Death of the Ayn Rand Scholar Read online

  Jillian jumped on this point. “Exactly. AND he also was inconsistent in his comments about Professor Keefer. During the first interview, he didn’t seem to know about him, but now, he knows a good deal…including that Professor Siemens was involved with him…and that she was going to end it.”

  “To give him the benefit of the doubt, he could have learned more about the Keefer thing after they’d started seeing each other again.”

  “But don’t forget, Wes, we’d just interviewed him, and he didn’t tell us. At least he didn’t make a lot of definitive claims about her ending things with Professor Keefer. I guess that makes him more believable.”

  “Maybe,” Wes said. “Maybe.”

  “Also,” Jillian continued, “the messages that we read between Professor Keefer and Professor Siemens do seem to indicate that she’s going to end it…he’s pushing and she’s non-committal.”

  “Agreed. What’d you think of his reaction to the info about President Davidos?”

  “I know we agreed to tell him some of that…just to see his reaction. Still, Wes, it was odd to say the least. He seemed to be bothered when I brought-up the possibility of something going on there.”

  “Which is why we told him. Anyway, yeah, he obviously knew about them being at that conference in Charlotte, but I had the sense that he didn’t know that she’d changed her ticket so that she could fly back with Davidos.”

  “Yes, I think that caught him off-guard,” Jillian said.

  “Could mean a bunch of things. That he was afraid that she was starting something up with Davidos…you know, competition if he’d hoped they were going to rekindle their romance. Or Roberts could also just be a control freak…especially if he wanted to get back with her…and our info about her and the Prez was something he hadn’t known…something beyond his control.”

  “That’s what I was going to say. If, as Professor Roberts said, that they were talking about being back together, this would have been an unforeseen complication.”

  “What about that, Jilly? Do you buy the ‘getting back together’ thing? There was nothing in any of the communication traffic that we saw to indicate anything like that, at least on HER part.”

  “Well, he admitted to being unsure about it. He said they were just talking…in person, not on email…which I guess…again…makes it more plausible.”

  Wes just nodded. The traffic light at University turned green as they approached, and there was another crowd crossing in both directions.

  They were both quiet as they crossed University, and for then a few seconds more. Jillian broke the silence.

  “So, he laid out all these disclaimers…they’re just talking, it’s a big commitment…all that. And, OK, those disclaimers make his comments seem…reasonable, but, I still have one big reservation: Miriam Moser.”

  They continued walking but now faced one another. “The Skysong woman,” Wes said.

  “Her Skysong good friend…who said that Professor Siemens wasn’t interested in being monogamous. Remember, that’s what ended their relationship in the first place…Roberts wanted it, but Professor Siemens didn’t.”

  “Well, Roberts said that she was getting tired of playing the field…that could be possible…”

  “Yes, or maybe it was just wishful thinking on his part.“

  He gave a non-comital nod. Then, “So the other big reveal is that Ian Naremore authored THE article that everyone’s talking about…at least, according to Professor Roberts. Thoughts?”

  Jillian had been Wes’ partner for long enough that she was used to this. He’d ask her opinion about an interview or a piece of evidence, but then interact with her as she answered. It wasn’t that she was just a sounding board…it was just his way. Once she’d gotten used to it…the interruptions, the back-and-fort…she engaged it, too. This interactive style made them better partners…definitely more successful partners.

  “Well, first of all, it answers the question of what the Professor was writing to Professor Naremore about. Remember her email just says ‘I know what you did’ but then doesn’t actually say what ‘it’ was. Now we know.”

  “Man, this is a lot of attention to an article…I mean, it’s just an article…right?”

  “These are people who deal in words, Wes. The nuances of language are everything to them. And apparently it’s a really big deal that the article was going to appear in The Chronicle. I’ve never actually read The Chronicle…or even seen it, but, I know that for professors it’s…well, they’re always referencing it.”

  Wes chewed his lower lip, then said, “I have to say…this thing with Naremore, it’s the closest thing we’ve seen to an actual motive. Threats back and forth, anger, the real deal. You know the man, Jilly…what do you think?”

  Jillian was quiet again as they crossed 5th. Once across, she said, “I’m trying to think about this objectively, which is hard. I’ve had Professor Naremore in class…two classes. He was a member of my undergrad honors committee…and of my masters committee.”

  She thought more, then said, “He’s very opinionated...very sure that his opinions are correct and that other opinions are basically wrong. And I know that he and Professor Siemens were academic enemies…he told me that himself. They really went after each other in print in academic publications. And again, for these people, how you critique another professor, especially if it’s in print…that is serious business.”

  As they entered the building, Jillian said, “I’ve heard stories about professors not speaking to each other…ever again…over something that happened years before.”

  In the elevator, Wes punched the button and said, “I guess you can see this article as Naremore doubling-down on her. And, from what you’re saying, publishing it in The Chronicle,” he shook his head in mock emphasis, “is the ultimate insult. He threatens and she responds…she threatens and he responds. It’s like the academic equivalent of two drunks arguing in a bar during the Super Bowl. You know, pool cues start swinging and then the guns come out…and somebody ends up dead or dying. Jilly, would your Professor Naremore back down or would he, as The Eagles say, take it to the limit?”

