Death of the Ayn Rand Scholar by Gray Cavender

Author:Gray Cavender [Cavender, Gray]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-21T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Jillian dropped her purse and her IPAD case on the desk and turned toward her office door…she was going to say good morning to Wes…but, her cell phone rang and a text came through, literally both at the same time. She answered the call…it was Grace Wilson asking about coffee later in the afternoon. Jillian suggested the café in the Hayden Library.

The text was from Mom, reminding her of dinner tonight. She and Dad would stop by at 6:30; their reservation was for 7pm. Jillian texted back, “K.”

She walked over to the coffee station, poured a cup and held the carafe up toward Wes in his office. He nodded “yes” so she walked over to his office and topped-up his Springsteen mug. He nodded his appreciation, then said, “Go ahead, Jilly, make my day…tell me that your phone call was the perp calling to confess.”

“Absolutely, Detective Sergeant Webb. And get this…it was President Davidos himself…he said it was for the good of the ASU community.”

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.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.