Page 23 of Bittersweet Revenge

“Talking about Taylor…”

His back turned rigid, his posture clearly defensive. The happy-go-lucky flirt was suddenly gone. “I’m not sure this is relevant here.”

“It is. I understand it came from a good place, I do, but you can’t miss the extra tension it is adding to our…” I twisted my mouth to the side, not sure how to define our relationship. “Our weird little circle of trust.” I ran my hand along my chin. “We’ve already had so many challenges to face, I'm not sure a love rivalry, even a made-up one, would be productive.”

He chuckled, but it lacked humor. “Pot, meet kettle.” I frowned in confusion. I was about to ask what he meant when he raised his hand. “You were not there. You didn’t see. You wouldn't be so quick to defend your brother's tender feelings if you knew.”

“Then tell me!” I let out, throwing my hands up in frustration. “Fucking hell, it’s like Watergate! Everyone is alluding and nobody’s talking.”

“I have no dog in this fight, Esmeralda, and it is not my place to say. But what I can tell you is that when it all unfolded, I’d been here a week, and it was that same week I realized your brother is as cruel as Caleb Astor, maybe even more so… I will not be the one changing your views of your brother. He might have changed;youmight have changed him, but I know who he was then, who he was until recently. I don't feel bad for him and his poor bleeding heart. He deserves this, just as Caleb deserves to be tormented by his unwanted obsession and not-so-unrequited destructive feelings.”

“What do you mean?”

He sighed, throwing a quick look at his watch. “This is a conversation for another time, with a lot of alcohol, but I’ve been closeted for way too long to miss the signs. A faker can’t fool a faker and all I’m saying is that before looking into Taylor, Archie, and me you’ll have to accept your feelings, just as he will have to accept his because if neither of you does you’ll destroy each other and everyone around you in the process.”

He shook his head, opening the folder again.

“For the deputy guy,” I started. He was right, there was no good reason to dwell on what was and what should be. I had to deal with my mother’s death first. The rest would have to wait.

“We can’t go. Any of us getting too close to him would ring alarm bells.”

I nodded. “What if I knew someone that could go undetected?”

“Someone you trust enough with this?”

I nodded, thinking about Ben. Before being a crush, he was first and foremost a friend- one who always came through for me, even when I couldn’t explain why I needed him.

“Yes, I do.”

“Okay, I’ll get you the bugs to give your friend so he can plant them on Phang’s phone and car.”

“Okay.” I bet Ben would have a field day with that. He loved all the stupid spy movies.

“I haven't investigated the parents yet, but will do that next,” said Antoine. “As for your librarian, I didn’t find anything.”

“Yeah, I expected as much.”

“No, you don't understand – I couldn’t findanything– good or bad. It’s like Anna White didn’t exist before she attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University.”

“Maybe there is nothing. It was before social media.”

He looked at me like I was a mentally challenged child. “There is always a trace, Esmeralda. Social Security number, driving license, high school diploma… Always something, but here?Rien du tout. I’m not saying it has something to do with this. I mean, the woman is quite a bit older than your mother, so I don’t think it is linked, but she is not as clean and innocent as she seems to be.”

I shrugged. “Everybody has a past. It doesn't mean she is bad.”

“No,” he agreed, “it doesn’t, but it intrigued me to look deeper, and also, I don’t mean to brag, but Brentwood Academy is one of the best schools in the country. Four out of the six most recent Presidents have graduated from here. All the staff, academic, administrative or otherwise, are paid three to four times the average salaries for their respective roles. This has been done to ensure we attract the best of the best, but also so they keep their mouths shut and remain loyal.”

“Okay…” I didn't know all that, but I still didn't see how it mattered here.

“She graduated from a state university. A state...” The corners of his mouth curled deep down in disdain.

I frowned, angry at his reaction. “I didn’t peg you as an elitist pig.”

It was his turn to frown. “Why? Because I’m gay? I assure you, Esmeralda, I'm just as entitled, and my sexuality has nothing to do with it.”

“No, I just thought you were better because you’re funny and a hedonist and also because you don't seem to mind sticking your tongue down the help’s throat.”

His eyes lit up with mirth, and I knew I had managed to diffuse the existing tension. “Guilty as charged.” He shook his head, his bronze hair so perfectly styled, it didn’t even move. “But all I'm saying is that this school is even more elitist than I’ll ever be, and they’d never hire an average librarian from a state university. She would have to have graduated from the Ivy League.”

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