Gabriel's Rapture gi-2

by Sylvain Reynard

  conflict of interest, namely, that Miss Mitchell was a friend of his family. Paperwork was filed in the School of Graduate Studies in November to effect this change.

  “Third, on December tenth, Professor Emerson gave a public lec-

  ture in Florence, Italy, to which he was accompanied by Miss Mitchell.

  Over the course of the evening, he introduced Miss Mitchell as his fiancée. These facts are substantiated in print and in photographs, and they have also been corroborated by a Professor Pacciani who

  was present at the event.” The Dean held up a piece of paper that

  appeared to be a hard copy of an email.

  Gabriel glared darkly at the mention of Pacciani, mumbling an

  expletive under his breath.

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  The Dean fixed his gaze on Gabriel. “Did Miss Mitchell harass

  you into participating in an amorous relationship with her?”

  Julia nearly fell off her chair.

  All eyes in the room focused on Gabriel, whose color deepened.

  His lawyer began whispering furiously in his ear but Gabriel waved him aside.

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Very well. Are you currently engaged in an amorous relationship

  with Miss Mitchell?”

  “Dr. Aras, you’ve offered no evidence of any policy infractions here.

  All you’ve offered is a sketchy timeline that is open to interpretation and tabloid journalism from Italy. I wil not al ow you to railroad my client,” John complained.

  “If your client has nothing to hide, then he should answer our

  questions. When did the relationship between you, Professor Emerson, and your student begin?”

  Before John could open his mouth to protest, Professor Chakra-

  vartty interrupted. “I object to this line of questioning on the grounds that relationships between professors and students in the same department cannot be consensual. And I’d like my objection minuted.”

  The Dean nodded at his assistant, Meagan, who was typing notes

  furiously on her laptop. “Duly noted,” he huffed. “We’ll discuss that issue shortly. Professor Emerson?”

  “With respect, Dr. Aras, my client is not obligated to respond

  to supposition and speculation. Perhaps Miss Mitchell might take

  a different view.” John cast a snide look at Soraya, then smiled innocently at the hearing officers.

  “Very well. Miss Mitchell?”

  Soraya glared at John before turning to face the committee.

  “My client has already been subjected to a harassing experience

  by the Dean’s office when she was forced to defend herself against a serious but entirely malicious complaint by another student. In view of the stress and emotional trauma that has already been inflicted on her, I ask you to direct your questions to Professor Emerson. He instigated the transfer of my client’s thesis supervision to Professor Picton, it’s his signature on the forms, and we have nothing to say on the matter.”

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  Julia leaned over to protest in Soraya’s ear, but Soraya waved

  her off.

  Julia gritted her teeth.

  “Ah. A classic prisoner’s dilemma emerges. I wonder if either of

  you realize the outcome you are headed toward if you continue in

  this manner.” Dr. Aras cleared this throat. “I can allow you a short recess in order for you to confer with your attorneys, Miss Mitchell and Professor Emerson, but I expect you to answer our questions

  expeditiously and truthfully.

  “In the absence of any testimony at all, we reserve the right to

  decide the matter for ourselves, based upon the evidence we have

  been able to gather. And to refer the matter to the Provost’s office so he can lay charges, if that is our recommendation. You have five minutes.” The Dean’s voice was cold and dispassionate.

  “Since relationships between professors and students in the same

  department cannot be consensual, I move that we excuse Professor

  Emerson so we can interview Miss Mitchell.” Professor Chakravartty gave Julia a sympathetic look. “Let me assure you that this is a safe space. There will be no reprisals from the Department of Italian Studies because of anything you disclose to us. If you’ve been a victim of sexual harassment, we can help you.”

  Tara’s sympathy immediately morphed into disgust when she

  glanced in Gabriel’s direction.

  Julia quickly rose to her feet. “I wasn’t harassed by Professor

  Emerson.”

  Soraya clutched her arm, but Julia ignored her. So Soraya stood

  beside her, waiting for the appropriate moment to interrupt and to object.

  Gabriel began shaking his head in agitation, but Julia couldn’t

  see him, fixated as she was on the hearing officers.

  “We weren’t involved while I was his student. And our current

  relationship is consensual.”

  The room was silent for a moment, before the silence was broken

  by the sounds of the hearing officers’ pens scratching against paper.

  The Dean sat back in his chair, looking remarkably unsurprised.

  This was Julia’s first indication that something had just gone very, very wrong. She sat down slowly, ignoring the hiss of Soraya’s voice in 210

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  her ear and turned to look at Gabriel. He stared straight ahead, but she knew he could feel her looking at him, she could tell by the set of his jaw. He crossed his arms angrily over his chest, his eyes fixed on the Dean’s like a cobra waiting to strike.

  “Thank you, Miss Mitchell. So the relationship is amorous.” Dr.

  Aras glanced in Gabriel’s direction before looking at Julia again.

  “Since you’ve been so forthcoming, allow me a follow up question.

  When did you purchase the airline ticket to Italy, knowing that you would be traveling with Professor Emerson?”

