Page 178 of The Texas Sterling Collection
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
After lunch on Wednesday, Ailbe’s office phone rang. He glanced at the display: Dr. Riordan, the university president. Usually, the president funneled information through one of the deans. This must be important. He cleared his throat and then answered the call. “Dr. MacGowan.”
“Dr. MacGowan, President Riordan wants to see you in his office.” It was Dr. Riordan’s secretary.
“What time should I plan to be there?”
“Now would be good,” she said.
“I will be there as quickly as I can.” Ailbe grabbed his coat and headed across campus to the Administration Building, a five-minute walk. The urgency of the meeting and the direct communication from the president’s office made him edgy. What could have happened for the president to summon him? Not sure what to expect, Ailbe entered the President’s office suite. “Dr. MacGowan to see Dr. Riordan.”
“One moment, Dr. MacGowan.” The secretary telephoned the president, and within seconds the office door opened.
“Ailbe…good to see you.” President Liam Riordan motioned to enter. Despite his six decades on the planet, he was a towering, imposing figure. Well-dressed and confident, he offered his hand.
Ailbe shook his hand as he entered the office. “I am pleased to see you again, Dr. Riordan.”
“Please, sit. I’m afraid I have rather tragic news to share with you.”
“Oh?” The leather creaked as Ailbe sat in one of the tufted leather chairs in front of the president’s desk. He knew what thetragic newswas about.
Dr. Riordan sat in the other leather chair, facing Ailbe. “One of your students was found dead in the River Corrib this morning. Garda is on the case, but they have little to go on.”
Knowing he needed to show surprised concern, he pinched between his eyes, then looked back at the president. “I’m shocked, Dr. Riordan. May I know which student?” He already knew but couldn’t let on.
Dr. Riordan nodded, “Keenan Moynihan.”
Ailbe creased his brow in a feigned troubled expression. “Keenan was one of my best students. He was well-liked by his peers and had a promising future. Does Garda have any leads at all?”
Dr. Riordan shook his head. “The tragedy is so far a complete mystery, Ailbe. University records indicate that Mr. Moynihan had a clean background and strong family support. I speculate that either it was mistaken identity or there is more to this story.”
“I appreciate you letting me know, Dr. Riordan. I am distraught. My heart goes out to Keenan’s family. Is there anything I can do?”
“No, Ailbe, I wanted to share this unexpected event with you personally.”
“Thank you, Dr. Riordan. I will share the news with Keenan’s classmates. If I can help Garda, please let me know.”
“I appreciate your concern and offer of assistance, Ailbe.” Dr. Riordan stood and offered his hand. “Please let me know if you hear anything from the other students. Sometimes they can inadvertently say something that may give us a lead.”
Ailbe shook the proffered hand. “I will keep my ears open, Dr. Riordan.”
* * *
That afternoon over a pint at O’Connell’s, Ailbe shared the news with Declan. “I got called to the president’s office today. He told me of Garda finding Keenan’s body in the river. Brilliant piece of work, Declan. Gardaí are stumped.”
Declan listened intently and smiled as Ailbe complimented his work. “That’s what mates are for,” he said, “to handle problems. Oh, I’ll need to return the favor one day, but at least we made a point.”
“Definitely,” Ailbe said. “You should have seen their faces when I told the other students.” He took a sip of his cold Bulmers. “They are a frightened bunch of lads.”
“Do you think any others made the same connection as Moynihan?” Declan was still concerned about student participation in the project.
“No other students have mentioned it, and now they probably won’t. Doing away with Moynihan seems to have achieved what I hoped.” Ailbe sounded cautiously confident. “We’re almost there. A few more lines of code, and we’re set for October 29th.” He took a big pull of his cider.
“Slow down, mate,” Declan said. “That stuff’ll get to you if you drink it too fast.”
Ailbe lowered his glass. “Right, you are. I’m glad you’re here to keep an eye on me.”
