SEVEN

Colin Walters stepped out of his jet black Porsche and hurried up the long walkway to the Brisbey School Administration building. He lowered the collar of his long topcoat and shook off the rain as he stepped through the large double doors. Slowly, he walked through the carpeted hallway and entered the administrator's office. He casually strolled up to the secretary's desk and smiled when the young girl there looked up toward him.

Vicky Lynn had been working as a secretary for administration since the middle of the last school term. She stared at the young, well-dressed man that stood before her desk. His black hair had a bit of a wave to it, but was neatly trimmed, his chin chiseled as if from fine marble and those dimples!!! His smile revealed large dimples in both cheeks. His suit was black silk, 'probably Italian made,' she thought to herself and then wondered where such a thought originated. She stared at his tie, noticing the blue and black patterns in that bit of silk nearly matched the color of his eyes. For a few moments she could not find her voice and although she was sure his mouth was moving, all she could hear was the loud thumping of her own heart. If it were possible to fall in love at first sight, she was sure she had fallen hard. Finally his voice pierced her awe.

"Good morning," he smiled. She swooned, smiling back. She thought about returning the greeting, but good morning just didn't seem to be enough. He chuckled just a bit. "I'm Colin Walters." He reached inside his jacket and then handed her a small white business card. She took it automatically. "I'm sorry I don't have an appointment, but I was hoping to speak with your headmistress. Is that possible?" He stepped back and brought the briefcase he was carrying in front of him, grasping the handle with both hands. The girl continued to stare, with a wistful, far away look in her eyes. He laughed to himself. He was used to this reaction from some women. He told himself it was nothing, but deep down it really did boost his male ego. He cleared his throat and spoke again, just a bit louder. "Do you think it would be possible?"

"Possible." Miss Lynn smiled. "Possible?" She shook her head and blushed as she brought herself back to the present. "Oh, I'm very sorry but Miss Thorne isn't in. She had an appointment this morning and won't be back until after lunch." She frowned just a bit. "Is there something I can do for you?" She hoped.

"Well," he began, "I was hoping to speak with her first but I do have a few others to see. Perhaps I can come back or you can contact me when she comes in."

"It is only ten o'clock, but you can wait here if you'd like. I can get you some coffee…" the young secretary smiled, glad for the handsome company in the headmistress' absence.

"What I'd really like is for you to direct me to the infirmary, I have some business there as well." He informed her.

He stifled a laugh when she appeared to pout. "It's directly across the commons." She pointed to the window behind him. "See that small white building? That's it."

"Thank you," he said, already heading for the door, "you've been a big help. Oh and you will remember to give the headmistress my card when she comes in, won't you?"

Miss Lynn looked at the small white card in her hand and nodded slowly.

"Good, then I will be back right after lunch." He opened the door and then looked back at the girl. "I'd be very happy to have that cup of coffee then." He waited for her small smile, then smiled back and left.

Vicky ran her fingers over the raised black letters on the card, 'Colin M. Walters, Esq., McAllister Shipping Inc.'

Colin stepped into the small, pristine outer office and waiting room of the Brisbey Infirmary. He shuddered as the medicinal smells brought back dreadful memories of childhood experiences better left forgotten. He had never liked doctor's offices, he probably never would.

"Can I help you?" a startled voice inquired.

He looked at the middle-aged woman dressed in white from head to toe. Her graying hair was pulled back and tucked into the white cap on top of her head. She wore thick rimmed glasses and held a clipboard to her chest. Her arms were meaty and looked strong but not flabby. She was short in stature with an air of confidence in her stance, for a moment he pictured a well-dressed bulldog.

"Yes, ma'am." He found himself addressing her with great respect, as he reached out a hand in greeting. " I'd like to see Reagan McAllister. I understand you are treating her…that she is currently a patient here."

Julia Carson took his hand and eyed him sternly. "And who might you be?" She asked suspiciously.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He reached inside his jacket for another card. " My name is Colin Walters. I represent the McAllister family's interests. I've been sent to…"

Mrs. Carson brushed him aside and resumed her morning duties. "You don't have to tell me what you've been sent to do, young man. I am familiar with the McAllister method of handling problems. I suppose you’re here to 'clean up'? Yes, I believe that's what the last one used to call it."

Colin stopped and considered the animosity in this woman's voice. "I've been sent by Miss Payton McAllister." He took on a more business like attitude.

The nurse raised her hand to stop him. "No need to continue. I'm familiar with her as well, seems she has inherited more from her father than just that company. I'd say she couldn't find it in her heart to come herself, but I would guess she doesn't have much of a heart either." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

The young lawyer laughed a bit. "I take it you don't think very much of Payton."

