there’s a lot amiss there. They don’t even have an ethics review committee.”

“I know,” Elia said, and then shook her head.

Had she not wanted to say that? Had the great Elia Sharpe who prided herself on her speech and debate skills let something slip? Now Kamryn was fascinated.

“Would you consider being on it? Not only as someone who has high ethical standards, but as a connection point back to the school?” Kamryn stretched her legs out under the desk.

“Absolutely not.” Elia shook her head sharply. “And don’t for one second think that I’m someone with high ethical standards. I might surprise you.”

“That would surprise me.” Kamryn frowned.

“Good.” Turning on her heel, Elia walked out.

Kamryn was left in the wake of anger that followed. At least it felt mostly like anger, but something was under the edge ofit that she couldn’t really put her finger on. Sighing heavily, Kamryn picked up the papers Elia had given her again.

Elia Sharpe was clearly going to be her problem child.

Yet, she had offered a helping hand, so perhaps Kamryn was overthinking the issue. In fact, she’d been the only one to outwardly offer help on anything. Mrs. Caldera was just doing her job, but the board had basically left Kamryn to fend for herself.

But she’d never seen Elia so shut down before. What exactly had happened to the woman she remembered? The one who was her teacher, who was passionate and energetic, and open? Because this woman was closed off and icy. Not just icy. She was liquid nitrogen in a bottle, sucking the air and freezing everything around her that she touched.

Kamryn shook her head.

She had to stop thinking like that. It wasn’t going to do her any favors in the long run. She had to keep an open mind about everyone who was here. It was the only way that she was going to survive her temporary position.

Her cell phone buzzed on the top of the desk. Kamryn smiled when she saw Greer’s name light up on the screen. Sliding her thumb across the screen to answer the video call, Kamryn set the phone up against the computer screen and grinned broadly.

“Lunch time?” Kamryn asked.

“Yeah.” Greer leaned down and wrinkled her nose. “Has the first day been as bad as you thought it would?”

Kamryn flicked her gaze toward the open door and stood up immediately to shut it. She needed privacy for this one. Plopping back into the chair, Kamryn sighed heavily. “It could be better. I’ll tell you more about it when I’m not in the office.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Not bad.” Kamryn pursed her lips. “Interesting for sure.”

“Oh, I sniff a good story.”

Kamryn chuckled. “Why are you calling on your lunch? I thought you had a long day today.”

“Yeah, I did too.” Greer’s face fell. “I’m being laid off.”

“What?” Kamryn’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”