Page 115 of Lau Ahi
“The door wasn’t closed.”
“And even when it has been you’ve still trespassed without gaining my permission.”
I felt Ori’s eyes grow more intense and I realized how poor that choice of words truly was.
“Being so rigid isn’t the way to show your desire to collaborate with your peers and your bosses. I told the dean your issue with Margo is also overblown. I don’t understand the need—”
“It’s not for you to understand.”
I knew he was going to do it. He’d hesitated far longer than I’d expected him to, which I silently applauded but I was aggravated with him thinking he needed to step in.
Dean Callahan seemed to just realize Ori was there, an impossibility given the man’s massive size, and glared at him as though he were insignificant.
Realizing that he wasn’t going to deal with this man in a civilized manner, he pushed back from his chair and stood up to his full height immediately towering over the intruder.
Dean Callahan’s eyes widened as he looked at Ori before glancing back at me.
“What is the meaning of this? Aren’t you supposed to be in office hours right now?”
“This was an impromptu meeting that I didn’t initiate. And again, what I’m doing has no bearing on the reason you barged in here. Was there something you wanted?”
“Yes, when you get rid of your company you need to report to my office immediately to discuss the help that you’re supposed to be providing the FBI. I’m not sure why you haven’t clued me in on the happenings, but I can’t provide them with what they need if you’re keeping me out of the loop.”
“Keeping you out of the loop? What on earth are you talking about?” This felt like a setup. Something was strangeabout Margo’s insistence that I divulge information and now Dr. Callahan was doing the same.
“Do you think the school will allow you to head up a collaboration like this? I know you believe that you’ve earned the right to be on the path of tenure, but it takes far more than good grades and insightful papers to get there.” Callahan was damn near wagging his finger at me as he spoke.
“Isn’t that pretty much all tenure is besides time?”
I wanted to laugh and punch him in the face at the same time. Ori’s face was so serious but if you didn’t know him it was easy to miss the joking look his eyes took on.
“What would somebody like you know about tenure? This is none of your concern.” Callahan turned back to me, looking as arrogant as he always did. I knew he was going to be a problem when he tried to hit on me when I was in my Ph.D. program and I should’ve trusted my gut instinct and transferred to a different university when I began to look for positions. Margo swore he was just a flirtatious bastard but he seemed to have a real issue with the fact that I had happily and handily told him to get the fuck away from me when he tried that.
He should be glad I didn’t sue him and this entire university.
Reaching for patience before the situation turned volatile. I channeled my sister’s charm and put a pleasant smile on my face. “Dr. Callahan, the situation with the FBI is one that I can’t speak on with anyone. That was part of the terms of my working with them, per their request. Until they change it, I can’t break that confidentiality. It would ruin all credibility that I had.”
“You’re more worried about a temporary assignment with an outside agency instead of the one that cuts your paycheck every month?”
Oh. Oh, this was going to be bad.
“You think that I need to sell out my integrity for the amount of money that you pay me every month?”
“You spend more money on that every month on shoes.” I knew he was attempting to diffuse the situation but it felt like a shot at my conspicuous consumption.
I bristled as I glared at him. “Is that necessary?”
Callahan glanced between Ori and me angry to be on the outside of our conversation. “Who is this? This is completely unprofessional for you to be having a personal interaction during a work meeting.”
“Firstly, you barged into my office uninvited. You weren’t on my schedule so none of this is a meeting. Secondly, I’ve seen plenty of other professors with their friends, colleagues from other departments and spouses in their offices and no one says a word to them.”
“So you think you should follow the same bad decisions as them instead of being a better example?”
“This conversation has veered off into completely unprofessional territory. Again, if you have complaints about my performance, I’m sure that you will lay them out to me during review time. As for my simple ask, I do not think it’s too much to require for you to not barge inside.”
Ori pointed to Callahan with his eyes trained on me. “How long has he been trying to fuck you?”
I covered my face with my hands mortified at what he’d just said. “Christ almighty you didn’t just say that. Not out loud. Are you serious?” I peeked through my fingers to see that Callahan was once again turning bright red.
