That was also when she dropped the bombshell about Reilly’s keys, found with his body. I was surprised by the news. “Then where did the intruder get the key to this building? There must be another key floating around that we don’t know about.”
“Yes,” Kanesha said. “Chief Ford is looking into that.” She glanced over at the desk, where the campus IT staffer was working on the computer. “This may take some time. Sorry to hold you up, but if there’s anything pertinent to the investigation on that computer, I have to have it.”
“It’s not a problem,” I said. “I have a meeting at nine thirty over in the main library building, and that may last an hour. Forrest Wyatt and I are talking to the library staff about the situation.” I checked my watch. “That’s in twelve minutes. I might as well head on over.” I picked up my jacket and briefcase. “I’ll leave you to it. If you need anything, let Melba know.”
Kanesha nodded, still intent on the activity at the computer.
I spoke briefly with Melba and her feline assistant before I departed for the meeting. I knew Diesel would be happy with Melba. I might take him with me to future staff meetings, but for this first one I thought it inappropriate. I didn’t think Forrest would appreciate being upstaged by a cat, and I also knew that tension would be running high in the meeting. Diesel would find that distressing.
The campus police presence at the main library was obvious, and I hoped the library staff, faculty, and students found that reassuring. The sooner things got back to normal here, the better.
On my way to the meeting room at the rear of the first floor, I stopped along the way to say hello to the few staff on duty. Not everyone could attend the meeting, because there had to be personnel on duty. The library was open, and the students were there in force, studying and making use of the computers.
When I walked into the meeting room, the buzz of chatter suddenly stilled, and I felt for a moment like an intruder. Expectant faces examined me, and I summoned up a confident and, I hoped, reassuring smile as I strode to the front of the room. Forrest hadn’t arrived yet, so it was up to me to take charge of the meeting.
“Good morning, everyone.” I set my briefcase on the floor behind me. “You’re all probably as surprised as I am to find me standing here. I know President Wyatt e-mailed all of you to explain that I will be serving as interim director, and I hope you all had a chance to read that message thoroughly.”
I paused for a moment and scanned the crowd. I didn’t sense any hostility in the room, only curiosity and a little apprehension.
“President Wyatt will talk to you about the tragic event that occurred here, and I know he will address your concerns about safety and security. I’m sure you’ve noticed the increased presence of campus police, and that will continue until the investigation into the murder is closed. Chief Ford and his department will be working hard to make sure the library is a safe place for all of us, staff, students, and faculty.”
I glanced over at the door to see Forrest entering the room. “I’ll yield the floor now to President Wyatt.”
Forrest strode confidently to the front of the room and shared a grave smile with the assembled staff. I stepped to one side and leaned against the wall. Forrest was a masterful speaker with an authoritative manner. I had often thought that, had he chosen another path, he would have made an outstanding preacher.
He reiterated what I had said and gave the staff an update on the investigation. He took pains to reassure them that he and Chief Ford were determined to keep the campus safe and told them to talk to me or to the campus police about anything that concerned them.
He fielded a few questions, but for the most part the staff seemed comfortable with what he told them. The one exception was Cassandra Brownley, who, predictably, scowled the whole time and looked skeptical at every statement.
“Chief Ford is working closely with the Athena County Sheriff’s Department and the officer in charge of the investigation,” Forrest said. “I trust that you will all cooperate fully with Chief Deputy Berry and her officers. They have an important task to perform, and your cooperation will ensure that it is done efficiently and swiftly. Are there any last questions?”
Delbert Winston raised a hand, and after a nod from Forrest, he stood. “Is anything going to be done about lighting in the basement? We’ve been asking for more lighting down there for years, and surely now that would be a priority.”
Forrest nodded. “Excellent point. Yes, I’m happy to tell you that our physical facilities department will be taking care of that. Their work will cause some disruptions, but I know you will all be patient until the work is complete. I don’t have a completion date yet, but as soon as I do, I will communicate with your interim director.” He nodded toward me.
“Let me say how pleased I am that Charlie has agreed to serve as interim director until we find a permanent director. I’m sure you all are aware of his years of experience as a manager, and of the fine job he has done recently with our rare books and archives. I hope you will give him your full support to ensure the smooth running of one of Athena College’s great assets.”
With that, he thanked them for their attention and departed.
I stepped forward again. “I won’t keep you much longer. I know we all have busy schedules. I just want to say how proud I am to be working with you all, and that I will do my best for you and the library. If at any time you’re concerned about anything, I hope you will come talk to me.”
Lisa Krause stood. “We’re with you, Charlie.” She glanced around the room. “I think I speak for all of us when I say we’re happy to have someone who actually knows how to run a library in charge.”
That brought a round of enthusiastic applause, and I did my best not to blush. This kind of attention always made me squirm.
“Thank you all,” I said. “I appreciate your support. I’d like to ask the department heads to remain with me for a few minutes, but everyone else is free to go.”
They began to file out quickly, until only Lisa Krause, Delbert Winston, and Cassandra Brownley remained with me. I pulled out a chair and turned it to face them. Normally there would have been a fourth department head, for serials and electronic resources, but that position was vacant. These three people constituted my management team, and I hoped we could work well together. Only Cassandra really concerned me, because she was always difficult about everything.
I had been aware of her baleful gaze the entire time I spoke to the staff, and I braced myself for whatever it was she was practically bursting to say to me.
“Cassandra, do you have any concerns you’d like to share?” I asked.
She stood, pushing back her chair so hard it knocked over another one. “Public librarian.” She managed to load both venom and contempt into those two words. “What do you know about running an academic library?” She stalked out of the room without waiting for a response.
TWENTY-FOUR
Cassandra’s unpleasant behavior disconcerted me. I’d had no idea of the depth of her animosity toward me, nor did I understand the reason for it.
Lisa and Delbert exchanged an uneasy glance. Lisa said, “She’s bitter, Charlie. She’s been here for twenty years and, in her mind anyway, she keeps getting passed over for promotion. Apparently she applied for the director’s job when Peter was hired and obviously didn’t get it. Then, a few years ago, when Peter decided to appoint an associate director, he hired from outside. She never forgave him for that.”
“When the associate director left”—Delbert took up the thread—“the year after you came, I think it was, Charlie, she thought Peter would promote her then. But he decided not to fill the position because of budget issues. Of course, when Peter left so suddenly, she thought she’d be named the interim director.”