Chapter 9 #2
“Oh, we saw her,” Robin said with a sigh. “She practically chased me down across the quad this morning and had a police officer haul me off to the station for questioning.”
“What?” Beryl sat up straight in the chair. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely.” Robin gestured toward Oliver. “She found Oliver in the student union later on and had him taken in also.”
“That was you?” Beryl’s eyes were even wider. “I heard about someone being hauled off by the cops, but the people I heard it from didn’t know your name.”
“Well, you can let them know it was me. I wasn’t booked or arrested, just questioned. Dr. Brennan was furious, though, you’re right. Anything else you can think of?”
Beryl thought a moment before shaking her head, her eyes heavy and shadowed. “No. I’m just really wiped out and sad. I didn’t know Lucien well, but I liked him.”
“Do you know where he lived?”
“Sure. We all shared our addresses and numbers so we could meet up for study sessions or research.” She picked up her phone, and a short time later Robin’s phone dinged. “I sent you his contact information.”
“Thanks.” Robin’s expression softened. “You going to be okay?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve got this research paper due for another class, but my brain’s not running at full speed right now.”
Robin nodded. “Let me know if you want to go out for coffee or get something to eat. I’m happy to listen.”
Beryl’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thanks, Robs. I may take you up on that.”
“Thank you for talking with us,” Oliver said. “If you think of anything else or hear anything that might be of interest, can you let Robin know?”
“Sure. But why are you all so interested in this?”
“Being taken in for questioning is one big reason,” Oliver said with a smirk. “But, also, my friends and I have been involved in some pretty strange stuff over the years, and this whole situation is kind of weird.”
Beryl opened her mouth as if to say something, but yawned instead. She slouched a bit lower in her chair. “I’ll keep Robin updated.”
They thanked her again before filing out the door. Before he left the room, Oliver glanced back. Beryl had put her headphones on and was focused on her laptop once again.
“That was interesting,” Dave said, falling into step beside Oliver.
“Yeah, it was,” Oliver said.
“What do you guys think?” Robin was hurrying to keep up. “Is it a creepy case?”
“A missing mummy and one of the team murdered?” Cody said. “Yep. It’s a creepy case all right.”
“I’d like to talk to other members of the team,” Oliver said, glancing at his phone. It was already six. “It’s late, though. We should probably do that another day.”
“I do need to get back home,” Robin said. “I told my sister I would babysit for them tonight.”
They descended the stairs to the first floor. Oliver paused at the intersection. The halls were empty at the moment, a lull between daytime and evening classes. The yellow tape crisscrossing the door at the far end fluttered in a draft.
“You want to go check it.” Dave made it a statement instead of a question.
Oliver smiled. “Just to see if the door was forced.”
They moved down the hall, Cody’s work boots loud enough to echo. The overhead light above the door provided enough light for them to see the unmarked and intact door frame and handle.
“No damage,” Robin said.
“Someone with a key,” Cody suggested. “Or a good lock pick.”
“Yeah.” Oliver ran the pad of his thumb over the tips of his fingers, thinking about the touch of material and feel of bone beneath. “Or something.” He took a picture of the door then smiled at Robin. “Okay, let’s get you home so you can be a good sibling.”
The evening sun was warm, drenching the quad and parking lot in soft golden light.
Birds chirped and squirrels scampered between trees, but still Oliver had the urge to turn and glance over his shoulder.
Even though he’d been questioned and released, he had the very strong feeling none of this was over quite yet.
In the parking lot, Dave thanked Cody and gave him a hug. Oliver approached Cody after that. “I’m sorry I was bitchy.”
Cody grunted. “Just today or ever since we met?” Oliver glared, and Cody held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. Kind of an automatic reaction with you.” He nodded once and gave Oliver a gentle smile. “Apology accepted. I know it was a stressful day.”
Without warning, Cody pulled him into a hug. His arms were tight, and his body warm. With a quiet sense of alarm, Oliver thought he could understand what Demetrius saw in him.
“Let me know if you need anything.” Cody released him. “I mean it.”
“I know you do. Thank you.”
“Demmy’s probably going to want to talk with you.”
Oliver grinned. “I’m sure he will.”
Cody got into his truck, started the engine and, with a wave, drove out of the parking lot.
“That was nice of him,” Dave said, turning toward Oliver’s EcoSport.
“Yeah, it was.”
In deference to Dave’s longer legs, Robin climbed into the backseat. Oliver considered all that had happened since he’d parked there in the morning. With the events of the day tumbling in his mind, he exited the parking lot and headed for Thorndale.