  Julia gazed at the Dean blankly.

  “Surely the tickets would have been reserved before December

  eighth, which would place the purchase date squarely within the

  semester. So prior to his submission of your grade, you must have

  had a conversation about your intention to accompany him to Italy

  as his guest. That seems problematic for the professor-student relationship, does it not?”

  Julia opened her mouth to speak, but Soraya interrupted her.

  “With respect, Dr. Aras, you’re speculating.”

  “Actually, Miss Harandi, I’m making a reasonable inference of a

  quid pro quo.” The Dean’s lips visibly thinned. “Moreover, I’m suggesting your client just perjured herself. She said she wasn’t involved with Professor Emerson last semester. Are we to believe that they

  magically became involved the moment the semester ended?”

  Julia inhaled loudly, the sound echoing off the walls. Across the

  aisle, Gabriel’s anxiety was telegraphed by the way he clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to hide them at his sides.

  The Dean began to speak but he was interrupted by Professor

  Mwangi. “Miss Mitchell, at this point I need to remind you of the

  penalties for perjury and also for the violation of the non-fraternization policy of this University.” His calm and kind voice was a studied contrast to the Dean’s impatient directness.

  “Perjury can result in expulsion or serious sanctions. A viola-

  tion of the non-fraternization policy can jeopardize your academic standing in last semester’s seminars.” He shuffled a few papers on the table in front of him.

  “You were writing your thesis with Professor Emerson until the

  beginning of November, about a month prior to your trip to Italy.

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  You were registered in his Dante seminar for the entire fall semester, and awarded a mark of A.

  “The non-fraternization policy exists to protect students from

  being preyed upon by their professors and to prevent any possibility of unfair preferments being dispersed. If you’d dropped Professor

  Emerson’s class, we would not be here today. But since you remained in his class, we have a problem.”

  Professor Mwangi handed some papers to Meagan, who walked

  them obediently to Julia and Soraya. While Soraya glanced at the

  documents, Julia gaped in horror. She looked over at Gabriel once

  again, but he wouldn’t return her gaze.

  “Professor Martin testified before this committee that he has

  no recollection of any conversation with Professor Emerson about

  having Professor Picton grade your work in the Dante seminar. The

  Registrar’s Office reports that it was Professor Emerson who submitted your grade via the online grading system. We have dated copies of those electronic documents, which you’ve just received.”

  “Dr. Mwangi, since we are just receiving these documents now

  I’d like a short recess in order to speak to my client.” Soraya’s voice broke through Julia’s shock.

  “Those moments are past, Miss Harandi, since your client has

  already perjured herself.” The Dean’s voice was harsh.

  “I disagree,” Professor Chakravartty interjected. “Miss Mitchell

  might not be in the best position to judge whether or not she was

  the victim of coercion. Certainly, any perjury on her part would be excused if she’s the victim of harassment.”

  “Professor Picton graded my work in the Dante seminar. I’m sure

  she could clear up this misunderstanding.” Julia’s voice took on a stubborn tone that contrasted sharply with the tremor in her voice.

  “Dean Aras, forgive me for interrupting, but I’ve just received

  an email from Professor Picton.” Meagan’s voice broke in hesitantly.

  She walked over to the Dean and presented him with her laptop.

  He scanned the screen quickly before waving her aside.

  “It would seem that Professor Picton confirms your story, Miss

  Mitchell.”

  Soraya leaned forward in her chair. “Then that should clear up

  any problems. Respectfully, we ask this committee to conclude the

  investigation and end this matter.”

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  “Not so fast, Miss Harandi.” Professor Mwangi looked between

  Gabriel and Julia curiously. “If the relationship truly is consensual, then why is Professor Emerson hiding behind his lawyer?”

  “All you’ve done is present us with speculation and fantasy. Why

  should my client respond?” John’s tone was contemptuous.

  “We’re entitled to come to our own conclusions with respect to

  evidence. I can’t speak for my learned colleagues, but I’ll state that in my opinion, your client and Miss Mitchell were involved last

  semester. Which means they violated the non-fraternization policy, and Miss Mitchell perjured herself.”

  John stood to his feet. “If this body intends to continue in this

  way, then we will be invoking the assistance of the University of

  Toronto’s Faculty Association and the Canadian Association of Uni-

  versity Teachers, as well as pursuing all legal means. I would caution the hearing officers against slandering my client.”

  The Dean waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Sit down. We

  don’t respond to threats.”

  He waited until John took his seat before he tossed his pen on

  the table in front of him. He removed his glasses and placed them

  next to the pen.

  “Since we seem to have hit upon an iceberg here, perhaps it would

  be best if I suspend this hearing, pending further investigation.”

  Gabriel gritted his teeth, knowing that any delay would further

  jeopardize Julia’s admission to Harvard.

  “Before we suspend the hearing, I think that Miss Mitchell should

  be given the opportunity to have her story heard without having to be in the same room as Professor Emerson.” Professor Chakravartty

  nodded in Julia’s direction.

