Page 43 of Nelson & MacIlwraith II

“Maybe later. You’ve got a big day planned for us. Those rules?” Nelson prodded.

“Right…” Nox gave himself a shake and focused. “The only other one that comes to mind is to never get involved. Knowing the important things is good because that’s part of respecting a person and understanding where their boundaries and passions are. But we keep out of their lives because it’s easy to get in trouble or harm your students, assistants, and coworkers if you forget that there’s always going to be an imbalance of power there.”

“That’s a good rule.” Nelson had observed the sincere, warm affection Nox had for his students, collectively. But he maintained a strict, professional distance between himself and his students individually and never discussed his personal life with them.

Nelson leaned in for another kiss, then stepped back when the school came to life around them. Doors opened and students spilled into the halls and around them and Nox glowed, but in a beautiful, less alarming way, absorbing their chatter as they shared questions and discussed assignments. He beamed with pride and inspiration as he slipped past students, high-fiving and fist bumping them on the way into his classroom.

“What are you doing here?” A slender, younger, blonder version of Clancy asked as he looked up from the podium in the middle of the long desk at the front.

He was an obvious clone of his role model in his tortoiseshell frames, tweed blazer, and pressed khakis. There was an immediate starchy seriousness to his nature, but Walt smiled at Nox and Nelson as he came around to greet them. Walt was a few years older than they were—Nelson estimated him to be in his mid-thirties. For Nelson, it was a stark reminder of how exceptionally young Nox was for an associate professor on the verge of tenure. “Aubrey’s giving Celia a hand with Tony and I’ve got everything covered here,” Walt insisted.

“I know!” Nox gave his arm a reassuring punch. “We couldn’t be in better hands. This whole thing with Tony has me rattled and I wanted to make sure things were cool here and you had everything you needed. I owe you because I know you’ve got a lot going on.”

“No trouble at all, professor.” Walt waved it off. “You have bigger things to worry about.”

“Not bigger,” Nox said with a heavy sigh. “This is important work, too, and Tony is my right hand and the one I trust to be my voice when I can’t be here. There isn’t a lot that’s more important to me. We just have to do some really hard things today and it’s easier knowing you’re here while I have to be away,” he explained.

“Of course. I’m glad to help in any way I can.” Walt hugged his chest, tucking his hands under his arms as he looked around. “But I can’t think of anything I need. You know how Tony likes to be prepared. He had everything pretty much cued up and laid out and it’s all running smoothly so far. Is there anything I can do to help you?” he asked and Nox’s cheeks puffed out as he shook his head.

“We’re on our way to an autopsy and then to offer condolences to a parent of a…victim,” he said with a pained wince. “We don’t have anything to offer him other than condolences and maybe some comfort. It’s a long shot, but we’re also hoping he might be able to shed a little more light. But it’s such a long shot.”

“Wow. That is hard and I can’t imagine,” Walt said, sighing heavily. “And I certainly don’t envy you.”

Nox nodded. “Like I said, it’s easier knowing I don’t have to worry about my obligations here or Tony. Speaking of,” he checked the doorway, then narrowed his eyes conspiratorially at Walt. “I know they already took your statement, but did you see anything weird or did anything stand out about the last time you talked to Tony, before he got sick?”

“Tony’s always weird,” Walt replied dryly, but he chuckled as he shook his head. “We picked up Aubrey from the airport last night. She flew to New York for a few days to go dress shopping with her mom and grandmother. We had dinner and dropped him off at the school afterward so he could set up for his morning lecture and get his things. He was the same Tony. He didn’t answer his phone when I called around midnight and I knew that something wasn’t right…” His lips pulled into a hard line. “He always answers his phone but I told myself he had his headphones on and was ‘rocking out’ to Zeppelin.”

“Why Zeppelin?” Nelson asked quietly, earning a confused look from Nox.

“Why not? But it makes perfect sense that he’d listen to ‘Immigrant Song’ if he was getting hyped up to do a lecture on pilgrimages.”

“Not really…” Walt said, sharing a dubious look with Nelson. “Even though that was Tony’s reasoning. He said he was going to rock out to it while he worked and that he’d check in when he got home.”

“Ha! Which explains why he heard that during his trip and was singing it,” Nox told Nelson.

“It wouldn’t be Tony’s first trip,” Walt grumbled under his breath in true big brother fashion. “But I’ve never known him to do anything at work or the night before a lecture and he’s never been sick like this afterward,” he added.

Nelson shook his head. “I don’t believe it was intentional on his part and none of this explains the rest of the trip. He also mentioned crows. Do you know anyone who’s an expert on them and knows their way around plants like yew?” Nox said, earning a thoughtful frown from Walt.

“Aside from Tony? I can have Aubrey give you a call so she can tell you everything you never wanted to know about yew, but Tony knows everything about crows. He’s got a bunch of crow tattoos.”

“Tony knows everything about crows,” Nelson repeated as he wrote.

“Come on,” Nox said impatiently. “Anyone who’s studied anthropology and mythology should know about crows.” He glanced at Walt who nodded in agreement.

“They’re ubiquitous throughout mythology and literature and are steeped in symbolism,” he explained. “But why would you possibly need an expert on crows when you have the professor here? The only person who could possibly know more might be Professor Clancy. Although, if it’s a pair of fresher ‘anthropology’ eyes you’re after, I would suggest Tony. And I might do in a pinch and if you’re willing to settle,” Walt offered, smiling expectantly at Nelson and Nox.

But the compliment and his self-deprecation were…off to Nelson, right on the line between sincere and almost backhanded.

“Nothing specific at the moment,” Nelson replied with a shrug. “Seems like someone who’d be handy, is all. And I’m curious as to why Tony saw crows. Can you think of any reason why those might have been a part of this trip? Did he mention them while you were talking or mention any plans to do any new research on crows?”

Walt nodded. “Definitely handy. I can’t think of any reason why or what they’d have to do with this morning’s lecture. And I can’t think of one person who's an expert on crows and yew. Aside from him,” he said, pointing at Nox

Nox pulled a face. “You give me too much credit and underestimate yourself,” he said, clapping Walt on the shoulder and giving it an affectionate shake. Nox paused, his hand locked on Walt’s shoulder. “Are you feeling well?”

Walt's head cocked. “I have been fighting off a cold and I haven't slept well since Tony… Why?”

“Are you sure that’s all?” Nox asked in a low murmur and Nelson noted that the lights in the classroom had dimmed and he was suddenly feeling drowsy.

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