Dagorian got killed. This is the first time I was ever someplace where somebody got murdered. It was creepy.â
âDonât think too much about it. But you should get security to run you back to the dorm.â
Barbara smiled and put her arm through Jeremyâs. âItâs OK. Jeremy will walk with me.â
I shook my head. âBarbara, a man was killed here tonight. We donât know who did it, or if that person is still hanging around on the campus. Have security drive you both.â
She looked at Jeremy and he nodded. âThanks, Mr. Levitan. Weâll do that,â he said.
I turned on my computer and tried to compose a statement for the press about Joeâs murder. My hands were still shaking a bit, and it was hard to focus, but after a half hour I had something drafted. I printed it, then left Rochester with his rawhide bone and went down the hall to Mikeâs office, where he and Babson were still talking about the potential damage to the campaign.
I handed Babson the statement. He barely looked at it. âIt looks fine, Steve. I canât focus on anything more tonight. Weâll meet tomorrow morning to go over things.â He stood up and stretched. âYou both should go home. Tomorrowâs going to be a tough day.â
I wanted nothing more than to leave, but I had promised Tony I would wait around to talk to him. It took the better part of an hour before he was ready for me. By the time he came into my office, I was sitting back behind my desk. Rochester jumped up and rushed toward him, nosing him right in the crotch.
âSo I understand this dog is getting into trouble again,â he said, sitting down in the spindly chair across from my desk. Rochester sprawled at his feet.
Back when Tony was investigating a couple of deaths in Leighville that were related to Carolineâs death, I had tried to convince him that Rochester had special abilities when it came to solving crimes. But he didnât buy it.
âRochester led me to Joeâs body,â I said. âHe broke out of here and went running toward Joe, and I saw him and followed him.â
I walked through what I had done with him. How Iâd been in the hallway and seen Rochester streak past, then gone to chase him. âYour office wasnât locked?â Tony asked.
âIt was, but I think Rochester forced the handle on the French door.â I stood up and walked over to it. âHe figured out that he can push the handle down with his paws if heâs scratching.â I demonstrated. The door was locked, but when I pushed really hard, the latch popped. So much for college security.
Rochester lay on his side, with one paw over his face, as if he wasnât watching what was going on.
âSo he just decided to break out?â Tony asked.
âI guess. Youâd have to ask him if he saw or heard anything.â
âRight. You see anyone coming or going as you ran after him?â
I shook my head.
âAny idea why the dog would be out there? Or Dagorian?â
âNo on both counts.â
âI probably could get better answers from the dog,â he said. âListen, Iâve got a lot to cover tonight. Iâll come back tomorrow and weâll talk some more.â
As he was leaving, Sally came in, carrying a big shopping bag full of plastic containers, looking pale and drawn. âI canât believe Joe is dead. I feel so terrible.â
Tony nodded to her, and said, âTomorrow,â then walked out.
âWell, at least the kickoff is sure to make the papers now,â I said drily. âIsnât it lucky we invited all those reporters, and wined and dined them, too.â
âThe Strings want to know if theyâll get paid for the whole evening. The violinist said it was probably some disgruntled parent whose kid didnât get in.â She rubbed her upper arms. âCould you imagine? Killing someone for something like