“Mr. Burke, we’re not accusing you of anything. We need information.” O’Brien tried to soothe the lad, but his stature and natural gruffness did not help the situation.
“I-I-I’m sorry. I-I’m uneasy about Dr. MacGowan.” Burke studied his clasped hands, knuckles white from the tight grip.
“What about MacGowan?” O’Brien pressed.
“He reminds me of my father. All sweet in my mother's presence, but angry the second she leaves. Like my dad, Dr. MacGowan always simmers below the exploding point.”
“Why does your dad criticize you?”
“He wants me to work in the mines like him. He says I’m wasting time working with computers and attending school.”
“You stick to your schooling, lad. The world runs on computers.”
“Aye, sir,” Burke said.
“Has Dr. MacGowan done anything to any of the lads at school?”
“Not to my knowledge, but I only see him in class. He’s so driven about this project it’s almost scary. Mistakes are not tolerated.”
“Has he threatened anyone?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“Burke, you are a huge help. It's best not to tell anyone what you shared with me, and there's no reason to alert anyone else to your suspicions. Come to me if you spot anything odd or unusual. And let me contact me if you feel threatened on campus. You can be my eyes and ears.”
“Yes, sir,” Burke said.
“You may go, and Burke? I’m proud of you. Best not to mention you talked with the police to your dad.” O’Brien figured a bit of boosting would help nervous lads like Burke be more forthcoming.
An expression of relief crossed Burke’s face. “Thank you, sir.” He stood and hurried away.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Tuesday morning early. “Healy,” O’Brien yelled, “I need the cell phone and landline records for Ailbe MacGowan and Declan Knowlan. I want to determine if either one contacted any of these students.”
“Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”
A few minutes later, Healy appeared with the requested phone records.
“They’re not stupid enough to do anything connecting them to the students. At least not anything out of the ordinary,” O’Brien thumbed through the print-outs. “Obtain the call lists of their office phones.”
“Yes, sir.” Healy turned to leave O’Brien’s office.
“Remind me to buy you a box of cigars, Healy,” O’Brien shouted.
“I don’t smoke, sir,” Healy said from his office. They each chuckled.
A few minutes later, Healy appeared with the additional phone records and handed O’Brien the lists.
He flipped through them and handed them back to Healy. “Take these two office phone call lists and document the time and date they called each other,” O’Brien said. “At first glance, they communicate at the same hour every day. I may be grasping at straws, but if I find a break in their normal routine, I may have something to investigate.”
“Yes, sir.” Healy took the lists. “I’ll do this now.”
“Thanks. I’ll buy you two boxes of cigars.” They both ignored the comment.
O’Brien’s cell phone rang. The caller ID displayed James Pearson.
“Pearson,” O’Brien answered. “What’s up?”
“They met MacGowan and Knowlan,” James said. “Rod and Wyl went to the racecourse on Saturday and bumped into them.”
“How did it go?”
“Well, from what they shared. MacGowan and Knowlan read about the symposium and the evening lecture this week. They congratulated them on their honeymoon.”
“It sounds like things are moving along faster than you expected.”
“Yes, sir. We didn’t expect them to meet MacGowan or Knowlan until this week's lectures. Meeting them on neutral territory worked out well. We couldn’t have planned it any better.”
“Pearson, I’m glad we’re off to a smooth start. Keep up the personal contact with the Sterlings, and inform me of anything unusual. We’re still pursuing the murder investigation here. I’ll contact you if we uncover anything of concern.”
“Thanks, Chief.”
“Aye,” O’Brien disconnected. He grabbed the notebook from his pocket and noted the chance meeting between MacGowan and the Sterlings. He needed to remember the time & date for his report to the Commissioner. “What’s today?”
“Tuesday,” Healy said.
“No…what’s the date?” O’Brien grumbled.