"It shows, does it?" Julia asked over her shoulder as she counted small vials of some many-lettered medications."

Colin laughed again. "Well, she isn't a very easy person to like then, is she?"

"And I've met the McAllister's lawyers as well!" She seemed to already distrust the young man.

"I'm sure you have." He remained calm. "But you haven't met me. I know Payton's track record here at Brisbey and I know how it was handled back then, but I am only here to find out what the problem is. I was told you might be able to help." He smiled as he set his briefcase on the table and shrugged off his overcoat. "So…may I speak with Reagan?"

The older woman turned and eyed the young man. Maybe he was legitimate, maybe he was different. "She isn't here." She told him flatly. "I sent her back to class this morning."

"Hmm," he thought. "Then perhaps you can tell me about this so called accident?"

Something in that question told the nurse he knew the answer before it was asked. She eyed him carefully, studying the young man in the fancy black suit. "And then you write a check for an addition to the infirmary?" She tested him.

"No…" he answered, "then we find out what really happened and solve the problem. You see Payton McAllister sent me, but it was her secretary that filled me in on what your Miss Feeney had to say. Apparently, there is more going on here than simple childish pranks. Miss McAllister told me to solve this matter, whatever it takes. I intend to do just that, however," he pulled out a chair, sat down and opened his briefcase, "I intend to do it my way and not in the tradition of the McAllisters. So," he rested his elbows on the table and folded his hands in front of his chin. "Are you willing to help?"

She pursed her lips and nodded slowly. There was certainly something different about this dark, handsome, young, legal eagle. He could be the only chance they'd have to help the young McAllister girl. It was a risk she'd have to take.

More than an hour later Mrs. Carson had told the young lawyer all of what she knew regarding Reagan McAllister's recent dilemma, including the fact that she did not buy into the child's story about the fall. Young Mr. Walters was precise in his questioning, getting the older woman to remember details she herself did not imagine she had known.

"And you told no one about your suspicions?" He tapped his pencil on the legal pad on which he was keeping notes.

"No." Mrs. Carson answered the question, for the third time. "Like I said, we only have suspicion, no proof. Reagan's story doesn't change and the other child swears to it as well."

"And the headmistress?" he arched his brows.

She shook her head. "Miss Thorne has no love for any child, she is as cold as stone. I can't imagine why someone like that would be in a position such as hers, but it's none of my business. She would probably say we were coddling her. The price would be high for us all. The headmistress always holds a lot of power at this facility, Mr. Walters. Don't let appearances fool you, young man. I've never witnessed her wrath, but I would think she might turn on you very quickly. The people this particular headmistress doesn't like haven't lasted very long on this campus." She turned her head and quickly pulled a tissue from her pocket.

"What makes you say that?" Colin asked, immediately picking up on the comment.

"Oh, just talk among the lower staff here, I suppose. Probably all it is too." Julia shrugged off her previous remarks. "Some of the older faculty retired soon after our new headmistress took office. There were rumors," she arched her brows, "there always are in such circumstances. A few of the dietary staff were dismissed also. Someone said it was due to the fact they disagreed with our Miss Thorne's idea of proper meals for the students."

"And no one stops this?" He asked quietly.

She wiped her eyes and tried to hide the blush that warmed her cheeks. "I'm afraid not, young man. I am ashamed to say that, but it is true. Things like that always happen when a new person takes over. The new headmistress has to make the situation fit her own needs. She seems to be tough, no nonsense. There were several students she disliked who seemed to choose to leave, some teachers were given assignments at other schools, and a few maintenance people just moved on. But never, have I ever, suspected her of abusing one of the children." Her voice grew in strength. "That is where I draw the line! But," she spoke quietly, "these are all rumors. If the board was to hear any of this, it will cost all of us our jobs. I have a family to support, young man. Nancy Feeney has nine brothers and sisters at home. She helps her parents as much as she can. They worked hard to put her through college and it would destroy them if she were to lose this position." She wiped her eyes again. "I know that seems selfish, but…"

"Not selfish…just cautious." Colin assured her. "That's why I'm here." He glanced at the gold watch on his wrist and began to shuffle his paperwork into a neat pile. "I believe I'll head back to the headmistress' office and ask her a few questions." He snapped the briefcase closed and stood, slipping on his overcoat. "Thank you, Mrs. Carson, you've been a great help." He smiled as he left her office. "And don't worry, no one needs to know about this conversation." He patted his briefcase and was gone.

