“Sorry.” A faint flush tinted the other man’s cheeks. “I didn’t mean to overstep or give offense.”

“None taken.” Zeke called up another smile. “I think it’s admirable for staff members to be concerned about the quality of the faculty.” He checked his watch. “Richard, if we’re finished for the day, I do have an engagement this evening.”

“Of course. This is still the holiday season, after all. Let me show you out.” He retrieved Zeke’s Brooks Brothers wool topcoat from a rack near the door. “Will, are you staying for a while?”

“No. I’m almost finished with my circuit.”

“I’ll swing by before I go to turn off lights.”

“Okay. Welcome to Ivy Hill, Zeke.” With a clipped nod, the security director exited into the main hall, closing the door behind him.

Richard waited while Zeke slid his arms into the coat and retrieved the folder of information the man had passed on earlier. “Will’s a bit on the worrywart side, with a tendency to be overly suspicious—but those are admirable qualities for a director of security. And he’s also been a little high-strung since he separated from his wife a few months back. I hope you’ll cut him some slack.”

“No worries.” Zeke followed the president into the corridor and toward the main door. “I doubt our paths will cross much.”

“True. Have you found a place to live yet?”

“Yes. A corporate housing firm arranged a short-term lease for me on a condo at the western end of Chesterfield.”

“Perfect. That won’t be a long commute.” Richard pushed open the main door. “Enjoy your evening, and I’ll see you here next Friday at the staff meeting.”

“In the meantime, my work is cut out for me—bone up on lesson plans and school information.” He lifted the bulging folder.

“I suspect you’ll be a fast study.”

Yeah, he would—in terms of staff and faculty backgrounds. He was already fully briefed on the players.

The lesson plans, however, would require total focus for the next week or he was going to tank at this job.

And after all the work that had gone into securing this position, he wasn’t going to flunk out before he’d gotten what he’d come for.

“What do you mean, you’re going back undercover?” Eve froze, mug of coffee poised an inch from her lips.

Ignoring her, Cate picked up another piece of the world-class baklava her youngest sibling had brought to the Reilly sisters’ gathering and meticulously gathered up the crumbs. “This is spectacular as usual, Grace. I wish you made it more than once a year.”

“It’s too time-consuming—and don’t change the subject. I thought you said never again?” Grace set her fork down beside her plate, the moussaka Eve had contributed forgotten.

“It was a special circumstance.”