It's Never too Late

Knew something that would protect Will if his blackmailer was tied to that situation.

“Tory?” Greg Richards stood with his hands on his hips, facing her. “Why do you ask?”

“Because she taught classes under an assumed identity, putting Montford in jeopardy of lawsuit, at the very least, and as far as I can see, no charges were ever pressed.”

“First, Tory is a friend. A good friend who’s had a tough life and given more to Shelter Valley than the town will ever be able to give back. Anytime anyone needs anything, Tory is quietly there, providing. Food, clothing, a helping hand...”

“I’m not out to get Tory, Sheriff,” Addy interrupted quietly. “I’m looking for possible lawsuit opportunities against Will Parsons. I read the article that was published in the newspaper regarding Tory’s...indiscretion. I’m asking you if there was more to it than what was written in that article.”

“Tory’s mother died when she was ten, leaving the girls in the custody of their stepfather. I can’t speak to all of the man’s sins, nor would I speak of Tory, period, but because you’ve been given access to records, I will tell you that Tory’s stepfather married her off at seventeen to a man with connections. Ties to the underworld. Anytime she tried to leave him, anyone she associated with was in danger. She hid her true identity more to protect those around her than to protect herself. And she didn’t steal an identity so much as accept the one given to her when she woke up in the hospital after the accident.”

“Mitigating circumstances, I understand. A grand jury might not have charged her, a jury probably wouldn’t have convicted her. I’m not questioning that. I’m questioning Will’s culpability, or apparent culpability, in the situation. As far as I can tell, he didn’t press charges or sanction her in any way. Tory is married to a Montford. She’s a close friend of Becca’s. That doesn’t look good. It looks like he played favorites.”

“She’d only been in town four months when Will made the decision not to press charges against her. And no one knew that Ben Sanders was a Montford back then. Sam Montford, his cousin, was long gone and Sam’s parents, the only other living Montfords, were in Europe for an extended stay. None of the Montfords or Sanders family had even met.”

That would help if Will were ever taken to court on discrimination charges. Help, but not necessarily exonerate him.

“Will weighed the decision heavily,” Greg said, his arm on the top of her car again as he leaned down to look her straight in the eye. “The first thing he did after Tory presented herself in his office and confessed what she’d done was arrange to have tests administered to every single student who’d taken her classes. It’s a test given to any student who believes he or she has surpassed the requirements for a given class, but who needs the credit hours for their degree. As long as they pass the test and pay for the hours, they get credit for the class. Every single one of Tory’s students passed and Will was able to award them the credit hours, which meant that, in theory, no students were hurt by her indiscretions. He visited with me and with his board and the university attorney who, by the way, doesn’t know about the current threats.

“After much discussion it was agreed that it was in Montford’s best interests not to press charges. To do so could have affected Montford’s reputation and, in a domino effect, the university’s academic rating, as well, which could then affect our alumni and the several thousand students who were currently enrolled. A diploma from Montford has external economic value....”

Greg’s tone was not quite defensive, but close. And Addy respected him that

much more for the heart he obviously put into his community.

“I know and that’s a valid argument,” Addy told the lawman. “One he could feasibly win with if it ever went to court. Still, we need to be aware that the situation exists and is potentially flammable.”

“You’re saying that thing with Tory could be a valid basis for charges against Will?”

“Yes.”

“Shit.” Sheriff Richards stood back, turned to the road and then spun around to face her again.

“We don’t know that the letter writer even knows about Tory.”

“There was an article in the university paper, as well, after the board made its decision. Will insisted on complete disclosure.”

“I know.” She’d found that article, too. “And if he has to answer to charges, that article will be to his benefit. I just wanted you to know my opinion based on what I’ve found.”

“You want me to tell Will?” Greg was to be their go-between if Will or Addy needed to relay messages to each other.

“I leave that up to you,” she said. “For now, I’m a researcher looking for possible lawsuit opportunities against Will. I can’t think beyond that.”

Adrianna Keller had always been good at emotionally compartmentalizing.

She hoped to God that Adele Kennedy was equally adept.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

NONNIE WAS STILL UP, sitting at the computer, when Mark walked in the front door just after eight that evening.

“Who’s winning?” he asked. Judging by the poker hand on the screen, it wasn’t her, which was unusual.

“I’m waiting for the river.” She continued to watch the screen. “The River.” A draw card in Texas Hold ’Em, Nonnie’s current game of choice. “I’m up two tokens for the night.” She had to win ten hands to earn a token.

“Which brings your overall token account to, what, nine hundred and forty-six?”

“One thousand and sixty-two.” He could barely hear her.