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Ten minutes later, Ellie and Derrick parked in front of the university building that housed the biology, science and zoology departments. The sticky heat made sweat trickle down Ellie’s neck. Blades of grass were turning brown, the flowers flanking the building drooping and begging for water. A jogger ran past, and a couple parked their bikes in the allotted slots and headed toward a shade tree. At least the students were heeding the heatwave warnings and carried water bottles and sports drinks to keep hydrated.
She and Derrick hurried into the building, then to Professor Pockley’s office on the third floor, a fairly small one on the end with the door closed.
Derrick knocked and Ellie tapped her foot as they waited. Another knock finally brought the man to the door.
Clichéd as it sounded, he looked the part of the science nerd. Thin face, gangly body, eyes that bulged and looked almost buggy. His skin was rough with acne scars, his nose was crooked and he wore a lab coat as if he’d just been conducting research.
“Professor Pockley, I’m Detective Ellie Reeves and this is Special Agent Fox with the FBI. We’d like to talk to you.”
He adjusted his glasses. “I’m kind of in a hurry. Can you come back later?”
“It won’t take long. It’s really important.” Derrick elbowed his way into the office, which was crammed full of science books and charts depicting species of spiders and snakes. A glass case housed a yellow anaconda. Another case on the opposite corner was home to what looked like a tarantula.
Ellie shivered, remembering Darla Roben’s traumatic experience.
Professor Pockley seated himself behind his desk as if he thought he needed a safety net between them. Ellie almost laughed at that. The man worked with poisonous animals.
“I’m sure you’ve heard that the remains of former students Reuben Waycross and Amy Dean have been found,” Derrick said as they claimed chairs across from the man. “You probably also heard on the news that another former student, Beverly Hooper, was attacked in her home.”
Pockley steeped his long bony fingers together, and Ellie noted scars on his hands and wrists.
“Of course. Everyone on campus is talking about it. The female students are really shaken up.”
“Understandable,” Ellie said.
“You attended college with Waycross, Amy Dean, and Beverly Hooper,” Derrick said.
“The college has hundreds of students so yes, I did.” Pockley cut his eyes toward the window, a tell-tale sign he was hiding something.
“But I didn’t know Amy or Beverly very well.”
Derrick arched a brow. “But you were friends with Reuben Waycross?”
His fingers twitched. “I believe we had a couple of classes together.”
“The criminology class taught by Dr. Dansen,” Derrick said bluntly.
Pockley rocked his head from side to side. “I do seem to recall that. It was a fascinating class.”
“Yet you didn’t pursue a career in police work or criminology yourself.” Ellie gestured around the room at the posters and books. “You chose zoology.”
“The class was an elective, that’s all. I’ve been fascinated with reptiles and arachnids since I was young.” He smiled as he looked at the spider in the glass case.
“I see,” Ellie said, hoping the cage was secure. “Do you remember a student named Darla Roben who lived in Lake Haven Apartments?”
He shook his head. “No, why should I?”
“There was an incident where poisonous spiders were released into her apartment, traumatizing her.”
Pockley snapped his fingers. “Oh, I do remember something about that. Thought they caught the guy who did it.”
“Actually, he claimed innocence and there wasn’t enough proof to make an arrest.” She studied his body language. Tight shoulders. Fingers twitching. Eyes darting to his snake.
He blinked and angled his head toward her. “I still don’t understand what any of this has to do with me. I told you I didn’t really know any of those girls.”
“But you knew Waycross and he’s dead,” Derrick cut in.
Lines fanned beside the man’s eyes. “I only learned about his death from the news.”
