Chapter 4

Eric stepped closer. He was taller and a good deal bulkier than the teacher, and most men—in Eric’s experience—were intimidated by his size. He was well inside the client’s personal space. “Hey, Mr. Richardson,” he said, smelling the man’s Italian cologne.

Richardson looked up, met Eric’s gaze while somehow managing to look as if he wasn’t craning his neck, an interesting feat. Eric was used to people taking a step back in order to take in his entire six-foot-four frame.

“Well, Mister Hopkins,” the professor said, “how very pleasant to see you again.” He lifted his phone from his jacket pocket, glanced at the screen, touched it briefly, and smiled.