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

“I guess Davidos does live up to his rep,” Wes said on their short walk back to Tempe HQ. “He likes to be the guy asking questions, not the one answering them.”

“Yes, and he likes staring and glaring and trying to keep you off balance.”

“Yes, that business about not being used to explaining his decisions. He lets you know that he is The Man. I did like it that his closest advisory team is called ‘Prime.‘ Wonder if the team under that is ‘Sub-prime,’ you know, like the bad mortgages in the recession?” Wes laughed at his own joke, then said, “Anyway, you handled it all very well. You always seemed like you were one step ahead of him.”

“Well, some of that was because we’d planned it.”

“And some of it is that you are just quick on your feet…know what I mean,” Wes said, and pointed to his head and laughed again.

“He’s just always making these aside about calling Al.”

“I think that’s the ‘keeping you off balance’ part…or trying to. And somehow, I don’t think Al will be intimidated by him. What do you think? He laughed again.

“This doesn’t bother you, does it?”

“Comes with the territory, Jilly. What does bother me is that we don’t know who murdered the Professor. Look, I know you’ve had some doubts about Davidos...how about now?”

They waited for traffic on 5th. “I guess it’s just that he creeps me out. But you’re right about the texts and emails…anything going on there was on her end, not his…as he was quick to point out.”

“Unless he’s just too smart to get caught,” Wes said, and cut his eyes toward Jillian. There was a break in the traffic and they crossed the street. As they entered their building, Wes said, “I do have a favor to ask, Jilly.”

“Of course. What is it?”

“You said you had time for a drink at Postinos…I thought we could walk over together after we sort through our notes of the interview with Davidos.”

“Sounds good. I’ve already organized my notes with Professor Roberts. And Postinos is perfect because later, I’m meeting my friend from ASU Legal there…Sarah Wells.”

“Yeah, you said. Anyway, I’ve invited someone to join us…Georgia Ronson…Detective Georgia Ronson.”

“Sure…so who is she?”

“Well, she’s just out of the academy and starting with Tempe PD as a detective. Sound familiar?”

Jillian nodded and smiled.

“Anyway, she’s very poised and confident and nervous…all at the same time. I thought maybe you could give her some words of encouragement…having been through the same thing not that long ago…Detective Sergeant Warne.”

“Be happy to, Detective Sergeant Webb. What’s her story?”

“She’s from LA. Some of our recruiters ran across her—actually, she answered an ad. She went to UCLA and majored in Business Admin.”

“A little like you, huh?”

“Well, not exactly…remember I was in Public Admin. Her Business degree is the real thing…Accounting, no less.”

“That sounds intense.”

“Yes…and, she is very smart. I think you two will hit it off. Thanks for talking with her…I’m sure that she has lots of questions about this whole detective thing. Her folks were not coppers, no brothers who were fire fighters, so this is all new to her…like it was with you. She also mentioned she’s toying with the idea of maybe getting a masters’ degree down the road. I thought you could discuss that with her, too.”

“Of course, Wes, I’m happy to. So she’s from LA and an Accounting major. I’ve always heard that UCLA is a good university. What else about her?”

“Let’s see…OK, she was second in her class at the academy in terms of overall scores. So, when you also factor-in the Accounting degree, she strikes me as smart and a hard charger. I think that’s why she’s thinking of a grad degree. She’s an African American woman…she’s tall…physically fit. Her PT scores at the Academy of course reflect that, too. As far as I know, she’s unattached romantically. What else…oh, this is important…once we close our case on the Professor, Georgia will be assigned to me as a partner. So again, something the two of you will have in common.”

“Wow,” Jillian said and was quiet. Then repeated, “Wow. She’ll learn a lot from partnering with you. I sure did…still am. Well, this is great, Wes.”

“Thanks, Jilly,” he smiled. “If it’s OK, once I get the introductions over with and the conversation going, I’ll split. That way, you two can just talk. You can tell her that you’re meeting a friend for dinner, so you can have a confab and she’ll leave you to it.”

“Sounds good.”

“Detective Georgia Ronson, Detective Sergeant Jillian Warne…Jilly meet Georgia.”

“Pleased to meet you, Detective Sergeant Warne…Jillian. Wes has said so much about you.”

“And you, Detective Roson. Georgia. I hope he’s said mostly good things.”

“Mostly,” she laughed.

Wes said, “OK now… I’ve said nice things about both of you.”

Wes had said she was tall, but that was something of an understatement. Of course, she seemed especially tall because she had been seated in one of the booths that are on risers, so when she stood, that probably added another four inches. Still, Georgia Ronson was a tall woman. Jillian figured that she must be 5 10, easy. But, her weight was well-proportioned to her frame so that she looked slim.

Jillian was glad that Georgia had arrived early and scored a table. Because it was still so hot out, the outside patio just didn’t get much use this time of the year, and that caused the inside tables to fill quickly. Often, there was a wait.

True to his word, once he accomplished the introductions, Wes said, “As promised, I’m out of here. I want the two of you to get acquainted. My work is finished, so bye. I know that both of you are wine buffs, so go for it…first round’s on me.”

They both protested and even scooted around to make room, but he laughed, waved and headed for the door.

Georgia laughed and asked, “Was it something I said?”

“No, that’s just Wes. Once he’s makes up his