Page 6 of Healed Heart

I keep my expression impassive—or try to at least.“Oh?”

“Do you have any idea what we might be referring to?”

I blink.“I’m afraid I don’t.”

“You should know, Dr.Lansing,” Richard says, “that this allegation did not come from a student who is accusing you of anything.”

“I suppose that’s good.”Again, I keep my face impassive.“Whatever it is, I can assure you there’s no basis for any of it.”

“The email was anonymous,” Richard says.“It said only that you were seen kissing one of your students in your anatomy lab.”

Shit.

Shit, shit,shit.

So it’s not Angie.

But what if someone saw us?

God, did they see us fucking in the lab as well?

No.If that were the case, they would’ve led with it.That’s way bigger than a kiss.

Both Richard and Regina are looking at me.

Am I supposed to say something?Deny it?

I don’t like lying, but who the hell would send such an email?

“I’m not sure how you want me to respond,” I say.“I can assure you that nothing untoward has happened between me and any of my students.”

Not exactly a lie.Angie and I both wanted that kiss.

“We’re not here to accuse you of anything, Dr.Lansing,” Regina says.

“I responded to the email,” Richard says.“I asked for more details, but my response didn’t go through.”

“Then it sounds like this was no more than a prank,” I say.

“Probably,” Regina says, “but can you think of anyone who might want to make trouble for you?”

I don’t have any enemies here…other than the board regarding my experimental nerve surgery.

“No,” I answer truthfully.

“Any former colleagues?”Richard asks.“Former students?Present students?”

“No, not at all.”Again, I’m speaking the truth.

“Then I don’t see any reason to investigate this any further,” Regina says.“Title IX requires that we take all allegations seriously, but with no substantiation or even a valid source, there’s little we can do.”

“I appreciate your understanding.”The knot in my stomach begins to loosen.“If there’s anything I can do…”

“You’ve done enough already, Dr.Lansing.”Richard’s voice is dry and businesslike.“However, should the situation develop any further, it would be good if you kept us informed.”

“Of course.”I rise from my seat.“Thank you for your time.”

Once outside the HR office, I lean against the wall, my heart racing.I close my eyes, trying to make sense of today’s peculiar events.The anonymous email accusation is unsettling, but it pales in comparison to the truly disturbing mystery—Lindsay’s suicide note.