Murder at New College

So Montoya, if youre a lapsed Catholic, why do you wear a gold cross?

Same reason you wear a silver St. Christophers medal, Brautiganculture.
Culture, hell, I wear it because my mother gave it to me.
Me, too.
So, if we got married at Mission Dolores, would you wear a white gown and tiara?
If we got married at Mission Dolores, it wouldnt be to each other.
Phil Brautigan, the homicide detective assigned to investigate the murder of New
College president Thomas Jefferson, grew up down the street from the school on Valencia
in San Franciscos Mission district, raised by his Irish immigrant mother in a faded
apartment above the bookstores and coffee shops where many of the schools students
now resided. Since making detective ten years ago, Brautigan had moved to North Beach.
His partner, Luisa Montoya, still lived in the Mission.
New College, a hotbed of queers, New-Agers, and armchair Marxists, had managed to
survive the Republican defunding of higher education by underpaying its faculty and
overcharging its students. It had been known to cancel classes without notice, fire whole
departments, and regularly bounce checks to everyone. Cronyism, like everywhere, was
rampant. Still without any leads on who might have poisoned President Jeffersons water
cooler, Detective Brautigan figured he had it narrowed down to about a thousand
disgruntled former students, faculty, and staff.
Nice building. Ive walked by it a million times, but never went inside, said Montoya.
When I was a kid, it was a funeral home. The hippies made it into a college, said
Brautigan.
Well, I guess thats full circle, huh?
How do you mean?
Theres a stiff waiting upstairs.
Youre a sick person, Montoya. Glad we called off the wedding.
Who says it was ever on?
On the other hand, he speculated, it could easily have been some parent or religious
fanatic disgusted by the schools openly supportive programs for gays and lesbians and
other points along the sexual preference spectrum, so flamboyantly displayed in the citys
annual Gay Pride Parade. Lieutenant Montoya, at present, opted for the right-wing, proZionist, anti-Communist angle. The New College Board of Trustees were clueless.
When Brautigan and Montoya examined the body of President Jefferson Friday
afternoon, his face was still ruddy from the potassium cyanide hed ingested that
morning. His secretary, who had Fridays off, was in the Financial Aid office trembling.
The librarian, whose office was on the other side of the restrooms from the presidents
suite, was attempting to help her relax.
Here, Ronda, take this Valium, itll calm you down.
Whered you get the water, Lorena? Im not drinking from the water coolers.
Its from the tap in the restroom. Its OK.

The absence of any security system on the wide-open Valencia Street campus made
entry to the premises a piece of cake. In fact, the Mission police station was regularly
called to eject disruptive homeless people and drug addicts that often wandered into the
school caf or restrooms looking for handouts or a place to shoot up. While there was no
reason to suspect vagrants in such a crime, Brautigan and Montoya were, nevertheless,
aware of the futility of asking if anyone had seen someone suspicious that day. Hell, that
was the norm.
Potassium cyanide wasnt exactly something folks carried around with them, but
neither was it a rare substance. Jewelers used it to buff gold. You could order it online.
New College had a Science Institute on its Fell Street campus next to its law school,
but the likelihood of the murderer being someone studying to be a nurse or scientist
seemed like a long shot to Brautigan. Still, just to cover all angles, he sent Montoya over
to talk with the lab professor before classes started on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, he
continued interviewing administrative personnel that often worked Saturdays in lieu of
Friday in order to be available to students who attended weekend programs.
By Sunday, all Brautigan and Montoya knew that they hadnt on Friday was that
President Jefferson had croaked almost instantly from cardiac arrest, which explained
why he was found sitting on his visitors sofa, and thus no reports of hearing him fall or
scream from the other offices on the second floor of the building. In fact, had it not been
for an appointment with one of the trustees involved in brokering the skyline
development rights of the law school on the San Francisco real estate market, the body
could easily not have been found until Monday morning, when President Jeffersons
secretary was scheduled to return. Brautigan wondered if this knowledge was something
the murderer was aware of, or if it was just a lucky coincidence. At this point, neither he
nor Montoya could say for sure that the killer was targeting the school president.
Aside from the usual articles about reproductive rights movie night, queer
performance, and study tours to Iran, the New College website revealed little in terms of
solid leads, other than one story run a while back about President Jeffersons trip to
Guatemala to meet with former guerilla leaders and priests involved in fighting that
countrys military dictatorship in the 1980s and 1990s. Harmless on the surface, figured
Brautigan, but as Montoya argued, there were lasting hostilities among both the
aristocrats, evangelicals, and peasant Mayansmany of whom lived in the Mission
districtfrom the decades of atrocities, and the public display of support for the
indigenous side by New College was bound to offend someone.
Hey, Montoya, you ever notice any class conflict between right-wing and left-wing
Mayans here?
There arent any right-wing Mayans, Brautigan. The right-wing in Guatemala is
Spanish.
So how do they get along here?
Most immigrants are poor. The handful of aristocrats here dont mix with the peasants.
They keep their contempt to themselves. My family is from Puebla, north of Mexico City,
but we arent culturally Indians, even though we have some Mixtec blood.

