Deadly Pursuit - Chapter 10
“Professor Garland!” Serena stepped into the arms of a man who looked to be about sixty years old. His short hair was more gray than brown and wrinkles crinkled his pale skin, but his eyes were a vibrant blue and Tyre could see the man’s intelligence reflected there.
“You know you aren’t a student anymore. You can call me Oliver.”
Serena stepped back out of the man’s arms. “You will always be Professor Garland to me.”
Oliver Garland laughed, then extended a hand toward Tyre. “Oliver Garland, former professor.”
Tyre shook the man’s hand. “Tyre Marion.”
“Forgive my manners, Professor. Tyre works with me at West Security and Investigations.”
“Yes, I heard you were working for a private investigations firm. Very impressive.” Garland waved them into the plush visitors’ chairs that faced his large desk.
He and Serena had shown up at the GoldCorp Financial Services offices without an appointment. Oliver Garland had agreed to meet with them as soon as he’d heard Serena’s name.
“Thank you,” Serena said. “I’m very happy there, but I have run into some trouble.”
Garland’s gaze narrowed. “Trouble? How so?”
Serena may have trusted her old professor, but Tyre didn’t know the man.
“Have you seen or spoken with Charley lately? I understand he works for you,” Tyre said, cutting off whatever answer Serena might have been about to give to Garland’s question.
“Charley did work for me, but late last week, he quit. No notice or anything. Just an email with his resignation, effective immediately.”
Definitely suspicious.
“Last week,” Tyre pressed. “Did anything at all happen that could have precipitated his resignation? Something in the office, or maybe something in his personal life?”
Garland gave a shrug. “I can’t really speak to his personal life. Like Serena here, Charley was one of my students, but I have twenty-two people who work under me at GoldCorp. I can’t keep up with each of their personal lives, even if I wanted to.”
Serena slid forward in her chair. “Charley sent me an email yesterday. No message, just a photograph of the two of us from graduation. Do you have any idea what that could be about?”
Tyre shot a quick glance at Serena. He should have discussed the questions they wanted to ask Garland and, importantly, the information they didn’t want to share with him before they arrived. It was too late now, but he hoped she didn’t give too much information away.
Garland shrugged again. “No idea. Maybe he was just taking a walk down memory lane.”
“Maybe,” Serena said without conviction.
“I’m so happy to have a moment to catch up with you, Serena, and I’m very sorry I don’t have more time, but I have a meeting that I have to get to. I wish I could have been more helpful, but if I hear from Charley, I will let him know you’re asking after him.”