Lessons in Sin - Pam Godwin Page 0,18
Constantine this morning?” I hit the stairwell and took the steps two at a time.
“Yes,” she panted behind me. “She was with us when we left our rooms. She must’ve turned back.”
I glanced over my shoulder, marking her winded breaths and the sweat beading along her brow. “Add thirty minutes of cardio to your daily routine.”
“I have a full schedule this year.”
“Get up earlier.”
She blushed. “Yes, Father.”
The girl was an extraordinary vocalist in the church choir. Highly intelligent. Strong work ethic. Her mother was the first African American senator in New Hampshire, her father the state attorney general. A powerful political family, and my investigator had yet to uncover any corruption among them.
Carrie was mostly well behaved, but she needed to choose better friends. She spent too much time with Nevada Hildebrand, heiress to the multinational Hildebrand pharmaceutical corporation. Nevada was wild and desperate for attention. I gave her a month before she was suspended.
When I reached Tinsley’s dorm, I pounded on the closed door and stepped away with my back to the room. I wouldn’t put it past her to come out undressed.
She didn’t come out at all.
“Open it.” I nodded at Carrie, keeping my back to the door.
She obeyed and slipped into the room. Her footsteps halted. Then she whispered, “Girl, you’re in so much trouble.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Is she decent?”
“Define decent.”
“Is she wearing her uniform?”
“Yes?”
Why did she answer that like a question?
I turned and found Tinsley sitting on the bed and shoving cookies into her mouth. She hugged a box of them to her chest and reached in to grab another handful.
“If you take one more bite, your punishment will double.” I glared at her.
She glared back and crammed the cookies into her mouth. Crumbs tumbled down her untucked shirt and gathered on her skirt. A skirt that wasn’t long enough to cover her thighs.
“Stand up and join me in the hall.” I clasped my hands at my back with my feet braced apart.
She took in my stance and slowly rose.
Jesus. Most of the skirt had been sheared off. It was so short that only a strip of plaid peeked out from beneath her shirttails.
Rather than hiding the destruction, she held the box of cookies out to the side and struck a pose. “Rate the fit.”
“The fit?”
“Old people,” she huffed under her breath. “The outfit. Rate the outfit.”
Carrie choked on a laugh and quickly blanked her face.
“I gave you an order, and every second you disobey is another strike.”
“You’re no fun.” Tinsley tucked the cookies to her chest, munching on another handful as she marched into the hall.
“Carrie, grab the scissors off the desk and join us.” I held out my hand to Tinsley. “Give me the food.”
She pushed her lips out and stepped back, hugging the box tighter. “I haven’t eaten since lunch. Yesterday.”
“Catholics fast at least one full hour before receiving the Holy Eucharist.”
“I don’t know what that means but…phew. Good thing I’m not Catholic.” She ate another cookie and stared at my waiting hand.
I didn’t move, didn’t look away as I mentally added up her infractions.
Her breathing hastened, and she slowly moved the cookies toward me. I gripped the box, and she held on for a moment, tugging, testing me, before letting go.
Carrie appeared at my side. I took the scissors and gave her the cookies.
“Hold out your hand,” I said to Tinsley.
Her eyes popped wide. “No way.”
“The strikes are multiplying.” I kept my voice calm and my face expressionless. “Each one comes with a consequence. It’s going to be a very long day for you.”
“I won’t let you cut off my fingers. What kind of school is this?”
I lifted my gaze to her long, shimmery, pearl-colored hair.
“Not my hair!” She wheezed frantically and thrust out her arm. “If you draw blood, I’m suing.”
“The other hand.”
She growled and switched arms.
With a snap of the blades, I cut through the delicate diamond bracelet on her wrist and caught it as it fell.
“No!” Her jaw hung open, her breaths bursting out. “My brother gave me that! It’s a three-thousand-dollar tennis bracelet.”
“Now it’s worthless. Just like your uniform.” I tossed it toward the trash can in her room and handed the scissors to Carrie. “Which dorm did you steal the food and scissors from?”
Tinsley stared at her bare wrist, her eyes stark with rage.
“I have infinite patience, Miss Constantine. But right now…” I looked at my watch. “Twenty-one people are going to be late for Mass because of your selfishness.”
Her rebellion was expected,