Page 156 of Terror Tuesday

“They’re making an announcement,” I say, then flip on the TV in the corner to the local news station.

“Why didn’t they call you in first?” Valen asks astutely.

“I’m not sure.”

Calum Von Dovish typically gets shunned. NU doesn’t wantme, just my money. Or, more importantly, my secrets and tech.Those are what have kept me and my family alive up until now. That and my wife’s superior marksmanship.

We pause as the Dean of Student Affairs sidles up behind a podium on the front steps of the Cathedral of Seven Moons.

“This morning, the body of Northview University President, Harmen Harvey, was found in his home here on campus. Coroners are reporting he died of natural causes without any concerns or suspicions of foul play. His death was unexpected and sudden. Unfortunately, all current orders he was working on were left unsigned and, as such, will not proceed.”

Valen’s eyes meet mine. “Natural causes…”

“Yes. Strange,” I say. This could mean that they won’t come after anyone for the death, but it also may indicate something much, much worse… I hold my breath, not wanting to delve into that possibility, yet.

The dean continues. “We’re introducing an interim president until a permanent replacement is found. The new leader has been appointed by the board.”

Valen and Vera swivel their heads to me as Olivia continues to stare at the screen with wide eyes.

“Did you, Dad? Did the board approve already?”

I swallow through a tight throat. “No.”

Voice barely above a whisper, Olivia asks, “So what does that mean?”

Vera holds my hand, and I grimace, knowing all too well what may be coming soon.

“It means,” I tell them, “they wanted Harvey dead.” With a solemn gaze, I capture the eyes of everyone in the room. “Worse…they’re now operating without the board’s influence.”

forty-five

“Let’s eat!”Mom says, a little frenzied.

“I don’t think I can…” I say, losing my appetite.

“Nonsense. I’m sure Olivia wants some lunch. Brunch? Well, Mimosas.” She threads her arm through Olivia’s and leads her from the room. “If I can’t drink, then please down it for both of us.”

Dad hangs back for a moment, then shrugs. “Let’s grab some food, then talk in the office.”

“I’m not leaving Olivia out of this conversation.”

Dad’s eyes crinkle with his smile. “And I wouldn’t expect you to.”

In the overly ornate dining room, where we rarely eat, the chef has laid out a ton of food. And buckets of champagne on ice. Like there’s a house full of guests.

“Grab whatever you want, Olivia. As I told Valen, our chef is yours, so if you two don’t want to camp out in that ruined mansion, feel free to pop up and grab stuff from the pantry or ask Chef to prepare something,” Mom says. Like a normal human.

I feel better. Things went well. At least for their first meeting. Not so much for the announcement.

“Thank you. I may take you up on that, if that’s okay. The place already feels like home, but it gets loud with the construction,” Olivia says.

“We can always stay in the guest?—”

“Cottage, I know. But…” she softly protests with a smile at me.

“It’s nothome,” Mom says with a nod of solidarity. Home is everything to my mom, seeing as she rarely leaves our land.“Why would I? I have everything here.”she always says.

But I think she holds a lot of fear about what’s beyond the walls. And given where she started from, I don’t blame her.