Time to gossip

There’s a buzz in the Staff Room, and it’s all centred on the presence of Mr Altobello. Krystal catches you as you’re pouring the coffee.

“You met him? Mr Altobello.”

You nod your agreement. “Have you met him?”

“No, thankfully not, but I’ve had several encounters with his people. A few times in the pub, and you know afterwards, but generally they stay away from town. And last year just before his daughter joined, he sent one of his men to quiz me about the school’s cybersecurity. The guy wanted to get into the network, but I wouldn’t let him. And I’ll tell you a secret. I believe one of the guys I dallied with was deliberately sent to see if he could inveigle secrets from me, passwords and that kind of thing.”

“Really?”

“Yes, the guy was quite insistent, kept coming back to school security, even in the middle of things. But I didn’t give him anything, except my body. And I’ve never seen him since, which is a shame because he was one of the more fun flings.{if Krystal > 4} Obviously not as much fun as you, but fun.{endif}”

Krystal’s attitude makes you uncomfortable. You head to the part of the room where Spencer, Abigail and Anissa are gossiping. Anissa is pale and is being comforted by Spencer and Abigail. Krystal follows you.

“Do you know why he was here?” Krystal asks.

You shake your head. The three others turn to look at you. Anissa is the one to speak.

“I saw them. Three of them were men from the leisure centre.”

“You sure?”

Anissa nods. “Oui, I’d recognise them anywhere.”

“Three of them were being led away by the groundskeeper when I passed. Were those the three?”

“I don’t know.”

You try and describe the three who followed the groundskeeper. The problem is all the men were darkhaired and dressed in suits and looked similar. But Anissa thinks that the three you describe were the three she recognised.

“You want to know what’s going on?” This comes from a newcomer. Layla. She’s come up while you were describing, and none of you noticed. She still has her scowl, but it’s still unusually not directed towards you.