Chapter 54

The discovery of the underground passage at the Lenape King generated much excitement, as it seemed to promise a speedy conclusion. In fact, it was a brick wall. Everything pointed to Alison. But they needed to find her and, in spite of Bruno’s regular monitoring, there were no solid leads to indicate where she was hiding.

Chief Black dispatched Michelle and Nancy to the Penn campus. Most of the faculty showed appropriate concern and were quite helpful. Each explained in turn that Alison had written to say she could not attend classes due to health reasons. But she was keeping up with the reading, downloading the lecture notes, and mailing in her homework.

The one exception was Professor Littlejohn in the Sociology Department. He actually had a lawyer sitting in on the interview with him. Instead of answering questions, he made a speech. Obviously, he was trying to evade the issue. Why? Did he know something? Or was he just another pompous blowhard? Nancy and Michelle ducked out at the first opportunity.

Then they caught a break. One of the professors, an odd, old duffer named John Barker, admitted that he remembered receiving the envelopes, but hadn’t opened them. “They must be here somewhere,” he muttered as he riffled through a stack of papers piled on a credenza. “I teach a course in physics for non-majors,” Professor Barker explained. “We used to call it Physics for Poets but the students didn’t like the look of it on their transcripts. Said they wanted something more robust. So now we call it Postmodern Physics: The Flow of Energy in the Cosmos and on Earth. In fact, it’s the same course I’ve been teaching for 30 years. Physics is physics.”

He moved to another pile and continued rummaging. “I assign the papers, but I can’t bear to read them. They’re utterly idiotic.” His face brightened as he moved aside a stack of journals, “Ah, I think I’ve found them.” Michelle moved closer. She pulled out her latex gloves and evidence bags.

“Yes, here they are. Alison’s are the ones in manila envelopes. She’s quite attractive. I was sorry when she stopped coming to class …”

“Excuse me, professor,” said Michelle, gently moving him aside. She carefully extricated the tan envelopes while Nancy held open the bags to receive them. “You have been extremely helpful,” said Michelle, “and we are grateful.”

She turned to go, but Professor Barker detained her. He was blushing. “I’m a bit embarrassed about not reading the papers and I wanted to explain …”

“It’s not necessary, Professor,” said Nancy gently. “You’re doing your job the best way you know how. If the kids do some of the reading, learn a little about physics, you’re way ahead of the game.”

“Yes, but …”

“Professor, I understand.” She fixed him with her steady green-eyed gaze.

Professor Barker struggled to maintain some of his dignity, but Nancy pressed the advantage: “Professor Barker? There’s one more thing …”

“Yes. What is it?”

“You wouldn’t mind if we took your fingerprints, would you?”

The Professor rolled his eyes toward the unfeeling cosmos. Why was he putting up with this, he asked himself, when he could be casting dry flies to rising rainbows? It really was time to retire.