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

“So many questions. OK, perfectly healthy…maybe a little hormonal craziness, but basically good…and, I’m due late in April. And, as for the sex question, ‘asked and answered.’ But nice try.”

They toasted waters, and Sarah said, “OK, that’ my news. How ‘bout you…anything new on the investigation?”

“We’re in a second round of interviews with four people. This was informed by forensics on the Professor’s phones and computers.”

“Good. Anything you can tell a civilian?”

“Well, for one, we did a second interview with Professor Jonathan Keefer…he’s the head of English.”

“Hmm.”

“Exactly. He and Professor Siemens had been having an affair.”

“I heard.”

“Do you think that’s why he didn’t get the promotion to the Dean’s office?”

“Honestly, Jillian, that’s above my pay grade, but I assume that has something to do with it. It makes sense…you know, bad publicity. Is he a suspect?”

“Well, ‘love lost’ could be a good motive.”

“So was it that…love lost?”

“Apparently. And I wondered if maybe he could also have been angry about losing out on that promotion…not to mention being out as chair of English.”

Sarah leaned in a little closer and said, “From the grapevine, I think Professor Keefer was out because of having an affair with a subordinate. I don’t think the decision to dump him as a dean or a chair had happened when she was killed. That ‘no promotion’ decision came after word about the affair. So, the motive would be limited to jilted love. Unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Maybe he thought she had the President’s ear and worried that if they were no longer together that it could hurt him in terms of the bureaucracy.”

“Maybe…OK, so here’s a real long shot, Sarah… Do you think Professor Siemens could have been having an affair with President Davidos?”

“Gosh…I’ve never heard anything like that.”

“Well, we did see some interesting comments in their texts and emails.”

“OMG, Jillian. Don’t tell me that the President also is a suspect. I guess I’d better dig out my law school notes and brush up on my criminal procedure. Not!”

“We’re not there yet. Honestly, the ‘interesting’ comments all came from Professor Siemens. The president’s all were totally professional.”

“Well, that’s a relief. I guess with your job, you’re always having to think about things like that…no matter how high-up someone is.”

Jillian shrugged and nodded ‘yes.’

As Sarah took a sip of water, her demeanor visibly shifted…she looked to Jillian as if she had a bad taste in her mouth. She said, “Maybe this is a topic change…maybe not…the thing is, I have some information for you, Jillian. It’s through our office, but whatever confidentially issues are involved are far and away outweighed by your criminal investigation.”

Jillian leaned toward Sarah a little. “OK…”

“So, this is about an incident involving Professor Siemens, and…” she looked at nearby tables to see if anyone was listening-in on their conversation, then said, “And, I’m sorry to say, Professor Ian Naremore.”

Jillian nodded and opened her IPAD, but her shoulders slumped a bit.

Sarah referred to notes—some printed pages she’d pulled from her briefcase. “The incident occurred at a committee meeting…this was the University Curriculum Committee…two weeks ago. So, Professor Naremore was appearing before the Committee because he was trying to obtain approval for a new graduate course. Ordinarily, asking to create a new course doesn’t generate overview at the university level, but it did in this case because the course was to be a part of a proposed graduate Certificate on Regulation that would be managed through Justice Studies.”

Jillian nodded that she understood.

“Professor Siemens also appeared, speaking against the creation of the certificate. Apparently, she was at the committee meeting solely to oppose Professor Naremore’s certificate…she wasn’t otherwise on their agenda.”

Jillian nodded and began to type.

Sarah continued, reading from her notes. “Her major points were, first, that the new course was redundant to existing courses that Professor Naremore taught. Second, there was no demonstrable need for the proposed certificate in the area of regulation, but that, if there was to be such a certificate, it should be housed in the Economics Department. Third, she said that Professor Naremore had not provided the proper documentation for the University Committee to consider the matter.”

Sarah looked up from her notes and said, “Obviously, Professor Siemens was very prepared in her opposition to his certificate…as if she’d read the proposal…in advance.“

Sarah paused, waiting until a waiter refilled their water glasses and then left their table. “There was a discussion between Professor Naremore and Professor Siemens about his proposed certificate that quickly devolved into an argument, which became quite heated.” She read again, “Professor Naremore then physically threatened Professor Siemens…she alleged this in a statement she filed with our office.”

Sarah looked-up, made eye contact with Jillian and said, “What Professor Siemens filed wasn’t a formal grievance…I’d characterize her filing as a precursor to a formal grievance, which she indicted would soon follow. In other words, she’d begun the process, but, she died before…” she tapered off, then added, “A colleague intervened and persuaded Professor Naremore to leave the committee meeting, defusing a situation that was becoming an ugly one.”

Sarah paused again, then said, “We’re trying to decide whether or not there should be any follow-up on this incident. As I said, Professor Siemens didn’t actually file a formal grievance, but still, an allegation about problematic conduct by an ASU faculty member is serious. But again, it’s an informal allegation…so… And, in any case, your investigation takes precedence.”

Jillian nodded.

Sarah was quiet again. All around them was clamor of a busy, popular restaurant…dishes being cleared, others being served, people laughing, customers coming and going.

Sarah broke the silence. “I imagine a murder investigation is hard enough, then…this business on top of the usual…issues.” She pointed to the printed pages, which she laid on the table.

Sarah smiled and said, “You know, before I came here today, I pulled your employee file and re-read everything that went on when you were vetted for the ASU job. My recollection was correct…you not only had a strong letter of recommendation from Professor Naremore, I actually