Death of the Ayn Rand Scholar: Mystery

by Gray Cavender

  “Of course, Wes, I’m happy to. So she’s from LA and an Accounting major. I’ve always heard that UCLA is a good university. What else about her?”

  “Let’s see…OK, she was second in her class at the academy in terms of overall scores. So, when you also factor-in the Accounting degree, she strikes me as smart and a hard charger. I think that’s why she’s thinking of a grad degree. She’s an African American woman…she’s tall…physically fit. Her PT scores at the Academy of course reflect that, too. As far as I know, she’s unattached romantically. What else…oh, this is important…once we close our case on the Professor, Georgia will be assigned to me as a partner. So again, something the two of you will have in common.”

  “Wow,” Jillian said and was quiet. Then repeated, “Wow. She’ll learn a lot from partnering with you. I sure did…still am. Well, this is great, Wes.”

  “Thanks, Jilly,” he smiled. “If it’s OK, once I get the introductions over with and the conversation going, I’ll split. That way, you two can just talk. You can tell her that you’re meeting a friend for dinner, so you can have a confab and she’ll leave you to it.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Detective Georgia Ronson, Detective Sergeant Jillian Warne…Jilly meet Georgia.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Detective Sergeant Warne…Jillian. Wes has said so much about you.”

  “And you, Detective Roson. Georgia. I hope he’s said mostly good things.”

  “Mostly,” she laughed.

  Wes said, “OK now… I’ve said nice things about both of you.”

  Wes had said she was tall, but that was something of an understatement. Of course, she seemed especially tall because she had been seated in one of the booths that are on risers, so when she stood, that probably added another four inches. Still, Georgia Ronson was a tall woman. Jillian figured that she must be 5 10, easy. But, her weight was well-proportioned to her frame so that she looked slim.

  Jillian was glad that Georgia had arrived early and scored a table. Because it was still so hot out, the outside patio just didn’t get much use this time of the year, and that caused the inside tables to fill quickly. Often, there was a wait.

  True to his word, once he accomplished the introductions, Wes said, “As promised, I’m out of here. I want the two of you to get acquainted. My work is finished, so bye. I know that both of you are wine buffs, so go for it…first round’s on me.”

  They both protested and even scooted around to make room, but he laughed, waved and headed for the door.

  Georgia laughed and asked, “Was it something I said?”

  “No, that’s just Wes. Once he’s makes up his mind, that’s it. And he’s made up his mind that we are supposed to talk, so let’s talk.”

  “And order some wine. Wes said that you two came here quite a bit…so what’s good?” She started scrolling through the wine options.

  Jillian asked, “Whites or reds?”

  “It’s so hot out…I’m going with a white.”

  “OK,” Jillian said as she turned her menu toward Georgia and pointed. This one’s nice…I’ve had it before.”

  “I’m good with that…I like Sauvignon Blanc. What are you having?”

  “Think I’ll have the same.”

  Their server, a young woman, appeared and actually took a seat at the edge of their booth. “What looks good?”

  They placed their wine orders and passed on any appetizers. The server said that ordering the same wine made her life easier, and added, “The gentleman who just left paid for your vinos. I may join you.” They all laughed.

  After she had left their table, Jillian said, “So, Wes said you’re from LA. How’d you end up here…if it’s OK to ask?”

  “No worries. Quite literally, I came for the job.”

  You left LA to become a detective in Tempe?”

  “Basically yes. I’d been looking at different police departments, saw the ad for Tempe, did some online research…and here I am.”

  “That’s amazing.”

  “I know, it seems strange at first, but once you break it down…not so much. See, I majored in Accounting in college.”

  “Yes, Wes told me that…he said you went to UCLA.”

  “Unh huh. And during my junior year I had this prof who was a forensic accountant. He was a professor and all that, but he also consulted with ‘5 0’ (you know, LAPD). He’d even lectured at the FBI Academy. I really got into the class…it was more exciting than the usual LIFO and FIFO stuff—those are accounting terms about inventory management,” she said, and made a dismissive wave with her hand.

