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Page 21 of Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights #1)

Chapter Six

Moving On

A s she suspected, a half dozen reporters were hanging around the entrance to FIT.

Two school security guards stood at the top of the steps.

Madison glanced up at one of them, who gave her a subtle nod, indicating she should walk to the side entrance.

She looked in the direction of her security guard, who motioned for her to follow him.

They managed to circumvent the throng of gawkers, cameras, and microphones.

Madison’s security detail hustled her into the building without being accosted by any of the rubberneckers.

He escorted her to the dean’s office, where she was rushed in, and the doors were closed behind her.

She was unusually calm. It was the comfort in having someone watching her back. Front. And side.

The associate dean and a counselor flanked the dean. “Good morning, Madison. Please take a seat.” He motioned to the chairs in front of his desk.

“Thank you.” Madison had total composure. “I understand our family attorney, Sidney Rothberg, was in touch with you late yesterday afternoon.”

“Yes. Incredibly sad news.”

“Sad? I think disturbing would be more apt,” Madison replied. “It is not necessary to rehash your conversation with Sidney. Mr. Rothberg. At his urging, I must transfer to RISD.”

“Madison, I want you to know that we, the administration, and the faculty are working to get your records sent to them as quickly as possible. I spoke to the dean at RISD last night and explained the situation. And I gave him a glowing recommendation.”

Madison interrupted, “Thank you very much. I appreciate it.” She paused. “If anyone had been watching the news last night, they would have a clear idea of the situation. Not all of it, but an overview.”

“Correct. We printed out your file and faxed it last night and made a copy for you. They asked if you could report to the administrator on Monday.”

“I plan to go to Connecticut on Friday. There should be no problem getting there. My grandparents live about thirty minutes away from the school.”

“You have a very promising career ahead of you, Madison. I know you will do quite well. We shall miss you, of course.”

Madison thought she might tear up but bit the inside of her lip to maintain her equanimity. “I shall miss everyone, as well.”

“Mrs. Fischer boxed up your things. We can ship them to your grandmother’s if you wish.”

“That would be extremely helpful. Thank you.” Madison wrote down the address.

“I am sure you’ll want to say your goodbyes to some of your professors?”

“I would like to, yes.” Madison got up from her chair. She held out her hand. “Thank you again for making this a little less painless.” She tucked her file under her arm and shook everyone’s hand while her security detail waited in the hallway.

As they proceeded to the classrooms, several students cast disapproving looks in her direction.

Madison’s thought balloons were popping in her head, while she controlled saying them aloud.

Most of her classmates were kinder, gave her hugs, and wished her well.

When they approached the exit, more paparazzi were waiting.

She looked at the agent. “What should we do?”

“Up to you. Want to barge through them?”

“Do you think it’s safe?”

“Ringo and I have you covered.”

“Ringo?” Madison did not recall another agent.

He patted the inside of his jacket.

“Oh . . .” Madison didn’t know if she had ever been that close to a gun before. It was likely, but she had never been aware of one. “You don’t think you’ll have to use that, do you?” Her hands began to sweat.

“No. You will be alright. I know Mr. Rothberg was concerned about retaliation, but you will be out of here before anyone has an opportunity to come near you.”

“I trust you are right,” Madison said with some trepidation.

He took her elbow with his left hand. “Let them get their photos. They will beat feet to their offices to see who can get their pic out there first.”

About a dozen reporters started calling her name and firing questions. “Miss Taylor? Did you know about all the money your father was stealing?” She remained mute.

“Madison? How does it feel to have your old man arrested for fraud?” Still no answer.

“Where is your mother?” Again, she did not reply.

The security agent gave them a look that said, Get out of the way . He was an imposing sort, and they parted, giving Madison clearance to get into a cab.

Once they were safely in the taxi, Madison let out a long exhale. “Wow. That was intense.”

“Now you know why Mr. Rothberg was concerned.”

“I suppose getting out of Dodge is the only thing for me to do.” She sat back. “I hope Lincoln is going to be alright.”

“We have someone on him. Fortunately for him, his face is not as widely known as yours.”

“Oh, lucky me.” She heaved another big sigh. “Well, I guess I’ll have to find something to do for the next three days.”

