Death of the Ayn Rand Scholar Gray Cavender (motivational novels for students .TXT) 📖

understandable because a lot of them will go to ASU. Plus, your campus is only about a mile from our campus, so it’s in the hood.”

“OK, speaking of your campus, what’s up at Tempe High? How’s it going with your feminist sci-fi club?”

“It is wunderbar. At the risk of sounding like I’m bragging, I’m sooo glad that I thought of it. I joked about some of my kids being self-absorbed, but it really is a tough time of life for them. They have gender role problems, raging hormones, pressure from parents and from peers…all that kind of grief. And in the midst of all this craziness, my science fiction club actually gets them out of themselves. I guess it’s a distraction…lets them focus on things that they would otherwise never go near.”

“That’s great, Eileen. So, what kind of projects are they doing?”

She giggled. “OK, so their assignment for the last ten days has been to write a short story. The only directives are that it has to be sci-fi, of course, and it has to address gender issues. They turned them in last Friday so I’ve been reading them…I’m having a blast.”

“A short story…that’s a lot, isn’t it? Are they good?”

“Yes, it is a lot. But don’t forget, even though the club is an extra-curricular activity, they are getting credit for it.”

“So, in other words, it counts.”

“Which is why they take it seriously. And some of their stories are pretty good. A few of them did gender role switching, which is sorta predictable, although some did it better than others. A couple of stories deal with time travel. This is a great way for them to deal with gender issues because they have two different perspectives: now and in the past. One student had a person from the 1950s come forward to today; another one had a girl from today go back to the time of The Civil War.”

“Wow, that’s pretty creative.”

“Yes. My favorite—so far—is a girl who has created a cat universe.”

“A cat universe?” She shook her head in disbelief.

‘Yes, and it’s awesome. What makes it so good is that it’s funny. And the humor is not on the surface…it’s woven into the narrative…it’s just really creative.”

“You really love your job, don’t you, Eileen?”

“I do. It’s incredible being around young people. But mostly, it’s being able to pull things out of them that they didn’t know they could do. And, at the same time, I get them to think about important social issues. I mean, they engage…you just have to figure a way ‘in’ to their consciousness.”

“Growing up, I always heard stories like this from my mom. She loved being a teacher, too.”

“That’s right, I’m so used to her being an administrator that I forgot.”

“I’m so glad you chose this career. Speaking for the entire society, thank you, Eileen,” she said and laughed and toasted her friend.

“Thank you, thank you very much,” Eileen said and gave a mock bow. “So enough about life among the Buffaloes, how ‘bout you? I know you have to speak in generalities, but how IS the investigation going.”

“We’re doing fine. Today, we got the forensics report on Professor Siemens’ electronic devices. It was interesting to say the least. The information that was in the report is guiding us to our next phase…more targeted interviews. So no, don’t look for arrests in tomorrow’s paper, but we are really narrowing the field…I think.” She laughed and took a sip of beer.

“And you’re back on campus. How’s that feel?”

“A little strange…and great at the same time. I have seen some of our old professors…Carolyn Patek, Ian Narmore, and ZZ.”

“Oh no, they aren’t suspects are they?”

“With Carolyn, I just wanted to touch base. I haven’t seen her in a while, although she did actually know Professor Siemens, the victim…at least a little. And with ZZ, I wanted to visit her, too, for fun. But, I did have some questions to ask her…background stuff about Professor Siemens, the victim.”

“How is ZZ? I loved her class.”

“She’s doing great. She’s working on a new project…but I’m sworn to secrecy.”

“Come on give. Have some more beer.”

“Sorry, but I promised.”

“You’re no fun. And Ian…is he more background, or is he somehow in the mix?”

“Well, he did know Professor Siemens and they were…I guess you say they were academic enemies.”

“That’s not surprising, from what I’ve read. The paper said that she very conservative, so of course she and Ian would be enemies…I mean, he’s VERY opinionated...I just happen to agree with his opinions.”

“Yes, I know you do. I think you were his favorite student in the class we took together…you out-Naremored Naremore.”

Eileen laughed and toasted Jillian.

Their food came. Jillian’s enchiladas were topped in a green sauce and dots of cheese…Mexico City style. They also ordered another Modelo to split.

“When I spoke with ZZ, I wondered about something she said. She told me that she had been concerned when I first decided to become a detective. This was because her people, the Roma, often had run-ins with the police. But she also said that now, after interacting with me, she no longer feels that way…which is good…but still, it worried me a little. What do you think?”

Eileen, who was cutting a bite of her burro, stopped and put her fork on her plate. “Well, if you remember, we discussed this…a lot…when you first started considering the job.”

“I know…sorry to dredge-up the past…”

“No worries…that’s not why I mentioned it. I just wanted to remind you that you were very mindful of these issues before you took the job.” She took the bite she’d cut, chewed for a few seconds, then continued.

“Of course, back then I was mainly worried about any potential risk, you know, that you’d be in physical danger. I mean, it’s a very challenging job. Then too, I know that you sometimes may have to hurt people, either physically or personally, like when you arrest someone and they have to go to jail or whatever, which you have done.”

Jillian winced, but nodded.

“On the other