about the paintings just made Elliot feel happy and warm, even as the rain began to fall outside. It looked like the whole weekend was going to be wet, making him concerned about the drywall needed to wall in the Christmas mural.

He was halfway done with his list. As he got out his cell phone, he decided that if needed he would stay late and then work the following day just on saving the mural. He dialed the number for Principal McNab.

"Hi Elliot, I'm just checking out right now. I'll be over in about 30 minutes. It's going to take me a minute to get some plastic over everything-I'll call again when I'm almost there."

"I don't know if you knew about it or not, but there's a great place in the back where you can pull the truck in-I guess it's where they made food deliveries for the cafeteria. It has an awning and everything."

"Sounds great. Oh there's something else I need to warn you about. Do you know Sandra Holtz?"

Elliot cringed but decided to be polite, "Only by reputation..."

"She may be coming by either today or tomorrow to look at everything. I don't know who she's paid off, but somehow she's in the running for Assistant Principal of the school. I've voiced my opinion about her to the Board, but I don't know how much weight that will carry. If you can find a tarp or something to hide the mural until you have a chance to box it in, it may be a good idea."

"I know where one is-I'll hang it from the ceiling so it surrounds the entire wall and around the corner. It should be light enough to not do any harm to it or the ceiling."

"Sounds good. I'll see you in a few minutes."

Elliot had just finished hanging the tarp when McNab arrived. They carried the lumber, plywood, drywall, paint, rollers, drywall tape and screws, compound, and sandpaper inside a classroom that was being used for storage.

"I really wish I could stay and help you Elliot, but my daughter's car has been having trouble. I promised to look it over and find out what's wrong before she goes back on Monday, too. If it's something easy, I'll come by tomorrow. I know this is a lot of work."

"It's all right. I can get it done."

"Call me if there's anything else you need."

"I will."

As Elliot walked back to the front of the building, he saw a car pull up. A woman got out with her umbrella and approached the main entrance door. It was Sandra Holtz.

Elliot's heart began to pound, and he hoped the tarp idea was going to work.

If a stranger initially saw Sandra Holtz, she would appear to be a very polite

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