Chapter 3
Miss Rydell told Mildred every little detail that the secretary felt would be useful for the case. After the file was full of relevant information, Mildred escorted the lady back to Mr. Steele's office, and they developed a plan to work inside the School. Once the strategies were settled the meeting was over. They would start working on the case with Miss Holt posing as a Math teacher in Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations, starting on Wednesday. She would have to refresh her Math knowledge from Stanford very fast. At the same time, the School would have one day to adjust its staff, and incorporate her as a full time teacher at the institution without arousing suspicion. Nobody but Miss Rydell or Miss Green, the current Math teacher would know about the investigation.
The morning continued as usual, with Mr. Steele enjoying his routines in his office at last, and Miss Holt engrossed in paperwork duty. She would have to leave all the paperwork more than ready at the office, because the following Wednesday she would be staying all day at School. She was aware that Mildred was competent enough to have all her legwork done with efficiency, and also, she would have the ability to keep Mr. Steele attached to the office at least in the morning between his tea and lunch time. After a long time working in complete silence and concentration, Laura noticed that the connecting door was opening extremely cautiously. She lifted her eyes from the files without moving her head an inch from its current position. The door stopped, and a known hand holding a perfect red, brilliant and delicious apple appeared before her eyes. "What is that?" she asked, not being able to hide the smile in her voice.
A known head attached to a known body followed the apple. "Isn't the recommended practice that a good pupil very grateful, and totally in love with his teacher should bring her an apple to win her sympathy?"
"Well, that depends on how much trouble that pupil is in at the moment," she answered. "Maybe with just an apple he would get only a smile and a brief kiss. I think that for a more serious approach to solve his problems he should try with an entire lunch and maybe followed by an afternoon doing homework at her desk under her strict supervision… Just to feel the severity of the punishment after a huge fail working as a part of a team, you know…." she tried to sound severe…
"An afternoon doing homework at her desk…Working as a team…Perhaps I can manage that," he told her. "I like your taste for punishment, Miss Holt. But don't be abusive with your pupil, please."
"Just wait…" she answered him defiantly.
They left the office and decided to have lunch at the lovely bistro near Century City. Mr. Steele ordered for both of them as usual. He supposed that once out of the office, Laura would forget his behavior and they would have a relaxed time as always. But Miss Holt wasn't ready to show the white flag yet. They ate without distracting themselves with too much conversation, and when their dishes were empty, noticing he wasn't going to be able to improve Laura's mood, Mr. Steele said, "Maybe we can order our chocolate dessert and take it to the office. Am I allowed to share a piece of chocolate mousse cake with my teacher?"
"Ask for the cake Mr. Steele, and maybe we will enjoy it during the break if your qualifications make you deserve it," she answered, giving him a semi-serious gaze. "But don't think that with an apple and taking me to lunch to sweeten me with your glamorous speech, you will be out of trouble after your disappointing behavior earlier this morning."
"I don't think it could be in any another way, Miss Holt," he ended with a smile.
Back in the office, Laura instructed Mildred about which would be her new assignments while Mr. Steele distracted himself with some of the paperwork Miss Holt gave him as the promised punishment. He wasn't feeling very enthusiastic seeing her so upset. Maybe he had gone too far with his need to push her into that situation. As the facts were happening, Laura was going to be working at the School the whole day, and after that she would have to share information with the rest of the Agency staff, and that meant to continue working, without counting that she also would have to prepare her classes, and correct the pupil's homework. It was a lot of work, and it was reasonable that she felt worried. Adding her usual anxiety to the equation was the last step towards a very stressful time. In a couple of days she would feel exhausted. And he wouldn't have the chance to help her in any of those tasks.
After a couple of hours, Mildred arrived to Miss Holt's office carrying a tray with some coffee and the tempting dessert. They made a stop to recharge batteries, and after that Miss Holt decided to make a visit to the School. Mildred called Miss Rydell to announce the plan, and after a brief discussion with Mr. Steele, Laura left him at the office continuing with his boring task. She didn't want him near the Institution. Some old experience told her that once Mr. Steele set foot there, a sudden uproar between the schoolgirls was expected for sure, and that was the last thing she needed at the moment.
Fred drove her to the loft, and after changing her business clothes for something more accurate for a teacher's attire, she headed to her destination driving the Rabbit.