  “Anyway, forensic accounting was so interesting that it made me actually want to do the homework in the class. The following semester, I took another class with him, a one-on-one Independent Study, and learned even more. We covered actual cases he’d worked…you know, balance sheets-type stuff, but they produced convictions…and sometimes in high profile cases. Then, when I was a last-semester senior, he helped me score an internship in Loss Prevention—but in Accounting, not just Security—at Macys.”

  “And that got you here?”

  “No yet,” she laughed. “After I graduated, Macys hired me to do essentially the same thing I’d been doing as an intern…only now it was a real job. I stayed with them two years. They even paid for my CPA review course. I aced the exam…so…I’m a real accountant….and that leads to how I got here.”

  Their drinks came and they toasted. Jillian thought Georgia was a striking woman. Her black hair was cut in a Halle Berry pixie cut. It was a great style because it emphasized her high cheekbones and her dark reddish-brown complexion.

  “Ooh, good choice…I wondered if I’d be able to get a nice Sauvignon Blanc in the desert,” she laughed. “Anyway, to make an already much too long story short, my prof really encouraged me to stick with forensic accounting, which I was able to do at Macys.”

  “So, were you at a particular store? Or were you more corporate?”

  “Corporate…I didn’t want localized loss prevention work. And my professor helped on that because he had connections at Macy’s. At corporate, I got to work fraud cases involving large distributors.”

  “That sounds interesting.”

  “Absolutely, and once I got that kind of work on my resume, I wanted to move into law enforcement. Honestly, my ultimate career goal is to be a Fed…hopefully the FBI. They do so many corporate and white-collar crimes these days, and forensic accounting is almost always a piece of the puzzle…like what I did at Macy’s. I’m hoping that my accounting background AND now actual law enforcement experience will give me the credits for getting in with the FBI.”

  “Whew, sounds like you’ve lined-out a great career plan.”

  “Do you think so? It’s one thing to plan all this out but it’s another pull it off…you know what I mean?”

  “Yes, believe me…I know. And working with Wes will help, too…more than you know. I learned so much working with him.”

  “He told me a touch about your current case. When he described the victim, my first question was whether or not you knew her…you know, because you were an ASU student. He said not. Still, I guess it’s a lot to deal with…I mean because you went to the U here.”

  “It is, although really, it just makes me more determined to solve it.” Jillian took a sip of water and changed gears.

  “What about your parents…how were they about you moving to Tempe? And how were they about you becoming a detective?”

  “Well, we are a black family, she said, and framed her face with her hands and struck a pose. “So, no, my parents were not big on me being a detective. OK, I’d describe us as an upper middle class family. Mom and Dad are both college grads, they have good jobs, we live in Santa Monica…we’ve got the whole American Dream thing going. But we’re still black. Which means if 5 0 stops us we gotta worry. I w
as 14 when we had ‘the talk.’ You know, about how to act if I get stopped…when I get stopped.”

  “I hate that.”

  “It is what it is. And what I’ve laid out, that’s what I want to do with my life. And at the end of the day, whatever their reservations, Mom and Dad are behind me…a thousand percent.”

  “Same with my parents. By the way, you said they went to college…what do they do?”

  My dad is an exec with Ralphs. That’s a big grocery chain in California. I don’t think they’re out here. He’s up there in the pecking order,” she said and pointed toward the ceiling. “And Mom is an exec at SONY, the record company division. Her degree was in Engineering and she was on that techy side of the business for a long time, but a few years ago she moved over to Talent.”

  “So she knows a lot of celebrity musicians?”

  Georgia laughed, “That’s exactly what Wes asked when I told him where my mom worked. He was asking ‘like, have you met Springsteen? Or Yo-Yo Ma? Or Cyndi Lauper? I gotta say…Wes has pretty eclectic tastes in music.”

