In a Flash by Blair Bryan

Author:Blair Bryan [Bryan, Blair]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Teal Butterfly Press

Twenty-Two

The next morning, Adrienne received the phone call she’d been dreading. Seeing the name “Possible Dr. McGrath” on the caller ID under a number that seemed vaguely familiar made her stomach flutter in panic. Her lips formed a tight circle as she let out a quick series of bursts of hot air to calm her nerves before forcing a sunny smile on her face and answering the call.

“This is Adrienne Thorne.”

His usually amicable tone was replaced with a pinched one, and his use of formalities set off the first alarm. “Ms. Thorne.” She felt her mood wilt as he continued. “In light of the leak of the explicit photographs to the media, the board feels the best course of action is to put you on administrative leave until this scandal dies down.”

She cleared her throat, blanching at the idea of the board seeing her naked body. “Can I ask what this means about my appointment to my new post?”

He let out a frustrated sigh. “You can step down, or we can let you go. I believe it will bode better for your career if you choose to resign. It will give the district some time and distance from the scandal, and who knows, maybe next year we can take another look at your performance and decide if you meet the criteria.”

Disappointment flooded through her. “I would caution you to remember I was a victim here.” With the risk of losing the career she’d worked toward her entire adult life hanging in the balance, she refused to go down without a fight. “I was taken advantage of as a minor with photographs that I did not consent to have taken nor released to the public. You know we would rally around one of our students if this happened to them.”

“Of course we would,” he scoffed. “But the unfair reality is that we hold faculty and administration to a higher standard. Their actions matter, and we simply cannot afford the backlash we will be exposed to if we carry on with your promotion. I’m sorry, Adrienne. I really am, but I am sure you can see my hands are tied.”

“What if this happened to your daughter, Charles?”

“It wouldn’t.”

“Why not? Because she came from a prominent family?” Adrienne continued, “Sextortion is a cybercrime that is on the rise. It crosses all socioeconomic boundaries. Any woman can be a victim.”

“The decision has already been made,” he stated, ignoring her argument. “The school board had a closed-door emergency meeting and the vote was unanimous. We are offering the superintendent position to Dr. Randall. I’m sorry.”

“That’s the thing, Charles. I don’t think that you are.” Adrienne couldn’t help herself. “I love the Aura Cove Community School District, but this is wrong.”

He ignored her pleas and cleared his throat. His tone was adamant. “You’re on administrative leave until January thirty-first.”

“And then what?” she dared to ask.

“And then we will need to examine the evidence and make a decision in regards to your future at Aura Cove Community Schools.

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