Detective (70 page)

"There's one final thing," the
provost said. "Tell me a bit about
how you would teach comparative
religions."

Ainslie was startled. "I've done no
preparation . . ."

"Never mind, just off the cuff."

Ainslie thought briefly. "What I
would teach is fact whatever fact
is known. As you said earlier, so
much fresh knowledge about religions
has emerged in the past twenty years
and needs examining. What I'd avoid
is judgments. Students, if they
choose, can make those on their own.
Above all, I wouldn't proselytize;
that and the study of religions
don't go together."

Lawrence nodded thoughtfully. "And
in the larger educational scheme the
university's purpose as a whole how
do you see comparative religions?"

DETECTIVE 591

"Oh, without question, as important
history human history over roughly
five thousand years. And throughout
that time, religions have caused
countless changes innovation and
destruction, wars and peace, justice
and tyranny. Most religions have had
their share of saints and
scoundrels. Those in high places
have used religions emperors,
politicians, armies,
mercenaries usually to gain power."

"Religions, of course, abound with
positives and negatives. How do you
balance those? Which are greater?
Isn't that a judgment call?"

"If it is, I'm not up to making it;
I doubt that anyone is. What I do
know is that no matter how we view
the record of religions in history,
no other facet of human behavior
through the ages has been so
all-pervasive or longlasting."
Ainslie chuckled. "I guess that
alone shows the importance of
comparative religions in present-day
life and education."

There was a silence, then the
provost said, "Well done! Thank you,
Dr. Ainslie, and you may count on me
as an early attendee when your
lectures begin."

Their parting was cordial. "I
understand that Hartley is planning
a reception at his house for you and
your wife a chance to meet others. I
look forward to seeing you both
there."

When his post at South Florida
University was confirmed, Ainslie
submitted his resignation to the
Police Department, and during his
final few days in Homicide, many who
knew him, including senior officers,
dropped in to wish him well. For his
slightly more than ten years'
service he would receive a
pension not large, but, as he put it
to

592 Arthur Halley

Karen, "enough to buy us a bottle of
Opus One occasionally."

One thing Ainslie did not do was
retain his Glock automatic pistol,
as was his privilege as a retiring
police officer. Instead he returned
it to the armory. He had had enough
of firearms to last him the rest of
his life, and he did not want a gun
in his home, especially with
children.

Karen was ecstatic at the final
news. She looked forward to having
more of Malcolm's time, to be shared
with Jason, and their second child,
now due in four months. Recently
they had learned through ultrasound
tests that the baby was a girl. They
planned to name her Ruby.

EPIIODUE

At length the day arrived for the
reception at Hartley Allardyce's
home. More than a hundred guests
were expected.

"A little overwhelming, I'm
afraid," Allardyce explained to
Malcolm and Karen soon after they
reached his large and rambling
Tudor-style mansion in Gables
Estates in Coral Gables. "I started
with sixty invitations, then word
got around, and so many people
wanted to meet you that I had to
increase the numbers."

Even as they spoke, early arrivals
were coming into an elegant,
spacious room with soaring ceilings,
opening onto a garden terrace.
Outside, off-duty campus police had
been recruited to organize parking.
Inside, waiters began to circulate
with gourmet hors d'oeuvres and Dom
Perignon champagne.

"Hartley always does things rather
well, don't you think?" Ainslie
overheard a tall blond woman say,
and he agreed. He and Karen were
kept busy with introductions as
guests were brought their way by Dr.
Allardyce. With bewildering speed
they met Southern Florida
University's president and several
trustees, vice presidents, deans,
and senior faculty members. Among
those introduced was Dr. Glen
Milbury, a university criminology
professor. "When

594 Arthur Halley

my students heard I'd be meeting you,"
he said, "they begged me to ask will
you take a breather from religions once
in a while and come talk to us? I can
guarantee a crowded lecture hall."
Ainslie promised he would do his best.

Politicians were present; two city
commissioners had been introduced, and
the mayor was expected. A U.S. con-
gresswoman was in conversation nearby,
and the chief of police, in plain
clothes, had just arrived when Ainslie
felt a touch on his arm and saw Hartley
Allardyce once more beside him.

"There's someone special who wants to
meet you," he said, and escorted
Ainslie to the far side of the room.
"It's the donor of our new building
and, of course, your comparative
religions endowment, who has decided to
shed anonymity after all."

They eased through several groups
and, near a mullioned window, an
attractive, immaculately groomed woman
faced them. "Mrs. Davanal, may I
introduce Dr. Malcolm Ainslie?"

- "Actually, Hartley," Felicia
said, smiling, "we've al
ready met. You could even say we're
old friends."

At the sight of Felicia so
unexpected Ainslie found himself
startled and breathless. The same
alluring and beautiful Felicia who had
lied that her husband was murdered,
until Ainslie proved he had committed
suicide... Felicia, who had offered him
a place in the Davanal empire, with a
not-so-subtle hint of intimacy to come
. . . and of whom the socially wise
Beth Embry had predicted, "Felicia eats
men . . . If she fancies the taste of
you, she'll try again."

He told her, "I had no idea..."
Allardyce quietly drifted away.

"I made sure of that," Felicia said. "I
thought if you

DETECTIVE 595

had, you might not have accepted.
But don't you remember, Malcolm? I
predicted our paths would cross
again someday."

She reached out, touching his hand,
moving her fingers slightly, and as
before, her touch was like gossamer.
Again Malcolm felt his senses
stirring. It had been that way, he
recalled, at the beginning with
Cynthia.

From across the room he heard
Karen's voice and laughter. He
glanced over and their eyes met. Did
she sense the sudden wave of
temptation within him? He doubted
it, but wasn't sure.

"We really should meet soon,"
Felicia said. "I'd like to hear your
ideas about the lecture themes
you'll follow. Could you have lunch
at my house next week, say, Tuesday
at noon?"

Ainslie weighed his response. As
always with life, doors opened and
some closed. This one was still
ajar. Quite clearly.

He answered, "May I let you know?"

Felicia smiled again. "Please come."