Sleep Journal - 190203 - Fairge Anma
Feb. 9th, 2019 08:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Sleep Journal
03 February 2019
Craig Stevenson
It was almost noon before they finally left the library. Laura ... Dr. Wingate ... had departed earlier, along with Cam and Steve. She had a graduate seminar at noon and the two of them were in it. Before they left, however, the group confirmed that only one of the many papers plastered over the windows of the study was an original; the rest were photocopies; and that the obstruction extended to hip-high and was only present to males.
There was some discussion on what to call the obstruction; Laura liked using the term 'barrier', JJ called it a 'ward', and Craig kept using the term 'force field', especially after he found that it annoyed Laura.
Douglas Monaghan reserved judgement.
An electronic sweep confirmed that the field, whatever anyone called it, was not generated by any type of mechanical device. They also found that inanimate objects could be passed through it, paper, wood, plastic, glass, mobile phones, cameras. Only men were excluded. Craig proposed bringing in some animals to see if this extended beyond human males, Dr. Monaghan squelched the suggestion.
They decided to continue monitoring the small room for another several nights. It wasn't practical to leave the gear in place during the day, when people were in and about using the library, Dr. Monaghan approached the assistant librarian, Dr. Samson, about storing their equipment in somewhere in the library until evening. Dr. Samson agreed.
"You could use one of the other study rooms in this section," he suggested. "Nobody wants to come down this way. They're all too afraid of the ghost."
"It's not a ghost," Craig interrupted. Dr. Monaghan gave him a quelling look and JJ bumped him, muttering under his breath, "Do not piss off the person doing us a favour."
"But it's not," Craig protested, albeit to himself. Samson rounded on him, aggrieved.
"Then what is it?" Immediately he waved the question away. "That doesn't matter. What I want to know is ... What are you planning to do about it?"
Dr. Monaghan frowned as he supervised the stacking of the equipment on the floor of the closet Samson opened for them. It seemed to be used as a graveyard of obsolete and inoperative technology. After briefly directing JJ to redistribute a few things, he answered, "It depends on if there's another incident. We didn't get any video last night, we did get some data on other recorders, so that's not a big problem, but the more data we get, the better. Would it be a problem if we keep on it for ... say ... another three days, depending?"
The assistant librarian scowled, shaking his head. "No. I mean, how long will it take you to get rid of this thing?" he huffed.
Kneeling on the floor, Craig twisted around abruptly and immediately regretted the movement as the bruises and contusions acquired in his fall the day before made their protests known. As a result, his retort came out much more heated than he intended.
"We're not exterminators!"
"Then what good are you?" Samson shot back. Craig started to reply to the challenge, but Dr. Monaghan started speaking and JJ sent Craig back to the site to the last of the gear.
Later, walking out of the library, Craig continued to fulminate on the man's comment. "Can you believe the gall of that guy? 'what good are you?' Who does he think he is?"
"He's a man with problem," Dr. Monaghan responded soberly. "And he wants that problem to go away."
"But we're not Ghostbusters; that's not what we do," Craig replied. "We're paraphysicists."
"Parapsychologists," JJ corrected. It was an old argument.
"You ... maybe. I am a paraphysicist."
Which was true. Doctors Monaghan and Stillman possessed psychology degrees in addition to those in the paranormal sciences. While Craig had been forced to take an undergraduate minor in psychology in order to take their classes, his major degrees were in physics.
Dr. Monaghan interrupted the well-worn discussion to ask, "How would you go about creating a ghost trap?"
Craig started to answer flippantly, then stopped as another answer occurred to him. He walked for a while in silence, examining the new idea.
"Huh. Seriously? I'd want to get together with ... with the girl who created that force-field ..."
"Ward," JJ said. Craig ignored him.
"... because up to now, I haven't found any way of storing or ... or even recording ectoplasm or ectoplasmic energy. I think ... I think we need some sort of energy field ... and, yes, JJ, I mean field here ... in order to adequately contain it. The problem I've been having is that I can't figure out the structure of such a field. But I can't exactly figure out the structure of that field either so ..." his voice trailed off.
"Set a thief to catch a thief?" Monaghan supplied. Craig made a moue, not of disagreement, and shrugged.
