Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Wednesday morning at ten o’clock, Ailbe’s office phone rang. The caller ID displayed President. “Dr. MacGowan,” he answered.
“Dr. MacGowan, President Riordan wants to see you in his office.”
He recognized the voice of Miss Sweeney, the President’s secretary. “I suppose now would be good,” Ailbe said.
“Yes, Dr. MacGowan. I’ll let Dr. Riordan know you are on your way.”
“I shall be there as quickly as I can.” Ailbe hung up the phone.
Once more, he made the trek across campus to the Administration Building and Dr. Riordan’s office. When Ailbe entered the suite, his office door was open. Miss Sweeney nodded her head, indicating he should go on in.
“Dr. Riordan,” Ailbe quietly rapped on the door frame.
“Ailbe, come in,” Dr. Riordan said. He stood and walked from behind his massive desk. “Please, sit.” He motioned to one of the tufted leather chairs in front of his desk. The leather felt cold as Ailbe sat. Dr. Riordan sat opposite him.
“Once again, I have bad news, I’m afraid. Garda found another of your students dead yesterday morning.”
“You’re kidding,” Ailbe feigned surprise. “Which one?”
“Fergus Rafferty,” Dr. Riordan said.
“Rafferty?” Ailbe frowned. “He was an accomplished student, destined to be an accomplished programmer.”
“Oddly, two of your top students have met their demise this semester,” Dr. Riordan continued. “I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t a plot to handicap your program and perhaps put you in danger.” Dr. Riordan’s voice was deep and comforting, and his brow creased slightly.
“You think I might be in danger?” This little wrinkle had never occurred to Ailbe. It was actually brilliant and cleared him of suspicion entirely. “I never considered that possibility, Dr. Riordan.” For once, Ailbe was telling the truth. For all his scheming, he never conjured up this diversion.
“Ailbe, take caution. We don’t know who is behind these deaths. The Gardaí believe both are suspicious, although no motive or suspect has emerged. I don’t want unseen forces taking one of our top professors at GMIT.”
Ailbe was flattered. “Thank you, Dr. Riordan. I will exercise the utmost care.”
“That is good to hear. I will rest easier knowing you are aware of the risk.”
“Yes, sir. And if there is anything I can do to help with the investigation, please let me know.”
Dr. Riordan stood. “Thank you, Ailbe. I’ll be in touch should the need arise.”
Ailbe stood and shook Dr. Riordan’s hand, then departed his office.
As he walked back across the campus, he was pleased that Dr. Riordan had actually considered him to be in danger. Perhaps the Gardaí also shifted the focus away from him and onto an unknown individual. Brilliant!
When he arrived at his office, Chief Superintendent O'Brien stood in the hallway. Ailbe knew this was trouble.
“Chief Superintendent, how nice to see you again.” Ailbe plastered an insincere smile across his face.
“Dr. MacGowan, it’s good to see you as well. May I borrow a moment of your time?”
“Certainly, Chief Superintendent. Dr. Riordan called me to his office to share the tragic news about Fergus Rafferty. I’m shocked that yet another student has met an untimely end to his promising young life.”
Ailbe unlocked his office, holding the door for O’Brien to enter first. O’Brien sat in one of the chairs in front of Ailbe’s desk. Ailbe removed his coat and scarf, hung them on the coat tree near his desk, then took his seat. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“Did you know that Rafferty was talking on a cell phone to Moynihan the morning he was murdered?”
“Murdered? Have you determined homicide is definitely in play here, Chief?” Ailbe recalled their initial conversation and the uncertainty O’Brien conveyed about the cause of death.
“While we do not have a weapon or a motive, we also have nothing to suggest otherwise. Back to Rafferty, did you know he and Moynihan were conversing that morning?”
“I did not know that Chief.”
“Do you have any reason to believe Rafferty was in danger?”
“Mr. Rafferty was a brilliant student. I cannot imagine why any student would be a threat to someone, much less in danger.”
“We feel the same way, Dr. MacGowan. That is why we are so puzzled at his death.”
“Do the Gardaí have any reason to believe this death was not accidental?”
“Our investigation is ongoing,” O’Brien said. “Still, preliminary evidence from the crime scene indicates a strong probability of murder.”
Ailbe feigned shock, pausing for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. “I’m surprised, Chief Superintendent. I cannot imagine why anyone would harm Fergus Rafferty.”
“We cannot either, Dr. MacGowan. Was Rafferty working on anything unique in your course?”
“Only the regular course project.” Ailbe continued the charade.
“The same project Keenan Moynihan was working on?”
“Yes,” Ailbe nodded. “All students work on the same project. As I explained before, each student has an individual piece, but all pieces fit together into a whole.”
