Page 200 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“What are you doing watching the Gardaí station?” Garrett asked.
Fergus pulled back. “I was on the phone with Keenan when the incident occurred.” His voice trembled. “The Gardaí questioned me. They think someone killed Keenan.” Fergus struggled to maintain composure.
Garrett cupped Fergus’s cheek with his left hand. “Relax, Fergus. You can talk to me.”
Fergus turned into Garrett’s touch. “When Dr. MacGowan announced the change in due dates this morning, I thought the Gardaí should know.”
“Do you want me to go in with you?” Garrett asked.
“Garrett, nobody knows about our relationship. I don’t want it kept secret, but it's probably better if you’re not involved with the Gardaí.”
“A bunch of the lads came down to give statements,” Garret said. “But Gardaí didn’t call me.”
“I think they only called lads who had talked with Keenan regularly,” Fergus said.
“He and I were not close,” Garrett said.
“Garrett?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you’re here. Do you mind waiting while I go in to see the Chief?”
“How about I meet you in the coffee shop down the street?”
“I’d like that.” Fergus squeezed Garrett’s hand before he turned to walk across the street to the Gardaí station.
* * *
“My name is Fergus Rafferty. Is Chief Superintendent O’Brien available?” Fergus asked the Garda behind the counter.
“I’ll check for you, sir.”
* * *
Sergeant Healy’s phone rang. “Healy,” he answered.
“Sergeant Healy, Officer O’Malley here. I have a young man named Rafferty asking to speak to the Chief Superintendent.”
“On my way.” Healy hung up the phone and stepped into O’Brien’s office. “Fergus Rafferty is here to see you.”
O’Brien looked up. “I wonder what he wants?”
“I am unsure, sir. Shall I fetch him?”
“Absolutely!” O’Brien said. “I was hard on him when he was here. He wouldn’t come back unless he thought it was important.”
“Excellent, sir.” Healy turned to fetch Rafferty.
Five minutes later, Fergus Rafferty stood in the doorway to O’Brien’s office. He knocked on the door frame. “Chief Superintendent?” he asked.
“Rafferty, my boy. Come in. Sit down. What’s on your mind?”
Rafferty stepped in and sat in one of the worn leather chairs in front of O’Brien’s desk. “Chief, something odd occurred this morning that I thought you should know.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know if this is important, but considering our earlier conversation, I don’t want to be in trouble for not sharing. This morning, Dr. MacGowan announced that the semester project is due in two weeks. On October 22nd, to be exact. This due date is a full week earlier than our planned due date. The announcement was a surprise this late in the game.”
