department. Professor Emerson has just confessed to pursuing Miss

Mitchell and engaging in an amorous relationship with her while she was his student. I’d like to know how long you’ve known about this.”

“Excuse me?” Jeremy grabbed a chair and sat on it heavily.

“You told us Professor Emerson disclosed his relationship with

Miss Mitchell to you this semester, but that you couldn’t recall when.

I’m wondering if you had any inkling that they were involved last

semester?”

Jeremy’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion. “I — what?”

“Gabriel Emerson tried to cover up his affair with his student by

transferring her thesis supervision and seminar work to Katherine

Picton,” Professor Mwangi explained. “What did you know about

this and when?”

Jeremy’s expression grew grim. “With respect, am I on trial here

or is Gabriel? I was told that you wanted to ask me questions about a matter arising between Gabriel and Miss Mitchell. I was offered

no indication that I was under suspicion, otherwise I would have informed the Faculty Association and brought my union representative.”

Professor Mwangi abruptly closed his mouth.

“Jeremy, there’s no need to be defensive. We’re simply interested

in whether or not you can shed any light on the account Professor

Emerson has offered us. That’s all.” The Dean offered a withering

look in Robert’s direction.

“We can return to the question of the timeline in a moment. I’m

interested in an email that Miss Mitchell sent to Professor Emerson in which she accused him of harassment and told him that she would be returning the M. P. Emerson bursary. What can you tell us about that?”

Jeremy’s eyes slid over to Gabriel’s.

He had no idea why Gabriel had confessed; it didn’t make sense.

He was far more likely to avoid any kind of discipline if he said nothing. Having confessed, he’d handed his career to the Dean in an act that could only be described as academic hara-kiri. Moreover, he’d implicated Jeremy with his confession, and that was something he

did not appreciate, not one bit.

“I know of no such harassment. In my position as Chair of Ital-

ian Studies, I have a spotless record of upholding university policies.”

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He glanced in Meagan’s direction. “And I’d like my administrative

record to be included as part of this proceeding.”

The Dean waved a hand at his assistant, acquiescing to Jeremy’s

demand.

He looked at the hearing officers. “Has Miss Mitchell filed a

harassment complaint?”

The hearing officers shook their heads.

“May I see the email?”

The Dean nodded to Meagan, and she quickly passed a piece of

paper to Jeremy.

He used this opportunity to buy some time for his over-wrought

brain, hoping to get some clue from Gabriel’s body language as to

what the devil he’d been thinking. But still, Gabriel would not look at him, simply sitting stone-faced, clenching his fists.

“Since Miss Mitchell never reported the harassment, I can only

infer that she changed her mind. Perhaps she sent the email in haste and repented at leisure. It sounds as if she didn’t hold his behavior against him.” Jeremy handed the paper back to Meagan.

“What do you know about the bursary?” asked Professor

Chakravartty.

Jeremy’s eyes flitted to the Dean’s. “I advised the Dean in an email that donor services was approached by a philanthropic organization from the United States, whose name escapes me. The charity wished

to bestow a bursary on the top MA student in my department. That’s all I know.”

“What’s the connection between Professor Emerson and the bur-

sary?” asked the Dean.

Jeremy shrugged. “None.”

Professor Mwangi clasped his fingers together on the table in

front of him. “I find that difficult to believe. There is a coincidence of name, department, and student. Miss Mitchell seems to have associated the bursary with Professor Emerson — why else would she

threaten to return it?”

Jeremy smiled wryly. “Do you remember what life was like when

you were a grad student? Living on coffee and ramen noodles and

going without sleep? Students engage in all kinds of erratic behavior under those conditions. I’m sure we’ve all seen worse.

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Gabriel’s Rapture

“I assure you — ” At this, he nodded in Gabriel’s direction. “Pro-

fessor Emerson had nothing to do with the bursary. I’m the one who awarded it, and I did so based on the fact that Miss Mitchell was

the top master’s student admitted into our program. You can speak

to Tracy in donor services about the charity that made the donation and you can view her paperwork.”

