Perspective: Olivia's Story - Cold

Chapter 5 of 7, posted 08/14/2007

Rather than waste a trip or risk aggravating the cranky receptionist again, Olivia made sure to call ahead for an appointment to speak with Cynthia. She had been concerned Heather would refuse to set up the meeting but luck was on her side when she called and reached a student covering Heather’s lunch break.

Olivia hoped her luck would continue to hold. Maybe Heather wouldn’t be in the office when she arrived. Maybe Cynthia would be willing to speak with her candidly. Maybe she’d even admit to killing Lillian and offer to turn herself over to authorities! Olivia doubted the planets were that aligned in her favor.

In fact, they appeared to be completely out of alignment as she entered the lobby and was immediately sneered at by Heather. “You’re back?”

Olivia stayed calm, determined not to let the woman aggravate her. “Yes, I have an appointment with Dean McCready for 11 o’clock.”

Heather rolled her eyes but confirmed her name on the calendar before picking up the phone and announcing her arrival. “She says you can come right back. Third door on the left.”

“Thank you.” Olivia was glad she had called ahead, otherwise she was sure she wouldn’t have made it past the guard dog.

As she entered the office, Cynthia indicated a chair across from her heavy desk as she pulled the door shut behind Olivia. “Imagine my surprise when I saw your name in my book for this morning. Really, the students are supposed to be more discerning in granting meetings but I decided to let it slide this time. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Cynthia was steely and cool, from her gray suit to her silver hair and dead eyes. She seemed somehow aloof yet coy at once and Olivia was already doubting her success in this interview. “I’ve come to talk about my mother and her position here. It seems there aren’t a lot of folks around that worked with her besides you, Dean McCready.”

“Oh, Dean McCready sounds so formal. Please call me Ms. McCready.” Cynthia clearly enjoyed being in the driver’s seat. “Yes, your mother, poor thing, dead at such a young age. Though I believe all things happen for a reason. Perhaps in your mother’s case, her death was her escape from humiliation.”

Her words put Olivia on edge but she was determined not to be intimidated by her. “Humiliation? You mean at not getting the promotion?”

“No, no. That would’ve been humiliating for sure but not as bad as losing her family. I know you’ve been snooping around so I’m sure someone has told you about your mother and her student. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”

“I’ve heard the rumors. What makes you think they were true?” Even though Josh had admitted it, Olivia was anxious to get Cynthia talking.

“I saw them with my own two eyes. They thought they were so careful, so secretive. But I caught them several times – in the studio, in her office, in a classroom. And I’m not the only one that saw them either.”

This part was new to Olivia. “Who else knew?”

“His girlfriend, for one. I heard her confront your mother one night in her office. They had quite the conversation. Lucky me, I was able to overhear it all. She said if Lillian didn’t promise to leave Josh alone, she’d find a way to make sure she never saw him again. Your mother was so scared, she called security and asked them to escort her to her car that night.”

“Anyone else?”

“Oh, I only know of her for certain. Pauline, your mother’s friend that used to work here, she probably knew. Though I have to imagine there were others as well. You were too young to remember I’m sure but the one time I caught them making out, you were in your car seat, sleeping in the corner of the room. That tickled me – that she would be so brazen she’d kiss her boyfriend in front of her sleeping baby, knowing her son was in the next room doing his homework. Her boring little life must’ve felt terribly exciting to her with all that danger she was creating.”

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