“You should plan to go to Connecticut early tomorrow. There will be more press coverage tonight, and you do not want them to be on your heels.”

“You’re right. I will call my grandmother and let her know when to expect me. I will also have to let Lincoln know. Your men will be keeping an eye on him, correct?”

“Correct.”

Madison felt reassured.

The agent told the cab driver to make several detours to throw off anyone who might be following them. But then again, it was New York City traffic. No one was going anywhere in a hurry.

They pulled in front of the hotel. The security guard got out first and sized up the entrance.

One bellman, and a couple on vacation. He could tell by the fanny packs they were both wearing, baggy shorts, and T-shirts.

The man wore black knee-high socks with sandals, and she was in clunky white sneakers.

They wouldn’t be white for long , he thought.

The agent opened Madison’s door and escorted her inside. Some of the staff greeted her. Obviously, they had not made the connection. Or they had but did not care. That was the more likely of the two. It was, after all, New York. Nothing much fazed them.

The agent entered the room first. It was better to be cautious than surprised, at least under those circumstances.

“You can come in,” he said, and gestured to her.

“I’ll be in the lobby until six, when the next agent will clock in.

If you need anything, hit this button.” He handed her something that looked like a pen with a button on the top.

“Just push this.” He made a motion with his thumb.

Then he showed her a similar-looking object in the inside pocket of his jacket. “You push that, and this will buzz.”

Madison gingerly took the object from him. “This is double-o-seven stuff.”

“Keep it handy, but don’t try to write with it.” He chuckled. “I will be downstairs, and I will call you when Bennie comes on duty. You should know what he looks like. But I am better looking.” He grinned, then turned toward the elevator. Madison closed and bolted the door.

It wasn’t even noon. What was she going to do with all her time? She threw herself onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. And stared. And stared. And stared.

Her phone rang, and she sprang to her feet so quickly, she almost lost her balance. It was Olivia. She forgot to return her call the night before. Now that the cat was out of the bag, she had no reason not to speak to her best friend.

“Livvy! I am so sorry I did not get back to you yesterday.”

“Are you alright? I mean, are you alright? Geesh. Now that was some kind of news. My mother called and told me to turn on the television. Holy cow.”

“Holy cow is right. I’m okay. A little discombobulated but doing the best I can.

” Madison settled in one of the club chairs.

“I really don’t know much about any of it, except my father was arrested for fraud, remanded because he’s a flight risk, my mother is off to parts unknown, I am heading to my grandparents, and Lincoln is moving in with Tyler. ”

“Wait. Start again. Slowly, please,” Olivia requested.

“Mom called me yesterday morning and told me my father was arrested. That much you already know. They froze all our assets, which means we no longer have access to the apartment unless we get a court order. Lincoln and I threw some clothes together. I can almost say we are getting away with just the shirts on our backs. Literally. And, of course, Mr. Jinx.” She pulled her plush kitty closer.

“The good news/bad news: I am transferring to RISD beginning Monday,” she continued.

“Is that the good news or the bad news?” Olivia asked.

“Kinda both,” Madison clucked. “Yes, good news is I will be closer to you. The rest? You be the judge.” She chuckled again. “No pun intended.”

Olivia was speechless. Then she took a breath. “Do you think your mom told my mom? All she said to me was, ‘Turn on channel seven.’ ”

“I have no idea. She did not have much to say except she was getting on a plane.” Madison kept the destination a secret.

As Sidney had put it, the less you know, the less they can get information from you .

Or something to that effect. “Lincoln and I were planning to go to Nana’s on Friday, but the security agent they assigned to me suggested I get out of town tomorrow. The sooner the better.”

“Security agent?” Olivia was mystified.

“Yes, Sidney hired someone to escort me and Lincoln until I leave town and the story dies down a bit.”

“But why?”

“Sidney mentioned retaliation. People trying to get even with my father. I should make a public service announcement: ‘Hello to all of you who have been screwed over by my father. Please know that he could not care less what happens to the family, so do not bother getting yourself into trouble by trying to get even.’ ”

“Wow, oh wow.” Olivia was trying to process the news. She hadn’t grown up with the same creature comforts and luxury, but Madison never acted spoiled. She knew this was life-changing for her friends.

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