JJ took a deep breath and let it out slowly, glancing back and forth between his two companions. "I don't really want to be the one to mention the elephant in the room but ... are you sure that ... energy field isn't electronic in nature?"
"I'm sure there's no equipment producing it," Craig replied.
"Then, let me be the one to throw this out. Is it magic?"
Neither man rushed to respond. Then Craig shrugged, shook his head. "I don't see what else it could be."
"I'd rather believe in ghosts," Douglas said.
"We've seen some poltergeist effects that are similar," JJ agreed. Craig did not agree.
When they reached the Psych Building, JJ and Monaghan started for the lifts; Craig came to a halt just inside the entrance.
"You guys go on. I'm going to go to the canteen and see if there's anything worth eating. I didn't get breakfast this morning and I'm about to fade."
"And you lost what dinner you did eat last night," JJ reminded him.
Douglas checked his watch. "I've got a class at one, might as well eat now."
The Psych Building was built on a slope. The formal entrance, with the main lobby, was on the upper end of the slope, facing toward the campus Quad and University Admin. The canteen was located in the lower ground level. It was serving lunch and rather crowded. A table came free as the three men walked in, JJ suggested that Craig hold it for them and he would bring him something to eat.
Craig was glad to sit down. The morning exertions had taken more out of him then he wanted to let on. He gave his order, "Hamburger with all the fixings, double chips with vinegar, and a bottle of pop." JJ winced.
"Maybe you should stick with grilled cheese and soup." JJ suggested gently. Making a face, Craig agreed.
Douglas Monaghan came back with a full tray; a plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, green beans, a salad, and apple pie a la mode for dessert. Craig eyed it resentfully as he picked up half of the sandwich JJ set before him. JJ just brought coffee for himself.
"My lunch is upstairs," he explained. As the other two began to eat, JJ picked up his coffee and the conversation both, saying, "One thing I don't understand ..." Craig interrupted.
"Only one thing?" You're lucky. There are so many things about this I don't understand that I can't even figure out where to start." JJ gave him a quelling look and forged onward.
"... is why she put so many copies of the spell up when it only needed one to take effect."
Craig started to answer but JJ shut him down before he could start. "And don't say that it was just to cover the window so nobody could look in. If that were the case, then we wouldn't have all the photocopies today."
Unquelled, Craig persisted, pointing out, "That supports my theory that she had nothing to do with covering the windows. She doesn't need to make photocopies."
"Okay, well. Assuming that there is a second person involved ... why did this hypothetical person make photocopies of that particular page when they covered the windows last night?" JJ queried. "If they were just looking for privacy, why not use ... well, other trash or even blank pages?"
"And why did the author of the original make so many copies to begin with?" Douglas added. He turned a sharp eye on both men. "For that matter, we're assuming that the author is a woman. Please remember that it is only an assumption."
"Why would a man want to set up a barrier that excluded himself?" Craig asked. JJ answered.
"Maybe he has a ... the equivalent of a key that would let him through?"
"Another question good question," Douglas put in, "is this, why does the effect only extend waist-high and no higher? It would make more sense for it to extend across the entire opening."
Craig huffed ruefully. "Believe me, waist high was more than effective enough."
"Laura thinks it tests for male genitalia," JJ offered. Craig made a face at the mention of their missing colleague. The conversation continued for a little while without him.
Then Douglas Monaghan turned to Craig, asking, "Speaking of Laura ... Craig, what do you make of her theory that the author of the spell was targetting you specifically?" Craig shrugged, shaking his head. "Can you think of anybody ... any woman ... who might feel an animus toward you?"
"You mean ... other than Laura? No. And I really don't know why she has it in for me. What did I do to her that was so horrible?"
Dr. Monaghan and JJ exchanged knowing glances. Craig looked from one to the other. "Okay. So you guys know. Or think you know. So spill. If you know, tell me!"
JJ grimaced. "I don't think she hates you ..." he began.
"Couldn't prove it by me," Craig muttered.
"... as such. I think it's more your demographic."
"Huh!" That was a new thought, but one that didn't really hold up to examination. "No." Craig shook his head decidedly. "Can't be that. She doesn't treat Steve or Cam the way she does me. And we just proved we're all in the same demographic."