“I do recall you mentioning that aspect, Dr. MacGowan, but thanks for the reminder.” O’Brien wrote in his small notebook, hoping to unnerve Ailbe.
“Did Rafferty get along well with his fellow students?” O’Brien asked.
“That he did. He was well-liked and popular.”
“Did you notice any jealousy from other students?”
“No. In fact, after Kennan Moynihan disappeared, he was always the first to help those who were struggling.”
“Have you seen any unknown individuals hanging around the facility?”
“No. Not many people are interested in our technology program, so we don’t have many visitors, known or unknown.”
“Can you think of any reason anyone would want to harm Mr. Rafferty?”
“No reason at all, Chief.”
O’Brien wrote in his notebook while Ailbe watched. He folded the notebook and put it, along with the pencil, in his pocket.
“Thank you for your time, Dr. MacGowan. I apologize if I disturbed your work.”
“I’m glad to help, Chief O’Brien. Student murder is indeed a tragedy.”
O’Brien rose, put on his hat, and left.
* * *
At the Gardaí station, O’Brien settled into his office. “Healy!” he shouted.
“Yes, Chief.” Sergeant Healy appeared in the doorway.
“After my conversation with Rafferty’s neighbor, Grace Hallion, and from the details of Glenn Cross’s conversation with Garrett Burke, I’m concerned for the safety of the other students.
I would like you to meet with Pearson and Cross to discuss my concerns.
It is best done in person rather than over the phone. ”
“Yes, sir,” Healy responded. “I will set something up with them.”
“Good, Healy. Maybe you and Todd could meet them for drinks or something.”
“Todd, sir?”
“Healy, I don’t want to take advantage of your relationship, but this could be important. Do you think Todd would mind playing along?”
“Sir, Todd will gladly help if I ask him.”
“Well?”
“I’ll ask him.”
“Good. To outside observers, it would appear more like a social call. This case is so sensitive that I do not want to take any risks. I need to find out if we can get Garrett Burke to be a mole for us. I want to learn more about what MacGowan has his students doing.”
“Sir, isn’t Wyl Sterling working on that?”
“Yes, Healy. But Sterling is working at it from MacGowan’s angle. I need someone who can give us the perspective from the student’s angle.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Now… call Cross or Pearson and see if you and Todd can meet them at their place for drinks. It will be completely innocent to any outside observers, and you can chat with Pearson and Cross about what I need.”
“I’ll get right on it, sir.” Healy turned to go to his desk. “Oh…and sir?”
“Yes, Healy?”
“Thanks.”
“You’re a good man, Paddy, and you do good work. I should be thanking you.”
“No…thanks for acknowledging Todd.”
“Healy, what you do at home is your business. But that doesn’t mean I don’t recognize your relationship and happiness. Now go and make that call.”
Healy smiled, and left O’Brien’s office.
Back at his desk, he called Glenn Cross and proposed that he and Todd come over for drinks one evening. Glenn checked with James, and they agreed that Saturday lunch would be better, given James’ work schedule.
* * *
At eleven o’clock Saturday morning, the doorbell rang, and James answered.
“You must be Paddy Healy.” James offered his hand.
“And you’re James Pearson,” Paddy grasped the offered hand. “This is my partner, Todd Fielding. We enjoy hearing you perform at Wilde’s.”
“Now that you mention it, I’ve noticed you both in the audience. It is a pleasure to have you in our home. Please, won’t you come in?” James stepped aside and motioned them inside.
Paddy and Todd came in.
“Hi, Paddy,” Glenn said. “It’s good to see you again. We don’t usually meet under such relaxed circumstances.”
“Hello, Glenn. You’re right. We’re usually in a hurry, and almost always in a rather secluded place. Glenn, this is my partner, Todd Fielding. Todd, this is Glenn Cross. I mentioned him before.”
“Ah, yes, the Glenn Cross. It’s good to meet you, Glenn.” Todd shook hands.
“Good to meet you, too, Todd. Won’t you both have a seat?”
“What’s your pleasure, gents? How about a Bloody Mary? We’re having brunch, after all,” James offered.
“A Bloody Mary sounds good,” Paddy responded. “You want one, Todd?”
“You bet,” Todd answered. “Make mine spicy.”
“Oh, me too,” Paddy chimed in.
“Bloody Marys coming up.” James walked into the kitchen to prepare their drinks.
“So…I understand from your phone call that this visit isn’t entirely social.” Glenn sat across from Paddy and Todd.
“No,” Paddy said. “O’Brien is being extra cautious since the second student was found dead. He suggested that I set up this meeting and bring Todd along so it would appear we were two gay couples getting together.”
“So, what does he have in mind?” James asked from the kitchen. He ran a lime slice along the rim of each glass before inverting it in salt.