Miss Gonzales stared at Ted, wanting to be mad at him for making light of her pain. The shame, frustration, and anger she'd pushed aside so long ago welled up in her and she could feel her heart begin to pound. She looked at him, her eyes narrowed.

And then he smiled.

It was as if a flood of water had washed over her, whisking all the horrible thoughts away. She felt more at ease than she had in many months.

Smiling, she poked Ted in the chest with one finger. "Don't think you'll be getting any ideas from that. Understood?"

Ted hugged her tightly and whispered, "You're always safe with me, babe. Always." He gently pushed her away from him, his hands on her shoulders. "I promise."

Dhyanna rolled her eyes and laughed. She hugged Marie, then sat on the desk with her arm around the teacher. "My brother is one lucky man. I don't know why you put up with him, but obviously he makes you happy."

Marie nodded and smiled. "He does." Her smile faded and she looked at the inspector. "I don't understand. What does all that have to do with your inspection?"

"That business about you? Nothing. And I promise it won't be in my report." She grabbed the pages in the journal and ripped them out, handing them to Miss Gonzales, who held them in her hands for a few moments before folding them and tucking them in a pocket of her robe.

Ted handed Miss Gonzales a fresh cup of tea. "So what did you find in there, then?"

Dhyanna sighed and looked away. "The headmaster's being blackmailed. I have proof of it now, but I still don't know why. It might be in here, but I'll have to read the whole thing to be sure."

Ted nodded thoughtfully. "I'm hungry. Isn't it time for lunch? Or tea? Or something?"

The women laughed and Miss Gonzlaes said, "Fine. I'll make something. She wrapped her robe tighter and wandered off.

As she left the room, Marie could hear laughter from the siblings. After closing the door, she leaned against a wall and pulled the pieces of paper out of her pocket. She closed her eyes and fought back tears.

Exhaling sharply, she opened her eyes, looking up at nothing, then back down at the paper. She pushed away from the wall, and returned to her private room off her office. As she walked through the door, she grabbed a book of matches. Carefully, she sat on the floor by her fireplace. She placed the papers on the logs, lit a match, and placed it near one corner.

A bright, then dull orange glow transfixed her for several minutes. After it finally faded away, she nodded purposefully, and stood.

"You'll never hurt me again, you bastard," she whispered.