"Not exactly. Cam and Steve are students. In one of Laura's classes, even. That puts them in a different category. They aren 't competing with her for academic honours or jobs. You, however, are. And you have an unfair advantage over her."
"Howso?" Craig snapped, growing angry at the implication.
"As a woman ... as a woman of colour ... Laura has seen opportunities awarded to men with inferior qualifications and credentials solely because they were white men."
Craig put down his spoon and sat back, considering the older man's words. He shook his head slowly, troubled by the point.
"I've earned my position in the field," he said slowly. Gathering confidence, "I earned my place here. I haven't cheated anyone."
"Yes, you have," JJ agreed. "You have received the recognition you've earned and I don't question that. Ask yourself, though ... has Laura earned the recognition that she deserves?"
Craig had no answer to that, and a great deal to think about. He didn't get much chance before Dr. Monaghan cleared his throat portentously.
"I'm not saying you're wrong, JJ. In fact, in some ways, you are entirely correct but I think you're overlooking the importance of personality. Laura ... Dr. Wingate is a very serious woman, not only in her work, but also in her personal life."
"That's an understatement," Craig said, snorting with amusement. Douglas Monaghan waited a moment for him to collect himself, then continued.
"She feels that you are too flippant and brash, Craig, not serious enough about anything of importance. In short, she does not think you project a very professional presence."
"That's not her place to judge," Craig retorted, taken aback. "She's not the head of our group or of the department. Do you have a problem with the way I present myself?"
JJ shifted uneasily. "It is sometimes hard to distinguish between you and the students," he pointed out. "Some visitors to the office mistake you for an intern." JJ and Douglas usually wore in dress shirts and slacks or khaki pants; business casual. Craig preferred jeans, tee-shirts, and flannel shirts.
"I asked Douglas," Craig said, glaring. He shifted his attention to Dr. Monaghan.
Douglas gave an elaborate shrug of indifference.
"I think you are fine. For now." He made a face. "Although you might start upgrading your wardrobe if you want to impress the tenure committee."
Craig absorbed the hit with a wince and nodded.
Douglas looked away, then back. "Dr. Wingate is aware of your undergraduate record."
The apparent non-sequitor puzzled Craig. "My undergraduate record is fine. I had a 3.95 GPA, almost perfect."
Douglas inclined his head, to indicate that was so, raised his mug in a salute and elucidated. "Your 'other' undergraduate record."
"Isn't that ... an invasion of privacy or something?" Craig asked, dismayed.
JJ chuckled. "Were you trying to keep it private at the time?"
Craig allowed that was so and the meal ended on that note.
As they were walking out, a student came up to talk to Dr. Monaghan about one of his classes. JJ and Craig halted as well, to wait for him but Douglas waved for them to go on ahead.
"I'll be along shortly," he told them. With that assurance, they exited the canteen and headed for the lifts.
On a normal day, Craig thought nothing of running up the four flights to the office. This was not a normal day. His head hurt, he had bruises and contusions up the back of his legs and on his lower back from where he hit the bookshelves. And now his mind was full of thoughts about how he failed to measure up to the expectations of his mentors. He followed JJ on to the lift along with several other people, students, staff and faculty. Most got off on the ground floor, which made Craig sniff with disgust. The rest exited on the the first, leaving Craig and JJ alone in the car. As soon as the doors closed, JJ reached over and flipped the switch, halting the lift between floors.
"What'd you do that for?" Craig demanded, reaching to turn it on again. JJ stopped him.
"We have to talk," he said.
Craig made a goofy face. "Why JJ, I really don't think of you in THAT way."
"Be serious. That's the sort of thing that puts Laura's back up, you know. Cut the wise-cracking."
"Sir yes sir," Craig huffed.
"When are you going to tell Douglas that you know who wrote out those pages?"
It wasn't a surprise. Craig knew this moment was coming, but that didn't mean he was ready for it now.
"I told you yesterday, I don't know for sure. I think I recognize the writing, but I only saw it once ..." memorable and in quantity "... and I could be mistaken..." but not likely. "I told you that I wanted to talk to the girl before I said anything and you know, better than anyone else, that I haven't had a bloody chance since then! You've been glued to my side almost from the moment we found the damned things!"
