Medieval Murders Read Online Free PDF Page B

he’s the priest there. I could never quite understand that whole thing.”
    “Why?” asked Elkins.
    “She was always going on about how the Catholic Church was the embodiment of paternalism and the greatest oppressor of women in the world, and yet, by all appearances, she was a fairly devout Catholic. But then there were lots of things I didn’t understand about Sheila. She described herself as a radical vegetarian and animal rights advocate, but every week or two I’d find her eating a Coney dog she had smuggled in. I once confronted her on it, and she told me she really liked Coney dogs, said it was her one inconsistency. I didn’t bother to mention a few others.”
    “Do you know anything about her family?”
    “Her mother died a few years ago. I think her father was long dead. She never said anything about siblings, so I always assumed that she didn’t have any, although I don’t know that for sure.”
    “Do you know of any romantic interests?” asked Pascoe.
    “Well, no. I didn’t see her in the company of any men, and they didn’t come around here looking for her. Other than Margrave and Father Bob, I didn’t hear her calling a specific man on a regular basis.” She paused. “I do know she took part in some gay rights activities, but I never knew if her participation was anything more than an act of solidarity.”
    “You did manage to get along?”
    “Yes, it’s interesting. We worked out a relationship of sorts, a live-let-live arrangement. Sheila had her own way of organizing,” she gestured to the other side of the office, “and I have mine.” She paused and looked thoughtful. “I have to tell you that even though I found her rather difficult, there were some good things. She was a poor teacher. She didn’t do enough preparation and was completely disorganized, but she cared about some of her students. I watched her counsel them, work with them. She could be very kind. Do you know what I’m saying? There were many inconsistencies in her character. It’s hard to say who she really was. There were times I liked and respected her. There were other times when I was ambivalent.”
    “Do you know if she ever received any threatening letters or phone calls?” Elkins asked.
    “I don’t know about phone calls or letters. I do know, boy do I know, that she had some pro-life people unhappy with her. Remember two years ago when that group came to town and tried to close the Family Planning Center?”
    Elkins nodded.
    “Sheila organized the opposition. She made sure that there were enough ‘choice’ people—students, faculty, and townspeople—that the crazies were outnumbered and out-shouted. During that time our office was ransacked, my things, too. It was a real mess. Her apartment was hit, also. I’m sure you can find a police report on it. The perpetrators were never apprehended. The police thought whoever did it was looking for a list of volunteers. The irony, of course, is that Sheila would never have been organized enough to have a list.”
    “How about students, conflicts over grades, anything like that?”
    “I know she’s had some in the past. But I didn’t witness anything in the last year or two.”
    “Monday’s meeting, what time did you get to the meeting?” asked Elkins.
    “About half past eight. I like to get there early so I can get a seat in the back.”
    “And you didn’t see Professor Bensen on your way in?”
    “No.”
    “When was the last time you saw her?”
    “Late last week. I’d stopped in to Xerox some syllabi. We chatted briefly.” She looked at Elkins, and anticipating his next question continued, “Just exchanged pleasantries, really. Neither one of us had taught this summer. Don’t think I had seen her since June.”
    “And you didn’t miss her at the meeting?”
    “Quite frankly, I wasn’t looking for her. It’s a big department, over a hundred, counting adjuncts.”
    “Did you notice anyone leaving the lecture hall during the