Gabriel tried very hard to hide his surprise at the fact that his

chair was defending him. He fidgeted in his seat, swiping a hand

through his hair as he waited to see how the Dean would respond.

“That won’t be necessary.” The Dean took off his glasses and

nibbled at one of the ends of the arms thoughtfully. “As you’ve heard, Professor Emerson has confessed, taking upon himself full responsibility for his involvement with Miss Mitchell. By his own admission, he played on her vulnerability, promising her that ‘he would take care’

of their situation. His use of Professor Picton seems to bear that out, as does Miss Mitchell’s nervous behavior during these proceedings.

“Since Professor Emerson was in a position of power over Miss

Mitchell, and since more than witness has testified that he was initially very harsh with her, we don’t believe that their relationship was consensual.” At this, his eyes met Professor Chakravartty’s, who nodded triumphantly. “Consequently, we are inclined to excuse her perjury, since it was clearly under duress, and we will dismiss any allegations against her. Unless you can suggest a reason why we shouldn’t.”

Gabriel caught Jeremy’s eye with a stare so sharp, Jeremy almost

winced.

“I see no reason why Miss Mitchell should be punished, no.”

Jeremy tugged at his shirt collar uncomfortably.

“We will be encouraging Miss Mitchell to consider the possibility

of filing a harassment complaint. Having said that, and given the

fact that Professor Emerson has been forthcoming, I’m not inclined to drag this matter out. However, I wonder if I should recommend

to the Provost that your department be placed under scrutiny. We’re facing a lawsuit from another of your students, Miss Peterson. And Miss Mitchell has filed a harassment complaint against her. That’s several unfortunate events in one semester, Professor Martin. What is going on in your department?” The Dean gave Jeremy a stern look.

He straightened his spine. “I am as surprised and distressed as

you are. But surely you can’t blame me for failing to have a prurient interest in the personal lives of those in my department.”

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Sylvain Reynard

“No, but we expect you to maintain a safe environment for stu-

dents, especially females.” Professor Chakravartty’s tone was firm and disapproving.

The Dean nodded in her direction. “Nevertheless, I am cogni-

zant of your spotless record and the reputation of your department.

So I’d like to ask for your input on what we should do in terms of consequences for these policy violations, and I invite you to meet with us while we discuss it.” The Dean waved Jeremy over.

Jeremy cleared his throat. “Thank you. I’d like a word with Pro-

fessor Emerson first.”

“His testimony has been minuted. Meagan will provide you with

a transcript.”

“Since I am his supervisor, I’d prefer to ask my own questions. I

doubt you’d deny me that right, as his Chair.”

The Dean frowned. “Very well. You have five minutes.”

With a nod of his head, Jeremy walked to the door, waiting for

Gabriel to join him.

Gabriel waved aside John’s attempt at accompanying him and

walked slowly strode toward his old friend, his shoulders sagging.

“What the fuck have you done?” Jeremy hissed, turning his back

on the hearing officers.

Gabriel mirrored his position. “They were going to suspend

the meeting and launch an extended investigation. Julianne would

have lost her spot at Harvard, not to mention the fact that she was in danger of being punished for academic fraud and perjury.”

“What the hell do you think is going to happen now? The Dean

could dismiss you!”

“Before I made my statement, my lawyer asked for leniency. The

Dean agreed, provided I wasn’t involved in any criminal activity.”

Jeremy scrubbed at his face with his hands. “So you went ahead

and admitted everything? Are you crazy? You should have kept your

mouth shut.”

“And ruin Julianne’s life? Never!”

Jeremy gave his colleague a long, cold look. “They could revoke

your tenure. If you’re dismissed, no university will touch you. Your career will be over.”

Gabriel’s expression hardened. “I don’t care.”

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Gabriel’s Rapture

“Well, I do!” Jeremy fumed. “I’m not about to lose one of my

best professors over some grad student. With all the funding cuts

being made in our division, I might not be able to replace you. It’s bad enough we have only one Dante specialist. How am I supposed