"Then why won't you tell me who she is?" Craig didn't answer immediately, so JJ went on. "I'm somewhat more mobile than you are at the moment, I can track her down and talk to her." Another pause, waiting for a response. When Craig didn't accept the conversational gambit, JJ added acerbically, "After all, that spell didn't have my name on it. She might be willing to talk to me."
Craig winced at the low blow, making JJ feel a little ashamed of himself. But not much. After another minute, he said gently, "It might help to talk about it."
Looking pained, Craig gave a deep sigh, shaking his head. "I don't know. I really don't. If it is the girl I'm thinking of ... It makes no sense. She ... I haven't done anything to piss her off. Honest. We get along great. She's ... you know ... She's different from the other girls ... She's an undergraduate but it didn't matter to her that I was ... well, one of the instructors in the course."
"Craig, that's borderline inappropriate. The Ethics Committee ..."
"No. There's nothing ... nothing 'inappropriate' about it. We just talk. That's all. You know, conversation."
"About what?"
Looking inward, Craig blew a raspberry. "What not? Mostly we talked about what Douglas was lecturing on. And aliens. Sometimes we discussed movies and tv shows ... I guess she's not much into science fiction because she hadn't seen most of them. Not even Doctor Who."
He paused a moment to consider the magnitude of the omission.
"But, JJ, she never deferred to me or acted like my opinion was more important than hers because I'm an 'expert'. She had her own opinions and thoughts and she knew how to defend them." He smiled at the memory and added, with a rueful chuckle, "And attack."
"Maybe one of those arguments was more important to her than you thought?" JJ suggested.
"Crop circles?" Craig said incredulously. "Alien abductions? UFOs? The effect of researcher bias on data collection and analysis? I swear, JJ, there's nothing. I've gone over and over it in my mind and there is NOTHING to explain this."
"And her name?"
Craig didn't answer. JJ gave a sigh of disappointment.
"Justine talks to me, you know. She told me that you were taken with one of the girls in the General Parapsych class." Still Craig said nothing. "Sarah Farris?" Craig looked away. With another deep sigh, JJ gave up.
"All right. I won't say anything to Douglas just yet, but if you don't tell him by the end of the day, I will." With that threat, JJ flipped the switch and the car began to rise once more.
03 February 2019
Craig Stevenson
It was almost noon before they finally left the library. Laura ... Dr. Wingate ... had departed earlier, along with Cam and Steve. She had a graduate seminar at noon and the two of them were in it. Before they left, however, the group confirmed that only one of the many papers plastered over the windows of the study was an original; the rest were photocopies; and that the obstruction extended to hip-high and was only present to males.
There was some discussion on what to call the obstruction; Laura liked using the term 'barrier', JJ called it a 'ward', and Craig kept using the term 'force field', especially after he found that it annoyed Laura.
Douglas Monaghan reserved judgement.
An electronic sweep confirmed that the field, whatever anyone called it, was not generated by any type of mechanical device. They also found that inanimate objects could be passed through it, paper, wood, plastic, glass, mobile phones, cameras. Only men were excluded. Craig proposed bringing in some animals to see if this extended beyond human males, Dr. Monaghan squelched the suggestion.
They decided to continue monitoring the small room for another several nights. It wasn't practical to leave the gear in place during the day, when people were in and about using the library, Dr. Monaghan approached the assistant librarian, Dr. Samson, about storing their equipment in somewhere in the library until evening. Dr. Samson agreed.
"You could use one of the other study rooms in this section," he suggested. "Nobody wants to come down this way. They're all too afraid of the ghost."
"It's not a ghost," Craig interrupted. Dr. Monaghan gave him a quelling look and JJ bumped him, muttering under his breath, "Do not piss off the person doing us a favour."
"But it's not," Craig protested, albeit to himself. Samson rounded on him, aggrieved.
"Then what is it?" Immediately he waved the question away. "That doesn't matter. What I want to know is ... What are you planning to do about it?"
Dr. Monaghan frowned as he supervised the stacking of the equipment on the floor of the closet Samson opened for them. It seemed to be used as a graveyard of obsolete and inoperative technology. After briefly directing JJ to redistribute a few things, he answered, "It depends on if there's another incident. We didn't get any video last night, we did get some data on other recorders, so that's not a big problem, but the more data we get, the better. Would it be a problem if we keep on it for ... say ... another three days, depending?"
