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

Jillian nodded, then asked, “Would you let me know…when it’s official?”

“Yes, certainly.”

Jillian said, “Thank you,” and then as an afterthought, asked, “By the way, do you know if Professor Keefer was seeing anyone…else?”

Grace shook her head “no.” “He is separated, but it’s my understanding that he and his wife have been trying to reconcile,” she paused, then added, “they’ve been in counseling.” She seemed to be disgusted.

“Thank you, Grace…very much.”

“Food truck OK,” Jillian asked.

Earlier, when Jillian was at ASU PD and before Grace Wilson called with her bombshell about Professor Keefer losing out on his promotion, Jillian had seen an email notice that food trucks would be on campus today.

“Sounds good,” he said. “That way we can eat on campus, and we’ll be here for the big protest demo.”

As they crossed the campus, Jillian saw little indication of what was to come. But, when they stopped at the fountain, midway between the MU and Wilson Hall, she did a slow ‘360’ and looked along the sight lines in all four directions: past the Social Sciences Building; past the MU; past the Business Complex; beyond Wilson Hall. She spotted motorcycle officers, one in each direction, standing like a lone sentry at an outpost…each one a good 100 yards away (probably more). She glanced at Wes who was looking, too.

At the food trucks, Wes ordered a Rocky Point fish taco (grilled) with a side of rice. From a different truck, Jillian ordered a sandwich: avocado, goat cheese and sprouts on sour dough. They both had iced green tea.

Jillian led them to Wilson Hall and to the ante-room to African, African American Studies on the first floor. It was like a lounge that was dominated by posters and memorabilia commemorating the African diaspora and African American contributions to US history. There were comfy chairs, and they scooted a low table toward them for their food.

Wes looked around the room and said, “Pays to have someone on the case with a sense of the campus. Originally, I thought you’d just be helping with the investigation, but now I see that it’s also important to know where to get food, and the best spaces for dining. I assume this spot is on TripAdvisor,” he laughed and toasted Jillian with his tea.

Jillian returned the toast. “This is a great spot. Sometimes, if I was early for a class, I’d come here and read. People walk through now and then, but mostly it’s quiet.”

Wes smiled again, “Jilly, I really do think it was a good move getting you back on campus. It somehow just seems to fit you.”

“It is nice being back. A little weird of course…since I’m in a different situation, but good, too.” She took a sip of tea, then asked, “So, what do you make of this business with Professor Keefer?”

“Well, something’s up…if nothing else because he chose not to mention the affair with the victim.”

Jillian finished a small bite and said, “There’s definitely campus intrigue going on. Grace told me that both Professors, Siemens and Keefer, were social climbers.”

“Suck up and kick down,” Wes responded.

She nodded. “One thing for sure, I’ll swing back to Professor Siemens’ condo and show a photo of Professor Keefer. I’ll pull the one from his ASU webpage when we get back to HQ. Actually, I re-show our whole gallery of photos…you never know.”

“Sounds good. And you know what, Jilly, I’m as interested in Keefer being ‘out’ as English Department chair as I am that he lost his promotion. That had to come from higher-up.”

“You mean President Davidos?”

“I assume so, yeah.”

“Wes, remember, I thought he showed something ‘personal’ when we were interviewing him. Do you think that maybe these decisions against Professor Keefer are some kind of revenge?”

“Yeah, I remember your take on Davidos after our interview. You could be right,“ he said and sipped his tea. “Course…this could be simply trying to avoid any embarrassment for ASU. I mean, do you want to promote some guy, some married guy, who’s having an affair with one of his subordinates, who ends up being murdered in her office…which is one floor above his?”

He thought for a couple of seconds, then added, “These decisions about Keefer have a lawyer’s thumb print on them. Don’t you know someone in the Legal Counsel office…whatever it’s called?”

“It’s the Office of General Counsel. And yes, I do, but she might not be permitted to discuss this…you know, the lawyer confidentiality thing? Also, Wes, in university-think, I don’t know if a department chair and the faculty are superior and subordinate, strictly speaking. I mean, professors are fairly independent.”

“Yeah, yeah, I remember all that from my U of A days. Still, to the non-university public AND the media, too, the chain of command is the chain of command. So, for Keefer to be promoted to dean when he’s been sleeping with a murder victim…not the kind of headline a university wants. But, you’re probably right about your ASU lawyer contact and the Keefer decision being confidential.” He shrugged and pursed his lips. ”You want to re-interview Davidos…am I right?”

Before Jillian could answer, Professor Zuzana Szabo said, “Hello again.” She emerged from the corridor to their left front…leaving the African, African American Studies faculty offices, which were down the hallway and out of sight from where they were seated.

Jillian and Wes said “hi” at the same time, and Wes stood.

“So, the first floor of Wilson Hall has become the police canteen,” she laughed.

Wes smiled and said, “Yes, Jillian is showing me ASU’s top 10 places to eat.”

“And food trucks, I see,” and laughed again.

Jillian said, “This room was always one of my favorite places to eat, especially when I was in a hurry.”

“It is a convenient spot.” She paused, then added, “Don’t’ forget, you’ve promised me a visit, Jillian.”

Jillian glanced at her wrist watch and said, “I could come by later this afternoon…maybe around 3pm or so…would that work?”

“Yes, of course. Chao, Jillian, Detective Sergeant Webb.”

They said their goodbyes, she left the anteroom, took a right