Reagan had made it through the morning despite the whispers and stares of her classmates. Her legs were a bit stiff from three days in the infirmary and the cool wooden seats in her classrooms caused her, now bluish, welts to sting just a little. Mrs. Carson had given her some pills to take if her arm hurt more than she could handle, but so far the sling was doing its job relieving the pressure on her twisted elbow. Her last class was art and throughout the hour she had to endure the concerned glances of Miss Feeney. She hoped the others had not seen it as well, but then told herself she was only imagining the whole thing. At noon the bell clanged four times ending the morning session and calling the students to the cafeteria for lunch. She slid her notebook into her satchel and wrestled it on to her good shoulder. It was a bit of a struggle working with one hand but she had had many offers of help during the morning. Unfortunately, it did also mean she had been the last student to leave each room that morning. Miss Shea had glared at her as she hurried out of first period geometry class. Reagan returned the look with a smile and a cheery, "Have a nice day, ma'am." The teacher merely huffed and turned to erase her chalkboard. So it went in second and third period classes as well, but Miss Feeney was different. She would probably have something to say, a question to ask at the least. Reagan tried not to make eye contact.

Nancy Feeney waited patiently as the child walked the short distance from her chair to the classroom door. She hoped to be able to speak to Reagan, perhaps they could share a table in the lunchroom or just walk to the cafeteria together. The opportunity for either was dashed as an upperclassman appeared at the door.

"Excuse me, Miss Feeney." The tall, lanky girl began.

"Yes?" The teacher asked, motioning for Reagan to wait. Reagan sighed just a bit.

"Miss Thorne sent me, ma'am. She wants to see Reagan McAllister in her office, right now. I am supposed to walk her there personally." The girl looked a bit guilty, the kind of guilt a prison guard might have leading an innocent man to his execution.

Reagan's shoulders dropped. She hadn't done anything wrong all morning. She had been so very careful. She spoke at the right moments and was quiet when she was supposed to be quiet. She had walked slowly in the halls and all of her work was neatly done. She even made it a point to be extra polite to everyone, no matter how grumpy they had seemed. If Thorne wanted her, surely there was trouble. Immediately, her recent wounds cried with the memory of the last time she had encountered the headmistress. She knew she could not take another dose of Miss Thorne's father's fraternity-paddle-discipline.

"Why?" Miss Feeney was on her feet reaching for the small note the girl was holding. "Did she say why?"

"No ma'am," the girl answered, "just to bring her to her office immediately. She was very insistent. Please ma'am, she said to hurry."

Nancy read the scribble across the note excusing Reagan from her class in order to meet with the headmistress. She looked at the small girl in front of her. "Reagan, I…"

"It's okay." Reagan managed a weak smile for the teacher. "I'll go. I wouldn't want to get anyone in trouble." She walked toward the door and waited for the older girl to join her. The older girl put her arm around Reagan's shoulders and led her down the now quiet hallway toward the door. Neither looked back at the teacher who watched them go.

Alexis Thorne had arrived back on Brisbey's campus by 11:30 that morning and headed straight for her office. She had secured a mason in the next town to repair the defaced molded bench and expected it to be replaced by mid-week. The rain had hampered that effort and it took more than a few extra dollars to convince the man it had to be delivered and replaced well after dark. The man had been a stubborn fool and asked far too many questions. Alexis Thorne was tired of questions, tired of the fools she had to deal with in daily life. Why couldn't people just do as she said? Even the grounds' keeper had asked too many questions that day when she ordered him to remove the repulsive piece of garden decoration from the glade. She had taken care of that fool quickly. By Sunday morning he was off the campus, seeking employment elsewhere, without a recommendation from her.

She had marched into her office with every intention of stirring up as much trouble for that idiotic mason as she could. A few phone calls to the right people and she would effectively put him out of business. How dare he question her! She had passed by Miss Lynn with such fury she didn't hear the girl telling her there were messages and a visitor that would return. She heard very little of the girl's ramblings. Then the name McAllister became part of what she was saying.

"Give me that!" She demanded as she tore the small card from Vicky's hand. "When was he here?"

"This morning…" the girl stammered.

"What did he want!?" She growled.

"I…he…said…" she stumbled over her words as the headmistress continued through the room.

Alexis entered her own office and slammed the door with a resounding bang. Before the echo had died, the door was reopened. "And get Reagan McAllister in here, NOW!!" The door was slammed harder.

Vicky Lynn breathed a sigh of relief, happy that Miss Thorne had taken her fury into the inner office. She quickly picked up the telephone and dialed the number of the student center.

