Death of the Rat

by William McMurray

CHAPTER FIVE

  A heavy autumnal rain continued through most of the night Janet awoke, far from refreshed, to a bleak and soggy dawn However, save for a few drops from the leaves of trees, the precipitation had ceased, and she reluctantly cycled to the tennis court. This time she could have dropped out of the practice herself quite happily. And at times like this she was convinced that she really must break down and buy herself an automobile. But later, when the sun would emerge, and she would observe her driving colleagues struggling with the inadequate parking on campus, she would change her mind as she easily slid her bike into the rack by the back entrance to the Biology Building. In spite of the damp there was a full turnout for the practice. The spirits of the team were high after their strong showing at the invitational meet, and there was a fair amount of good-natured teasing among the girls, a sign that Janet recognized as a building of morale in the group. Even Diane had come out to make an attempt at a fresh start with the team. She apologized to Janet for her previous behaviour, and they agreed to carry on from there anew.

  As she was mounting her bicycle to leave Janet was arrested by a voice calling her name. It was Judy Nicholas, who ran out to speak to her.

  "I hoped I’d catch you,” she said breathlessly. We're having a little party at my house on Saturday. If you could make it we'd love to have you join us. I know it’s rather short notice." Janet had to admit that she had absolutely nothing planned for Saturday. "Oh great,” enthused Judy. “It’s for tennis and a swim, any time from two o' clock onward, and barbecue after."

  Janet thanked her for the invitation and was about to leave.

  "Oh, and bring a friend," Judy added, almost as an afterthought.

  'Bring a friend'. Simplest matter in the world for an undergraduate, Janet supposed. The words reverberated in her brain as she cycled up the hill. Was she really so friendless that she couldn't think of a soul to ask? There was always John Antwhistle, who customarily invited Janet as a spare to make a fourth at bridge; somehow she couldn't envisage him charging about the tennis court. There was always Doug, her graduate student, or Leonard; that would set the place on its ear. She chuckled to herself, then stopped in chagrin. Who else could she consider as friend, or even social companion? Only her landlady, Kay McKay, or Bev Newlands her contemporary who shared her passion for Gilbert and Sullivan and the theatre; neither fitted the particular occasion. The only other companions she had had in recent weeks had been fellow committee members, such as Archibald McManus. Now, he jogged occasionally so might be counted on for an athletic afternoon. She phoned as soon as she reached her office and somewhat hesitantly passed on the invitation. To her surprise he accepted with alacrity.

  "My tennis is a bit rusty, but I can make up for it at the barbecue! Actually, I was going to call you and ask if you'd like to take in a movie or something," he continued gallantly. She thanked him silently for that; it relieved her of some of the embarrassment she felt at being the first to make a move. She was still old-fashioned enough to think that the man ought to initiate things socially, though she wouldn't have hesitated to organize a collaboration with anyone, male or female in the laboratory.

  The Nicholas home was a substantial pile of neo-Georgian sand-stone sprawled upon a forested plateau above the Essex River. The spacious bricked courtyard surrounding a central flower-bed and lily-pond was almost chock-a-block with automobiles when Archie drove up with Janet. The front door to the house was ajar with a sign instructing them to walk on through, an injunction which Janet thought more than somewhat fool hardy judging by the treasures lying about the sumptuously furnished house. Open French doors disgorged them onto the patio where a crowd was jostling about the bar. Spying Janet and her ‘friend’ Judy hurried over to be introduced, and to introduce them in turn.

  "You ladies need no introduction to our task-master of the early mornings-- to the others of you she is 'Doc', Dr. Janet Gordon, and her date is Dr. Archibald McManus. And this is my mother."

  Mrs. Nicholas was a friendly conversationalist who carried along on her own, asking questions, commenting at length about Judy's interest in tennis and her University courses. In the meantime they were walking along the patio beneath the porch where a man in tennis shorts was seated with pencil poised above a clip-board.

  "Well," he muttered with an occupied expression, "I seem to have everyone paired off except myself," then realizing that his wife was not alone, rose and introduced himself to Janet. "Perhaps you and I could make a team, Dr. Gordon, then Dr. McManus and Judy could pair up," and he walked off in search of his daughter.

