Free The Professor by Robert Bailey Page B

be noted that the five board members who voted for this decision have all been added within the last two years and are not as familiar with the Professor’s vast accomplishments as the rest of us are.” He walked down the table and put his arm around Tom. “Let the record reflect, Dean Lambert, and let it be recorded in the minutes of this board meeting that William Rufus Cole from Choctaw County, Alabama, thinks that the board’s action today is an unadulterated , unmitigated , goddamn disgrace . This man has given his whole life for this school. He played for Coach Bryant’s 1961 national champions. None of you people remember that team, but I do .That team was the Bear’s first national champion. The defense that Tom played on gave up twenty-five points. For the whole year. That team made not just the school but the whole state proud .” Rufus squeezed Tom’s shoulder. “Then, when the Man asked him to come build a trial program and teach Evidence, what did he do? He came. And he won three national championships and wrote the goddamn book on evidence in this state.”
    “Please watch your language, Rufus,” Jameson said, a thin smile covering his face.
    Rufus pointed his finger at Jameson, and it trembled with anger. “You . . . you fucking Judas .You of all people should be standing by Tom on this, Jameson. You wouldn’t be half the trial lawyer you are if it wasn’t for the Professor.”
    “Rufus, my first and only loyalty in this matter is to my client, the University of Alabama. My client asked for a recommendation, and I have given it.” Jameson turned his gaze to Tom. “So what’ll it be, Professor? You’ve heard the conditions. Will you agree to abide by them?”
    “Don’t do it, Tom,” Rufus said, his voice shaky and tired, having given out from the effort. He was now talking to and looking at only Tom. “I’m sorry.”
    “It’s OK, Rufus,” Tom said, patting his old friend on the arm. Then he turned to Tyler, forcing himself to remain calm.
    “You mentioned something besides the altercation with Drake. A ‘personal’matter. What does that involve?”
    “It’s bullshit, Tom,” Rufus blurted. “Complete—”
    “Rufus Cole,” Dean Lambert said, standing and glaring at Rufus. “You have been warned twice. You can address this board appropriately or you can leave.”
    “Don’t threaten me, you son of a—”
    Rufus started to walk toward the dean, but Tom grabbed him by the arm and whispered in his ear, “Just sit down, Rufus. I appreciate the gesture, but it’s not helping. OK?”
    Rufus looked at him with pleading eyes, then nodded and took his seat. Tom turned back to Jameson, who was now standing.
    “The personal matter involves a relationship you have with one of your students that the board believes is inappropriate. According to the dean, he saw you holding hands with one of your female interns on Monday and”—Tyler opened a file folder in front of him and slid an envelope down the table—“and we also have these.”
    Tom looked inside the envelope and couldn’t believe his eyes. Dawn Murphy’s smiling face was caught in close-up as Tom walked her down the sidewalk with his arm around her. The next one showed her wet T-shirt. In the last two, Dawn’s body leaned into Tom’s and her hand was on his shoulder, but their faces were blocked by the umbrella, making it appear like they were in some type of romantic embrace.
    “You had me followed?” Tom looked up at the dean, whose eyes shifted to Jameson.
    “Well . . . yes,” the dean said. “After observing you holding hands with Ms. Murphy on Monday, the board was advised by our attorney to conduct surveillance on you. I think the photographs show the wisdom in Mr. Tyler’s advice.”
    Tom glared at Jameson.“Since when is helping a student get to her car in the rain some type of offense?” Tom asked, trying to keep his voice steady as he put the photographs back in the envelope and slid them back to