The Far Time Incident Read Online Free PDF Page B

I have no idea how it will affect our chances in Stockholm. Don’t go spreading this around, but I’ve heard that Xavier and Gabriel were high on the list.” Lewis sighed andbrushed a bit of lint off his suit. It wasn’t just vanity; he represented the science departments through good times and bad. They were expecting him at the campus TV station for the taping of a special announcement. “By the way, I’ve had to promise Erika the first spot when STEWie runs resume,” he added before picking up his briefcase and coat. I followed him out and then headed down to the building kitchenette. I grabbed cheese and grapes from the fridge, stacked several boxes of crackers on top, and hurried over to the TTE building. A meeting to discuss Dr. Mooney’s accident had been called; since Lewis was needed for the TV taping, I would be representing the dean’s office.
    Chief Kirkland was in the conference room. He’d taken a chair not at the rectangular table, but by the narrow windows at the far end of the room, where the blinds were drawn against the falling snow, giving a cozy feeling to the otherwise rather utilitarian space. He sat there with one of his long arms draped over the side of the chair, watching Dr. Mooney’s colleagues shuffle in—and his students, too. The professor had made many friends and connections in his years at St. Sunniva. Everyone wore that slightly stunned look people get when something bad happens unexpectedly. I hoped there would be enough refreshments to go around. (Providing a food spread wasn’t technically part of my job description, but I found that it made meetings run more smoothly, and thought that it might be especially needed today.)
    As I walked in carrying the food, Chief Kirkland shook his head at me, seeming a little less standoffish than usual. “He wasn’t at his house. Neighbors had no idea where Dr. Mooney could be or where he might have been planning to go. Things were in a bit of a disarray inside the house,” he added. “Old books were strewn all over, with notes penciled in margins. Also a lot of chocolate bar wrappers and empty pie containers.”
    “Dr. Mooney had a bit of a sweet tooth. And the books wouldn’t be unusual for any of our professors,” I said, trying to wrestle open a goat cheese log by puncturing its wrap with a plastic knife. As Kamal came in and took a seat near the door, I finally succeeded in getting the package open and plopped the goat cheese down, rattling the platter of food. Abigail hurried in a few minutes later. While we waited for Gabriel Rojas—the mild-mannered professor often forgot about meetings, though I was sure he would make this one—I offered cheese to Officer Van Underberg.
    He shook his head politely. “No thank you, ma’am.”
    “There’s Brie, a goat cheese log—or what used to be a log—grapes, Gouda—”
    “Appreciate it, ma’am, but I’m on duty.” He took out his pencil, which appeared to have gone dull yet again, and sharpened it before tucking both the pencil and the sharpener—a square one that collected its own shavings—back into his uniform’s front pocket.
    “I find that a pen is more reliable than a pencil for taking notes, Officer Van Underberg,” I pointed out helpfully.
    “Yes, ma’am. It’s just that I’m worried about getting ink stains on my new uniform, ma’am.”
    I set the cheese tray back on the conference table and asked Chief Kirkland, who shook his head at the food, “Why does your officer keep calling me ma’am?”
    “Van Underberg’s new at this.”
    The security chief’s gaze barely brushed me before settling on Dr. Rojas, who had hurried in at last and taken a seat. I was a bit surprised by the chief’s demeanor, but supposed that even accidents merited a thorough investigation.
    From the head of the table, Dr. Baumgartner, her blonde hair falling freely around her shoulders now that she’d exchanged thepeasant-wear for casual slacks and a sweater, nodded to thank me