Death of the Ayn Rand Scholar, Gray Cavender [short books for teens .txt] 📗

worried his lip, then said, “I’d characterize what Professor Spann was describing not so much a grudge as…I don’t know…resignation, maybe. The thing is…Spann’s feelings about her…against her, I should say…I think they are ongoing.”

“Enough so that maybe he did this…?”

“I don’t know, Jilly. Except I do know this…their relationship did not end in the way that Susan Moser told us. Now, maybe she didn’t know herself…or maybe she did…and just didn’t tell is the truth…”

“Any idea which…?”

Wes just shook his head “no.” He was quiet for a few seconds, then said, “OK, your turn…tell me about your interview with Professor Naremore.”

They remained in the interrogation room, and for the next several minutes, she updated Wes on what she’d been doing. Jillian didn’t underplay her take on the interview with Professor Naremore—she described in detail the ‘feud’ that he and Professor Siemens had, including that there were hard feelings between them —but she didn’t share everything, like what he’d said about it being a good thing that she was dead.

Wes nodded now and then and asked a couple of questions. When they’d finished vetting the interview, he said, “Tough, isn’t it…interviewing someone you know…and respect…for something that’s so bad.” This was a statement more than a question.

Jillian nodded “yes,” then said, “I know people sometimes have sides that they don’t always show in public…but, Wes, I just don’t think Professor Naremore would have murdered someone, even someone he seriously disliked.”

“Well, you know him best…and that counts for a lot in my book,” he said and smile, then added, “Let’s hope you’re right.”

He flipped through his note pad, found the page he was looking for, and gave her Peter Voss’ update on the Professor’s car and their canvas at her condo…mostly what he’d told Jillian earlier.

Jillian said, “Let’s go back to Eduardo’s office and I’ll use the ASU webpages…we can print photos of all the relevant players. Officer Voss and his team can show the photos and ask if anyone has seen any of these guys.”

“Good idea, but let’s not limit this to guys. Print a photo of Susan Moser, too.”

“Are you thinking that…?”

“Like I said, there are some discrepancies in terms of what she said about how Spann’s relationship ended with the Professor. Really, though, at this stage, I’m not thinking much of anything. I’m trying to collect info...what you academic types would call data.”

She smiled again and said, “OK.”

On the way to his desk, Wes said, “Oh, and before I forget, the Chief asked me to come by her office—this was right after I got back from my interview with Professor Spann, and before I found you googling folks in an interrogation room.” He smiled. “I had to wade through a news crew that was camped-out in front of her office…there was another one outside in front of the building.”

“l saw the ones out front…I think they’re the same group we dodged over on campus.”

“Really…good eye. Anyway, the Chief told me that in addition to whatever else we’d scheduled tomorrow, we’ll be having another interesting meeting…” he paused for affect…”with ASU President Jacques Davidos.”

“Wow! And why…?”

“This is a high-profile case……not only has an ASU professor been murdered…ON the campus, she’s a highly visible professor.”

“I know...” Jillian added, “…even her Wiki page said that she’s controversial.”

“There you go. Or I should say, there we go…which, of course, explains the media coverage. Anyway, I’m supposed to call President Davidos’ assistant,’ he glanced at his wristwatch, “…in about twenty minutes, and make an appointment for tomorrow…as early as possible. The Chief said that Davidos himself had called her and requested the meeting. Although from what she said, I don’t know that ‘requested’ is the correct word…if you get my meaning…”

“I understand, although I’m afraid that we might have to work around a meeting that I have to attend: tomorrow morning at nine…the Campus Sexual Harassment Task Force. When I was walking back from my interview with Professor Naremore, I had a text saying that we’re on tomorrow morning. I figure that the meeting will last maybe an hour and a half. It’s in ASU Foundation Building, so I’ll be around. I assume that the President’s office is there.”

“That’s what the Chief said. Anyway, when I call the assistant, I’ll say we are unavailable during your meeting…the Chief said that we’re both to go to meet with Davidos. And, I know that your task force is important. How many of you are on it?”

“Let’s see…in addition to me, there’s Ersula Tenney from Tempe PD, a woman from ASU’s legal office—she’s obviously a lawyer—a professor who’s in ASU’s Faculty Senate, another guy from ASU’s PR office, a professor from Women and Gender Studies—I’ve actually had a class with her—and a student rep—she’s a member of the national organization that created such a stir about all this…you know, that universities weren’t doing enough.

“Oh yeah, I remember. I’d been following these stories mainly in the sports pages…you know, allegations about college athletes essentially getting a ‘pass’ on their bad behavior…rape, harassment, whatever. But then, the stories moved up to the front page, and went national. That’s when the part emerged about universities covering it up, or at the least or not taking it seriously. That’s also when you start to see claims that the police weren’t following-up.”

“Right, which is where the Task Force comes in.”

“And you were already on it when you were still here at Tempe PD, right?”

“Yes, Lt. Timms assigned me to it. Then, when I moved over to ASU, Al thought it made for good continuity to keep me on. And Lt. Timms replace me with me Ersula Tenney.”

“She replaced you on the Task Force and in Research, too?”

“Yes, she’s very sharp. Her MS is in Geography from ASU, and her specialty is GIS.”

“I’ve met her…and you’re right, she’s sharp. And she’s a good fit for the Task Force?”

“She is. She had a double major as an undergrad—Geography AND Women and Gender Studies—so she’s perfect.”

“OK, so I’ll call the President’s assistant and see