"Exactly, only the problem is that if we don't pay our tuition on time we get dropped from our classes and can't be reinstated until the next term, which is after graduation," she said. "We're set to graduate at the end of this term so that means we have to wait until next fall!"
"But if you didn't cheat, they should be able to clear you immediately, right?" I said trying to understand what the problem was.
"We didn't cheat, but Violet hates us and she has pull with the department head and the nursing internship supervisor, who both have to be character witnesses for the investigation," she said hitting the bed with the palm of her hand to underscore the problem. "Neither one of us cheated, but we have no way of proving that beyond a shadow of a doubt, and the program doesn't want to lose the donation that Violet's dad made to the school. She wants us out, she gets what she wants."
"That's a shitty thing to do," I said shaking my head.
"Yeah, well, have you met Violet Metzler?" she asked sarcastically. "She's shitty human being."
"Indeed," I said thinking about how this shed new light on my contract with Richard Metzler and suddenly understanding Alex's hesitation when I told her about it. "So, what if we find a work around?"
"How in the hell are we going to find a work around for this?" Liz asked with an exasperated sigh. "It's not like Alex and I are millionaires who can finance our own educations. If that were the case, neither one of us would be worked up about this, you know?"
"No, but I think I have an idea," I said rubbing my chin as I wondered how I was going to make it all work without Alex finding out.
"What are you going to do? Pay the bills, Mr. Big Shot?" Liz shot back as she rolled her eyes.
"In fact, I am," I said still thinking about how all of this was either going to work spectacularly well or blow up in my face. "Don't tell Alex, though, okay?"
"Dude, I'm not saying a word," she said shaking her head. "But if she finds out, you're going to be answering to her in a way that...well, just don't let her find out."
"Look, I'll front the money and when the scholarships come in, you can pay me back," I said as I pulled out my phone and started transferring money to the account I used for personal business. "Is there anything else that needs to be paid besides tuition?"
"Alex's rent," Liz said. "Don't tell her I told you, bu
t her landlord is a stickler, and one late rent payment means she'll be served an eviction notice. It was part of her lease agreement because Mr. Deaver had had too many college students flaking out on rent. But like I said, do not tell her I told you. She'd kill me."
"I'm not saying a word," I agreed. "Don't you, either."
"Scout's honor," Liz said holding up three fingers and giving me a solemn nod. "Or however that goes."
"Quick, give me the numbers," I said as I dug in the nightstand and found a pen and a pad of paper. Liz quickly scribbled the numbers on the sheet and gave me Alex's landlord's address before handing the paper over.
"I hope you know what you're doing, dude," she said with a lopsided grin. "You have no idea how mad Alex will be if she finds out."
"Finds out what?" Alex asked as she walked into the room with a tray full of food and drinks.
"Finds out I've been mainlining heroin here in this very room," Liz quickly shot back.
"Don't be smart with me, Banks," Alex said. There was an edge in her voice that hadn't been there before she'd left the room, and I wondered what she'd done besides get snacks while she was gone.
"I'm not being smart," Liz said as she took a slice of apple from Alex and bit into it. Quietly, she said, "I'm sorry, Alex."
"It's okay, sweetie," Alex said sitting on the edge of the bed. "I know you're stressed out. I'm just worried about you, and I can't figure out how to help."
"I know," Liz said as she leaned over and gave Alex a hug. Her voice dropped to sad whisper, "I really don't know what's wrong with me, Alex."
"I know, Liz," Alex said patting her best friend's back. "But we're going to find out. Don't you worry, Liz. We will."
#
At Alex's insistence, I left her at the hospital with Liz while I went home to check on Tesla. I knew couldn't pay the tuition bill until the university offices opened back up on Monday morning, but I could find Alex's landlord and take care of that, so the next morning I drove over and paid her rent through the end of the term.
"Who are you?" the landlord asked suspiciously. "Does Miss Pierce know you're doing this?"
"Look, you're getting your money, aren't you?" I said as I handed him the cash. "Why ask questions? Now give me a receipt and send a receipt to Ms. Pierce so that she knows she's paid through to the end of the term."
"She's not going to like this," he said as he went to his computer and printed a receipt for me. "And what am I supposed to tell her when she comes asking who paid this?"