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

impounded her car and forensics has gone over it, and they’ve also been at her other office in the Business complex. We’re very methodical…we’re following our protocols. Wes closed his notebook, then said, “President Davidos, we understand your interest and your impatience, but our picture of Professor Siemens is starting to fill in.”

Although President Davidos did not seem to be the sort of a man who was easily placated, he said, “I see.” He then seemed to change tact. “I asked you to come by today to tell you that, obviously, I want this cleared…and quickly, and to tell you that my office will assist you in way that you see fit.”

“Thank you,” he smiled, then said, “We do have a few questions of you, President Davidos. First, how well did you know Professor Siemens?”

He stared at Wes for a couple of beats. Jillian had a sense that in offering the help of his office, President Davidos had not anticipated having to answer questions himself.

He clicked his front teeth, bottom and top, either thinking or maybe calming himself, then said, “As I’m sure you know, ASU hired Nelda as a part of a grant to create a Rand Studies Center. This was after a rigorous international search. ASU is a large campus…multiple campuses…so of course I don’t know all faculty personally. However, Nelda and The Rand Center were of a fairly high profile, so we have had numerous interactions.”

He paused, then continued, “I respected Nelda. She worked tirelessly to connect ASU with the business community in The Valley…this sort of university-community partnership is something that’s a high priority for us, and her efforts have been invaluable, especially as we’ve developed the Phoenix campus.”

When Jillian heard his comments about Professor Siemens and university/community partnerships, she wondered about Professor Spann’s experience with her…wondered if this was the idea that she’d stolen. She figured Wes was thinking about this, too.

Wes was quiet for a few seconds. He’d once told Jillian that silence can be an effective interrogation tool. ‘People hate silence,’ he’d said, and sometimes they’ll say things just to fill the void, things that later they wish they hadn’t said. When President Davidos didn’t speak, Wes remained quiet, as if processing the last answer. Then he asked, “Were any of your interactions of a personal nature…would you consider Professor Siemens to be a friend?”

President Davidos again stared at Wes. He tilted his head, first left, then right, as if weighing the matter. Then he nodded in the affirmative. “Sure, I’d say so. I entertain a lot—it comes with the job. And I guess you could say that Nelda was an ‘A-lister’ in terms of social functions.” He laughed and then said, “Perhaps this is another reason why I want this resolved. As a faculty member, she was a good for ASU, and as a friend…OK, yes, she was a friend…and I’d like…I want whoever did this to be caught…and punished.”

Wes nodded again. “So, one last question, then. We have interviewed a number of people, and some of these described certain tensions surrounding the creation of the Rand Center, as well as in terms of hiring Professor Siemens.”

“Tensions, what do you mean, tensions?” President Davidos was back in a more combative frame.

“It seems to be no secret…” Wes said, again referring to his notebook almost in a confirmatory manner...“apparently, some professors opposed applying for the grant for the Rand Center…and some opposed Professor Siemens. This is correct, is it not?”

President Davidos was obviously irked now. Jillian could see his jaw muscles literally clinch and unclench.

“We’ve done massive things to move ASU up in university rankings…positive, award-winning things that we accomplish every day. But still, some faculty don’t get it…their view of what a university is seems mired in some nostalgic past.” Then, almost as if speaking to himself, he said, “The problem with universities is the faculty.” He returned to the now, looked at Wes and Jillian and said, “That last comment…it’s off the record.”

Wes simply nodded. When Jillian didn’t respond immediately, President Davidos looked directly at her and asked, “Detective Sergeant Warne?”

Jillian had no problem with authority…she was used to hierarchies…after all, she’d been a college student for five years and had worked in two police departments. Still, this annoyed her, both the president’s ‘off the record comment,’ which seemed to be more like a command than a request, and then his singling her out. So, she waited just long enough to generate some tension of her own…before saying, “Certainly.” She thought to herself, ‘OK, maybe I’m being a tad passive-aggressive, but still…”

“As I mentioned, Chief Rosas speaks highly of you. Are you enjoying your new job with the ASU Campus Police?”

This question took Jillian by surprise. She wondered if President Davidos was being polite or if he was somehow trying to intimidate her…maybe remind her that, ultimately, he was her boss. Whatever…she smiled and said, “Al Rosas is a fine chief. It’s a pleasure to work for him, and also to be back on ASU’s campus. I am a proud ASU graduate.”

“Yes, twice, I understand.“

This was a little spooky to Jillian, too. Had he checked her out? She again thought about how he’d seem to take a long look at her ID.”

He continued, almost conversationally with Jillian. “I believe that you actually know some of the faculty who’ve been the most vocal in their opposition to the Rand Center.” She noticed that his accent had become a bit more pronounced.

“Of course, you understand, President Davidos, we cannot divulge any comments that have been made during our investigation.”

Before she could continue and before the president could say more, Wes said, “Yes, indeed, Detective Sergeant Warne’s history with ASU made her THE obvious liaison between Tempe PD and ASU PD on this investigation. Then, too, she was a successful detective with Tempe before ASU recruited her away from us…oh well, Tempe’s loss was ASU’s gain.”

From the corner of her eye, Jillian could see that Wes’ affable smile was accompanied by a no nonsense