Phi Beta Murder by C.S. Challinor Page A

might incriminate the university. And look for anything that gives clues as to why Dixon ended up dead.” Rex explained that the PC had been as good as confiscated by the university, but he hoped it was still in Dixon’s room.
    “And you want me to rappel into his dorm through the air vent? Isn’t that trespassing?”
    “We wouldn’t have to if the university was being reasonable. They closed off his room. If you stand on your desk, you can crawl into the ventilation shaft and hopefully locate the duct to his ceiling.”
    “I don’t have time now. I have to get to my test.”
    “I know, but we have to do it before the computer is hauled away. My guess is the dean will wait until after the memorial service and the Clarks have left for Nantucket.”
    “The service is at four.”
    “I’ll meet you back here before two. That’ll give me time to see Moira at the hospital.” Rex felt duty bound to see her. She did not have any visitors and must be bored to death. “Not a word to anyone about the, er, …”
    “Breaking and entering? What if I get caught? I could be expelled.”
    “Then you can continue your studies at Glasgow University, where you should have gone in the first place.”
    Campbell picked up his backpack by the desk. “I knew it,” he joked. “This is just one big conspiracy to get me back home, right?”
    “Kidnapping would have been easier.” Rex gave his son an affectionate “nuggie,” hooking his arm around his neck. “Good luck with your test.”
    He followed Campbell out of the room and headed for the hospital, hoping against hope that Moira would be fit enough to travel the next morning.

As Rex approached the hospital room, a somber-clothed couple hurried out the door. Moira’s face, by contrast, looked illuminated. A copy of The Watchtower lay by her bedside.
    “I’ve brought you a hamburger,” Rex told her cheerfully. “I thought some red meat would be just the thing.”
    “That’s grand—I’m starving.”
    “You have more colour in your cheeks today. You must be on the mend.” He took a seat. “I see you had company.”
    “Jehovah’s Witnesses. Did you know they’re against blood transfusions?”
    “Is that a fact?”
    “I tried to reason with them.”
    No wonder the couple had looked so harried. Moira could talk the hind leg off a donkey when she got into her stride.
    “I can tell the case is coming along,” she said. “You have that look you get when you’re about to pull one over on the defense.”
    “There might be a breakthrough. I’ll know more after lunch.”
    “So you canna stay long?” She set aside her wrapped hamburger as resolutely as though she were going on hunger strike.
    “I only have two more days until I take Campbell to the Keys.”
    “Can’t I come along?”
    “I need this time with my son, Moira. Besides, the Charitable Ladies are expecting you. I was not supposed to tell you this, but they’re planning a welcome home party in your honour.” It had been his mother’s idea. “They want to hear all about your work in Iraq, and Heather Sutherland wants you to stay with her for a few days.”
    “That’s nice of her. I’d hate to have to go back to my lonely flat.”
    “No need for that. She has plenty of space at her house. She’ll meet you off the plane.”
    “Am I leaving tomorrow?”
    “If I can arrange it.”
    “All right, then, I’ll go, but you have to promise to visit me when you get back to Edinburgh.”
    If it meant getting Moira on the plane, he was willing to grant her wish. “I promise,” he said. “I’ll want to see how you’re doing. Now, are you going to eat that hamburger?”
    He filled her water glass as she unwrapped her burger and chatted with her while she ate it. His mind was on other matters and it was only with the greatest difficulty that he covered his impatience to leave. When he finally did, he got on the phone and made arrangements for her flight. Then he called his mother with the new