Reagan had walked solemnly to the administrator's office, replaying the morning over and over again in her mind. She watched the toes of her shoes as they took turns clacking on the wet sidewalk, causing mini-waves in the many tiny puddles that formed on the concrete. The upper classman had walked her from the building and across the commons, but left her to march the last long path by herself. Normally, Reagan McAllister walked with her head up, never wanting to miss a bit of her surroundings, but today she was deep in thought. So deep, in fact, she didn't see the tall, dark man in the long overcoat as he hurried toward the same building along a side pathway. He too was deep in thought and hurrying to catch the headmistress before she excused herself for lunch. He turned over the story of the stout school nurse and tried to put together a puzzle that seemed to be missing one too many pieces. He didn't notice the small girl until she crashed headlong into him. He reached out immediately catching her by the shoulders before she landed on her bottom, on the wet walkway.

"Whoa! Careful there, Speedy!" Colin warned jovially, as he caught the girl.

Reagan winced at the pain in her bandaged arm, "sorry," she mumbled with a deep blush.

After making sure the child was steady, he released her. The young lawyer stood back and looked down at the child. "I'm sorry if I hurt you." He apologized after hearing the girl's short gasp at his grip. "Didn't want you falling and getting wetter than we already are." He smiled, flashing a set of perfect, white teeth and two deeply dimpled cheeks.

"It was my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going." She said in a voice he barely heard, her eyes still cast toward the sidewalk.

The tall man squatted down on his haunches in order to be at eye level with the small girl. She tucked her chin close to her chest and kept her eyes to the ground. He used his index finger to gently raise her chin and immediately noticed the large, deep, purple bruise that covered most of her right cheek and eye. He didn't miss the fact that she carried her left arm in a sling. He sucked a quick breath through his teeth.

"Hey, slugger, you gotta learn to watch that left hook!" He grimaced at the child's injury. She smiled a weak smile, that really only lifted the unblemished side of her face. Despite the ugly bruise, the girl's blue-green eyes twinkled with just a bit of mischief. "I bet your sparing partner looks even worse."

She smiled again and a deep blush added to the color in her face. "It was an accident," she almost giggled. He liked the sound of her laughter.

"Ah, ha!" He remarked, standing up straight. "I'll bet you were speeding to some important appointment and bumped into an innocent passerby!"

"No." She actually laughed this time. "I don't bump into people all the time, but I was on my way to see Miss Thorne and…"

"Miss Thorne, is it?" He interrupted. "Well, it just so happens I was headed to her office as well. I don't suppose you'd consider walking the rest of the way with me?" He asked hopefully. She hesitated for a bit and took a deep breath. "Hey, it might save both of us from crashing into each other again." This time she smiled and nodded quickly. Colin put out his hand motioning for her to lead the way.

Miss Lynn looked up from her desk as the tall, dark, handsome lawyer approached. She barely noticed the small girl that walked a few steps ahead of the man. He took her breath away, blocked out almost all of the rest of the world with his mere presence. She was totally in awe of the man. It was just that fact that caused her to make the error she did as she reached for the intercom button. She had intended to announce to her superior that the lawyer had returned but inadvertently she turned off the machine instead.

"I'm sure she'll be with you in a few minutes, Mr. Walters." She remembered his name. Actually, she had burned the exact lettering on his business card into her memory. "Would you like that cup of coffee now?" She stood and stepped around the desk, starting toward the coffee urn that was set on the table across the small room.

Reagan watched the secretary. She wrinkled her brow and almost laughed at the strange antics the usually prim and proper young woman was displaying. She looked from Miss Lynn to the man that had accompanied her to the office and then back to the secretary. Yes, he was quite good looking. He was what her mother had called, 'charming'. For a minute her mind drifted away to a story of a young princess abused by an evil witch and the prince that rescued her. Her fantasy was blown away like a feather on the wind as the large office doors opened suddenly, and Miss Thorne exploded into the room.

"VICTORIA!!! Is there some reason you refuse to answer me this afternoon? I have been buzzing you for the past three minutes! What fool activity is so important you fail to respond?!" She bellowed as she stormed into the smaller office.

Vicky Lynn jumped and the small cup she held jittered in her hand. With a little bit of expert juggling she managed to save the piece of fine china from a trip to the hard wood floor. "I…I…I'm…s...s…" The young woman stammered.

"And WHERE is McAllister!? I sent for her at l…" The headmistress stopped mid-tirade noticing the young man that stood watching the performance. Reagan had moved behind the tall lawyer, out of reflex, to avoid the wrath of the headmistress. Miss Thorne's expression changed from anger to embarrassment to complete calm in the time it took her to turn toward Colin. "I do apologize for my outbreak." She moved toward him holding out her left hand in greeting. "Good help is so hard to find and to keep. Youth is so hard to train these days."

"Yes." He replied solemnly, taking her hand and giving it a small squeeze. How strange that she had offered her left hand, keeping her right hand tucked into the pocket of the dark blazer she was wearing. "I'm Colin Walters. I missed you earlier," he introduced himself. "I'm afraid we may have a bit of a conflict here. It seems this young lady has an appointment with you as well." He stepped aside and allowed Reagan to step from where she stood.