  "He does love to organize people," bubbled Mrs. Nicholas, rather unnecessarily. Drinks and other social amenities would have to wait presumably, until the schedule of the tennis matches was settled.

  Jackson Nicholas was no less intense about the tennis play. He-made no bones about the fact that he had entered the afternoon's competition with a view to winning. Janet began to wonder if she had been scouted for the event. As the play progressed it was evident that the team of Gordon/Nicholas was sweeping the opposition from the courts with ease. Jackson Nicholas, though possibly a little slower now than in his youth, was a formidable doubles strategist. In the end Janet and her new-found partner were undefeated. They sat down at court-side and watched Judy and the rusty Dr. McManus put up a valiant fight against Diane and her youthful male companion.

  "It seems I recall there was a Gordon named to the Committee to Select the Principal." It was half-way between a query and a statement.

  "Yes," admitted Janet. "And I recall that you are also on the committee."

  "Was,“ he corrected emphatically. "It's a step forward to get the faculty involved. I'm not opposed to that. But when I learned the Dean had stepped aside, I thought I should do likewise. Also, there was a group that wanted to draft me to carry on in the position. I guess there's a nomination coming forward to that effect you'll hear about soon enough, based on my on-the-job experience. Would have been a bit awkward if I'd stayed on the committee, then had to withdraw you know." They were seated by the pool cooling off with a drink, while a number of girls with their dates horsed around in the water. Dr. McManus, she noted, seemed much more at home in the swimming pool than he had been on the tennis court. Although he had not disgraced himself, and managed to keep the ball in play fairly well it was apparent that tennis was not his strong suit. On the other hand in the water he more than held his own with the undergraduates. Janet saw very little of him until the barbecue was served and he came over to where she was seated carrying two plates of food.

  "Sorry if I seem to have neglected you.”

  "Not at all. I‘m glad you were able to enjoy yourself. To tell the truth,” she confided, "I find these student parties generally to be pretty uncomfortable affairs." (With some of the faculty imbibing rather too much to cover up the discomfort, she thought to herself).

  “Well, I noticed that your doubles partner was paying you considerable attention anyway."

  "That man is not to be believed!" said Janet in a whisper, and relayed the substance of their pool side conversation. "Wait until he realizes that you're also a member of the selection committee. Surely he knows that he lacks the academic credentials to continue beyond this temporary appointment.”

  "Some of the Regents might not agree with you there. There's a notion that political and business clout may be of greater value than the academic variety."

  "If that's the case it's a good thing the faculty held out for parity on this committee ."

  "Anyway, " continued Archie, "there's another serious factor that I just found out about." But before he could elaborate, their conversation was terminated by the arrival of Diane and her companion, whom Janet recognized as one of her undergraduate biology students. He proceeded to engage Janet in a discussion about the prospects for graduate study in her field of research. Out of the corner of her eye Janet could see that Archie was having no difficulty keeping his female companion entertained. Apparently some faculty members e
xperienced less discomfort than she did with undergraduate social affairs.

  It was not until he was driving her home that Archie was able to return to the subject of their earlier talk.

  "What exactly was this ‘serious factor’ you referred to before?" Janet inquired.

  "It was rather strange how I discovered it, but it seems there may be some question about the state of Jackson Nicholas’ health."

  "According to whom?"

  "His daughter. After we had finished a set Judy and I were watching you two play off with that tall girl and her partner."

  "Diane and David."

  "Right, the couple we sat with at dinner. I don't know if you recall but there were a few key points which Nicholas had to really hustle to make."

  " He’s certainly a scrambler on the court” Janet admitted. "He ran down a number of balls I might have been tempted to concede as winners in a social game."

  "That's just it. According to Judy there isn't such a thing as a social game in his lexicon. Winning's everything."

  "His daughter has something of the same attitude."

  "Drilled into her from birth, no doubt. Judy says that this has carried over into competitive running with her father. He started a couple of years ago, jogging to get into shape and to lose a bit of weight. Then he got involved with road races and trained pretty hard. He started to approach the top times for his age group too. One day last spring he was evidently preparing for a race, putting in extra distance, and so forth. She didn’t say exactly what happened but he collapsed in exhaustion somewhere on the river trail near the University. I guess they kept it pretty quiet but Judy is quite concerned that her father may be in danger of a heart attack, pushing too hard in all directions, and may be overly at risk. He doesn't do anything by halves."

