Page 229 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Yes, sir. And if there is anything I can do to help with the investigation, please let me know.”
Dr. Riordan stood. “Thank you, Ailbe. I’ll be in touch should the need arise.”
Ailbe stood and shook Dr. Riordan’s hand, then departed his office.
As he walked back across the campus, he was pleased that Dr. Riordan had actually considered him to be in danger. Perhaps the Gardaí also shifted the focus away from him and onto an unknown individual. Brilliant!
When he arrived at his office, Chief Superintendent O'Brien stood in the hallway. Ailbe knew this was trouble.
“Chief Superintendent, how nice to see you again.” Ailbe plastered an insincere smile across his face.
“Dr. MacGowan, it’s good to see you as well. May I borrow a moment of your time?”
“Certainly, Chief Superintendent. Dr. Riordan called me to his office to share the tragic news about Fergus Rafferty. I’m shocked that yet another student has met an untimely end to his promising young life.”
Ailbe unlocked his office, holding the door for O’Brien to enter first. O’Brien sat in one of the chairs in front of Ailbe’s desk. Ailbe removed his coat and scarf, hung them on the coat tree near his desk, then took his seat. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“Did you know that Rafferty was talking on a cell phone to Moynihan the morning he was murdered?”
“Murdered? Have you determined homicide is definitely in play here, Chief?” Ailbe recalled their initial conversation and the uncertainty O’Brien conveyed about the cause of death.
“While we do not have a weapon or a motive, we also have nothing to suggest otherwise. Back to Rafferty, did you know he and Moynihan were conversing that morning?”
“I did not know that Chief.”
“Do you have any reason to believe Rafferty was in danger?”
“Mr. Rafferty was a brilliant student. I cannot imagine why any student would be a threat to someone, much less in danger.”
“We feel the same way, Dr. MacGowan. That is why we are so puzzled at his death.”
“Do the Gardaí have any reason to believe this death was not accidental?”
“Our investigation is ongoing,” O’Brien said. “Still, preliminary evidence from the crime scene indicates a strong probability of murder.”
Ailbe feigned shock, pausing for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. “I’m surprised, Chief Superintendent. I cannot imagine why anyone would harm Fergus Rafferty.”
“We cannot either, Dr. MacGowan. Was Rafferty working on anything unique in your course?”
“Only the regular course project.” Ailbe continued the charade.
“The same project Keenan Moynihan was working on?”
“Yes,” Ailbe nodded. “All students work on the same project. As I explained before, each student has an individual piece, but all pieces fit together into a whole.”
“I do recall you mentioning that aspect, Dr. MacGowan, but thanks for the reminder.” O’Brien wrote in his small notebook, hoping to unnerve Ailbe.
“Did Rafferty get along well with his fellow students?” O’Brien asked.
“That he did. He was well-liked and popular.”
“Did you notice any jealousy from other students?”
“No. In fact, after Kennan Moynihan disappeared, he was always the first to help those who were struggling.”
“Have you seen any unknown individuals hanging around the facility?”
“No. Not many people are interested in our technology program, so we don’t have many visitors, known or unknown.”