Miss Thorne looked quickly from the lawyer to the child, masking her usual scowl with a wide grin. "Why, Reagan, dear, I'm glad to see you child." She moved toward the girl, and instinctively Reagan stepped back. She reached out, taking the child into a quick embrace. "I am so glad to see you have returned to class. I wanted to see you myself, just to make sure you were well. Perhaps you should take off the afternoon and rest a bit more." She cooed to the girl.

Reagan's expression was one of total shock and utter confusion, as the headmistress fussed over her extensively. She fought the urge to wiggle out of the strange embrace. Colin noticed Miss Lynn staring at the scene. Her jaw had dropped open and her eyes seemed to bulge just a bit.

"So, this is Reagan McAllister then!" Colin stated, reaching for the girl, discretely rescuing her from the headmistress' grip. "You are just the reason why I'm here!" He took the girl's small hand in his large palm and pumped it with a healthy shake. He smiled at the headmistress. "So, I guess there is no conflict. It seems we can all meet at the same time. I'm sure Reagan doesn't mind, seeing that you two have such a warm relationship." He waited for the headmistress'response, but kept the girl's hand in his own, tugging her closer to his side.

"Of…course…I…that would be fine." The headmistress answered.

"Great!" Colin smiled. "Shall we go into your office, then?" He waited for her answer. She looked over her shoulder at the secretary whose mouth snapped shut. The look cast a silent warning to the girl. Colin noticed the quick exchange. "Oh, and Miss Lynn, is it?" The girl nodded. "I'll take that cup of coffee as well, a little extra milk and two sugars." He looked to the headmistress. "And you?"

"Nothing for me." She growled, as she passed him and headed toward her office.

Colin followed the woman, still holding Reagan's hand. Miss Thorne's hidden anger had not gone unnoticed. He smiled smugly as he pulled the large double doors closed behind the trio.

Once inside the spacious, dark office, Miss Thorne took her seat at her oversized wooden desk. Again Reagan marveled at how she resembled some ancient goddess upon her temple throne. Colin walked the girl to one of the large black leather chairs and helped her to be seated. He noticed how her feet did not reach the floor from the huge perch and just how much smaller she appeared sitting there. He took the other matching leather chair and faced the woman at the desk.

"I'm here to settle some issues," he began. "I represent the McAllister Corporation, as well as the McAllister family. I understand that Reagan's been having some difficulty here at Brisbey."

Reagan swallowed hard and felt the sweat begin to bead on her forehead. 'Who was this tall, dark stranger? How did he know her or what kind of troubles she had been having?" Her stomach flipped just a bit and she was thankful she had missed lunch. More than once she had lost her last meal when she was faced with just a bit too much stress or anxiety.

Miss Thorne stared for a few seconds, trying to calculate just what the young lawyer was after. "Reagan is a new student, Mr. Walters. All children have a hard time adjusting to new environments. I'm sure time is all she needs to make those adjustments." She smiled a false smile at Reagan, causing the girl to squirm in the large chair. Reagan could feel the backs of her bear legs begin to sweat and stick to the cold leather. The saltiness of her perspiration began to sting the welts that were still there.

"Yes, I'm sure that is part of the situation." Colin continued, starting to sound a bit more like a teacher giving a lecture than someone just talking to the headmistress. "However, it seems some things are in need of a bit more explanation." He paused, measuring Miss Thorne's reaction.

"Such as?" She folded her hands on the desk before her. He noticed the bandage, which explained why she had kept that hand in her pocket earlier. He made a quick mental note.

"Such as her grades." He set the briefcase he had been carrying on his lap and snapped open the metal clasps. He picked up a file and took out a sheet of paper. He looked at it for a second then continued. "It seems Reagan's grades have been consistently dropping since her arrival at your facility. She took first honors in history, language, and art in her last school for three consecutive terms and held second honors in math and science for two. Except for her art classes, here at Brisbey, it seems that she is barely passing any of these subjects." He stood and handed the form across the large desk balancing the open briefcase as he did.

Miss Thorne scanned the form quickly and set it aside. She smiled again and Reagan's blood ran cold. "Brisbey sets extremely high standards, Mr. Walters, it cannot be compared to the public school's lesser expectations of its students. Reagan's primary schooling was basically not up to the standards of our facility. It only stands to reason she cannot compete with students who have been given a much more challenging curriculum offered by much more highly trained staff."

