The Court by William J. Coughlin

staff.
    â€œHi, Roy,” he said, carefully closing the door behind him.
    Pentecost stood up and shook his hand. “What’s the problem? I hate to rush you, Dick, but I do have that seminar in a few minutes.”
    Mease sat down on a straight-backed chair. “Do you know Dr. George Simons?”
    â€œNo, I can’t say that I do.”
    â€œHe’s Lansing ear-nose-and-throat man. And he’s one of the adjunct professors, both for us and for the osteopathic school.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œHe’s a young man; thirty-five, give or take. Good credentials.”
    â€œThat’s nice. What’s the problem?”
    â€œHe’s been laying one of the students.”
    Pentecost sat back. “Female, I presume. You know the old joke about the English lieutenant and the elephant—nothing queer about old Archie?”
    â€œI’m afraid I don’t.”
    â€œI’ll tell it to you sometime. I assume this wouldn’t be a problem unless someone complained. The young lady?”
    Mease shook his head. “No, the young lady’s boyfriend; another medical student. He’s mad as hell.”
    Pentecost sat forward. “Did you talk to the girl?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAnd what does she have to say about all this?”
    Mease lifted his hands in a gesture of hopelessness. “Christ, she admits it. This Simons is a good-looking guy. I think she’s rather proud of herself.”
    â€œIs Simons married?”
    â€œYes, and he has a couple of kids.”
    â€œIs she in any of his classes?”
    â€œShe used to be.”
    Pentecost nodded. “Did he start banging her before or after she was a student of his?”
    â€œAfter.”
    â€œWell, at least that’s something. Is she going to cause any trouble?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œJust the boyfriend then?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAnd you come to me as the dean of the law school hoping for a magic answer, right?”
    â€œI hoped you wouldn’t mind.”
    Pentecost shook his head. “I don’t. The only difficulty is that I really don’t have an answer.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œDr. Simons has broken no specific university rules, right?”
    â€œWell, there’s the Code of Conduct.”
    â€œBut it doesn’t specifically say medical school professors shall not screw their students after the students have studied with them, right?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œAll right. Then there’s nothing the jealous young man can do against the good doctor, at least through official university channels?”
    â€œWell, I suppose not.”
    â€œSo the only thing he can do is go to Dr. Simons’ wife and make things hot at home, correct?”
    â€œThat may happen. He’s threatened it.”
    â€œThreatened?”
    â€œHe came into my office. He was almost hysterical. He made a lot of wild statements.”
    Pentecost nodded slowly. “That’s good.”
    â€œGood?”
    â€œYou came to this ancient oracle for an answer. Here it is. Have the campus police talk to the young man. Tell the police what he said. They are very professional about these things. Have them make a bit of noise about extortion. But mainly they can drop a hint that if this goes any farther, the young man may see some very low marks. In other words, if he raises a stink, he may be flunked out. Don’t have them say that exactly, but I’m sure he’ll catch on. As I say, the campus police are very experienced.”
    â€œI don’t know.…”
    â€œAnd discontinue Dr. Simons’ services after this semester. Let the boyfriend know that. It’ll help take some of the sting out.”
    â€œBut suppose Simons raises a howl?”
    â€œUnder these circumstances?”
    Mease shook his head in admiration and smiled. “You know, I certainly came to the right man. No wonder there’s talk of putting you on the Supreme Court. Damn