There was a long stretch of silence, then the president took a deep breath. "It makes sense that Ford Bauer is using this opportunity to relive the career he ruined. It often happens with professors that come out of their vocations before they are ready. Perhaps this is my fault for welcoming him to our campus.
"I am deeply sorry that he used you as well as Landsman College. Your father's misstep was the catalyst and in the confusion that I'm sure you felt, Mr. Bauer stepped in and directed your way of thinking. I wouldn't say 'brainwashed,' but he certainly has narrowed your scope of information and pointed you in the direction that most aided him."
I set the phone down on the corner of the desk and stepped back in disgust. Ford mouthed 'I'm sorry' and reached out a hand to me. I was too angry to take it and clenched my fingers into a fist.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your practiced speech, sir," I snarled, "but you should really check your facts before continuing with this any farther. Especially since you are being recorded."
Both Ford and I heard the president's mouth snap shut.
"Ford Bauer did not 'brainwash' me. I researched my father's case and found clear evidence of tampering as well as obvious attempts at blackmail and bribery. Until you speak directly to those issues, there is no other conversation we will be having." I jammed my hands on my hips and leaned closer to the phone to make sure that the president of Landsman College could hear me. "Except if you would like to explain your reasons for covering this up so quickly. Could it be that the high-level donor in question is a friend of yours? If we continued this conversation in your office, would we see generous gifts with his name attached?"
Ford shook his head wildly and picked up the phone. He took it off speaker phone and held up a hand to stop me. "Sir, I think we can all agree this is getting out of hand. I'm sure there is some official protocol for discussing this situation and we would be more than happy to oblige."
"What are you saying? He's in Michael Tailor's pocket," I whispered.
Ford shook his head again. "Then we will talk again after the full facts of the case come out." He hung up the phone and flinched when I stepped forward. "Don't be mad," Ford cried. "I just wanted the conversation to be over. There wasn't anything productive there for us."
I threw my hands up in the air. "How can you tell what is and what isn't productive in the midst of all this chaos?"
As if on cue, the security guards hammered on Ford's front door again. Ford couldn't keep the smile from his face.
"What are you smiling about?" I cried. "How can you be so calm when they're here to take you to the police station?"
Ford reached me in two steps and wrapped me in his arms. I felt his deep, rumbling chuckle before I heard it. "I'm sorry, Clarity, I know this is crazy, but all of this is good news."
I pushed back and pinned him with a skeptical look. "Good news? The article's been erased, security is escorting you to the police, you're going to be sued for libel, and my father is still suspended. How is any of this good news?"
He grinned down at me. "Why would any of this be happening unless what we wrote was the truth?"
The full power of what he pointed out swept over me and I was glad for his strong arms around my waist. I swayed into him and then leaned back with a tentative smile. "We never would have gotten this kind of response unless it was true. Now they're scrambling to cover it up. That's why the president called: he's looking for the best way to spin this."
"Let's hope, for his sake, he doesn't go with the Clarity Dunkirk was brainwashed angle. I'm not sure he could survive another conversation with you," Ford chuckled again.
I hugged him tight and pretended I didn't hear the insistent knocking on the front door. "So, now what?"
His hands traveled down to the hem of the loose-fitting Landsman shirt I was wearing. Ford tickled my bare thigh. "You might want to put some clothes on before I let security in," he said.
I frowned but headed to the bedroom and gathered my clothes. It only took a few moments to tug on my jeans, slip on my bra and shirt, and rake my fingers through my hair. Ford was surprised I pulled myself together so quickly.
He held out his hand and threaded his fingers through mine. "Ready?" he asked.
I thought I was, but the trembling wave I had been holding back finally broke loose. Tears overflowed and I collapsed into Ford's arms with a ragged sob. "This is all my fault. All of it. This whole big mess started because my father wanted to help me. How could I let it turn out this way?"
"You're not in control, Clarity. You can't take the blame," Ford soothed me. "You're doing the best you can to help your father, and you are doing more than a lot of people would dare."
I wrapped my arms around his waist and refused to let him go. "I'm not letting you answer the door. They can't break it down."
Ford dropped a kiss on the top of my head. "Don't be mad at the campus security."
A surge of anger propelled me out of Ford's arms. I paced around his small living room. The spilled wax from last night's candles plus our forgotten wine glasses still stood on the coffee table. We had been so hopeful, so happy.
"I can't believe the bad guy is going to get away with it," I shrieked. "How can you stand it?"
Ford caught me in his arms again. "We can only control our own actions and the information we present to others. Michael Tailor has to live with his own actions and we can't force him to feel badly about his choices."
"How about your choices? Our choices?" I asked. I gestured to the rumpled sofa and the evidence of our passionate night.
"I don't regret a single thing," Ford said. His kiss sealed my lips and I felt one layer of worry lift.
"Please don't open the door," I pleaded.
Ford slipped out of my hold and unlocked the door. He stood back and welcomed the Landsman College security guards inside. "Good morning, gentlemen. You'll have to give me a few more minutes to pull myself together. I understand we're heading to the police station."
The head of security nodded, but none of the men in the doorway moved. Ford laughed when he realized my razor-sharp glare was the cause of their hesitation.
"How do we know they're not in the pocket of rich donors too?" I snapped. "I'm sure more than one of them has looked the other way when certain students are caught bending the rules."
"I'm not gonna lie," Ford said to the guards, "she might bite. But there's fresh coffee in the kitchen and you are more than welcome to grab a cup. I'll only be a few moments."
Ford saluted them and strolled towards his bedroom. I stomped after him and fought the urge to slam the bedroom door. "What are you doing?" I hissed. "Please tell me you're going to go out the window or something."
"Why would I run when I'm not guilty?" Ford asked.
"You offered them coffee!"
Ford smiled. "Well, it is pretty early in the morning." He caught my pained look and relented. "I'm sorry, Clarity, I know this is upsetting. The men out there are only doing their jobs and I can't take out my frustration on them."