The assistant librarian scowled, shaking his head. "No. I mean, how long will it take you to get rid of this thing?" he huffed.
Kneeling on the floor, Craig twisted around abruptly and immediately regretted the movement as the bruises and contusions acquired in his fall the day before made their protests known. As a result, his retort came out much more heated than he intended.
"We're not exterminators!"
"Then what good are you?" Samson shot back. Craig started to reply to the challenge, but Dr. Monaghan started speaking and JJ sent Craig back to the site to the last of the gear.
Later, walking out of the library, Craig continued to fulminate on the man's comment. "Can you believe the gall of that guy? 'what good are you?' Who does he think he is?"
"He's a man with problem," Dr. Monaghan responded soberly. "And he wants that problem to go away."
"But we're not Ghostbusters; that's not what we do," Craig replied. "We're paraphysicists."
"Parapsychologists," JJ corrected. It was an old argument.
"You ... maybe. I am a paraphysicist."
Which was true. Doctors Monaghan and Stillman possessed psychology degrees in addition to those in the paranormal sciences. While Craig had been forced to take an undergraduate minor in psychology in order to take their classes, his major degrees were in physics.
Dr. Monaghan interrupted the well-worn discussion to ask, "How would you go about creating a ghost trap?"
Craig started to answer flippantly, then stopped as another answer occurred to him. He walked for a while in silence, examining the new idea.
"Huh. Seriously? I'd want to get together with ... with the girl who created that force-field ..."
"Ward," JJ said. Craig ignored him.
"... because up to now, I haven't found any way of storing or ... or even recording ectoplasm or ectoplasmic energy. I think ... I think we need some sort of energy field ... and, yes, JJ, I mean field here ... in order to adequately contain it. The problem I've been having is that I can't figure out the structure of such a field. But I can't exactly figure out the structure of that field either so ..." his voice trailed off.
"Set a thief to catch a thief?" Monaghan supplied. Craig made a moue, not of disagreement, and shrugged.
JJ took a deep breath and let it out slowly, glancing back and forth between his two companions. "I don't really want to be the one to mention the elephant in the room but ... are you sure that ... energy field isn't electronic in nature?"
"I'm sure there's no equipment producing it," Craig replied.
"Then, let me be the one to throw this out. Is it magic?"
Neither man rushed to respond. Then Craig shrugged, shook his head. "I don't see what else it could be."
"I'd rather believe in ghosts," Douglas said.
"We've seen some poltergeist effects that are similar," JJ agreed. Craig did not agree.
When they reached the Psych Building, JJ and Monaghan started for the lifts; Craig came to a halt just inside the entrance.
"You guys go on. I'm going to go to the canteen and see if there's anything worth eating. I didn't get breakfast this morning and I'm about to fade."
"And you lost what dinner you did eat last night," JJ reminded him.
Douglas checked his watch. "I've got a class at one, might as well eat now."
The Psych Building was built on a slope. The formal entrance, with the main lobby, was on the upper end of the slope, facing toward the campus Quad and University Admin. The canteen was located in the lower ground level. It was serving lunch and rather crowded. A table came free as the three men walked in, JJ suggested that Craig hold it for them and he would bring him something to eat.
Craig was glad to sit down. The morning exertions had taken more out of him then he wanted to let on. He gave his order, "Hamburger with all the fixings, double chips with vinegar, and a bottle of pop." JJ winced.
"Maybe you should stick with grilled cheese and soup." JJ suggested gently. Making a face, Craig agreed.
Douglas Monaghan came back with a full tray; a plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, green beans, a salad, and apple pie a la mode for dessert. Craig eyed it resentfully as he picked up half of the sandwich JJ set before him. JJ just brought coffee for himself.
"My lunch is upstairs," he explained. As the other two began to eat, JJ picked up his coffee and the conversation both, saying, "One thing I don't understand ..." Craig interrupted.
"Only one thing?" You're lucky. There are so many things about this I don't understand that I can't even figure out where to start." JJ gave him a quelling look and forged onward.
"... is why she put so many copies of the spell up when it only needed one to take effect."
Craig started to answer but JJ shut him down before he could start. "And don't say that it was just to cover the window so nobody could look in. If that were the case, then we wouldn't have all the photocopies today."
