Free Do or Die by Barbara Fradkin

thing…” Without waiting for the wrath, he ducked out.
    *    *    *
    The University Sciences building was a squat concrete bunker built in the psychedelic sixties, but more evocative of post-war Moscow. Virtually the entire fourth floor was devoted to the offices, labs and equipment rooms of Myles Halton’s research group. Green imagined that normally it was alive with the bustle of students and the hum of equipment, but on the afternoon following Jonathan Blair’s murder, everything was hushed. Most of the offices were empty, and only one secretary sat at her desk, staring at her blank computer screen. Somewhere in the background he could hear the murmur of voices, but there was no one to be seen.
    The secretary was called back from her trance by his cough. She raised startled gray eyes, which made her look even younger than her probable twenty years. A pretty secretary, he thought. My first clue to Halton’s character.
    â€œI’d like to see Professor Halton, please.”
    â€œUh…” she wavered, until he produced his badge. “He spoke to two detectives earlier,” she supplied hastily. “After that, he went out.”
    He took down her name in his notebook. “Could you tell me where the professor went?”
    â€œI didn’t ask. We’re all upset, sir. Professor Halton told us to take the day off.”
    â€œIs there anyone here from his staff?”
    â€œUmm...” Her hands fluttered to her face distractedly. “I could check for you. Mr. Difalco was here earlier, he might still be here. Dr. Miller’s in his office, I think.”
    â€œIs Raquel Haddad here?” He knew she wasn’t—she would be in Beirut by now—but he wanted to see her reaction. For a split second her eyes widened, before she drew her brows down over them in a frown.
    â€œMiss Haddad doesn’t really work here. She’s only been helping out a bit with the research.”
    â€œHelping who?”
    The brows drew lower. “I wouldn’t know. I’m Dr. Halton’s secretary, and I don’t keep track of all the projects his students are doing. I only type their research when it’s part of the book.”
    â€œWhat book?”
    â€œDr. Halton’s book on language mechanisms in the brain. All the research goes into it.”
    â€œSo all his students are doing research on his theory?”
    â€œWell…” Her gray eyes roamed up the hall nervously. “I’d prefer you talk to Dr. Halton himself about it.”
    He raised an innocent eyebrow. “Why?” “I’m just the secretary. Dr. Halton told us it would be better if he handled all the police and press.”
    â€œBut he’s not here, and I need information. How long did Raquel Haddad work for Jonathan Blair?”
    The girl’s eyes flitted nervously up and down the corridor. “Maybe you should talk to Dr. Miller.”
    â€œWho’s he?”
    â€œDr. Halton’s research fellow. I’ll get him.” She scurried down the hall and disappeared into an office without a backward glance. Curious, he padded down the hall until he could make out what she was saying.
    Her voice was breathy, anxious. “Dr. Halton said specificallythat people were not to talk to anyone about his or Jonathan’s work. He was afraid the press would distort things.”
    â€œBut this is a policeman, right?” A male voice responded.
    â€œYes, but you know I don’t like to go against what Dr. Halton says. And the detective was asking about Raquel. Oh David, would you talk to him? Please? Dr. Halton wouldn’t get mad at you.”
    â€œI don’t know about that right now.” Green heard a scraping sound and a sigh. “Fine, show him in.”
    David Miller was a paunchy, balding man of medium height with stooped shoulders and pale blue eyes. No thick black hair, no mustache. Not my first choice for killer of the