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

thinking along these lines, too…you know, wondering if Professor Siemens’ political views—they’re pretty much ‘out there’—if they were maybe a motive.”

Then, everyone talked at once—it was as if there’d been a dollop of pent-up energy just waiting for the right trigger—and the meeting erupted into a din of virtually indistinguishable comments. Jillian did hear part of Professor Martin’s question, something about “… that this was a hate crime against women?” She heard this because she was sitting diagonally across from Professor Martin, although the question actually was directed at Professor Farrell…they were in a side conversation.

Jillian looked over at Sarah who smiled, then spoke. “Excuse me…excuse me please...” She didn’t clink her pencil on a glass or yell, although she did project her voice in a way that commanded everyone’s attention. Things quieted almost immediately, and she continued, “I know we’re all concerned about this horrible event…a member of the ASU community has been murdered…on campus. And, yes, we are fortunate that Detective Sergeant Warne is with us…as a member of this committee. But please, let’s ask our questions in an orderly fashion. Professor Martin, I could hear some of your question…let’s begin with you.”

Professor Martin, who had looked unperturbed during the brief period of bedlam, continued as if she’d had the floor all along. “Thank you, Sarah, and yes I have one question for Jillian and a comment as well. My question first…could this have been a hate crime against women?”

“We’ve been in touch with the intelligence divisions at Tempe PD and at ASU PD,” she nodded toward Ersula, “and there are no reports of serious crimes on campus against women…professors, staff, or students. So, we know nothing to suggest that Professor Siemens’ murder was a hate crime. Even so, we are considering every possible explanation, every possible avenue, at this time.”

Even though she was obviously speaking to the entire group, Professor Martin maintained eye contact with Jillian. “Thank you. And my comment is to remind us of that data that are very clear on this…women are generally murdered by someone they know…most often by a family member or an intimate partner. I hope you are considering these data, Jillian.”

“Absolutely, Professor Martin…I had your class, remember? And our investigation is indeed informed by our working knowledge of the data on homicides.”

Professor Martin smiled, first at Jillian, then at Ersula.

Sarah asked, “Professor Farrell?” His hand had gone up even before Jillian had ended her comments to Professor Martin.

“I wanted to follow-up on what Natalie just said…the thing about a murderer being someone the victim knows. The thing is, in this case, wasn’t she murdered late at night…in her office? If that’s the case, wouldn’t the front door to the building have been locked? So, if you put those two things together, the killer would be someone with a key…maybe another professor…which could still be someone she knew…even intimately, I guess.”

Jillian said, “We are looking into Professor Siemens’ networks of acquaintances…”

Farrell interrupted, “Could even have been a staff person or grad student…they’d all have keys to the building.”

Jillian continued, “As I said, we’re creating a picture of the Professor and everyone who was linked closely to her.”

A few more questions arose, mostly in an orderly manner. Jillian was glad she’d worked on a case summary last night, one that she could share. She tried to give forthright answers, including that they were awaiting a more complete forensics report, but realized that at this stage, she and Wes really didn’t have much in the way of dispositive information. But, the forensics report should come soon, and, in the meantime, they were working the case. Still, it was hard not to get impatient herself as she answered their questions. These committee members reminded Jillian of the people she’d seen when they had first entered Ross-Blakely Hall as they’d responded to the 911 calls…people desperate for answers.

Sarah again took charge. “I’m going to use my prerogative as chair to move us back to our scheduled agenda, but first, I wanted to say something, too. I know that we’re all shocked by what’s happened, but I also know that Jillian, Detective Sergeant Warne, was a skilled investigator at Tempe PD—that’s why we hired her at ASU—so I want to give her the final word before we move on.“ She smiled at Jillian.

Jillian looked around the room, making eye contact with everyone. “Thank you, Sarah. Let me assure you that Tempe PD and ASU PD are working the investigation, and we have assembled a team of people on the case. Obviously, there are matters that I can’t share right now, but I can tell you that many of the points that you’ve made here this morning are excellent, and we are considering these sorts of relevant issues in our investigation. I also appreciate Cedar’s concern about the media’s attention, and, along those lines, I can tell you that my partner and I are scheduled to meet with President Davidos later today to brief him on our investigation. For now, we need your patience…we need your support.”

When she finished, the other members of the Task Force smiled or nodded their approval. Reginald even verbally expressed his confidence in their investigation.

Sarah declared a short coffee/restroom break, and the Task Force members scattered, some to the coffee, some to the food, and some to the restrooms down the hall.

As Jillian stood along the wall behind her chair and looked at the other members of the committee, she thought how strange it was to be in this meeting…doing activities she’d done before, interacting with people who she’d known before…only it was different now that she was a detective. It was like how you notice the world when you’re healthy again after having been sick…you just take it all in. Maybe this was why Professor Martin now saw her differently as well.

She was checking her cell phone messages when Sarah walked over to her. Jillian looked-up and said, “Needless to say, were you ever right about me getting a lot of