29. Gilbert
29
GILBERT
I circle back to Bluegrass High School just after the first period ends. The halls are filled with students rushing to their next classes, the sound of lockers opening and closing echoing in the bustling hallways. Keeping my head down, I navigate through the crowd to avoid drawing attention. Ashlynn would be in second period now, safely out of earshot from what I’m about to do.
As I approach Principal Richardson’s office, I can feel the anger simmering beneath my calm exterior. I knock sharply on the door and, without waiting for a response, push it open and step inside. The office is just as I remember it — neat, orderly, with a faint scent of polished wood.
Nicole looks up from her desk, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she quickly masks it with her usual professional demeanor.
“Gilbert, I wasn’t expecting you,” she says, attempting a cordial tone. “What can I do for you today?”
I close the door behind me and sit across from her, holding her gaze. “I know what you’ve been doing, Nicole”
Her expression falters, just for a moment, but it’s enough. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Now’s not the time to play dumb. You know exactly what I’m talking about. I know that it was at your insistence that Leland came back here.”
Her expression remains calm, but there’s a slight tightening around her eyes. “That’s a serious accusation, Dr. McKenzie. You can’t just?—”
I cut her off, my voice steady but cold. “I also know that you’ve known all along that he was back to his old habits and did nothing to stop it. You encouraged it, in fact.”
Her eyes narrow, and she leans back in her seat. “You have no proof of that. These are baseless allegations.”
I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, unlocking it with a few quick taps. “Actually, I do have proof.” I press play on the most recent recording Ashlynn made, my eyes never leaving Nicole’s face as the sounds of the the incriminating audio fills the room.
TRANSCRIPT
Ashlynn: Where’s Mr. Greenfield? Or Gilbert? You know you’re not allowed to talk to me without either one of them present.
Principal Richardson (cold and detached): You’re my student, and I can talk to you whenever I damn well choose. You’re not under arrest, so you don’t need a lawyer.
Ashlynn: But I do need to get back to class. You pulled me out of AP Physics in the middle of a pop quiz, which means I’ve have to stay late to retake it. I have ballet class, you know this.
Principal Richardson : Then you’ll just have to miss a few minutes of ballet. Quit being such an uptight bitch. It’s just tutus, not the end of the fucking world.
Ashlynn (pauses, then in a sweet tone) : What can I do for you, Principal Richardson?
Principal Richardson : Leland is still in jail.
Ashlynn: And what does that have to do with me?
Principal Richardson : The vandalism case against him is still ongoing.
Ashlynn: It’s the security company pressing charges, not me.
Principal Richardson : And your lawyer filled a motion to introduce prior bad acts.
Ashlynn: So you pulled me out of a test again to discuss it.
Principal Richardson : Annoying, isn’t it? The little things that can derail one’s future.
Ashlynn: I didn’t invite him over. It’s common knowledge that I don’t invite anyone over. Ever.
Principal Richardson : That’s neither here nor there. As I already told you, we can’t have this kind of scandal reflecting poorly on Bluegrass. Tell the security company and your lawyer that Leland came by to see you. That your father died, and he was being a good friend.
Ashlynn: So you want me to lie.
Principal Richardson : I want you to make this go away. You have the means to do so. He already paid his debt to society once, does he really have to go to jail a second time to prove a point?
Ashlynn: Why are you so hell bent on defending him? He did this to himself.
Principal Richardson : He will get out, with or without your cooperation, and the last thing you want is for him to escalate.
Ashlynn: You do know what he did to me before?—
Principal Richardson (harshly): He will do much worse to you. And believe me, you don’t want to find out what he’s capable of?—
I stop the recording, and the room falls silent.
Nicole’s face flushes a deep red, eyes widening as the color rises from her neck to her cheeks. “That was taken out of context. I had one bad day?—”
“That was three days ago,” I cut her off, my voice cold and unwavering. “It goes back further. Tell me. Do you speak to all of your students that way, or are your bad days reserved for Ash alone?”
She opens her mouth, struggling to form words, but I don’t give her the chance.
I lean forward, my eyes boring into hers. “You have a duty to protect your students, and you failed. Worse, you made it easy for him. Allowing him to continue, creating an environment where he felt safe and entitled to harass her.”
She sighs heavily, leaning back in her chair. “Gilbert, you have to understand the position I’m in. The school’s reputation, the potential fallout?—”
“I don’t care about the school’s reputation!” I snap. “You threatened her. Repeatedly. You knowingly allowed a predator to continue stalking her, just to protect the school’s reputation. You put her life at risk, prioritizing avoiding bad publicity over protecting her.”