"Be that as it may, Miss Thorne, Reagan's scores on your pre-admission test were comparable to the students scoring the in highest percentile not only in your school but to those tested throughout the country." He took a second form from the folder and passed it across the desk. "In fact, she was recommended to this facility because of her aptitude test scores in her last school. Perhaps I should schedule meetings with all of her teachers in order to assess the situation first hand."

Miss Thorne set the second form atop the first and answered coolly, "I don't think that will be necessary Mr. Walters. Nor, do I think it will be helpful. Aptitude can be measured with a standardized test, however attitude cannot. Further more, young man, you know as well as I do that it was Payton McAllister's name and money that put her sister in this institution and nothing more." She smiled smugly knowing he could not deny that. Payton had made sure the school benefited greatly from Reagan's admission by the board. And the board? The board would place any McAllister of any mentality as long as the endowment lasted. She turned her attention to the small child seated to her left, before the lawyer could respond. "Reagan herself will admit that she has been a bit lazy in her studies. Haven't you dear?" The headmistress glared at the girl. "Reagan?" Miss Thorne asked again.

Colin expertly ignored the bait the headmistress had placed before him and looked at his young client, even in his brief experience as a lawyer he could sense her anxiety. "Reagan?" He spoke softly. "Have you been slacking off on your studies?" He noticed the girl look directly at the headmistress before she nodded slowly. He set his case on the desk before him and stood, placing himself between the girl and Miss Thorne. "Tell me how, Reagan. What haven't you been doing?" His voice was calm and without accusation. She shrugged her shoulders not knowing how to answer. She knew her assignments had been complete and neatly done. She had not done anything different than she had in her last school, but it just seemed that it was never enough for her teachers. Everything was so much harder now. It wasn't the work the teachers expected of her, but the fact that she always felt so alone, so afraid, and so terribly sad. There was no one to share her successes with, so it didn't matter very much if she did or didn't do well in any class. Except for Miss Feeney, she seemed to be very interested in Reagan's artistic talents. She praised her smallest efforts and seemed to understand when she was so overcome by her situation that she couldn't, or wouldn't, participate in the class. The other teachers seemed to think she was more of a nuisance, than a student in their classroom. She thought about them and remembered only one incident.

"I fell asleep in geometry class." She mumbled softly, almost inaudible. The memory of the day was still vivid. Nights were filled with dreams of reaching out to hands that she could never touch and calling for her parents in enormous empty rooms that filled with echoes and drowned out her sobbing. She slept very little. She cried alone in the darkness of her room; a child lost in the effort to comfort herself. Reagan blinked the tears that threatened to fall away and absently scratched her right ear.

Colin sat back on the desk effectively blocking the headmistress' view. He chuckled, "been guilty of that myself." He smiled. "And what happened?" He paused again.

Reagan looked at the toes of her shoes, more embarrassed than afraid to tell the lawyer what had transpired in this office on that morning. She lifted only her eyes and swallowed hard as she noticed the fraternity paddle displayed like a plaque on the wall behind the headmistress' desk. 'Kappa, Delta, Phi…' she repeated to herself, recognizing the Greek letters burned into its surface. Hanging there it appeared to be nothing more than an insignificant decoration. She wondered if she had been the only student to learn it had a much more sinister application.

Miss Thorne noticed the girl's fascination with the object as she quickly stood, and moved to the lawyer's side. "This is pointless. I think we need to continue this conversation without Reagan's presence, Mr. Walters. This is not a courtroom and no one is on trial here. If you want to discuss this matter with me then do so. Reagan can wait in the outer office. She and I have some unfinished business to discuss as well." The faster she got rid of this legal nuisance, the faster she could deal with her other small problem.

Colin looked from the girl to the woman. The young lawyer had also noticed Reagan's attention to the wooden fraternity symbol. There were many questions he needed to ask this woman that this child should not hear. He took a deep breath and nodded, "you're right Miss Thorne." He made no secret of glancing quickly at her bandaged hand. "I think it might be better for Reagan to wait outside while we discuss this matter in depth."

Miss Thorne stepped toward Reagan. The girl flinched involuntarily, blinking as the woman towered over her. "You are excused, Mc…Reagan," she corrected herself quickly and smiled that fake grin again. "Wait in the outer office dear, we'll call you if we need to speak with you again."

