Wild Justice | Page 4

Or are you suspending those rights along with my access to the
ombudsman?" Grabbing up the copies of the forms, Diana left the
room.
As the door closed behind her, Lyle reached for the phone and dialed
with considerable agitation. "Henry, she won't resign. She's gone to see
Jonathan and intends to make a public mess of it," he babbled
hysterically.
"Calm yourself, Lyle. I've already spoken to Jonathan and if it comes to
a hearing, well--don't forget, I select the hearing panel and chair it. Her

public mess be damned, all our hearings are closed to the public. Get a
grip and stop blubbering."

GIVE THE DEVIL HER DUE

Chapter 1
It was going to be a perfect June day. Already a cloudless, azure sky,
promising no hint of rain, arched over a shimmering campus. All
shades of green were represented and so was every color in the flowers
that lined the walks and burst forth from the beds. In perfect
compliment, the lovely old brick and stone buildings sat around the
campus, complaisant and secure, full of pride and tradition.
The library building, squat and solid, redolent with the collected tomes
of the ages, stood as a testament to humanity's progress. Works of
ancient poets and philosophers, sinners and saints filled the shelves
co-mingling with the more recent and modern books. Here were the
records of man's highest achievements and his inhumanity to man but
as yet, this building cataloged few, if any, records of woman's highest
achievements and man's in-humanity to woman. The former being
seldom recorded or remembered; the latter too usual and customary to
remark upon.
Whistling softly to himself, Jonathan Bambridge, Professor, Ph.D,
Faculty Ombudsman left the sidewalk and entered the administration
building. He proceeded directly to the Vice President's office and
entered through a door already open.
"Jonathan, good of you to come on such short notice," greeted the
Academic VP, waving Jonathan toward the inner office.
One wall of the office was devoted to `art'. The entire grouping
reminded Jonathan of different aspects of the same road-kill.
"On a day like this, it is a pleasure, Henry. Looks like the weather is
cooperating for graduation this year."
"Well, it's about time. Two years in a row we've been rained out. Drop

your bag, grab a cup of coffee and sit down."
Henry Tarbuck, Academic Vice President picked up his own cup from
his desk and went to the conference chairs arranged for conversation in
the office alcove. From here he eyed Jonathan reflectively. Good man,
he thought. Saved us a batch of trouble by coming to me right off.
Tarbuck adjusted his six foot two, rather heavy-set frame more
comfortably in the chair. Young for his position, barely in his thirties,
he directed seasoned professors twice his age and experience. This
along with his imposing height and bulk had caused some resentment
but Henry just ignored it.
As first assistant to the president of Belmont University, he reveled in
power and position and firmly believed that those that can, do (like him)
and those that can't, teach (like faculty).
He covered this attitude with a hearty, down-to-earth, back slapping
manner that fooled no one but himself.
Bambridge joined him in the alcove, holding his coffee cup out ahead
of him like an offering. "Damn good coffee, Henry. Must have made it
yourself."
At fifty-five, Henry Bambridge figured he'd seen it all and most of the
fight had gone out of him. Physically, he was the opposite of Tarbuck,
slight in build and not quite five ten but looked shorter. His features
were finely drawn, almost feminine in contrast to the dark, craggy,
nearly simian countenance of Tarbuck.
"Let's get down to it." Henry Tarbuck radiated impatience as visible as
the steam rising from newly deposited excrement on a frosty day. For a
time, the men went over the schedule of events slated for the hearing.
"Everything seems to be in order," Jonathan suggested.
"Right, it's a go. I want to tell you, Jonathan, you've done a damn fine
job so far." Henry gestured expansively. "By advising Diana Trenchant

to attend her termination hearing without an attorney, you saved us all a
great deal of trouble."
The ombudsman acknowledged the compliment with a nod. Jonathan
knew his job was to provide just such a service to the administration.
He understood that the ombudsman's function was ostensibly created to
provide the faculty with a neutral source to handle complaints. Most
times the illusion of impartiality was well maintained, but the reality of
the position was otherwise-- it was the administration's ear and eye on
the faculty.
"Just followed your suggestion," Jonathan replied, preening
self-consciously. Feeling himself in the good graces of the VP, he
continued. "What's the story here, Henry? Why is this being handled so