  “That he does. So, have you met them?”

  Georgia laughed again. “No, but…a year ago when I was meeting Mom for lunch I did meet Alicia Keys and Jamie Foxx—both of them were visiting the suite of offices where she’s located. Another time I was there after work, and I met Nicki Minaj.”

  “Wes must love this…he likes music so much.”

  “Yes, I think that’s why he asked to partner with me…just kidding.”

  “Did you ever think of going in to that line of work?”

  “Without pushing it too hard, Mom offered to help me get ‘in’ if that’s something I wanted. I minored in Com at UCLA, and she thought that’d be a solid background.”

  “Wow…Com is pretty big at ASU. What was it like at UCLA? And I think having a mom in the music business would help.”

  “Well, given that it’s Hollywood, Com has a great department at UCLA…no surprise. And yeah, it would help to have a mom who’s in the business, but, like I said, that forensic accounting course…it just grabbed me. Somehow, I just seems RIGHT to go after these players who think they are so above it all…but in the end they’re just thieves. You know what I mean?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Well, whatever…I’m glad you’re here, Georgia.” After they toasted, Jillian said, “OK, so one last personal question. Are you parents originally from LA?”

  “Un huh…why?”

  “Your name. I’d made up this mental backstory that maybe your parents were from Atlanta and named you Georgia because they missed living there.”

  “That’s sweet, but no,” she laughed again. “Actually, the real explanation is just as nice. Mom really liked the old song, Georgia on My Mind, and Dad loved Rainy Night in Georgia. So, here I am.”

  “For real?”

  “For real.”

  They talked for another 15 or 20 minutes…and the conversation shifted to more about Jillian, her family, and her time at ASU. Georgia said she was interested in an MBA from ASU. She thought that would look good on her application to the FBI…later.

  Given what she’d said about corporate criminals, Jillian almost suggested that she take a grad seminar from Professor Naremore, but decided against it…at least for now…given…everything. Jillian did describe what graduate work was like at ASU, although cautioned that probably an MBA would be a very different story than her experience.

  They discussed some of Jillian’s cases while at Tempe PD, her new job at ASU PD, and her role on the Sexual Assault Task Force. She shared suggestions about where to eat, where to go for live music, and tips about making it as a Tempe PD detective. What Georgia really wanted to know when the weather would be cooling off.

  After she said goodbye, Jillian concluded that she really liked Georgia. She’d even told her about her judo class—Wes had told Georgia the story about Clay Neely—and Georgia all-but promised that she’d start attending. Jillian was supposed to text with the details.

  She wondered if there was some way that she and Wes could work Georgia into the into the Siemens investigation. She’d discuss it with him. She did admit that she was a little jealous that Georgia would be Wes’ partner. She missed those days and envied Georgia.

  Almost immediately after Georgia left, Jillian asked and was told it was fine to hold the table because a friend was joining her for dinner. She requested menus and a glass of water for Sarah. She did change positions so she could keep an eye on the front door.

  Jillian waved when Sarah entered the front door and rose as she approached the table. They hugged.

  “Long time, no see,” Sarah laughed. “Been waiting long?”

  “No, I actually I was having a drink and getting to know a new Tempe PD detective. Her name is Georgia Ronson, and she just stated. They let me hold the table.”

  ”A new detective, huh? Maybe we should recruit her to ASU…you guys can be partners.”

  “She did seem sharp, and she’ll be partners with Wes Webb, my former partner. He’s the best.”

  “Yes, you’ve talked about him before. I’m starved,” she said and picked-up the menu. “And thanks for the water.”

  Their server came—a guy who remained standing—and they placed their orders.

  Jillian said, “I’m going to do the Select Two: a mixed green salad and the Tuscan Tuna sandwich.”

  Sarah scanned the menu quickly, then said, “The bruschetta—salmon and pesto—and a small mixed green salad for me, too.”

  “Anything to drink besides waters?” he asked.

  “Iced green tea for me,” Sarah said.

