Garret shakes his head, mute and miserable. Jennifer hands over the email printout and gives him a moment to read it.
“It seems to me, that the only person in this room without something to gain—or lose, I suppose—from the outcome of this meeting is you, Mr Brown.”
Garret looks alarmed as all eyes turn to him.
“Let’s take each of the accusations one at a time. For instance, Professor Carter endangering Ms Hall’s life on a camel ride at the Pyramids. Were you there?”
Garret’s Adam’s apple bobs a couple of times.
“Y-yes. I was. But I don’t think, that is, I mean, Sadie was the one who nearly fell off the camel. H-here. I have a video Simon took.” He pulls his phone from his pocket, flicks to the video and lays it in front of Jennifer. Even upside down, I can see Simoncaptured everything, from Riley screaming as the camel got up to me leaping off mine to catch Sadie.
“Alright. I think we can all agree there was no endangerment there. Well, no danger to Ms Hall, at least.” Jennifer pushes the phone back towards Garret.
“Point two. Favouritism. In your opinion, did Professor Carter allocate the best sections to Ms Montgomery? She made quite an impressive find, I understand?”
Poor Garret. Sweat is dripping down his forehead.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. Actually, Riley swapped. Her section. She said the section she’d been given didn’t have enough shade, so she swapped. And she didn’t want Sadie’s section because it was in the sun too.”
“It was very hot,” Riley interrupts.
“I’m familiar with the conditions in Egypt, Ms Hall.” Jennifer gives her the look that used to turn my bowels to water when I was a student. It appears to have the same effect on Riley.
“In your observation, Mr Brown, were there any instances at all where Professor Carter seemed to favour Ms Montgomery?”
“No. Not that I saw. No more than a professor favouring a top student. Sadie’s very smart. She was always asking questions and coming up with theories. So in that way, I guess he favoured her.”
“Hmm,” is all Jennifer says in response.
“And now for the final point. Ms Hall says she saw Professor Carter and Ms Montgomery entering his cabin together. While Ms Montgomery was on the dig, did you witness anything that suggested a relationship of a sexual nature?”
Garret’s eyes dart from me to Sadie and back again. I can’t bear it. This poor kid saw nothing. I know that.
“I have already admitted Ms Montgomery and I had an intimate encounter on the boat. Once. And once only.”
Garret, bless his cotton socks, pipes up. Although it takes a couple of throat-clearing coughs before he manages to get a sentence out.
“No. I mean, it was, umm, it seemed like there was an attraction. But I never saw them kiss or touch or anything. Except when he caught her falling off the camel.” He finishes with a brave smile.
Jennifer laughs. “I think now would be a good time to discuss your complaint, Mr Brown.”
Squaring his shoulders, and with nothing more than a slight wobble in his voice, Garret explains.
“I felt it was important someone knew about how Riley had been with Sadie. I know she didn’t want to make a fuss, but Sadie didn’t deserve all those nasty comments. When we found out Riley had put that report in, all of us on the dig were angry. So I wanted to balance it, I guess.” It’s the longest speech I’ve ever heard Garret make.
“You put in a complaint about me?” Riley whispers. Sucks to be on the receiving end.
Garret looks her right in the eye.
“Yes. I did.”
Riley sags against her chair.
“Thank you, Mr Brown. I think you can go unless anyone else has any questions?” Jennifer looks around the table.
Garret wastes no time in making himself scarce.
“I hardly think we can take Garret Brown’s opinion as gospel, Jennifer. He’s clearly friendly with Ms Montgomery. And is likely scared to contradict Ethan for fear of his grade being affected.” Martin looks like he’s unexpectedly bitten into a lemon. So, situation normal.