Unquelled, Craig persisted, pointing out, "That supports my theory that she had nothing to do with covering the windows. She doesn't need to make photocopies."
"Okay, well. Assuming that there is a second person involved ... why did this hypothetical person make photocopies of that particular page when they covered the windows last night?" JJ queried. "If they were just looking for privacy, why not use ... well, other trash or even blank pages?"
"And why did the author of the original make so many copies to begin with?" Douglas added. He turned a sharp eye on both men. "For that matter, we're assuming that the author is a woman. Please remember that it is only an assumption."
"Why would a man want to set up a barrier that excluded himself?" Craig asked. JJ answered.
"Maybe he has a ... the equivalent of a key that would let him through?"
"Another question good question," Douglas put in, "is this, why does the effect only extend waist-high and no higher? It would make more sense for it to extend across the entire opening."
Craig huffed ruefully. "Believe me, waist high was more than effective enough."
"Laura thinks it tests for male genitalia," JJ offered. Craig made a face at the mention of their missing colleague. The conversation continued for a little while without him.
Then Douglas Monaghan turned to Craig, asking, "Speaking of Laura ... Craig, what do you make of her theory that the author of the spell was targetting you specifically?" Craig shrugged, shaking his head. "Can you think of anybody ... any woman ... who might feel an animus toward you?"
"You mean ... other than Laura? No. And I really don't know why she has it in for me. What did I do to her that was so horrible?"
Dr. Monaghan and JJ exchanged knowing glances. Craig looked from one to the other. "Okay. So you guys know. Or think you know. So spill. If you know, tell me!"
JJ grimaced. "I don't think she hates you ..." he began.
"Couldn't prove it by me," Craig muttered.
"... as such. I think it's more your demographic."
"Huh!" That was a new thought, but one that didn't really hold up to examination. "No." Craig shook his head decidedly. "Can't be that. She doesn't treat Steve or Cam the way she does me. And we just proved we're all in the same demographic."
"Not exactly. Cam and Steve are students. In one of Laura's classes, even. That puts them in a different category. They aren 't competing with her for academic honours or jobs. You, however, are. And you have an unfair advantage over her."
"Howso?" Craig snapped, growing angry at the implication.
"As a woman ... as a woman of colour ... Laura has seen opportunities awarded to men with inferior qualifications and credentials solely because they were white men."
Craig put down his spoon and sat back, considering the older man's words. He shook his head slowly, troubled by the point.
"I've earned my position in the field," he said slowly. Gathering confidence, "I earned my place here. I haven't cheated anyone."
"Yes, you have," JJ agreed. "You have received the recognition you've earned and I don't question that. Ask yourself, though ... has Laura earned the recognition that she deserves?"
Craig had no answer to that, and a great deal to think about. He didn't get much chance before Dr. Monaghan cleared his throat portentously.
"I'm not saying you're wrong, JJ. In fact, in some ways, you are entirely correct but I think you're overlooking the importance of personality. Laura ... Dr. Wingate is a very serious woman, not only in her work, but also in her personal life."
"That's an understatement," Craig said, snorting with amusement. Douglas Monaghan waited a moment for him to collect himself, then continued.
"She feels that you are too flippant and brash, Craig, not serious enough about anything of importance. In short, she does not think you project a very professional presence."
"That's not her place to judge," Craig retorted, taken aback. "She's not the head of our group or of the department. Do you have a problem with the way I present myself?"
JJ shifted uneasily. "It is sometimes hard to distinguish between you and the students," he pointed out. "Some visitors to the office mistake you for an intern." JJ and Douglas usually wore in dress shirts and slacks or khaki pants; business casual. Craig preferred jeans, tee-shirts, and flannel shirts.
"I asked Douglas," Craig said, glaring. He shifted his attention to Dr. Monaghan.
Douglas gave an elaborate shrug of indifference.
"I think you are fine. For now." He made a face. "Although you might start upgrading your wardrobe if you want to impress the tenure committee."
Craig absorbed the hit with a wince and nodded.
Douglas looked away, then back. "Dr. Wingate is aware of your undergraduate record."
The apparent non-sequitor puzzled Craig. "My undergraduate record is fine. I had a 3.95 GPA, almost perfect."
