Ice Over America

Chapter 6

byCampus security officer Mindy Street shook her head in amazement as she exited the auditorium. A life-long sports fan, she had witnessed upsets in everything from football to tennis, but what had just taken place had to top them all—and it hadn’t happened on a field or a court.

Just a few minutes earlier, the University’s president had announced the recipient of the Dalton Award, given each year to the school’s outstanding student-athlete. And to say that the announcement had shocked the crowded auditorium would be an understatement. Everyone across campus was prepared to applaud Walt Nelson, the senior captain of the football team, but the award went to Jacy Simmons, a member of the women’s field hockey conference champs.

Later, over a burger at her favorite campus hangout, Mindy got a call on her cell phone requesting that she come to the Athletic Director’s office ASAP. When she arrived, she was greeted by Herb Bolton, the AD. Mindy had gotten to know Bolton well during her days as the school’s star tennis player and was surprised to see the usually unshakeable administrator frantically pacing the room.

“Mindy…Officer Street,” said Bolton, “thanks for getting here so quickly.”

“What’s the problem?”

“After tonight’s convocation, I decided to drop by the office to grab some papers,” said Bolton. “I’m not sure why, but I checked the safe, and the proceeds from this weekend’s Homecoming festival were missing. I was keeping them in the safe until I could deposit them in the bank Monday.”

“If I may ask,” said Mindy, “how much are we talking about?”

Bolton hesitated. “Let’s just say we had a very successful festival.”

“Was your office locked?”

“I’m afraid I got in a hurry and left it unlocked when I headed for the convocation.”

“Are you sure the money was in the safe when you left?” said Mindy.

“Absolutely.”

“Was the safe damaged?”

“No. In fact, whoever took the money closed and relocked it.”

“I guess the thief hoped nobody would notice the money missing till Monday,” said Mindy. “Who knows the combination?”

Bolton collapsed into a chair and buried his head in his hands, “In addition to me, only three people. Alice Suggs, my administrative assistant; Ben Watson, our Assistant AD; and Dr. Overton, Dean of the College of Physical Education and my boss.”

After promising to keep Bolton informed of her progress, Mindy began her investigation with a visit to Alice Suggs’ apartment in the University Housing complex. While Bolton had expressed complete confidence in his administrative assistant, he had admitted that she had been struggling to make ends meet as a single mother working while attending school part-time.

When Alice opened the door, Mindy saw two small children playing on the carpet of the tiny apartment. “Ms. Suggs,” she said, “I’m with campus security, and there’s been a theft at your office. Could you tell me where you’ve been this evening?”

Alice smiled and gestured toward the children. “I’ve been pretty occupied tonight. The weekends are the only times I get to see a lot of them, what with school and work. My friend Joan next door just left. She can verify that I haven’t stepped foot out of the apartment all evening.”

Mindy apologized for the intrusion after a quick call to Alice’s friend for confirmation, then headed for her vehicle.

A call to the Overton residence allowed Mindy to eliminate the dean, whom Bolton had feared might have taken the money to discredit him after a long-standing battle over administrative policy. Overton had been out of town on University business for over a week.

When Mindy tracked down Ben Watson at a pizza parlor on the edge of campus, she found him at a booth toward the rear of the restaurant. Identifying herself, she said, “Mr. Watson, could you tell me where you were earlier tonight?”

“What’s this about?”

“There’s been a theft at the athletic office.”

Watson took a drink of soda. “Well, earlier I attended the big convocation, then headed here. Just ordered a pizza if you’d like to join me.”

“So you were at the awards?”

“Sure was. I hope the winner will drop by later to celebrate. Everyone knows he deserves it.”

Mindy smiled. “I think you’d better cancel that pizza.”

When Watson said, “Everyone knows he deserves it,” Mindy realized that the Assistant AD had not attended the convocation. Like everyone else, Watson assumed that Walt Nelson would win the Dalton Award. Confronted, he admitted he had taken the money in hopes of getting Bolton fired and being promoted to AD.