  The elevator door opened. “OK, he’s aggressive…intellectually, that’s for sure. And from what I read about him back when he played college tennis, he’s aggressive in sports competition, too. But still, Wes, I can’t imagine that Ian Naremore would violently beat someone to death.”

  Jillian was quiet after she said this. Wes was quiet, too. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, almost to herself, “I don’t know if it’s that I don’t believe he’d kill her, or that I don’t want to believe he would.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Jillian and Wes left the Tempe PD in time to arrive five minutes early at President Davidos’ office. Hawley, the aide, told them the President was on a phone call—long distance, he volunteered—and asked them to have a seat in the outer office. He got each of them a bottle of water.

  President Davidos opened his office door about seven minutes late and invited them in. Everyone sat in the same seats as before.

  He got right to it. “I understand that you have new information in your investigation. I trust this is good news…I hope to have this resolved soon,” he said, and looked at each of them. “The reason for the delay just now is that I was taking a call from a parent, who is also a donor…a rather significant donor…who is worried about his daughter’s safety at ASU. This is the fifth such call since the media picked-up the story. Let me reiterate that I want to have this situation resolved VERY soon,” he said, and again looked at each of them.

  Jillian nodded, and spoke first as she and Wes had planned. “Yes, we now have the forensic results of Professor Siemens’ electronic devices. We wanted to chat with you about some of our discoveries. We did want to say, though, that the forensics information essentially reinforces other information that we’ve learned thro
ugh interviews.”

  “Understood,” he answered.

  Jillian continued. “President Davidos, one interesting point that we’ve learned is about an affair between the Professor Siemens and Professor Jonathan Keefer. We also learned that Professor Keefer had been slated for a promotion to the Dean’s office, but that has been rescinded. We wondered if there was any connection between their affair and that personnel decision.”

  Davidos didn’t answer at first. He stared at Jillian for a few seconds. She thought that he must have been expecting them to give him information, not to ask him questions.

  Finally, he responded, “Actually, the promotion was to Associate Dean, which had not been approved, so it was not rescinded.”

  Jillian again, “And we learned that Professor Keefer is also ‘out’ as the Chair of the English Department.” She ended with a declarative sentence but her demeanor was asking a question?”

  “Detective Sergeant, I’m not in the habit of having to justify my decisions.”

  Wes, who rarely took notes during interviews—he had once told Jillian that not taking notes was better for the flow of the interview and for observing expressions and gestures—made a point of taking a pen from his shirt pocket and opening his notebook. When he finished, he looked up at President Davidos and gave a slight nod, but remained silent, his pen poised.

  Davidos filled-in the silence. “Very well. Let’s just say that it was a team decision not to promote Professor Keefer to Associate Dean…and, that he not should continue as the Chair of ASU’s English Department. This was a Prime decision. Prime is my closest advisory group, consisting of The Provost, two senior deans, the University CFO, and ASU’s General Counsel. Prime is advisory, but more often than not we are on the same page…as we were in this case.” He looked at them again, and, perhaps because she’d asked the questions, his look lingered on Jillian.

  When he continued, his look shifted back to Wes. “Once the affair was known, and in light of the murder, we deemed it not in ASU’s best interest that Professor Keefer serve in a highly visible administrative capacity. That is simply not an image that we want out there…it is not consistent with ASU’s brand.” Although Davidos said this in a matter of fact tone, he seemed irked to Jillian.

  “My question to you, to both of you…are you suggesting that Professor Keefer…I believe the way you put it…is a person of interest?”

  Jillian answered, “At this stage, President Davidos, we are interested in anyone who was linked into Professor Siemens…and if there are any possible motives for any of these people.”

  “And you think that losing a promotion might be a motive. How?”

  “An affair with someone who’s been murdered is a relevant connection, as is a lost promotion. These are interesting coincidences, and we are doing everything possible to gather more details.”

  “I see.”

  Jillian dreaded the next part, but forged ahead. “Because this is a murder investigation, we did have a proper search warrant for all of Professor Siemens’ possessions…car…home…both campus offices…and, of course her electronic devices. We saw that she had had an exchange with you after the two of you attended a conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. You flew back to Phoenix on the same flight and in adjacent seats.”

  “That’s no secret, and surely it’s not a crime, either.”

  “What is interesting,” she continued, “is that Professor Siemens changed flights at the last minute and also obtained an upgrade from coach to first class.”

  “I assume that changing a flight and upgrading to first isn’t a crime, either.” He paused, then continued, “And how did you obtain this information?“

  “Through our investigation,” Jillian answered being as vague as possible.

  “And why was this aspect of the investigation necessary?” He looked first at Wes, then settled his gaze again on Jillian.

  “We were following a communication thread that started with Professor Siemens’ change of flight from Charlotte, and then continued through emails and texts with you.”

