Smith didn’t get on the horn until almost three in the afternoon.“What the hell is going on, Hutton? My son, involved in a fight? Impossible.”Last Wednesday, he’d been Lance. Now he was merely Hutton. “He’s admitted it. That’s why I’ve scheduled a parent conference tomorrow.”“It’s out of the question,” Smith barked. “Don’t you know how busy I am?”As chairman of the school board, Smith was an excellent delegator. He spent most of his time drumming up support for pet projects and attending so-called business lunches at the country club.“If you don’t feel it’s important enough for your attention, I’m sure your wife’s attendance will be more than adequate,” Lance delivered the slam.Smith fell for it. “Of course I’ll be there. Give me the details.”“The details have been explained to your wife. I suggest you discuss it with both her and your son tonight.”“Goddammit, Hutton.”He knew Smith’s intention, to insert himself into Lance’s game plan, to direct what happened in tomorrow’s meeting.
