He flushed again. “Nothing. I’m in a hurry, Erin. If you can save the third degree until I return, I would appreciate it.” With a brusque nod, he brushed past her. “Ah,” he muttered, and continued out of the building. To her, it appeared that he favored his right leg.

Erin stood in the lobby, flabbergasted. The unflappable, impeccable Kenneth Bernard looked as if he’d slept in his clothes, and the chair of the department wasn’t concerned about a student’s progress.

Was it coincidence, Erin wondered, that Kenneth had recommended a field that studied the ties of language and crime? She hadn’t thought to mention it, hadn’t seen the place where it fit. Admittedly, she’d been less than alert through the presentation, but the topic seemed too convenient.

A signal, perhaps? One so subtle, he thought she wouldn’t hear it?

She wandered to her office, replaying their exchange. There was something she was missing, something important. But she couldn’t be rash. Not if the suspicion percolating in her mind had any grounding in the truth. Erin needed to go to her apartment and review her notes.

Jessica sat at her computer, printing. “Résumés,” Jessica explained. “I got a lead on a couple of summer positions in Atlanta. I’m applying late, but I think I’ve got a shot.”

Trying for normalcy, Erin gestured to one of the résumés. “Let me know if you need a recommendation,” she offered as she signed off on her grade sheets. Jessica had already sent the grades to the registrar electronically, but this provided a paper trail. As calmly as possible, Erin asked, “Jessica, did you notice anything unusual about Dr. Bernard today?”

“Not really. He always seems kinda spacey, you know? Too good for this world. He should really loosen up.” Jessica paused. “Is there something wrong?”

Erin smiled reassuringly. “Not at all. I was just wondering.”

“Dr. Abbott!” The breathy, histrionic voice barely preceded Harmony’s arrival. “How could you?”

Not now, she thought. Aloud, she asked, “How could I what, Harmony?”

“Give me a D? If I don’t pass, I can’t go to Greece.” She whined, “All the sisters will be there but me.”

“You should have thought of that before you turned in your final paper, Ms. Turner. When I added the grades for your paper and your last test, I was hard-pressed not to give you an F.”

Harmony’s eyes welled with tears. “I tried so hard, Dr. Abbott. I really did.”