Chapter 2
304 Words
Chapter 2
Week 2, Instructor Calendar, Sept 1896
While Concordia wasn’t yet familiar with the habits of the new history professor, she suspected that clambering around furniture while mumbling to oneself in a panic were not typical behaviors of a well-respected department head. Especially one who had trekked through the far-flung, inhospitable terrain of foreign lands.
So she dropped to the floor to help her look.
“It’s no use,” Miss Phillips sighed after they had combed the room. She dusted off her skirts and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “It’s gone.”
“But how?” Concordia asked, brushing off her own skirts. If the back of her dress looked anything like Miss Phillips’, she was going to have to change her clothes entirely. “It obviously hasn’t been mislaid. It isn’t anywhere here. Was it stolen? Is it a valuable item?”
The history professor shook her head. “While it’s an interesting piece in terms of its magnetic properties, it isn’t terribly rare or sought-after. At least, not singly.” Miss Phillips fiddled with a pencil as she thought. “There’s one possibility,” she said at last. “During the assembly, I had the distinct impression that Colonel Adams was surprised to see the amulet among the displays.”
“So you believe the amulet was accidentally included in the donation, and the colonel has stolen it back?” Concordia raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Wouldn’t it have been simpler for him to point out the error and reclaim the item?”
Miss Phillips grimaced. “I know it sounds far-fetched, but is the alternative any more agreeable?”
She had a point. If the colonel wasn’t responsible for the relic’s disappearance, then someone else in attendance was. Concordia had difficulty imagining anyone who had been here—the college board, the faculty, the administrators, the mayor?—committing such a deed.
“What will you do now?” Concordia asked.
Dorothy Phillips squared her shoulders. “I suppose I shall have to pay a call upon the colonel, heaven help me.” She looked at Concordia. “Can you keep this confidential in the meantime? I’d like to settle this quietly.”
“Of course,” Concordia promised.
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