Author Spotlight ~ Christa Nardi

Excerpt from Murder at Cold Creek College

I knocked on the now closed door. Through the window in the door, I could tell he had two students in there with him. One of them opened the door, and Max bellowed, “How dare you interrupt me! This is an important meeting regarding my research! Whatever you want will just have to wait.” He then turned and signaled to the student to close the door, but the detective managed to slip his arm around me and blocked the door from closing. I slid over and out of the way, but not before I noticed that he smelled good. His arm had been warm as it moved past my shoulder. The brief contact aroused feelings I hadn’t felt in some time.

“Mr. Bentler, this will not wait,” stated the detective with emphasis. His jaw tensed and his back seemed to straighten if that was even possible.

“It is DOCTOR Bentler, I’ll have you know. And I have important work going on here,” Max stated in his usual emphatic tone.

“Dr. Bentler, then. I am DETECTIVE McMann with the State Police, and I don’t really care how important your work is. I need a few minutes of your time and of theirs as well.” His tone did not brook any argument or sway from my perspective.

In a final effort to assert himself, Max stood and tried to look impressive. His effort was somewhat futile given that he was obviously shorter and less in shape than the detective. “Fine, detective. Our meeting should be over in about 30 minutes.”

“Dr. Bentler, we will speak now. If you decline to speak now, I will consider obstruction of justice charges. Do you get my point, SIR?” the detective added as he stepped a bit closer to Max, who immediately sat back down. It would have been somewhat comical if not for the seriousness of the situation or the two students sitting there, now looking quite terrified.

“Janet, Wesley, why don’t you come out in the hall with me for a few minutes? Let the Detective here speak with Dr. Bentler for a few minutes,” I suggested with a quick glance to the detective.

The detective moved slightly to allow them out, and stated more softly, “Please do not discuss the situation or allow Mr. Janis to speak with them” as he closed the door.

The three of us, and Joe, stood in the hall. The two students still looked terrified, and muttered about how mad Dr. Bentler was going to be with the delay. They were both seniors and Max was their thesis advisor. It was pretty clear that they were intimidated by him and his blustering manners. Sometimes it seemed that Max pushed the envelope with the students, but we each had our own style and he really was more bluster than bite. As we stood in the hall, at least once I heard Max’s voice raised in indignation and imagined he was being his usual arrogant and hot-tempered self.  His voice got so loud at one point that Janet blanched.

I suggested to the two students they might want to have a seat in the break room. I wasn’t even sure they knew anything had happened or why a detective was here and would be questioning them. The break room was catty-corner from Max’s office, and they could at least sit down while they waited. And maybe not hear Max. Joe asked me if McMann had told me anything, and I just shook my head to the negative. Joe and Terra were good people. I liked them, especially Terra who sometimes made me laugh.

The door opened and McMann came out, looked in my direction, and I pointed to the break room. He went in there, and closed the door. He still looked a bit irritated, but that is often the case after an interaction with Max. Max shut his door forcefully with a scowl on his face without saying a work to Joe or me. Joe and I just waited. I hoped the detective would be a bit more subdued with Janet and Wesley.

Janet and Wesley came back out, McMann behind them. They were smiling and so was he. I found myself relaxing a bit, and noted that he had a great smile to go with those hazel eyes. The students went back into Max’s office, and McMann looked at me, pointedly ignoring Joe, and said, “Where next?”