Chapter 11
The administration building had old-world charm with high ceilings, ornate details, and a rotunda. The halls had a majestic quality.
JD and I stepped into the dean's office, and I flashed my badge to the receptionist. "Is Dean Montgomery available?"
"I believe so," she replied with concern in her eyes. "May I tell him what this is in reference to?”
"The death of Gabby Templeton.”
She winced. "I'll let him know you're here.
" She picked up the phone and dialed an extension.
"There are two deputies here to see you about the Templeton situation.
" She listened for a response, then said, “Certainly.
I'll tell them." She ended the call and smiled at us.
"You can go on back," she said, pointing to his office.
We stepped around the desk and moved across the room. Dark wood-paneled walls gave it an elegant feel.
I tapped on the dean's door before pushing inside.
Harrison Montgomery sat behind a large oak desk. He stood up to greet us.
The office was lined with leather-bound books, oil paintings of the campus, and framed certificates of accomplishment. There were tufted leather chairs across from the desk, and a couch by the window. An American flag stood guard behind the desk, and a state flag kept it company.
Harrison was a heavy guy in his mid-50s with hair parted on one side and combed over. He had a thick mustache and a round face. Well dressed in a charcoal suit and waistcoat, he was meticulous in his appearance.
We shook hands, and he offered us a seat across the desk from him.
"It's always upsetting to hear of a student's death,” he said. “This is particularly troubling. Do you have any leads at the moment?”
"We have a few promising avenues to pursue.”
Harrison frowned and shook his head in sorrow. "What can I do for you?”
"In the course of our investigation, we talked to witnesses who have made allegations of hazing."
"We take that kind of thing very seriously here. It's my understanding that Gabby Templeton was a potential new member at the Theta house.”
"What can you tell me about the history of that chapter?”
"I want to assure you that we investigate all allegations of misconduct and impose disciplinary action when appropriate.”
"Have there been any recent allegations against Theta?”
"As you are aware, Alpha Epsilon Beta Theta is one of the more popular sororities on campus. As such, they receive a lot of attention, both good and bad. There have been a few accusations in the recent past, but our investigations have not turned up anything actionable or credible.” He paused and took a deep breath.
“This is a college campus. I’m aware that students are going to have certain rights of passage.
But we do not tolerate any kind of illegal activity or anything that violates the safety and dignity of the students.
I will not stand by and let students be put in danger, humiliated, or forced into some kind of uncompensated labor. "
I told him what Brandon had told us.
Harrison looked astonished. "If that is true, it is a severe infraction. I will have my department investigate that to the fullest. I can assure you of that. Of course, we don't want to get in your way, and will be completely open and transparent with you about our findings.”
"Thank you, I appreciate that. My concern is finding Gabby’s killer. Right now, I'm getting frozen out at the sorority.”
He frowned. "Not surprising. They are a close-knit group, and I don't expect you to get them to turn on one another. If there is something untoward at hand, you may have a hard time getting to the truth," he said with a somber face. "Though I seriously doubt any of those girls would commit murder.”
"Even to save their chapter?"
Harrison considered it. With a sigh, he said, "I guess in this day and age, nothing is out of the realm of possibility.”
"Are you aware that Gabby was having a relationship with Joshua Morris?" I said.
He looked astonished, and his eyes rounded. "This is the first I'm hearing of it."
"I can't prove it at this time, but the evidence is not in Professor Morris's favor.”
"Be assured, my office will look into that. That is a serious violation of university policy and will not be tolerated. Thank you for bringing these matters to my attention.”
I gave him a card and told him we’d be in touch. He said he would call me if he discovered anything of note.
JD and I left his office and headed across campus to the Porsche.
We drove back to the Avventura. There was enough time before band practice to get in a workout and a quick run with Buddy.
By the time I made it back to the Avventura, I was drenched in sweat. I showered and got dressed, then the sheriff called.
“Alright, Wild. She’s all yours. I got a court-approved temporary release. You’ve got 72 hours with her to find those scumbags. Don’t you dare screw this up. It’s your ass. You understand me?”
“I won’t let her out of my sight.”
“And for God’s sake, Wild, don’t sleep with her.”
"Where is that coming from? That's totally out of left field,” I said, trying to keep a straight face. “I would never do something like that."
He scoffed. "Get down here and sign her out.”
"I'm on my way.”
I ended the call and filled JD in on the situation. We left the Avventura, hustled down the dock, and hopped into the Porsche.
"We don't have a lot of time to screw around. I've got to get to band practice. Think you can handle her on your own?"
I gave him a flat look.
We zipped down to the station, drove into the secure garage, and pulled into the sally port. Once inside the pod, we checked in with intake. The court order was already in the system. We presented ID, signed paperwork, and waited for the prisoner.
Daphne had lost the orange jumpsuit and changed into her street clothes that she had worn at the time of her arrest. She wore a slinky little cocktail dress with daring cuts, a plunging neckline, and a hemline so high it would make your heart skip a beat.
Her spike-heeled shoes accentuated her toned calves.
She was definitely a sight to behold. That orange jumpsuit had been hiding a lot.
It was hard not to stare.
"Where were you when you got arrested?" I asked.
"I was going out for the evening. You should have seen me then. I looked cute."
She still looked cute.
Daphne signed the paperwork, and the corrections officer asked me if I wanted her to remain handcuffed.
"Absolutely," I replied.
Daphne gave me a sad, pouty look. "Oh, come on. Don't be a wuss. I'm harmless.”
"You're anything but harmless," I said.
"What's the matter?" she asked with a sassy hip shake. "Don't you think you can handle me?"
"Oh, I can handle you alright.”
"I bet you can," she said with a wink.
"Do you two need to get a room?" the corrections officer snarked.
I sneered at him, grabbed Daphne’s arm, and escorted her toward the sally port.
"Good luck with that one," the officer called after us.
Another guard buzzed us into the buffer zone, and we left intake. Another buzz got us into the garage, and I escorted Daphne to the Porsche.
She lifted an impressed eyebrow. "Nice car.”
I opened the door for her, pulled the seat forward, and helped her in the back seat, if you could call it that. It was tiny, but Daphne could fit back there better than I could.
"Want to tell me how you can afford a car like this on a county salary?" she asked.
“We volunteer,” Jack said with a grin.
He cranked up the engine.
"You two are totally on the take. That's okay. I like dirty cops."
Jack put it into gear and pulled away. The garage door opened, and we drove out.
Daphne breathed in the fresh air and looked relieved. She leaned back, soaking up the afternoon sun. "I can't tell you how good this feels."
"Start talking," I said. "Where would Dane and Brock go?”