  “I see,” he nodded. “Well, since you asked, Professor Siemens and I started a ‘thread of conversation’ that began at the conference in Charlotte, and continued through our return flight. She had a promising idea for an upcoming conference on Ayn Rand. She wanted to invite business leaders in the Valley to the conference. I though the idea had merit and wanted to vet it further.”

  He seemed about to stop, but after a couple of seconds, continued. “As for the expense, my time is valuable. My schedule is always fully committed, and having her change flights and sit in adjoining seats was…efficient. The follow-up emails and texts were just that: follow-up. I certainly cannot remember them, but cannot imagine that they were suspicious in any way.”

  Wes spoke. “Apologies for the personal nature of this next question, President Davidos. We know that the affair between Professor Siemens and Professor Keefer started at a conference. We also know that you and Professor Siemens were at a conference together…and then flew back together. So…”

  Davidos interrupted him, “If you are implying…”

  Wes interrupted him, “We are not implying, President Davidos. We’re asking…a simple yes or no.”

  “Then no. And if, as you say, you’ve read my messages to her, then you know most assuredly that there was no questionable communication on my part…full stop.”

  Wes said, “Yes, although her comments could be taken as more suggestive.”

  “Mine, however, could not be so construed. Even though I do not recall all of them, I know that they were appropriate. As for Professor Siemens’ sense of this…well, she is beyond asking. I will only say that ASU continues to be a place where we do not tolerate sexually problematic behavior…at any level.“

  He turned toward Jillian and said, “Perhaps you can speak to this, Detective Sergeant Warne since you are on our Sexual Assault Task Force. By the way, what is the status of that report? “

  Jillian recognized that he was trying to volley the ball back to her court, and she was prepared. “Our meetings have gone well…the team is a strong one and we’re working well together. I expect a draft soon, although of course, the team’s recommendations will have to be vetted by Chief McCaslin and Chief Rosas before they come to you…and your team.”

  “Yes, I’ll be in contact with both your chiefs on these matters…rest assured,” he said and looked at each of them for a second or two.

  “I guess Davidos does live up to his rep,” Wes said on their short walk back to Tempe HQ. “He likes to be the guy asking questions, not the one answering them.”

  “Yes, and he likes staring and glaring and trying to keep you off balance.”

  “Yes, that business about not being used to explaining his decisions. He lets you know that he is The Man. I did like it that his closest advisory team is called ‘Prime.‘ Wonder if the team under that is ‘Sub-prime,’ you know, like the bad mortgages in the recession?” Wes laughed at his own joke, then said, “Anyway, you handled it all very well. You always seemed like you were one step ahead of him.”

  “Well, some of that was because we’d planned it.”

  “And some of it is that you are just quick on your feet…know what I mean,” Wes said, and pointed to his head and laughed again.

  “He’s just always making these aside about calling Al.”

  “I think that’s the ‘keeping you off balance’ part…or trying to. And somehow, I don’t think Al will be intimidated by him. What do you think? He laughed again.

  “This doesn’t bother you, does it?”

  “Comes with the territory, Jilly. What does bother me is that we don’t know who murdered the Professor. Look, I know you’ve had some doubts about Davidos...how about now?”

  They waited for traffic on 5th. “I guess it’s just that he creeps me out. But you’re right
about the texts and emails…anything going on there was on her end, not his…as he was quick to point out.”

  “Unless he’s just too smart to get caught,” Wes said, and cut his eyes toward Jillian. There was a break in the traffic and they crossed the street. As they entered their building, Wes said, “I do have a favor to ask, Jilly.”

  “Of course. What is it?”

  “You said you had time for a drink at Postinos…I thought we could walk over together after we sort through our notes of the interview with Davidos.”

  “Sounds good. I’ve already organized my notes with Professor Roberts. And Postinos is perfect because later, I’m meeting my friend from ASU Legal there…Sarah Wells.”

  “Yeah, you said. Anyway, I’ve invited someone to join us…Georgia Ronson…Detective Georgia Ronson.”

  “Sure…so who is she?”

  “Well, she’s just out of the academy and starting with Tempe PD as a detective. Sound familiar?”

  Jillian nodded and smiled.

  “Anyway, she’s very poised and confident and nervous…all at the same time. I thought maybe you could give her some words of encouragement…having been through the same thing not that long ago…Detective Sergeant Warne.”

  “Be happy to, Detective Sergeant Webb. What’s her story?”

  “She’s from LA. Some of our recruiters ran across her—actually, she answered an ad. She went to UCLA and majored in Business Admin.”

  “A little like you, huh?”

  “Well, not exactly…remember I was in Public Admin. Her Business degree is the real thing…Accounting, no less.”

  “That sounds intense.”

  “Yes…and, she is very smart. I think you two will hit it off. Thanks for talking with her…I’m sure that she has lots of questions about this whole detective thing. Her folks were not coppers, no brothers who were fire fighters, so this is all new to her…like it was with you. She also mentioned she’s toying with the idea of maybe getting a masters’ degree down the road. I thought you could discuss that with her, too.”