  “Professor Emerson is a powerful man. Perhaps, Miss Mitchell,

  you were worried about your status and he took advantage of that.

  Maybe you believe that the relationship is consensual now, but did you always feel that way? More than one witness has reported that

  he was very harsh with you last semester.”

  “This is outrageous! Dr. Aras, are you just going to sit there while my client is slandered by one of the hearing officers? I want my objection minuted, and I want it noted that I intend to file a complaint with the Provost about Dr. Chakravartty’s unprofessional behavior.”

  John was nearly apoplectic as he jumped to his feet.

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  “I want the professor to stay,” said Julia, quietly.

  “Very well.” Professor Chakravartty’s voice softened. “I’m sure

  this situation is stressful and confusing. But you should know that the committee is already aware of the email you sent to Professor

  Emerson, in which you pleaded with him to stop harassing you.

  Once again, I want to reiterate that we are here to discover the truth.”

  Julia blinked as the room around her grew fuzzy. Muffled sounds

  assaulted her eyes, almost as if she were sinking in water. Everything slowed down, especially her mind, as the enormity of Dr. Chakravartty’s revelation crept over her skin like a frozen finger.

  Meagan passed a few sheets of paper to John and Soraya.

  John glanced at them quickly, before tossing them aside. “It’s

  completely out of order for you surprise us with documents that were not mentioned in the letter you sent to my client.”

  “This is not a trial; it’s merely an investigatory hearing. We aren’t bound by the rules of discovery, Mr. Green. Professor Chakravartty, you may proceed.” The Dean leaned back in his chair, giving Tara

  his full attention.

  “I know that you didn’t file a sexual harassment complaint against Professor Emerson. But it isn’t too late to do so. If you wish, we can have him dismissed from the room so we can discuss this.”

  John shook his head. “My client unequivocally denies any harass-

  ment, sexual or otherwise, against Miss Mitchell. If anyone should be investigated for harassment, it should be Christa Peterson, who maliciously instigated this mess in the first place.”

  “Miss Peterson will be held accountable for her actions, don’t

  worry about that.” Professor Mwangi’s voice was smooth and direct.

  “Miss Mitchell, I’m also interested in the email exchange we have here, in which you direct Professor Emerson to stop harassing you. Can

  you give us the context in which you made that statement?”

  “It was a mistake.” Julia’s voice was low, yet it echoed loudly in the room.

  “A mistake?” Professor Chakravartty repeated.

  “We had a — misunderstanding. I should never have used the

  word harassment. I was angry. I didn’t mean it.”

  Soraya began whispering in Julia’s ear but she pulled away, wring-

  ing her hands.

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  “There was no harassment. That’s why I didn’t file a complaint.”

  Professor Chakravartty stared at Julia skeptically before addressing the Dean. “I’d like to move that we suspend this hearing. I have a lot of unanswered questions that I’d like to pose to the other
witnesses.

  And I’d like to interview Miss Mitchell in a less hostile environment.”

  She glared in Gabriel’s direction.

  “Miss Mitchel denied the al egation. She hasn’t filed a complaint against my client, and under paragraph ten of the university’s policy on sexual harassment, she can’t be compelled to do so. Can we move on?” John objected.

  “I don’t need you to tell me how to run this proceeding, Mr.

  Green,” the Dean snapped. “We can take all the time we need to

  investigate any matter pursuant to the matters before us.”

  The Dean gestured to the other hearing officers to move closer to

  his chair so they could whisper among themselves. The mere mention of a delay caused Julia’s heart to pound, and she fixed frightened eyes on Gabriel, whose face had turned very red.

  A few minutes later, the Dean put on his glasses and looked

  around the room.

  “As Professor Chakravartty has suggested, I’m going to suspend

  this hearing. You’ve been forthcoming, Miss Mitchell, and for that I thank you. But you, Professor Emerson, have told us nothing. Your

  lack of cooperation has left us with no choice but to go back and

  speak to all the other witnesses. In particular, I have a few questions I’d like to put to the chair of your department, Professor Martin.

  “If the relationship between you the two of you was consensual,

  you’re both at risk of having violated the non-fraternization policy.

  And you, Miss Mitchell, have possibly perjured yourself about when the relationship truly began. On the other hand, the email that you sent to the professor is inconsistent with your other statements.

  There’s also the issue of the M.P. Emerson bursary, which you men-

  tion in your email.

  “I’m not about to allow this proceeding to rush to judgment. So

  a delay is in order for us to complete our investigation. This delay could take several weeks, depending upon the level of cooperation

  we receive. Of course, if you’d rather not have a delay, you could simply answer our questions.” At this, the Dean gave Gabriel and

  John a stern look.

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  Julia watched as Gabriel closed his eyes, his lips moving as if he were whispering something to himself. Then his eyes snapped open

  and he stood to his feet.

  “Enough,” he said.

  Six pairs of eyes swung to stare at the angry looking professor as he glared defiantly at the hearing officers.