Free The Spire by Richard North Patterson Page B

and our funders with Caldwell's story'the low crime rate, the new campus safety program, how we've gotten our own kids through this, how much we welcome minorities.' Farr's tone was pointed. 'They should also provide talking points for our admissions people. You can take it to the bank that our applications will drop. What we have is not just murder, but a combustible mix of race and drugs and alcohol.'
    'There we can point to our substance abuse policy,' Durbin said. 'It's one of the first things I asked about in the interview process.'
    'Did they mention that our policy is bullshit'' Farr inclined his head toward Mark. 'Any student can tell you that this place is awash in alcohol and drugs, including the DBE house. I should know: I'm on the student-faculty disciplinary committee, and every so often some drunk or drugged-out kid destroys a dorm room or precipitates a charge of date rape. That's the only time we stop pretending there's no problem.' He turned to Mark. 'You said Angela's brother was at the party. He deals drugs out of the Alibi Club, right''
    Mark hesitated. 'Yeah, he does.'
    'Not much we can do about
that
,' Farr told Durbin. 'Angela's mother owns the place. That leaves the fraternities.'
    'That's tougher, Lionel. A lot of the alumni I'm meeting feel like their fraternity was the heart of their experience at Caldwell.'
    'And a lot of them are morons,' Farr responded. 'Here's what I'd recommend. Conduct a full investigation of that party. Warn the presidents of every fraternity that their parties are no longer off-limits to school authorities. If fraternities tolerate drugs or underage drinking, it's not the particular student who'll go'it's the fraternity. Any kid caught once with drugs will get compulsory drug and alcohol counseling; twice, they'll be suspended; three times, they'll be expelled. Make sure they know what date rape is, and that any assault on a woman, of any kind, will be dealt with harshly.
    'It's clear and it's fair, Clark. More alumni will praise you than resent you. Ask the ones who complain if they care more about the idiots in their old fraternity than about the reputation of the school and the safety of its students.' Farr's tone was quiet but firm. 'Tell them your job is to make Caldwell College the safest place on earth. Then do it.'
    Durbin frowned. 'I came here to raise money from them, not to beat them over the head. This is my first presidency; fund-raising's my skill set. The board hired me to launch a new capital campaign and beef up our endowment.'
    'You can't right now,' Farr said with muted impatience. 'Not for at least a year. It's not just that there's been a murder after a fraternity party. In all likelihood, Angela Hall was strangled by a student at this college.'
    Durbin raised his eyebrows. 'Specifically, Steve Tillman''
    At once, Mark began to fear that Steve might be railroaded to save the school. 'Perhaps,' Farr answered. 'If so, it's possible that sex'consensual or nonconsensual'may become part of the mix. I know one thing for sure: if any student is charged, we have to expel them. Neither the school nor its students can live with anything less.'
    Abruptly, Durbin stood. 'I need to get started. For the next few hours, Lionel, I want you at my side.'
    Farr nodded. 'Of course. Just let me talk with Mark for a minute.'
    'Please.' Facing Mark, Durbin said, 'You've been through a lot since yesterday, when we first met. I know you have Professor Farr to lean on. But if there's anything I can do for you, at any hour, just call.'
    Even through his fog, Mark felt this man's essential goodness. 'Thank you, sir. I will.'
    Farr touched his arm. 'I'll walk out with you.'
    The two of them stopped on the front porch. In the driveway, a pale, uncoordinated-looking boy of about twelve was shooting baskets without much skill, oblivious to all that had happened. Mark turned to Farr and saw that his eyes suddenly looked tired and deeply sad. 'It's hard to believe,' he murmured, shaking