  “Same for me.” When the server left, Jillian looked at Sarah, her head turned sideways.

  “What?”

  “Green tea…this from a lawyer who loves reds…what did you tell me that time, ‘I only drink zins that are so intense they’ll stain your teeth.’ So, what’s up with…” Jillian stopped mid-sentence. She smiled a very big smile and said, “Unless…”

  “I guess this is what comes from having a friend who’s a detective. And yes, I’m pregnant.”

  “Get up and get hugged,” Jillian said. Then, “Congratulations…how long have you known?”

  “Not long…a couple of weeks…I just wanted to tell you in person…and in private, not at the Task Force meeting the other day.”

  “But, you’re not showing…”

  “Oh, I’m far enough along that I have a little ‘baby bump,’ but I’ve been wearing looser clothes.” She stepped off the riser, turned in profile, and pressed her jacket and blouse in. “See?”

  “I do now, but honestly, I didn’t notice…guess I’m not much of a detective.” She smiled and said, “I know people always say this, but you really do have a kind of glow.”

  “Or it could just be sweat. It’s not much of a walk over here—it’s just around the corner—but that was enough.” Sarah dabbed her face and neck with a napkin.

  “Boy or girl? Do you know?”

  “We do…just found out…but, we’re keeping that a secret.

  “You look great, Sarah. Are you healthy…when are you due…and what did you say about the sex?”

  “So many questions. OK, perfectly healthy…maybe a little hormonal craziness, but basically good…and, I’m due late in April. And, as for the sex question, ‘asked and answered.’ But nice try.”

  They toasted waters, and Sarah said, “OK, that’ my news. How ‘bout you…anything new on the investigation?”

  “We’re in a second round of interviews with four people. This was informed by forensics on the Professor’s phones and computers.”

  “Good. Anything you can tell a civilian?”

  “Well, for one, we did a second interview with Professor Jonathan Keefer…he’s the head of English.”

  “Hmm.”

 
; “Exactly. He and Professor Siemens had been having an affair.”

  “I heard.”

  “Do you think that’s why he didn’t get the promotion to the Dean’s office?”

  “Honestly, Jillian, that’s above my pay grade, but I assume that has something to do with it. It makes sense…you know, bad publicity. Is he a suspect?”

  “Well, ‘love lost’ could be a good motive.”

  “So was it that…love lost?”

  “Apparently. And I wondered if maybe he could also have been angry about losing out on that promotion…not to mention being out as chair of English.”

  Sarah leaned in a little closer and said, “From the grapevine, I think Professor Keefer was out because of having an affair with a subordinate. I don’t think the decision to dump him as a dean or a chair had happened when she was killed. That ‘no promotion’ decision came after word about the affair. So, the motive would be limited to jilted love. Unless…”

  “Unless what?”

  “Maybe he thought she had the President’s ear and worried that if they were no longer together that it could hurt him in terms of the bureaucracy.”

  “Maybe…OK, so here’s a real long shot, Sarah… Do you think Professor Siemens could have been having an affair with President Davidos?”

  “Gosh…I’ve never heard anything like that.”

  “Well, we did see some interesting comments in their texts and emails.”

  “OMG, Jillian. Don’t tell me that the President also is a suspect. I guess I’d better dig out my law school notes and brush up on my criminal procedure. Not!”

  “We’re not there yet. Honestly, the ‘interesting’ comments all came from Professor Siemens. The president’s all were totally professional.”

  “Well, that’s a relief. I guess with your job, you’re always having to think about things like that…no matter how high-up someone is.”

  Jillian shrugged and nodded ‘yes.’

  As Sarah took a sip of water, her demeanor visibly shifted…she looked to Jillian as if she had a bad taste in her mouth. She said, “Maybe this is a topic change…maybe not…the thing is, I have some information for you, Jillian. It’s through our office, but whatever confidentially issues are involved are far and away outweighed by your criminal investigation.”