Exile to the Stars (The Alarai Chronicles) by Dale B. Mattheis Read Free Book Online Page B

unblinking concentration. As on past
occasion, Jeff felt like his every thought was apparent to the man. It was
unnerving.
    “Well,
well. Where were we, Mr. Jorgenson? Oh yes, the police.”
    At
the word, police, Jeff tensed and his heart skipped a beat.
    “You
are a fortunate young man, Mr. Friedrick. University counsel tells me that no
charges are to be brought. It seems the commotion at the scene prompted
interest in a local apartment dweller given to late night reading.” Professor
Hildebrand paused to marvel at that fact, cherished it for a moment, and
continued. “His statement convinced the police that you acted not only in
self-defense, but to preserve your life.” Frosty green eyes gazed steadily into
Jeff’s. “Let me tell you where I stand.”
    Jeff’s
heart stuttered again as he waited for his doom to be spoken. That was the
sense he got when being addressed by this stately and occasionally severe man.
    “Some
members of the department have encouraged me to discharge you. The moral
outrage they voiced, however, reflected their lack of professional competence
and personal ambitions. Others, including myself, espoused a more balanced,
thoughtful approach. In short, Mr. Friedrick, no disciplinary action is planned
at the departmental level. You must understand, however, that this matter may
yet be taken from my hands. Until I hear from the chancellor’s office, this
matter will remain open. I expected better judgment from you, Mr. Friedrick.
Your decision to walk home smacks of idiocy.”
    Unconsciously
holding his breath, Jeff let it out in a quiet sigh. Professor Hildebrand rose
from his chair, giving evidence that his visit was at an end. At the elevator,
Professor Hildebrand turned to Jeff with a genuine smile and held out his hand.
    “I
like your work, Mr. Friedrick. Please be more careful in exposing yourself to
criticism.”
    A
brief handshake and he was gone.
    “What
a class act,” Jeff observed in a respectful tone of voice. “That is one
impressive man.”
    “That’s
not all of it, boyo. On the way up Hildebrand mentioned that as a student he
fenced for his university. Then he actually smiled. Lord! It made me shiver to
look at him!”
    “Because
he smiled? It’s a strange occurrence, I’ll grant you, but it seemed nice to
me.”
    “You
should have seen it,” Carl replied with a vigorous shake of his head. “I felt
like hanging cloves of garlic around my neck. Anyway, he smiled and said he had
to, and I quote, ‘admire the efficiency with which Mr. Friedrick dispatched his
assailants.’”
    “Well,
I will be twice damned.”
    “I
think he’s pissed, though, so if I were you I would be just the teeniest bit
careful. He also mentioned that the final word ought to come down in about a
week.”
    Jeff
started getting organized. He assumed he would be discharged as planned. It
wasn’t long before Dr. Winston confirmed that assumption.
     
     

Chapter Three
Good-bye
    It
seemed to Jeff that life resumed as if his brush with death had never happened.
Publicity was gone as quickly as it had come, replaced by juicier and more
current gobbets of news.
    For
several days his students were determined to draw him out during classroom
discussions, but Jeff refused to take the bait. While most students attended by
way of the Classroom Holographic Network, those who were present in the flesh
made things hot for a number of days. It was one of the reasons they attended.
However, it was an advanced class and finals were just around the corner.
Personal concern for academic survival soon diverted questions toward picking
his brain in search of test questions.
    Gang
violence had been increasing around town, some said because of milder weather.
Those with a more sanguine view of society reserved their opinion and prepared
for worse to come. Unemployment rates nationwide averaged 30%, but the Dow
Jones was expected to break twenty thousand any day. Food banks in major cities
were empty and death by