Chapter 10 - THE PROFESSOR WHO SOLD HIS STUDENT
Charles Whitmore did not look like a criminal.
He looked like every professor Skylar had admired as a graduate student.
Gray hair.
Worn tweed jacket.
Half-moon glasses.
A gentle voice that made every accusation sound like an unfortunate misunderstanding.
He agreed to meet in Henrik Vogel’s office.
Skylar insisted the conversation take place with her attorney present.
Charles looked offended.
“Skylar, surely that isn’t necessary.”
“Three years ago, my father trusted you.”
Charles stopped smiling.
She placed Elias’s draft report on the table.
“Did you give this to Lionel Mercer?”
He looked at it.
Then away.
“Your father was making serious allegations.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
Charles sighed.
“Yes.”
Skylar’s stomach tightened.
“Why?”
“Lionel was funding an academic research initiative.”
“How much?”
“Skylar—”
“How much?”
Charles folded his hands.
“Two million dollars.”
Henrik looked disgusted.
“You sold a confidential report for a donation?”
Charles’s expression hardened.
“You have no idea how underfunded our field is.”
Skylar laughed once.
“My father lost the use of his legs.”
“I did not arrange his accident.”
“But you warned the people he was investigating.”
Silence.
Charles looked at the floor.
“Yes.”
That answer changed how Skylar remembered years of mentorship.
Every compliment.
Every recommendation.
Every promise.
After the accident, Charles had urged her to suspend her studies permanently.
He told her research positions were scarce.
He encouraged her to seek stable employment outside academia.
At the time, she believed he was being realistic.
Now she saw another possibility.
“You wanted me to stop researching the collection.”
Charles looked away.
“I thought leaving the university would be best for you.”
“Because I needed money?”
“Because you were vulnerable.”
“No.”
Skylar’s voice shook.
“Because you knew I had access to Dad’s notes.”
Charles said nothing.
Henrik’s attorney began organizing the documents for investigators.
Charles then made one final attempt.
“Skylar, your father accepted money too.”
She stared.
“He was paid for legitimate consulting work.”
“He signed the preliminary assessment.”
“And withdrew it when he discovered the ownership history was questionable.”
Charles leaned forward.
“Do you think the public will understand that distinction?”
Skylar felt the threat.
So did Henrik.
Then Dominic, who had remained silent near the window, spoke.
“The public can read the documents.”
Charles turned.
“Dominic—”
“And if they find misconduct, they can judge it based on evidence.”
His voice stayed calm.
“I am finished allowing wealthy people to decide which facts other people are permitted to see.”
Charles stared at him.
For the first time, he seemed to understand that Dominic was no longer an ally Victor could manipulate.
The meeting ended.
That evening, Skylar received a call from Gordon at Lauronie.
“I think you should come by.”
“Why?”
He sounded frightened.
“Because I need to tell you something about the night Mr. Hayes tested you.”
Skylar’s heartbeat changed.
“What?”
Gordon swallowed.
“Victor Sloane paid me to report your work schedule.”
The restaurant had not been an accidental meeting place.
Victor had known exactly when Skylar would be serving Table 7.
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And Gordon’s next sentence was even worse.
“He told me that if you started talking about ancient languages or your father, I was supposed to fire you before anyone important listened.”
