Page 23 of Silencing Stolen Whispers
“Detectives, I've been expecting someone from law enforcement.” Dean Chambliss took time to shake their hands before stepping back and allowing them to enter his office. “Devastating. Just devastating, isn’t it? Please, have a seat.”
The dean’s office reflected his status. The spacious room featured dark wood paneling and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with legal texts and academic journals. Behind a large oak desk, there was a wall of framed degrees and awards, highlighting an impressive career path.
“Has there been any progress in the investigation?” Dean Chambliss waited for Alex and Kinsley to claim the two leather chairs positioned in front of his desk before taking a seat himself. “It’s a terrible tragedy—Hannah was one of our most promising graduates.”
Alex briefly closed his eyes behind his sunglasses before removing them and slipping them into his jacket pocket. The pounding in his head had eased into a dull, persistent ache thanks to the Excedrin.
Still, he didn’t mind when Kinsley took the lead.
“Unfortunately, it’s still early in the investigation,” Kinsley replied as she crossed her legs. “What can you tell us about Hannah Scriven?”
Alex hadn’t spent much time in academic institutions, but he recognized the careful dance Dean Chambliss was performing for them. It was a delicate balance between protecting the school's reputation and helping law enforcement. The dean's expression stayed neutral and practiced since greeting them.
“Hannah was exactly the kind of student we highlight in our recruitment materials.” The dean's hands formed a steeple on his desk blotter. “Graduated in the top fifteen percent of her class. Participated in moot court competitions. Published a note in our law review on corporate liability in data breach cases. She was going to follow in her mother’s footsteps.”
“Was that not stressful for Hannah? The pressure to live up to her parents’ expectations?”
The dean's eyebrows lifted slightly before settling back into position.
"Most law students experience significant stress, Detective. It's practically a prerequisite for success in the legal profession. Most of our graduates and pre-graduates are legacy students.”
“But Hannah specifically,” Kinsley pressed, almost certainly noticing the deflection like Alex. “Did faculty ever express concerns about her well-being?”
Dean Chambliss’ pause was brief but telling.
“Hannah may have been more...driven than some. Professor Lambert mentioned that Hannah seemed particularly anxious this past spring. But that's not unusual for students facing the bar exam.”
Alex made a mental note of the professor's name.
“Did Hannah have conflicts with other students?” Alex asked as he retrieved his small notebook from the interior pocket of his suit jacket. “Any disciplinary issues we should know about?”
“None whatsoever. Hannah was thoroughly professional in her conduct.”
“Hannah was involved with another student, though,” Alex pointed out after writing down the professor’s name, even though they would request a full list of Hannah’s professors in her last semester. “Nick Ryder. What can you tell us about him?”
Mr. Ryder was a hardworking student, though not as academically distinguished as Hannah. He was more focused onnetworking and building connections than on earning academic honors.
“Any disciplinary issues there?” Kinsley asked while Alex continued to take notes.
“No, nothing that ever came to my attention. Nick has always been polite, respectful, and carries himself well. He was popular among his peers and faculty alike.”
"And Jade Patel?" Alex asked, glancing up from his notebook to monitor the dean’s body language. “We understand that Hannah and Jade were close friends and roommates.”
“That is my understanding, as well. With that said, I don’t have anything to add. I was not privy to the details of their friendship or living arrangements.” Dean Chambliss reached for a folder on his desk, holding it out for Kinsley. “I took the liberty of preparing a list of Hannah's professors from her final semester. They would be better positioned to discuss her day-to-day performance. The name highlighted is one of our professors who resigned at the end of the school year, so you’ll need to reach out by phone.”
Kinsley accepted the folder, and Alex caught her side stare. The dean had clearly prepared for this unscheduled meeting, and even anticipated their questions. Alex decided to disrupt that preparation.
“Dean Chambliss, are you aware of anyone offering to take the bar exam on behalf of students for compensation?”
“The bar examination employs rigorous identification protocols, detective.” Dean Chambliss’ jaw tightened visibly. He was clearly offended by Alex’s inquiry. “Such an immoral and incomprehensible action simply isn’t possible.”
“I'm not asking whether it's possible. I'm asking if you've heard of it happening here.”
“Absolutely not.” The dean's voice hardened with conviction. “Every candidate must provide a government-issued photoID. Many jurisdictions now use biometric verification—fingerprinting, digital photographs, and such taken at check-in. Proctors are trained to spot inconsistencies.”
“And yet it happens,” Alex countered, closing his notebook. He took his time returning it to its rightful place. Fortunately, the throbbing in his temples had slightly diminished in its intensity. “California. 2019. There was a case where fingerprints were successfully forged using silicone overlays. In 2021, an incident occurred in New York where sophisticated ID manipulation allowed an impersonator to bypass security. As a matter of fact, the National Conference of Bar Examiners has documented at least seven successful impersonation attempts in the past decade.”
The dean unclenched his hands and began to straighten his tie in agitation. He had a reputation to protect, not to mention the college's status.