Douglas inclined his head, to indicate that was so, raised his mug in a salute and elucidated. "Your 'other' undergraduate record."
"Isn't that ... an invasion of privacy or something?" Craig asked, dismayed.
JJ chuckled. "Were you trying to keep it private at the time?"
Craig allowed that was so and the meal ended on that note.
As they were walking out, a student came up to talk to Dr. Monaghan about one of his classes. JJ and Craig halted as well, to wait for him but Douglas waved for them to go on ahead.
"I'll be along shortly," he told them. With that assurance, they exited the canteen and headed for the lifts.
On a normal day, Craig thought nothing of running up the four flights to the office. This was not a normal day. His head hurt, he had bruises and contusions up the back of his legs and on his lower back from where he hit the bookshelves. And now his mind was full of thoughts about how he failed to measure up to the expectations of his mentors. He followed JJ on to the lift along with several other people, students, staff and faculty. Most got off on the ground floor, which made Craig sniff with disgust. The rest exited on the the first, leaving Craig and JJ alone in the car. As soon as the doors closed, JJ reached over and flipped the switch, halting the lift between floors.
"What'd you do that for?" Craig demanded, reaching to turn it on again. JJ stopped him.
"We have to talk," he said.
Craig made a goofy face. "Why JJ, I really don't think of you in THAT way."
"Be serious. That's the sort of thing that puts Laura's back up, you know. Cut the wise-cracking."
"Sir yes sir," Craig huffed.
"When are you going to tell Douglas that you know who wrote out those pages?"
It wasn't a surprise. Craig knew this moment was coming, but that didn't mean he was ready for it now.
"I told you yesterday, I don't know for sure. I think I recognize the writing, but I only saw it once ..." memorable and in quantity "... and I could be mistaken..." but not likely. "I told you that I wanted to talk to the girl before I said anything and you know, better than anyone else, that I haven't had a bloody chance since then! You've been glued to my side almost from the moment we found the damned things!"
"Then why won't you tell me who she is?" Craig didn't answer immediately, so JJ went on. "I'm somewhat more mobile than you are at the moment, I can track her down and talk to her." Another pause, waiting for a response. When Craig didn't accept the conversational gambit, JJ added acerbically, "After all, that spell didn't have my name on it. She might be willing to talk to me."
Craig winced at the low blow, making JJ feel a little ashamed of himself. But not much. After another minute, he said gently, "It might help to talk about it."
Looking pained, Craig gave a deep sigh, shaking his head. "I don't know. I really don't. If it is the girl I'm thinking of ... It makes no sense. She ... I haven't done anything to piss her off. Honest. We get along great. She's ... you know ... She's different from the other girls ... She's an undergraduate but it didn't matter to her that I was ... well, one of the instructors in the course."
"Craig, that's borderline inappropriate. The Ethics Committee ..."
"No. There's nothing ... nothing 'inappropriate' about it. We just talk. That's all. You know, conversation."
"About what?"
Looking inward, Craig blew a raspberry. "What not? Mostly we talked about what Douglas was lecturing on. And aliens. Sometimes we discussed movies and tv shows ... I guess she's not much into science fiction because she hadn't seen most of them. Not even Doctor Who."
He paused a moment to consider the magnitude of the omission.
"But, JJ, she never deferred to me or acted like my opinion was more important than hers because I'm an 'expert'. She had her own opinions and thoughts and she knew how to defend them." He smiled at the memory and added, with a rueful chuckle, "And attack."
"Maybe one of those arguments was more important to her than you thought?" JJ suggested.
"Crop circles?" Craig said incredulously. "Alien abductions? UFOs? The effect of researcher bias on data collection and analysis? I swear, JJ, there's nothing. I've gone over and over it in my mind and there is NOTHING to explain this."
"And her name?"
Craig didn't answer. JJ gave a sigh of disappointment.
"Justine talks to me, you know. She told me that you were taken with one of the girls in the General Parapsych class." Still Craig said nothing. "Sarah Farris?" Craig looked away. With another deep sigh, JJ gave up.
"All right. I won't say anything to Douglas just yet, but if you don't tell him by the end of the day, I will." With that threat, JJ flipped the switch and the car began to rise once more.