Shaw
SinceIbecameprincipal two years ago, I accepted that conferences and workshops were a necessary part of the job. The events usually lasted all day and gave administrators across the district a chance to catch up on new ideas, new regulations, and highlight issues the superintendent had with the current system. There was always something or another that was being introduced, with only a paltry pilot test done before they were implemented in every school.
I had to pay attention, but I was too distracted with everything happening in my life. I couldn’t focus if my life depended on it. I’d never hired a contract killer before, and it was a wonder I knew someone at all who was willing to kill someone for money. After working in the school system for decades, I came to the conclusion that students, despite receiving the same education, ended up in all stations of life. Some turned out good, and others turned out bad.
Alex Killian had been one of the rotten apples.
I’d been one of the only ones who had been able to calm him down when he got into trouble at school. Teachers gossiped a lot about their former students, and he had been one of their hot topics. Rumors had it he ran a small gang and wasn’t opposed to disposing of someone for money.
Although I knew who he was, he had no idea about my identity. We’d spoken by phone. He’d instructed where to leave the money, and when he was satisfied, he called me, and we made the arrangements.
He could never know who I was. Not only because once he knew my secret, it wouldn’t be long before others were aware of it as well, but also because I wouldn’t put it past him to blackmail me after. If Ari hadn’t been directly involved, I wouldn’t have told him anything about it, but I needed him to know I wasn’t just a useless Daddy who couldn’t take care of him. He went the extra mile to protect me, and we weren’t going to get rid of Ken anytime soon until he got to Ari. Or I got to him first.
The things that man did to Ari were sick and twisted. I blamed my ex-wife. I wanted to call her and tell her I knew what she’d done, of the hell she’d put Ari through, but I held back. Every time I thought of her, I saw red. I wanted to hurt her the way she’d hurt her son, and it was too frightening to confront her, not knowing what I might say or do.
My phone vibrated, and I slipped it out of my pocket.
Call me.
It was the same number I’d been in touch with about killing Ken. I excused myself from the table and hurried out of the conference room. In the hallway, I followed the sign to the men’s restroom. A quick check told me no one was in the stalls.
I pressed the Call icon with a trembling finger.
“Are you alone?” came the gruff voice.
I cleared my throat. “Yes. Did you get it done?”
“Not so fast. Wouldn’t you like to catch up first, Principal Wheeler?”
Blood rushed in my ears, and my legs buckled. I clutched the sink to keep myself steady.
“How did you know?”
“Because guess where I’m standing right now? Across from your house.”
Alarm speared through me. Ari.
“What are you doing there?”
“I was trailing your mark. He’s been following this rather beautiful boy and his friend all day, so I haven’t been able to strike. Imagine my surprise when they entered a house with your name on the mailbox.”
Damn. Why had I changed the name?
“Wait a minute. What do you mean they all entered the house?”
“Well, they just let in the mark, which means I can’t kill him now, or it’ll lead right back to you. I’m just giving you a heads-up that I might need a few more hours.”
“They let him in?” My heart raced in my chest. “That man is dangerous. Do you hear me? You need to do it now.”
“Sorry, Principal Wheeler. You know I respect you and all, but right now, you’re compromised, and if I make my move now, I will be too.”
“If anything happens to him…” I hung up the phone and called Ari, but he didn’t pick up. I raced out of the restroom and switched to calling the home phone, but it too went unanswered.
The hotel where the conference was taking place was downtown, several miles from where we lived. Even if I broke all the speed records, it would take too long to get to the house, but I had no other option. Ari had begged me not to call the police, and tempted as I was, I couldn’t. What if I called the police and it would lead to Ari’s demise?
I toed the speed limit. Thank god the lunch hour traffic had dwindled to the occasional car. The traffic lights worked in my favor except for the last one. I gripped the steering wheel and glared at the red light as if I could, by force of will alone, change it to green.
Adrenaline coursed through my veins, hitting its zenith by the time I parked in the driveway. I yanked the glove compartment open and took out my licensed gun. My hands shook as I loaded it. I ran to the garage. The security code tripped me up, and I had to close my eyes and concentrate to remember we’d used a combination of the years Ari and I were born. The garage door opened, and I ducked inside.