Murdering Americans by Ruth Edwards Page A

chasm, here, Betsy. But we will plough on. Since Pollyanna’s father was the clergyman in charge of the bran tub, she was the last to choose, and there was no dolly. Only a crutch.’
    Betsy’s face crumpled. The baroness feared she saw a tear in her eye and went on hastily, ‘‘Yes, indeed. It was very sad, but Pollyanna said that she was glad glad glad that she didn’t need the crutch. This was the approach she adopted to all setbacks even when orphaned. In fiction, it made her universally loved. In real life, it can grate. In any case, you remind me of her.’
    This time Betsy’s eyes were definitely glistening. ‘You mean I get on your nerves?’
    ‘No, no. Well, only a very little and not as much as I expect I get on yours. I like you. And though Pollyannas can be annoying, they are much preferable to Eeyores.’
    ‘Eeyores?’
    ‘We’ll cover that another time. Now what’s next?’
    Betsy looked at her watch and jumped up in alarm. ‘We must run. It’s time to visit with the Provost.’
    ***
    ‘Meet my personal assistant, Dr. Ethan Gonzales, Jack.’
    The baroness looked with interest at the enormous black man and proffered her hand. ‘Delighted to meet you, Dr. Gonzales.’ His grip was deliberately firm to the point of being painful, so she strengthened hers and heroically exhibited no sign of discomfort. Looking disappointed, he eventually let her hand go and she sat down opposite the Provost without being asked.
    ‘Any progress with fixing me up for hunting, Helen?’
    The Provost tried to hide her distaste. ‘I’ve made some enquiries. There is deer-hunting, but it’s only in the autumn and just for two weeks. Someone suggested squirrel-hunting, but there are problems about you having a gun since you’re not a citizen. I don’t think you’ll get a permit.’
    ‘Oh, come now. You’re the Provost. I’m sure you can use your influence with the local police-chief. Isn’t this supposed to be a gun-toting society?’ She swivelled around and gazed at Gonzales, who was glaring at her from the doorway. ‘Surely you tote a gun, Dr. Gonzales?’
    ‘Certainly not,’ he snapped.
    ‘How disappointing. I’d have expected better from a macho chap like yourself.’
    ‘Less of that stereotyping shit, lady,’ said Gonzales.
    The Provost cut in. ‘Ethan is a pacifist and Freeman U isn’t gun-toting, Jack. It’s anti-militaristic. No one’s allowed guns on campus and we don’t allow the military to recruit. But I’ll look into whether you can join some kind of hunt and maybe rent a gun. Maybe you could see to that, Ethan?’
    ‘When I have time,’ snarled Gonzales, and left the room.
    ‘What a charming man, Helen. I’m sure he’ll sort things out for me. I really feel like bagging myself a few stags. But if they’re out of season I suppose I’ll have to fall back on rodents.’
    ‘Now can we talk about what you’ll be doing here? I’m a bit concerned that from something you said last night, you’re not in favour of Affirmative Action.’
    ‘You’re quite right. I’m a meritocrat. I don’t believe in patronising people by lowering standards for them. I’m sure you didn’t do that with the enchanting Dr. Gonzales.’
    ‘You’re at Freeman U now, Jack, and I hope you’ll honour our rules.’ She picked a piece of paper from her filing tray and read out:
    ‘Freeman University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, size, disability, national origin, or Vietnam era or other veteran status, in the admission to, or participation in, any educational program or activity which it conducts, or in any employment policy or practice.’
    ‘Yes, yes, yes, Helen. You don’t have to read to me. I’m literate. I don’t need Affirmative Action.’
    ‘I just want to be sure we’re on the same page, Jack. Of course we want you to think outside the box, but