Reagan could feel her stomach beginning to lurch as the anxiety started to overwhelm her. She slid off the chair without taking her eyes off the strangely acting Miss Thorne. Something about this woman terrified the girl, even now when she seemed to be sweet and understanding. Reagan exited as quickly and quietly as she could, glad to be released from the inquisition. She closed the door quietly and walked to a small table near the far window of the secretary's office. Miss Lynn glanced up as the girl entered and then went back to her work without a comment. The air in this office seemed lighter and cooler. Reagan released the breath she was holding and dropped into the soft cushioned window seat. From the conversation within she gathered that Colin Walters was a lawyer. 'A lawyer? My lawyer? Why do I need a lawyer?' she wondered, and watched as the rain splashed against the pane. Inside the large office her destiny was being decided. She did not have high hopes for any direction that it might be taken. She had no home to return to and no family to lean on…only an apathetic half-sister a state away that was neither interested nor concerned with her welfare. Reagan pulled her knees up and hugged them to her chest, trying to make herself as small as possible. Perhaps, no one would notice she was even there. She closed her eyes and rested her bruised cheek against the cool window.

Miss Thorne returned to her seat and picked up the forms Colin had handed her. "I really don't believe that Payton McAllister would send a lawyer all the way to Connecticut just to discuss her sister's grades." She smirked as she tapped the edge of the paper on the desk.

"No, she wouldn't," Colin agreed. "But she would in order to investigate the allegations of abuse that have been made."

The color drained from the headmistress' face and was just as quickly replaced with red fury. "And just what allegations might those be?" She demanded.

"It seems that there is some concern with the nature of the injuries Reagan clearly displays and how they were obtained." He replied with cool reserve.

"The child fell. It was an accident." She explained through her teeth.

"That seems to be the story." He agreed. "However, her injuries do not seem consistent with the type of accident described."

"And you are a doctor as well as a lawyer?" She smirked, sitting back in her large chair.

"No, no I'm not," he smiled, "but even a lay person can see that someone had to have deliberately struck that child's face." He paused, waiting for a reaction that never came. "I'm sure even you noticed that."

For a moment she said nothing. They stared intently at each other creating a silent challenge. "Are you accusing someone on my staff of injuring this student?" She asked, without emotion.

"Are you saying that is possible?" He countered.

"You shouldn't answer a question with a question." She smiled evilly, avoiding an answer. "The girl told the nurse and another teacher she fell from a tree. She told another student the same story. I understand you have spoken to Mrs. Carson our nurse. I'm sure she confirmed the girl's story. After all she spent almost three days in the infirmary."

"Yes, I spoke to Mrs. Carson and she did tell me the same story." Colin hid a bit of the truth in his lie. "However, I still believe there is more to this story than you want to believe. "

"Oh, and just what do you believe, Mr. Walters." Miss Thorne needed to know just how much this lawyer did know. She would worry about finding the person who gave him his information later.

Colin took a deep breath and stood. He walked across the room and stood in front of the fraternity relic, studying it as he cocked his head from left to right. He spoke to the woman without facing her. "I believe my client is in danger, Miss Thorne." He turned and continued as he advanced toward the woman who had turned her chair to observe his actions. "I believe she is too young and too frightened to know what to do or who to turn to. I believe she is being intimidated by someone in authority here at your facility." She watched as he approached then circled her desk and stopped in front of it placing his palms on its well polished surface.

"And on what do you base these beliefs, Mr. Walters, because, you see, I don't share your views." Miss Thorne stood and placed her hands on the desk as well. The desk created a barricade separating the opponents in this odd stand off. "This facility has a spotless reputation. There is not a teacher on staff that would harm a student. We do not cover up accidents or make false accusations." She balled her hands into fists resting her knuckles against the desktop. A spot of crimson appeared on the bandage over her right hand.

Colin fixed his gaze on the headmistress' glare. He refused to break eye contact. "How did you injure your hand, Miss Thorne?" Colin nodded toward her fists.

"That is not your concern, Mr. Walters." She shot back relaxing her hands and placing them quickly into her pockets.

Colin smiled. "But Reagan McAllister is." He reached across the desk and retrieved his forms she had placed there. He placed them inside the folder he had been holding, then put the folder back into the briefcase. "And," he looked up as he closed the case, "I believe she would be much better off back at home until this problem is solved and this situation alleviated." He snapped the metal clips on the case shut and pulled it off the desk. "In fact, Miss Thorne I believe that so strongly that Miss McAllister will be accompanying me back to New York right now. I'll send someone to pick up her things in the morning." He started across the office, then turned back. "Better yet, I'll come back myself. There are a few people I'd like to speak to." He placed his hand on the knob. "Oh, and they'd better be here when I return." He opened the door and left the room before Alexis Thorne could retaliate.

She dropped into her seat and glared at the closed door. She let out a long low sigh that might have been more of a growl or a silent screech. "We'll see, Mr. Walters, we'll see."