Nicole’s face hardens. “It’s more complicated than that.”
“It’s not,” I say firmly. “I have you on tape, asking her to lie so he can get off. You think you can intimidate and manipulate people to protect your precious school? You think I’m going to let you get away with threatening someone I care about? I won’t let this slide. You’ve proven yourself unfit to protect the students under your care, and you will be held accountable. I plan on taking legal action against you and the school.”
She recovers some of her composure, her eyes narrowing. “If you want to play it that way,” she says, her tone laced with venom, “then maybe I should reveal that you’re sleeping with a student. That could ruin your career and reputation, Doctor McKenzie.”
A dry chuckle escapes me, utterly devoid of humor. “I would love to see you try. Ash is eighteen and legally an adult. There’s nothing inappropriate about our relationship. The only reason you’re not leaving here in handcuffs today is because she wants to graduate in peace.”
She opens her mouth to retort, but I raise a hand to stop her. “I’m not a forgiving man, Principal Richardson,” I continue, my voice icy. “You should be grateful for Ash’s kindness. She’s giving you a chance to handle this quietly, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Your career, your reputation, everything you’ve built here — it’s all on the line.”
Her face pales at the coldness in my voice. The realization of her precarious situation is clear in her expression. She looks like she’s calculating her next move, trying to salvage what she can.
I lean back, regarding her with a cold detachment. “What assets do you have?”
She blinks, caught off guard. “What?”
“This isn’t just about the school’s reputation anymore. This is about your personal responsibility and the consequences you’re going to face. That means your personal assets are on the line too. So, tell me, what assets do you have? A house, perhaps? Investments? Retirement accounts?”
Her eyes flicker with panic. She swallows hard. “Are you suggesting?—”
“I’m not suggesting anything. Simply stating facts. You and everyone who had a hand in this are liable. Everything you own could be subject to a lawsuit. Your house, your savings, any investments you’ve made — it’s all on the table. The law doesn’t look kindly on those who prioritize their careers over the safety of the ones they are meant to protect. You’re lucky Ash doesn’t want to press charges, but that doesn’t mean you won’t face the consequences for your actions.”
Before she can muster a response, I call out, “You can come in now.”
The door swings open, and a woman in a suit walks in, holding a thick envelope. Nicole’s eyes dart to the newcomer, then back to me, confusion evident on her face.
The woman approaches the desk, her expression professional and unreadable. “Nicole Richardson, you’ve been served.”
She hands over the envelope, which Nicole takes with trembling hands, her face ashen.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake! Isn’t she rich enough already?” Nicole hisses as soon as the woman exits.
I pocket my phone and stand, adjusting my jacket as I do. “Consider this the beginning. I’ll see you in court. You might want to start thinking about what you’re willing to lose, because this is far from over. And since you’ve officially been put on notice, do not speak to Ash again without counsel present. If you think that’s an empty threat, try it. I’ll add a restraining order to this, and you can kiss this cushy job goodbye.”
I turn to leave, but pause at the door, turning back to her. “By the way, where’s the staff lounge?”
She blinks, momentarily thrown off by the question. “Why do you want to know?”
“I told you, I’m not a forgiving man. This isn’t about one person’s negligence. It’s about a system that failed a student. This lawsuit is just the start. You and the school will be held accountable for your actions — or lack thereof.”
“It’s not enough that you’re ruining me. You just have to go after innocent teachers as well?”
“Innocent?” I meet her gaze, my expression hardening. “While anyone of your teachers could have stepped in to stop this at any time over the last four years, there are two in particular who, like you, have been actively threatening her. They made her life miserable for four years, just like you did. And I plan to go after them as well.”
Her mouth opens slightly, but no words come out.
“This isn’t just about you,” I continue. “This is about everyone who allowed this to happen. The failure of this school to protect one of its students won’t go unpunished. And I know, for a fact, that Ash wasn’t the only student that you three targeted.”
With that, I turn and walk out of the office, feeling a grim sense of satisfaction. The weight of my steps feels lighter as I head towards the staff lounge, knowing that justice, albeit delayed, is finally beginning to unfold. It may take time, but I’m determined to see it through for Ashlynn’s sake, and for all the other students who deserve to feel safe.
People like Nicole Richardson will learn the hard way that there’s no room for mercy when the safety of someone you love is at stake.