  "It's hard to know what to do with information like that," mused Janet. "If he's at risk already for some cardiovascular accident, apart from his own safety, the University shouldn't also be at risk of losing another chief executive from a medical accident! Should we demand certificates of medical fitness from all our candidates?"

  "I doubt we could get away with it. But knowing the candidate is a type 'A' personality with other possible contributing medical problems--”

  "Such as hypertension or hypercholesterolemia."

  "Exactly! Surely we should be aware if those factors are known."

  "But we don't have the facts. And the candidate isn't likely to admit to them if they prejudice his case. To judge from Mr. Nicholas' performance today for example , you would be forced to conclude that he is the equal or better in fitness than most of the undergraduates!"

  "Nonetheless, a little follow-up inquiry, a few questions in the right directions would not go amiss,” concluded Archie as they rolled to a stop in the laneway of Janet‘s house. It looks as if you have company," he noted, indicating the figure moving across the kitchen.

  "It’s Kay! " exclaimed Janet, having noticed her landlady’s car in the driveway for the first time, “She usually stays up at the lake until Thanksgiving. I wonder why she's back so early. Look, why don't you come in and meet her."

  "I think it would be better some other time," responded Archie. "As you say there must be something wrong to bring her back unexpectedly. Anyway, she doesn't need to have to contend with a stranger now if she has just returned. She looks pretty busy." He nodded toward the window where Kay could be seen bustling back and forth with bags and boxes. "Thanks for the party invitation. We'll be in touch over the other business pretty soon I imagine."

  Although feeling somewhat disappointed that their evening had terminated so abruptly, after saying goodnight to Archie Janet bounded eagerly in the back door to greet her landlady.

  "What brings you back so soon?” she asked.

  "Plumbing," answered Kay with a wry expression. "Drains and septic tanks. Apart from ungodly aromas and noise of the workmen about there is presently a shortage of the elementary services. I love the north and the primitive life, but at my age I draw the line at outdoor privies. I may go back up for another week or two, depending on how long the work takes. What's the news around here?"

  "Mostly the usual routine. Lab-work, teaching, grant reports, tennis coaching, some meetings. Now I seem to have become embroiled in University politics, but it would take a while to explain. Let me give you a hand with this stuff, and if you're not too tired from the drive I’ll tell all over a cup of tea."

  "Not a bad trip at all," responded Kay. "That's why I make a point of avoiding Fridays and Sundays. No-one’s on the road much at this time of a Saturday, certainly not coming into town. And what have you got yourself into while I was not able to advise against it?” she continued when they were finally seated on the screened-in porch with tea and biscuits.

  Janet chronicled her gradual recruitment into the faculty battle over representation, and her recent entanglement with the Nicholas family.

  “And so," summarized Kay, "your concern about ethics and your love of tennis brought two roots of coincidence together.”

  "So it would seem, Janet sighed.

  "If you don’t mind my saying it, you look as if you've been overdoing it on the candle-burning again." As if it would make a difference if she did mind, Janet thought to herself. It seemed for as long as she could remember that Kay McKay had acted in loco parentis, advising, admonishing, above all else, confiding; she was that one person whom Janet trusted completely with every aspect of her life and thoughts. Part of the reason was Kay's engagingly open technique of worming confessions from her, and the absolute surety that they would be as silently preserved as in the sacristy.

  "And who was the handsome stranger who delivered you home a few minutes ago?"

  "A tennis date. Colleague of the Committee on Ethics. I needed a partner for the Nicholas party and invited him."

  Kay gave a sceptical nod.

  "He’s in the Philosophy Department,” Janet continued. "Real name of McManus, better known around campus by his pseudonym, Archaeopteryx."

  "Fellow who writes those biting critiques of the Administration for the faculty paper you bring home?"

  "The same."

  "Small wonder he masquerades under a pseudonym for an extinct animal! He may be in the same state if his identity gets about. How many people beside you know of it?"

  Janet shrugged. "I really can't say, but I don't think it's general knowledge yet."