Colin walked across the smaller office grabbing his overcoat from the chair he had laid it on before entering the administrators office. He took Reagan's as well. 'What the hell, was that?' he asked himself. 'Payton is going to flip when I show up with this kid! Take care of this, she tells me! Oh, yeah I really took care of this.' He looked at the child curled up on the window seat and immediately knew he had made the right decision regardless of his over-reactive employer's feelings on the matter. He shook his head as he walked toward Reagan. 'Okay kid, you and I might be taking up residence on skid row, but I'm not leaving you here, not now. Your cast iron sister is just going to have to understand this time.'

Miss Lynn looked up from her work immediately leaving her whatever task to greet the young lawyer. "The coffee is just about ready, Mr…" She started to say.

"Afraid I'll have to take a rain check, Miss Lynn." He answered without looking at the secretary. "Come on, Reagan, it's time to go." He announced to the girl on the window seat holding her coat out in front of him. She sat up straight and wrinkled her brow, not quite understanding. "It's okay," he assured her, "come on." She stood and slid one thin arm into a sleeve. He draped the other over the clean white sling that held the opposite arm, then reached down and took her hand in one of his. He held his large briefcase in the other. "I'll be back, Miss Lynn, and when I do we will share that cup of coffee as well as a bit of conversation." He winked at the young secretary and held back a friendly chuckle as she sighed deeply.

Outside the rain had intensified. Colin walked briskly to his sports car. Reagan practically had to run to match the cadence of his long strides. He opened the passenger door and motioned for the girl to get in. She peered up at him blinking away the raindrops.

"I'm taking you back to New York, Reagan, get in," he told her, a bit impatient because of the teeming rain.

Reagan did as she was told. She swallowed hard as he slammed the door and quickly raced around the front of the car to enter on the driver's side. 'I guess I really did it this time.' The girl thought blinking hot tears away.

Colin started the car and it roared away from the curb. He pulled out onto the main driveway of Brisbey and headed for the exit gate. The wipers of the car thumped wildly against the strong rain and the young man leaned forward looking in both directions as the iron stop gate rose and allowed the car egress from the large campus. Reagan looked over her shoulder as they passed along the tall black iron fence that bordered the school grounds. In the distance was the dome shaped roof of the main building and the tall steeple of the campus chapel, Reagan sighed, she was relieved as well as frightened at the prospect of leaving the institution. Colin seemed preoccupied at the moment or perhaps he was just concentrating on keeping the fancy car on the slick road. She swallowed hard and watched as the black pickets flicked past, noticing how much they resembled prison bars.

"Are you taking me to jail?" She asked the man next to her as she played with the button on her coat. Her voice was practically a whisper and cracked with unspent emotion.

"Jail?" He looked at her quickly and then back to the road, as the car zigzagged for a second before he regained control. He'd been so preoccupied with how he was going to explain to his employer and how this situation had gotten out of control, he had completely overlooked the fact that the small person next to him was probably confused as much as frightened by his actions. "Why…why would you think that?"

"Well…" she hesitated, trying not to sound too childish, "you are a lawyer and that's what lawyers do. Isn't it?"

Colin laughed just a bit at the child's innocence. It was refreshing after his encounter with the headmistress. "Actually we try to keep our clients out of jail. You haven't committed a crime, have you?" He joked.

She chewed her bottom lip and shook her head quickly. The lawyer realized the child was serious and that making light of the situation would only make things worse.

"You know Reagan, clients are supposed to tell their lawyers the truth, whatever that truth might be," Colin informed her softly, hoping this might open up a path to the story the girl had hidden.

"I do tell the truth." Reagan defended herself, careful not to make her recent equivocating even worse.

"Whoa, Slugger! Let me finish," Colin smiled at her, seeing a bit of her older sister in the blue-green eyes that flashed at him. "Lawyers listen and pretty much know what to do with the information afterward. But in order to help, we have to know exactly what happened and exactly how it happened."

Reagan stared out of the windshield and listened to the rhythm of the wipers. "Nothing happened." She whispered as the headmistress' threats played over in her mind.

"If you say so," Colin agreed. "But just in case you change your mind, remember I'm here to listen and…to help." Reagan nodded while watching as the last of the Brisbey campus disappeared behind them. Colin turned the car onto the open highway and headed toward the city. "What say we look for a place to eat? I'll bet you're as hungry as I am. We both seemed to have missed lunch."

'Lunch,' she thought, 'Pam's probably wondering what happened to me. I wonder if I'll ever see her again.' She shrugged her shoulders in answer and leaned back against the seat. Colin leaned forward and turned on the car's radio. The soft music, the steady rain, the rhythmic wipers and the engine's hum, combined with the tension of the afternoon, lulled the girl to sleep. Colin looked over as Reagan's head dropped to her shoulder and her breathing became soft and steady.

"Humph," he said softly, wishing he had left that varsity blanket in the vehicle, "guess I'm about as exciting as that geometry class."