Death of the Ayn Rand Scholar by Gray Cavender (classic literature list txt) 📕

different flights to Charlotte...different days, even. But, they flew back to Phoenix on the same flight. They hadn’t been scheduled to return on the same flight, though. Professor Siemens changed her reservation so they could fly back together. She was even able to get a seat next to the President.”

“Geez, Jilly, do you think this is another Keefer-type Montreal conference?”

“Well, it’s not…”

Wes interrupted her. “You said you’d called Grace Wilson. Did she get the flight info for you?”

“Yes. OK, in the first place, ASU requires online travel authorizations before travel, and reimbursement claims after a trip. Without too much trouble, Grace was able to find out the details about their flights…to and from Charlotte, and to see that Professor Siemens had changed her return flight. A part of that authorization process went through the English Department.”

Wes interrupted again. “A last minute flight change…that must have cost a lot. Anyway, from the emails…what about any shenanigans…either while they were in Charlotte or after they got back?”

“To answer your first question, yes, changing her flight was expensive. Plus, get this, they both flew first class. Apparently President Davidos usually flies first class. So, for Professor Siemens to sit next to him, she upgraded to first class as well. And, the President’s office paid for that leg of her flight…the change and the upgrade.”

“And this info came from Grace Wilson?”

“Yes. Again, the part about modifying Professor Siemens’ flight…Grace accessed that herself. She said the information was in the reimbursement claim, including the part about the involvement of President’s office. Grace did say that was a budgetary hassle. And she was able to get info about President Davidos’ flight schedule through a ‘friend’ in the President’s office.”

Wes laughed. “Ms. Wilson is turning out to be a helpful friend. So, anything about an affair?”

“I think that sometimes just being nice to people pays off…which I learned from you, by the way. Anyway, in terms of an affair, that’s not altogether clear. Look at these,” she said and scooted one set of print-outs across the table to Wes. “Check out the parts that I’ve highlighted in yellow.”

Jillian walked around the table and sat in the chair to his left. She pointed and said, “See, this first email is dated June 23…that’s a Saturday. They returned from Charlotte on Friday the 22nd.”

“Got it,” Wes said.

“In the email—which is from Professor Siemens to President Davidos—she says how much she enjoyed his remarks at the Civism Foundation Conference. And that because of his leadership, ASU has become a world-class university…that she’s proud to be on his faculty. As an aside, Wes,” she said, marking her place on the print-out with her finger, “Grace told me that Professor Siemens looked down on ASU and most of her colleagues.”

Jillian returned to the print-out and said, “Then, a little further down in the email, she thanks President Davidos for covering her upgrade and says how ‘stimulating’ she found their discussion. Maybe that’s no big deal, but it is an interesting word choice. And notice that she left a space on either side of the word…like maybe to call attention to it.”

Wes nodded.

Jillian said, “And, as a fun fact, this exchange is on President Davidos’ private email…not one that most people have access to…I also learned this from Grace.“

They exchanged a look, then Jillian directed their attention to the next page of the print out. “Later that day, President Davidos responds. His email is professional, saying that he, too, enjoyed the conference and also their conversation on the plane ride back to Phoenix…and that he likes some of her ideas about bringing more members of the business community into one or two ‘targeted’ panels at her Rand conference in the spring. Then, he goes on to offer some comments about ASU serving the business community in the Valley, and how that community can aid ASU.”

Wes nodded. “Two thoughts…first, this business about bringing-in members from the business community…that’s exactly what Carlton Spann said Professor Siemens lifted from him…her former lover, the prof on the downtown campus.”

Jillian nodded that she remembered, “But the second thing…I don’t see Davidos’ comment as being very provocative, Jilly. It sounds like the kind of stuff he says in the Arizona Republic all the time.”

“I know. Like I said, his email is totally professional. But look,” she said, pointing at the print-out. “Professor Siemens quickly follows-up that she’d like to discuss these ideas more with him…” Jillian pointed to specific lines on the print-out and quoted…”any time…at your convenience, Jacques. I know how busy your work days are.“

“Hmm…I see what you mean.” Wes re-read those passages in the emails again. He was about to speak, but instead, read on further, and then said, “So, Davidos’ next response is to tell the professor that he’ll ask John Hawley to work her in for 30 minutes sometime next week. Hawley…he’s our contact guy with Davidos…guess he’s the keeper of the Prez’s schedule.”

Wes thought again, initially with his chin cupped in his hand. Then, he crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair and said, “You’re right, Jilly, this is interesting stuff. Of course, when you read what each of them said, it seems like it’s Professor Siemens who’s being suggestive...as if she’s trying to get something going…but leaving a space, covering her tracks in case the Prez isn’t interested. And in terms of the word, ‘stimulating,’ literally a space...make that two spaces,” he said and laughed.

“I think you’re right on both counts. She’s trying to suggestive, but carefully…and President Davidos is friendly but professional.”

“Of course, Al said maybe the Prez was too smart to get caught, which could mean that he was smart enough not to put something incriminating in an email…or a text.”

“So, do we interview President Davidos again?”

“Oh yeah,” Wes answered immediately. “If for no other reason than he was vague at first about even knowing the professor. And now this business,” he said, pointing to the print-outs.”

“Maybe we can use as a justification that we’re giving him an update