Murder at the Opera - Margaret Truman [93]
“Hello again,” Willie said, flashing a broad smile.
“Hello,” she said in a shaky voice. “How is—how is Professor Grimes?”
“He’s just fine,” Willie said. He pointed to a series of doors. “We thought we’d have a chat with some of the professors who work with him
“Is he—?”
“He’s just fine,” Willie repeated. “Not to worry. We’re just asking some questions, that’s all.” He pointed to doors along a corridor. “This where some of his colleagues work?”
“Yes, but—”
“Who is his superior?” Sylvia asked.
“The dean
“Could we speak with him, please?”
“Just a minute
She placed a call. A few minutes later, a tall, patrician man wearing a maroon cardigan sweater over an open collar, blue, button-down shirt appeared in the hallway. He introduced himself as Warren Eder. “Can I help you?” he asked.
Johnson and Portelain explained their presence, and asked if they could speak with him privately. “Of course,” he replied, and led them into his office, a large space with windows overlooking the campus. They took chairs across the desk from him. “I have to admit I was shaken when Professor Grimes was arrested earlier today. Is he being charged with Dr. Musinski’s murder?”
“He’s being questioned about it,” Sylvia said.
“I thought that was all resolved six years ago,” said Eder. “We were all so relieved when Professor Grimes was cleared
“Still an open case,” Willie said. “Tell us about Professor Grimes
“We understand he’s not a full professor,” Sylvia said.
“That’s right. He’s up for appointment next year
“He worked with Musinski, right?” Willie said.
“Dr. Musinski had a number of people involved with his research, including Ed Grimes. Dr. Musinski had a unique situation here at Georgetown. We’re not known as a liberal arts school, although that department has developed significantly over the years
And I bet you think it’s thanks to you, the cynical Willie thought.
“We’ve always been known for our schools of diplomacy, government, medicine, and law. I believe our law school receives more applications than any other law school in the country
“What was Professor Grimes’ relationship with Dr. Musinski like?” Sylvia asked.
“It was…” Dean Eder laughed. “Dr. Musinski was a remarkable character, not an easy man to understand, much less get along with. As I said, his situation here at the university was unique. It would have been more logical for him to have established himself and his research at another university, one more immersed in the arts, particularly music. But his Catholic background caused him to come here, and we were privileged to have a man of his stature on our faculty
“About Professor Grimes,” Sylvia said, having stolen a peek at her watch.
“He and Dr. Musinski got along as well as anyone. What I mean is, working closely with Aaron could be frustrating, at best. He wasn’t a tolerant man. He tended to berate his staff on occasion for what he felt was a lack of academic commitment. Finding those lost Mozart-Haydn musical manuscripts represented another feather in his cap. How tragic that not only did he lose his life in such a brutal way, but the thing he’d pursued for years was gone with him.” He leaned forward, elbows on the desk. “Has new evidence surfaced implicating Ed Grimes again?”
“We’re not at liberty to say,” said Sylvia. “Let me ask you this question, Dean Eder. In the months and years following Dr. Musinski’s murder, did Professor Grimes show any difference in his lifestyle?”
“In what way?”
“Did he seem to live a little more lavishly than before?”
“Ed? Gracious, no. He’s a very modest man. Have you met his family?”
“We intend to
“A nice family. I just pray he wasn’t involved in the murder. It would be devastating to his wife and children, and to the university
“You said he and Musinski got it on sometimes,” Willie said.
“Got it on? Oh, you mean had their differences. As I said, Dr. Musinski could be difficult to get along with. I do remember one time when Musinski berated Grimes something fierce. I was appalled at the vehemence of his attack and spoke to Aaron about it.