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

Wes didn’t miss a beat, “For the good of the ASU community…now, was this the murder or the confession?”

Jillian laughed, returned the carafe, and then took a seat in Wes’ office.

“You laugh,” Wes said, “but it’s my understanding that Davidos is indeed calling…my chief, your chief…and, when he’s not calling, his minions are.”

“We were there yesterday.” She took a sip and said, “Guess he wants results…as if we don’t.”

“You got it. I think the real issue is the media coverage of the Professor’s murder. I’m thinking this isn’t a good recruitment tool for prospective students OR their parents.”

“He really made me nervous yesterday, Wes. Do you think these calls are somehow directed at me?”

“I don’t think so…remember, he called my chief, too. I think he’s just one of those guys who wants results, not explanations. And, speaking of media, did you have a chance to catch the press conference?

“I did…the 10 o’clock news…thanks for reminding me, by the way.”

“No worries…so, what’d you think?”

“They looked great…especially since we don’t have all that much…yet.”

“Well, they’re pros.”

She nodded, then said, “But, we’re still a big story on NPR.”

“Front page of the paper, too.”

“I’d hoped that maybe having that news conference would give us a break from all the media coverage.”

“Never does…if anything, their news conference became its own story…last night and then in all the morning new outlets, and the paper, too.”

“I guess you’re right.” She was quiet, then said, “Actually that call was from Grace Wilson, the admin woman in the English Department. We’re doing coffee later, unless you have something else.”

“Sure…good idea, but I do have something for us…this morning.”

Jillian put her coffee cup on Wes’ desk. “OK…”

“We’re upstairs in 15…”

“What is it?”

“The Chief said some sort of a rally is being planned for tomorrow…on the ASU campus…some combo of conservative groups…they’re protesting Professor Siemens’ murder.”

“I don’t understand…”

“Neither do I…guess we’ll find out…”

Chief McCaslin wasn’t alone. Al Rosas, Jillian’s chief, was there and so was John Hawley, their contact person for President Davidos. His presence got Jillian’s attention.

There were no offers of coffee, no intros…everyone knew everyone…so it was immediately down to business.

Hawley spoke first. “President Davidos wanted us all to get together…off camps…away from the media.”

Everyone was seated and, given Hawley’s preface, they were attentive, and leery.

Hawley continued. “ASU has had a formal request to permit a rally on campus tomorrow…we’d heard rumblings of this, but…here it is.” He displayed a letter…it was less than a page long.

“For the sake of brevity, I’ll summarize the letter and the situation.” He paused, “OK, the situation first. The conservative media, and here I’m referring to Fox News, talk radio, blogs and all the rest…it’s been non-stop coverage. They’re claiming that Professor Siemens’ murder is another instance of a far-left university attempting to silence conservative voices.” He paused again, looked back to the letter, “And, they’re requesting permission to hold a rally on campus tomorrow, hosted by Miller Sterling.” He exhaled, as if winded or exasperated.

Wes shook his head and exhaled, too. “Oh man, trouble follows that guy like apples follow John Chapman.”

Jillian asked, “Who is he?”

“John Chapman, you know, Johnny Appleseed.”

“I know Johnny Appleseed, I mean who’s Miller Sterling?”

The exchange between Wes and Jillian released a pent-up tension in the room, and everyone laughed… outright guffaws…short barks of laughter. Wes and Jillian looked at each other, then they were laughing, too. From that point on, although still down to business, everyone was more relaxed.

Wes continued, “So, Sterling is an alt-right guy…he’s at a lot of their rallies...and has invites to speak on college campuses, too. He’s an extremist. Wherever he speaks, he draws crowds of true believers and equally large crowds of protestors…and violence invariably follows. The opposing groups clash…to put it mildly.”

Jillian asked, “So, is he coming for sure?”

Hawley quickly answered, “No way. In the first place, this was sprung on us at the last minute. We immediately contacted Chief Rosas and Chief McCaslin, and they agreed…there was no way to mobilize the necessary security for such a rally, much less one with Sterling as keynoter.“

Hawley looked at the chiefs…both nodded their agreement, and he continued, “Plus, given what followed ASU’s refusal, we’re thinking that the request for a permit to hold a rally was nothing but a set-up.”

Jillian and Wes leaned forward at the same time. Hawley said, “Sterling immediately notified his followers that ‘free speech is only available to the far left…not moderate conservative voices,’ and I’m quoting there.” He was reading from another page.

“As if ASU is far-left,” Wes said. “Anything about our investigation?”

Chief McCaslin answered, “What you’d expect…charges of foot-dragging.”

Hawley nodded sympathetically, and added, “Given how quickly Sterling’s people got this message out, we assume that it was already written and ready to go…even before he heard our response…all they had to do was hit send.”

Jillian said, “At least he’s not coming…so the rally’s off?”

“Not exactly,” Chief McCaslin answered. “From what we’re hearing, something ‘spontaneous’ is being planned,” she laughed and shrugged, “mobilized through social media.”

Hawley gave an over-sized nod of agreement. “Totally orchestrated. President Davidos and our Public Information Unit are already getting confirmatory requests from media outlets…local and national. And some of these requests, especially from those that are on the conservative side of the spectrum, seem to be orchestrated, too.”

Wes asked, “When?”

Chief Rosas answered, “Tomorrow afternoon…at 1:30.“

Jillian, looking at Hawley and at her Chief, asked, “Will ASU let this happen?”

Hawley answered, “ASU is always sensitive to First Amendment issues, so, yes, reluctantly…so long as it doesn’t generate any public safety issues. Chief Rosas and Chief McCaslin are coordinating security.”

The group stayed for another ten minutes. Wes asked some logistical question, and Jillian followed-up on these, in one instance even suggesting a solution to a question that Wes had. Her comment prompted a compliment from Chief McCaslin, who called her ‘Jillian.’

As the meeting was ending—Hawley had already left and Wes was in an exchange with Chief McCaslin—Chief Rosas followed Jillian out of the room, lowered his eyes to look