Page 59 of Where Secrets Lie

The hits just kept coming.

Savannah stepped into a pool of warm March sunshine on the steps of the administration building and assessed the reporters waiting to interrogate her on the bankruptcy proceedings Hez had filed yesterday. The last thing she wanted today was to talk to the media camping out in the parking lot. Not while she was still reeling from Jess’s death. Her sister wasn’t even laid to rest yet, and Savannah somehow had to maintain her composure even while being peppered with questions.

A nearby reporter tucked her dark hair behind her ear and thrust her mic toward Savannah. “Is it true Tupelo Grove University has filed for bankruptcy?”

Savannah needed to project an air of confidence and control, so she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Yes, it is, but it’s a temporary measure we’re taking to ensure TGU is around for a long time. I know this news feels devastating for many of you.” She connected gazes with several students and professors she recognized. “Remember this—I’m here for you. The Tupelo Grove board is here for you, and we plan to come out of this stronger and in a better position to have an impactin today’s world.” It was a lame statement, but she had no real assurances for them.

The crowd grew as she spoke, and she estimated fifty people were gathered in the parking lot now. Knowledge of the impromptu news conference was spreading through the campus, and it was a good thing she could address those affected directly. Maybe she could quell the speculation and give them a little more time to figure things out.

Hez stood close to her left elbow in his gray power suit, and while she was grateful for his support, it might not have come to this if he’d actually read the loan papers. She shot up a quick prayer that he could pull a legal rabbit out of his hat for the university she loved so much. Without a miracle TGU would suffer permanent and irreparable damage. By summer it could be defunct.

The hopeful expressions on the faces around her increased the load on her shoulders. She had no answers, nor did Hez. Not really.

A bearded reporter in his twenties shouldered his way closer to her. “I’ve been talking to students and faculty all morning. Most of them are terrified they won’t be able to graduate when they’re so close. Others are fearful their degrees will be worthless. Professors are concerned their jobs and pensions could vanish. What do you want to say to them?”

“I don’t believe any of those things to be true. Don’t rush to transfer to another school or to apply for other teaching jobs.” She swept her hand toward the crowd of students and faculty. “While my family has led TGU, you have made the school what it is, and together we are going to turn this around. Thesecircumstances are temporary. This trial will make us better—stronger.”

The man’s dark eyes narrowed. “You admit your family has led the school to disaster? What caused the bankruptcy? There was no warning, nothing to prepare any of the students or faculty for this catastrophic news.”

She couldn’t tell the truth here, not without throwing Hez and Jess under the bus. “I’m working to find out what happened and will fix it.”

The female reporter stepped in front of the belligerent male. “Is there any connection between the university’s bankruptcy and the CFO’s murder?” She barked the question with a predatory gleam in her brown eyes.

Savannah could feel the crowd’s interest sharpen. Scandal had a way of heightening everything, and she was helpless to keep Jess out of the spotlight when Savannah herself didn’t know who had killed her sister or why. A memory of Jess’s face in those final moments surged back, and Savannah struggled to keep the tears at bay. She didn’t want to lie, and she couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

Hez stepped forward. “The university can’t speak to an ongoing police investigation, of course, but I can definitely tell you there’s no allegation of wrongdoing by the university.” His hand settled on Savannah’s shoulder. “I hope all of you will respect the privacy of Ms. Webster and her family as they try to navigate this tremendous loss. Ms. Legare was much loved by the students and faculty as well, and we all are suffering from the overwhelming tragedy.”

Savannah envied the way he was so cool under pressure. His DA experience helped him stay in control when besiegedlike this. Maybe she wouldn’t have to answer anything more. The warm press of his fingers on her shoulder calmed her agitation.

When another reporter started to speak, Hez subtly nudged Savannah toward the door. “The university appreciates your interest and your patience. We will keep the media and the public informed on future developments.” He steered her toward the entrance to the administration building.

Savannah let out the breath she’d been holding and glanced back as she hurried toward the haven awaiting her inside. Her calm deserted her when she spotted Helen Willard turning away toward the parked vehicles. One of her grandsons steadied her with his hand on her elbow. Though the Willard family matriarch appeared like an arthritic old lady, Savannah suspected Helen wielded more power than any of them knew. Helen had no love for the Legare family, and neither did her grandsons.

What had been Jess’s relationship with the Willards? Could they have wanted her dead?

***

Hez found a package waiting for him in his office when he got back from the impromptu press conference. He groaned when he saw the address label. It was from LeBoeuf & Bingham. He tore it open and pulled out a thick stack of paper. It was a motion for relief from the bankruptcy stay with a tabbed supporting affidavit and various other related filings.

Savannah stuck her head in his door. “I heard you groan. What’s up?”

He pointed to the pile on his desk. “Hornbrook’s lawyers just filed a motion to lift the bankruptcy stay.”

She gave him a blank look. “What does that mean?”

He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “It means they’re asking the bankruptcy judge to let them seize all of TGU’s assets even though we’re in bankruptcy.”

Her face went pale. “Can they do that?”

“They can ask. It’s up to the judge whether to grant the motion.”

“Do you think she’ll grant it?”

Hez shrugged. “I haven’t read a single word of the motion yet, let alone done any research. I’m not surprised that they filed something like this, just that they did it so fast. I haven’t even served the bankruptcy petition on them yet.”

“Huh. Are big firms always that fast?”

“Nope. I had hoped we’d have at least a few days, maybe even a couple of weeks.” The realization hit him. “They must have figured that we would file bankruptcy, and they were ready for it.”

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