Page 196 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“I see. So Moynihan called you and was talking about the class?”
“Yes, that is right. He discovered our various student projects fit together and went to see Dr. MacGowan about it.”
“Wait a minute,” O’Brien grabbed his pencil and leaned forward. “He went to see MacGowan?”
“Yes, sir. He had gone to see Dr. MacGowan after class that morning.”
“Would that be around ten o’clock?”
“Yes, sir. That’s about right. Class ends at nine-forty-five.”
“I see. So, he talked with MacGowan about his discovery.”
“That’s what he told me, sir. As we talked that evening, he said he still thought there was something odd about the projects fitting together.”
“So, he wasn’t convinced when Dr. MacGowan told him the purpose? To see if students were sharp enough to catch the connection?”
“No, sir.”
“Go on.”
“Well, we were talking as he walked, and I heard all this motor noise and yelling through his phone. Then Keenan started running and shouted for me to call the Gardaí. Lots of grunting, and Keenan said, “What the feck.” And I heard another voice say something I couldn’t make out, then a loud clattering, as if the phone hit the ground, followed by the sound of car doors closing. Then what sounded like a screech of tires, like when someone takes off too quickly. Then quiet. Then, there was more traffic sounds before the phone went dead.”
“Do you remember anything about that other voice you heard? Anything at all?”
“No, sir. I could tell Keenan was struggling, and the sounds from his phone kept fading in and out, so I couldn’t tell exactly what was happening or what anyone was saying.”
“Is there anything else you want to tell me about this situation?”
“After Keenan’s phone went dead, I ran to the place between the hospital and the campus where he might have been and found what appeared to be a smashed cell phone in the road. Then I called 112. The Gardaí came, but they said it was only an unidentifiable smashed cell phone. They didn’t believe me about Keenan.”
“Calm down, son. To an outsider, you’ll have to admit that a smashed cell phone is hardly evidence of a crime. But I understand your concern and am glad you called 112. We now have a record of the event.”
“I want to find out who took him,” Rafferty said.
“I understand, Rafferty, and I appreciate your cooperation.”
“I hope my information helps, Chief Superintendent.”
“Healy!” O’Brien shouted. Fergus jumped.
“Yes, sir?” Healy appeared at the office doorway.
“Show Mr. Rafferty out, and have the lads take him back to his flat.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
On Tuesday evening, Rod and Wyl arrived early on the Galway University campus. They stood in the auditorium where Rod was giving his presentation ofDon Giovanni.
“Wow, big place,” Wyl said. The hall appeared to contain approximately 500 seats.
“Let’s go down to the stage so I can see what the room looks like from there,” Rod took a side aisle down to the skirt before climbing the steps to the stage. Wyl followed.
“Are you using the podium?”
“You were in class with me. You know I prefer to stroll back and forth. I hope this hall has a remote microphone so I can wander the stage.”
Wyl massaged Rod’s shoulders. “Are you nervous?”
