Free Retribution by Regina Smeltzer Page B

you like academics. Actually, this is one of the original buildings.” His brow puckered. “I know Hazel…”
    “She was the professor who died?”
    “Actually, she was found dead by one of the students.”
    Her heart lurched in her chest. “That must have been awful for the student.”
    “It wasn’t too easy for the staff either. But lest I become morbid, let me show you the faculty lounge where you can make coffee or eat lunch, whatever.”
    They toured all two levels and finally ended at what was to become her office. A placard with “Dr. Lillian Hunter” on the side of the door already identified the room as hers.
    Dr. Roman opened the door and she grimaced as the smell of disinfectant burned her nose. Dr. Roman didn’t seem to notice. One more thing to deal with, but the smell would lessen as soon as the room had a chance to air out. A long narrow window allowed in natural light. To the right sat a large desk with phone and computer, flanked by a filing cabinet. On the left wall, the floor-to-ceiling shelves were three quarters filled with books.
    She ran her fingers along the spines.
    “Hazel’s family donated her books, so we left them here for you. If you decide you don’t want them, they can be removed.”
    “Thank you. I’m sure they will be useful.” She didn’t bother to tell him she had come without a laptop, without a lecture note, and without a single book except her Bible.
    After glancing at his watch, Dr. Roman moved toward the door. “I don’t want to rush you, but here are the keys to the building and your office. Your appointment with Dr. Carter is in ten minutes. I’ll walk you over.”
    After meeting with Dr. Carter, she was guided to Personnel. From there she found her way to the book store and the cafeteria. Students filled most of the tables in the three large dining rooms. After finding an empty seat, she picked at her chicken and something the server had called “greens.” Students filtered in, some reading between bites, others catching up on last night’s events. Had she ever been that young? That carefree? She glanced at her watch; she had just enough time to drop off her bookstore purchases before the faculty meeting at 1:00.
    Outside, the quietness seemed profound after the clank of dishes and loud voices. Surrounded by shrubs, oak trees and loblolly pines and looking more park-like than a college campus, the path back to Founders Hall wound around quiet nooks, a few occupied by students deep in conversation, others talking on cell phones.
    Small gray squirrels gathered acorns from the plethora that lay scattered among pine needles and leaves. The air smelled clean, fresh with hints of a floral scent.
    Being outside was wonderful. Even though the start had been rough, an exciting thrill ran through Lillian. She could rise above the difficulties of staying in the home of a pregnant woman whose father hated her, the discovery that her predecessor had been murdered, and the stench of her office. Her smile broadened and her pulse quickened. She could do this.
    At Founders Hall, she took the stairs to the second floor. A few students passed, carrying backpacks slung over shoulders, water bottles dangling from their hands. Pushing open the office door until it hit the back wall, she steeled herself for the sanitized smell. Swallowing against the gag, she unpacked the mug, zip drive, and a card she had purchased for Beth, each item gracing the barren desktop.
    A soft knock sounded on the door. “Dr. Hunter?”
    “Agnes Brown, isn’t it? Please call me Lillian.”
    The middle aged woman fanned her hand in front of her face as she stepped into the small room. “Whew, it still stinks in here. I told them we should keep this door open, but too many gawkers forced Dr. Roman to order it shut.”
    “Too many gawkers?”
    “You know how morbid some people can be. And not just the students. We had plenty of faculty and staff members wander by, too.”
    Her muscles stiffened,