  "How did you learn of it?"

  "It didn't take too much intelligence to work it out. In fact I was rather dense not to have done so earlier. There were too many coincidences about the leaks from the Committee to Select the Principal and the Ethics Committee. And the name itself, it was really as though he were flaunting his identity for anyone to see. He admitted it all quickly enough when I confronted him."

  Kay studied her with a severe expression for a few moments. "I never thought you would stoop this low to get a date. Blackmail! And you a member of the Committee on Ethics!" Kay wrinkled her nose in disgust.

  "In love and war one needs what Churchill referred to as a ‘bodyguard of lies‘ , didn't you know?" Janet replied with a grin.

  “Is this developing into a serious relationship then?”

  "It's got to be pretty serious when we're meeting two to three times a week with one committee or another, I suppose.”

  "What was the reaction to your disclosure and is the ill-omened bird extinct at last?"

  "Archie didn't seem to be terribly upset. He took a day or two to respond to my letter in which I enclosed my article for the Review. I told him I had written to the editor asking him not to run a rebuttal alongside mine. Archie went one better, and withdrew his regular column for that week, running my letter in that space in the paper. When I talked to him later he said that he had been contemplating 'coming out of the closet' for some time, and he agreed with me that if enough of the junior, non-tenured faculty made their points of difference with the Administration public under our own signatures, not only
would we have a greater impact on reform, but they wouldn't dare to take reprisals against us."

  "I see. I guess I never understood your precious ’academic freedom‘. It seems to me you have all the freedom to do what you like, so long as you do what you're told. Anyway, what's the difference between tenured and non-tenured when it comes to expressing yourselves?"

  "In theory, none. Everyone at the University, tenured and non-tenured, (and that is supposed to include students and support staff) is theoretically protected from arbitrary actions against them, such as dismissal without cause. That is interpreted as giving the right to employees to raise matters of contention about their employment, etc."

  "Like union shop-stewards?"

  "I suppose so, though I'm not much up on labour laws. The rights of academic freedom should allow faculty to raise issues and make fair comment about sensitive procedures of management of the place, University governance and so forth, without fear of censure or hindrance to career advancement."

  "Meaning?"

  "Promotion for tenured members or salary increments based on merit; the same plus acquisition of tenure for non-tenured staff."

  "I see. And your argument with Archaeopteryx-- Dr. McManus--was that these assurances already exist?"

  "Provided the conditions of fair comment aren't violated, by using ad hominem attacks, libellous statements, and so on. It was my position that hiding behind an anonymous forum for criticism was actually weakening the assurances we already had. It was abdicating a right and responsibility to raise open discussions about those problems that needed airing. If anything, the use of anonymity would be regressive because it would give de facto recognition of the power of administrators to wreak retribution on those who dared to identify themselves, and it would have a negative effect on junior faculty like myself who could be discouraged by this attitude from entering into open debate."

  "Well," said Kay, finishing her tea, “I think it's very laudable and reasonable when you explain it like that. I'll read your article tomorrow, but for now I think we both need a good long rest. Can I fix us a brunch tomorrow?" she enquired as they washed up the tea things.

  "Sounds scrumptious! I’ll get up and give you a hand. I've got some sausages in the freezer, and lots of eggs."

  "You just sleep in. And I'll fix everything on the terrace for ten or half-past. You can help with the lawn later as your penance."

  Janet knew that there was no point in arguing with Kay about meal preparations. When she had first moved in she had mistakenly assumed that assistance in the kitchen might be a partial recompense to her landlady for all the extras which she lavished on Janet. But by now she realized that Kay's demurral was not simply consideration for her ' paying guest'. The truth was that Kay McKay could not stand somebody 'mucking in the way' when she was in the act of preparing something. Better to yield and pay back with some chore of Kay's choosing, such as mowing the grass and trimming around the flower-beds, tasks which she enjoyed doing, but which Kay found increasingly tiresome to handle. In winter, it would be the snow-shovelling, and not too far off, thought Janet feeling the chill of the autumn evening as she mounted the stairs wearily to bed. Somehow she knew, she probably would have no trouble sleeping until the smell of sausages browning aroused her next day.