Chapter 11
Thursday was a different day for Laura. A new topic was on her agenda. It was the first time of her life teaching math to a full classroom. She was nervous. It seemed pretty similar to the situation of explaining the solution of a case to the clients, but it was extremely different. Closing a case meant to stop working on it. No more time working with these clients, and case closed, preferably solved. But teaching was an indefinite challenge. She should explain the topic, the pupils would learn it, but then it wasn't a closed case. She should tie this topic to the following one, keeping the interest of the pupils, and most of all, keeping her own interest. An uninterested teacher was a fail, and Laura Holt hated to fail in anything. It was a real challenge.
She arrived at school early again, and Miss Rydell was expecting her with all the information Miss Holt had asked her the day before. Laura put the manila folder in the locker in her classroom, beside her belongings. She would have some time later to study the files, after her class.
The bell was ringing and a new school day was ready to start.
Laura had left Rossmore very early in the morning, not bothering to wake up Mr. Steele even to give him a good bye kiss. She was still upset with the situation at the office, and as it wasn't clear how things had developed to arrive into it, Mr. Steele was suspected as guilty as Mildred at the moment.
He woke up alone with a sour flavor in his mouth. Dinner didn't work as he had expected and his stomach and head were paying the price.
He arrived at the office at his old usual time. Laura was the one keeping him into an early routine, and without her working beside him, or even sharing breakfast together, the attraction in arriving early to work had vanished.
"Good morning Mildred…Can I see you in my office, please?"
"Good morning boss, sure…"
She arrived to his place carrying his tea and newspaper. "What do you need, chief?"
"Eh… Mildred, sit down, please. You know yesterday we certainly had a pleasurable day working together at the Police Station. And after that we enjoyed a well deserved lunch while developing strategies for our current case…"
"I know, boss. We had a great time."
"And you remember me taking advantage of Marvin being here and leaving him in charge of the agency, allowing us to put our efforts right in the core of our case, do you?"
"I remember that, Mr. Steele. It was only yesterday after all. I'm not young but I still can retain memories in my mind for a couple of days…"
"Oh, you are still young Mildred! But … let's concentrate on the matter at hand, please. Where was I? Oh, yes, Marvin… It seems Miss Holt discovered I left him alone at the office, and she wasn't cheerful about that, Mildred. In fact, she was a little distressed about it. The thing is Mildred that my mind betrayed me at some point of our disagreement, and I told her that it was your idea leaving Marvin alone at the office. I know that I am a coward, and that I should have never put you in such a situation, but the thing is that as our exchange got serious, that excuse seemed perfect for me to run away from Laura's reprimand. First, I want to apologize to you. And second, my dear Mildred…can you think a way out for us to follow together once we meet her?"
"I have to tell you something, boss. It wasn't your idea…" she was looking regretful…
He was looking at her not understanding what she meant.
"I was the one who asked Marvin to be here yesterday to help us by staying at the office while we were out in the first place. I never supposed we were going to be out of the office for such a long time, but then you asked me to lunch and I couldn't refuse…"
He was very serious, "Interesting. I could have sworn it was my idea…"
"Oh boss, I'm sorry, I'm very sorry," she told him while biting her lower lip looking very worried.
"It's ok, Mildred, it's ok. I'm only confused about if I should feel more silly or less guilty …Not certainly a big matter, but intriguing, indeed"
"I'll take all the responsibility in this one boss…but I want something in exchange…"
"Ah, Mildred not again asking for a pay raise in Miss Holt's absence please…" he begged her.
"Don't worry boss, I wasn't talking about that. I was talking about you and Marvin…" she gave him a serious gaze.
"Marvin and me? What about that Mildred?" he asked briefly.
"I know you two are planning something. I don't want to be punished because of some activities I wasn't really aware of, chief."
"Nothing goes unnoticed under your sight, eh? Haven't you thought about being a detective, Mildred?"
"I'm all ears boss, spill it," answered Mildred.
"Ok Mildred. I asked him to be Miss Holt's backup in her current case."
"Sounds dangerous for him boss. Mostly because of Miss Holt finding out."
"I know, Mildred. That's why I asked him this favor to be top secret. Can I ask that of you too?"
"Ok. I won't tell anybody. And what will he have to do, Mr. Steele?" she asked enjoying the intrigue and feeling as an ally.
"Let me explain the details to you, Mildred."