He knew. Impossibly, somehow the man knew they didn’t have the proof of Caelum Academia or Grimwinkle would never be here on time with that smug look on his face.
Uncle Pendleton strolled to the small desk in front of the review board and set down his leather satchel. Bram stood at his side, and once the echo of his own footsteps faded, silence reigned.
Grimwinkle looked down the table to where the secretary, Mr. Clem, perched on his chair like a fat slug. Clem gave him a sharp nod, then Grimwinkle banged his gavel even sharper. “This disciplinary meeting is called to order. We are convened today—as previously scheduled—to decide the matter of academic fitness on behalf of Regius Professor Sebastian Pendleton. Mr. Clem, can you please confirm?”
Mr. Clem shuffled a few papers. “As recorded on Monday, October seventh, in my own hand—” He cleared his throat. “‘This board shall reconvene on December thirteenth, at which point irrefutable confirmation will be presented by Professors Webb and Pendleton authenticating the existence of Caelum Academia,the supposed refuge of Roman Christians and artisans. If no such evidence is provided, Professor Pendleton will be deemed unfit as an instructor of excellence in the classroom and immediately dismissed.’”
“Thank you, Mr. Clem.” Grimwinkle swiveled his head toward Uncle Pendleton. “And so, Professor, the board members and I are now prepared to evaluate your evidence. Please present your findings.”
After an excessive amount of rummaging in his bag, Uncle Pendleton pulled out an old wooden horse—a child’s toy that had absolutely nothing to do with the dig. Bram quickly stayed his hand.
“Uncle, not that,” he whispered urgently. “The report you wrote. Please tell me you have it.”
“Hmm?” His uncle peered over the rims of his spectacles, confusion rife in his eyes.
“The report.” Bram enunciated each word in a desperate undertone.
“The ... ah!” He dove back into his bag. Thankfully, this time he retrieved a small sheaf of bound papers, then reverently set it in front of Grimwinkle.
Grimwinkle merely sneered as he stabbed the document with his finger. “This is not the Holy Grail as you promised.”
Bram tugged his collar, gut churning. He knew this would get ugly but so soon?
His uncle brushed away Grimwinkle’s finger as if it were a gnat to be swatted, “Nevertheless, this is a complete log of what Professor Webb and I preserved. Most items date back to the second century and are indisputably of Roman Christian origins. You already have a wagon load of many of the relics listed here, so you have had time to assess authenticity for yourself. There is no denying we unearthed a historic and valuable settlement, as I knew we would.”
“I do not deny it, though I am surprised in light of all the ... shall we call themsetbacksthat you suffered. But even so, Professor Pendleton, that is not what this review board charged you to accomplish. You have no proof of Caelum Academia whatsoever, and so as stated—” Once again he peered down the table at Mr. Clem.
The secretary reshuffled his papers. “As it is written, and I quote, ‘If no such evidence is provided, Professor Pendleton willbe deemed unfit as an instructor of excellence in the classroom and immediately dismissed.’ End quote.”
“Thank you, Mr. Clem.” Grimwinkle cast a cankerous gaze at Bram’s uncle. “In light of such, it is my duty to dismiss—”
“Now see here!” Bram stepped to the front of the desk. This was going too fast and too far. “You have seen for yourself the antiquities we brought in, Professor Grimwinkle. That proves—”
Grimwinkle held up his hand. “That’s enough, Professor Webb.”
No, it wasn’t. Not nearly enough. He jutted his jaw. “You have had nearly three weeks to inspect the validity of those antiquities and—”
“I said that’s enough.”
“—we uncovered a legitimate second-century Roman settlement of Christian origin, not to mention—”
The gavel banged like the slamming of a guillotine. “Silence! Or I shall have you bodily removed from this room.”
Bram gritted his teeth. So that’s what the muscles were for. The man had planned all along to terminate his uncle!
“Now then, Regius Professor Pendleton, it is my duty to inform you of your dismissal from Trinity College. Kindly vacate your office by Monday morning, lest your belongings be removed by the cleaning staff during the Christmas recess.”
“Vacate?” His uncle stood like a lost little boy wondering where his mam had gone.
Completely breaking Bram’s heart.
Then birthing a rage so molten, he stiffened to a ramrod.
“You cannot do such a thing! That man has served this institution with high honours for the past forty years.” Bram stormed up to Grimwinkle and slammed his fist onto the report Uncle Pendleton had so painstakingly written. “You, sir, have your proof right here of my uncle’s service and dedication. You cannot simply discard him like yesterday’s newspaper. It is unjust.You are tarnishing his legacy, his entire career, based on some arbitrary technicality and your own personal vendetta. He always was the better scholar, and you know it. It was you who stole his notes on the Ostia Antica dig, writing the award-winning article that belonged to him!”
A rumble traveled around the faculty members.
And was immediately quashed by another thunderous strike of the gavel. “That was hearsay of years ago, and your belief in the matter calls into question your own judgment.” Little flecks of spittle flew from Grimwinkle’s mouth. “Furthermore, Professor Webb, in light of your complicity in the matter of Caelum Academia and your unwavering support of former Professor Pendleton’s unfounded endeavors, I must also terminate your position at Trinity College as well.”
