The Mammoth Murders

CHAPTER 7 - The Council

AUTHOR NOTE:  In Chapter 6, Carlo was unable to drive Shep and Zeus to the veterinarian because Carlo had been summoned (by Hermione Montgomery-Krausse) to a war council at the Krausse mansion.  In this chapter, we see the meeting in progress, and we get a hint of Hermione's plans for her son and his alleged fiancee.

Enjoy Chapter 7 of The Mammoth Murders!

~o~~o~~o~

Thursday

That same afternoon, in the dining room of the Montgomery-Krausse mansion, Shepard's mother had accepted status reports from each member of her staff about every facet of the wedding plan. Before concluding the "planning session" (translation: war council), Hermione Montgomery-Krausse told the attendees her own news.

"I have spoken by telephone with Doctor and Mrs. Ogilvy. Or, more correctly, to Doctor and Doctor Ogilvy. You will not be surprised to hear that Miranda has not announced her engagement to her parents, just as Shepard has not announced his to me.

"Mrs-Doctor Ogilvy and I agree that these two young people are behaving in a slipshod, careless manner that can only end in disaster.

"Therefore, the Ogilvy's will be attending our meetings from now on via Skype. Rebecca, you will make the necessary technical arrangements, please."

"Yes, Madam," the administrative assistant responded crisply.

"Holy conspiracy, Batman," murmured Carlo.

Hanson was the only person to hear Carlo's remark. "Indeed," the butler breathed.

"Carlo!" boomed the voice from the head of the table.

"Yes, Madam!"

"Obviously, it would simplify arrangements if we could get a potential wedding date from the happy couple. Have you any news at all on that front?"

"Nothing concrete, I'm afraid, Madam. They refuse to answer my direct questions. I have heard some vague discussions, but nothing definitive."

"Tell me about these 'discussions.'"

"Of course, Madam. Signor Shepard mentioned something about being married by a ship's captain—"

"Outrageous!"

"—but Signorina Miranda said she did not think such an arrangement would be strictly legal."

"Intelligent young woman," said Hermione. "Any further developments?"

When only silence resulted, Hermione stood and stretched to her full height.

Everyone else at the table stood immediately.

Even though no one was still seated, Hermione seemed to look down on her subjects as if from Mount Olympus. "Inasmuch as the conversation has dwindled into meaningless drivel, this meeting is adjourned. You will receive an email announcing the next meeting."

With that, she made a regal exit, followed closely by Rebecca, the loyal factotum.

~o~

Later that afternoon, while Miranda shelved library books in Lake City, Shepard and Carlo sat across a desk from the sheriff of Alachua County, in Gainesville.

Sheriff Connor completed a telephone call and replaced the receiver. He swiveled his chair toward his visitors and rested his elbows on his desk blotter. "Sounds like the campus police have looked into Professor Clarkson's missing-person report, but they haven't found anything that looks like foul play. To them it looks like a homesick foreign student went home to mommy. Happens all the time."

Shepard sighed. "Well, at least they didn't ignore it. Clarkson was worried when nobody he talked to seemed to be concerned."

"They covered all the bases, seems to me," Connor said. "They talked to people, questioned the roommate, couldn't find any reason to suspect the kid had enemies or that he was engaged in illicit activities. His room looks normal, not trashed or anything."

The sheriff's tone was reassuring when he said, "These foreign students skip town without notice sometimes. Some of his stuff is still in his room; he's probably planning to come back in a few days."

Carlo said, "But, they do not tell someone they are leaving? David has a job to do and classes to attend. He would want to be part of the new dig with Doctor Clarkson. You believe he would go away, and say nothing?"

Sheriff Connor shrugged. "Who knows? Every culture is different, every family is different, and every kid is unique. One thing I've learned to expect from university students is The Unexpected."

He continued, "And that goes double for students from overseas. Some adjust well to being so far from home, and some don't. If you don't hear from him in a couple weeks, let me know, and my department will follow up on it."

"Thanks, Sheriff. I appreciate your time and your help. I hope you're right about David," Shepard said, rising from his chair.

Carlo rose as well, and casually extended his elbow to Shep.

The sheriff stood and offered a hand for Shepard to shake. Carlo nudged Shep's right arm almost imperceptibly, and Shepard's hand went out toward Sheriff Connor.

With a minor adjustment, Connor met the proffered hand, and the two men shook amicably. Connor followed up with a handshake for Carlo as well.

As the two visitors turned toward the door, Shep asked, "Would it be all right if we poke around a bit, talk to the roommate, maybe look at David's apartment?"

"I don't see why not. I'm sure you can be trusted not to move or remove anything."

"Of course," Shep said.

"Just check in with the campus police," the sheriff cautioned. 'Let 'em know you're there. I'll tell 'em to expect you."

"Thanks, Sheriff. I'll let you know if David turns up," said Shep.

"When," Connor said. "Let's say when he turns up, not if."

"Right," Shep agreed. "We'll hold that thought. Have a good afternoon." Shep followed Carlo out of the sheriff's offices and into the parking lot.

When Carlo stopped beside their car and opened the passenger door, he looked around to be sure no one was near enough to hear. "Do you still want me to alert the grapevine?"

"Absolutely," Shep answered.

~o~~o~~o~

AUTHOR NOTE:  Next week, meet Dr. and Mrs-Dr. Ogilvy, the parents of our favorite librarian. As you are meeting the Ogilvys for the first time, they will be meeting Shepard for the first time -- and only one of Miranda's parents is going to be pleased.

Don't forget to vote (it's that little star at the bottom of the page), and leave a comment on what you think about the story so far.  Tell a friend, if you're enjoying The Mammoth Murders. See you next week with Chapter 8 - The Parents, Part 1.