The Counterfeit Murder in the Museum of Man_ A Norman De Ratour Mystery - Alfred Alcorn [109]
“At the risk of interrupting,” he began, “I would like to present to the board some pertinent, important information before it proceeds any further.”
“I believe a vote is in order,” Ms. Rossini interposed.
Old Remick smiled and something of his old character asserted itself. “I am ruling that we hear all the pertinent information before we make such a vote. Proceed, Mr. Skinnerman, you have the floor.”
“First, all charges against Norman … Mr. de Ratour … have been dropped.” He handed out a folder to each member. “The first document should be a copy of an affidavit signed by the District Attorney Jason Duff.” He glanced at me and smiled a crooked smile.
“That’s all well and good,” Elgin Warwick said huffily, “but the damage has been done.”
There were enough assenting nods to quell the sudden hope that rose in my breast.
Felix bowed. “I’m not quite finished. In fact, I’ve hardly begun.”
He lifted from his folder a stapled clip of e-mails originating in the Victim Studies Department from no less a personage than its chair. Several were addressed to the University Vice President for Affiliated Institutions, that is, to Malachy Morin.
Felix began with the first one, reading aloud.
Dear Mal:
I want to follow up on our conversation at lunch on Friday re the utilization of the MOM as headquarters for Victim Studies. A lot of the displays are not only offensive, but superfluidous [sic] in any event and could be dismantled to make room for offices. I’m going over there tomorrow with a therapeutic architect who designs work spaces for people working in charged atmospheres.
Also, I want to tell you that I am seriously considering backing your candidacy as numero uno at Wainscott. I am not one of those people who consider white maleness as an automatic disqualification.
Keep chugging,
Lal
“Should I read on?” Felix asked.
“By all means,” said Harvey. “This is fascinating.”
Robert Remick nodded. “I agree.”
Felix gave me a nod. He went on,
Dear Mal:
I appreciate very much your support for my proposal re the Museum of Man. (A ridiculous, sexist name to begin with!) I was over earlier today with Rex Rawler, the workplace therapist architect I mentioned earlier. He pointed out the enormous amount of waste space. The whole central part of the main building is nothing but air! Why they have kept that sky light and the five floors of emptiness is beyond me. I’m sure we could raise the funds to gut the whole exhibition space and modernize it like they did the Longworth Library.
I think F. de Buitliér is a good choice to take over temporarily from Ratour. We’ll need a transitional figurehead. I’m sure he would be amenable to a job in your administration.
Keep plugging,
Lal
“And one more.”
Dear Mal:
I know we’ll have to go slowly on the museum do-over once Ratour is out of there. My think group here at the department came up with a wonderful idea. Once we take over, we change the name to the Museum of Victimization. Or the Museum of Victims. We’ll keep some of the exhibits, but give them a whole new spin with new labels. We’d include all appropriate groups, of course. Fund-raising would be a cinch. And Rex thinks it would add greatly to the environment in which the department would be operating.
Keep slugging,
Lal
“And finally …”
Dear Mal:
I would agree upfront that income from the gen lab would accrue to the central administration. You must understand that my object in all this is to take a monument to the victimizers and turn it into a monument to the victims. I have already sounded out some contacts in the relevant foundations and I’m hearing a lot of agreement. And, of course, we’ll commit all this to paper when the time comes.
Keep hugging,
Lal
“None of this would stand up in court,” Ms. Rossini asserted.
“We’re not in court,” Felix said with a smile.
“These e-mails could have been faked,” Elgin Warwick said. “I frankly think they have been.”
Felix kept his