***
Miguel Martinez, head of operations at New College, had opened up early on the
Friday Jefferson was killed, and remembered seeing the president arrive around nine
while he was talking to the caf supervisor across the street about upgrading the wiring
for her espresso cart. The only people in the building before President Jefferson arrived
were the librarian, Lorena Phillips, and the tech support assistant, Ronaldo Guzman.
Neither of them had seen anyone else.
The water bottling and delivery company, likewise, provided no leads. Same with
President Jeffersons two teenage sons up in Petaluma. All they said was that hed been a
lot happier lately now that he had a girlfriend. Evidently his divorce a year ago had been
tough on all three of them. His ex-wife was living in Santa Cruz, and had a rock solid
alibi from her professor and cohort in the UC grad school History of Consciousness
program all day Friday. Juanita Jefferson had spent Thursday down in Monterey doing
research at the international relations language school, and stayed the night with friends
there.
Louella Bernstein, who ran the coffee cart and snack bar at the school, said President
Jefferson usually came over for a morning coffee break around ten thirty, but hadnt come
over on Friday. Of course, he was beyond the need for caffeine by then.
Louella was also in charge of ordering the bottled water jugs for the two buildings, but
that fact didnt seem to lead anywhere. The jugs were sealed until maintenance personnel
trucked them around and hefted them onto the cooler stands. After that, youd have a
tough time putting anything in it without making a noticeable mess.
As it turned out, the trace of potassium cyanide in the disposable water cooler cup
found next to the body was a false lead. The water in the cooler was clean. Which raised
the possibility of suicide, but nothing else pointed in that direction. Jeffersons notes,
computer, and files had nothing unusual in them. There was no bottle in the room, no
container of any sort.
***
The casement window in the reference room around the corner and up a flight from
the Librarians office was open when Lieutenant Montoya looked over the premises on
Friday, and appeared not to have been closed over the weekend when she returned
Monday to speak with the work/study students who helped out in the library and often
locked up in the evening, long after the librarian had gone home for the day. The students
admitted that sometimes they forgot to close it before leaving, but that the only way onto
the roof from the alley would be with a ladder or by hopping from an adjacent roof onto
the schools. None of which, of course, was a major obstacle, and for what it was worth, a
possibility that someone had come in on Thursday between ten p.m. and eight a.m. and
put poison into a Dixie cup that was later topped off with water and consumed by
President Jefferson. Not a likely scenario, to say the least.
What it did point out, though, was that security was pretty lax, which was confirmed
by the students who remarked about the computers in the lab next door being stolen in
broad daylight by someone who simply walked out the back door with them into the alley
one day. Looking for security clues seemed a waste of time.

As first generation San Francisco Irish, Detective Brautigan was already aware of the
schools Irish Studies program, and the Irish Language Immersion Weekend at the United
Irish Cultural Center on 45th at Sloat. He even attended a couple of the poetry readings at
the Civic Center public library during the Crossroads Festival. Brautigan really enjoyed
the Celtic Appalachian Celebration, and once he saw Van Morrison.
Looking at the online news and events for the previous month, he noticed New College,
and President Jefferson personally, were listed as sponsors of a talk at the Irish Cultural
Center by two members of Sinn Fein, one of whom had hidden out in the city as a
fugitive for the past ten years. When questioned, though, neither of them acknowledged
any personal relationship with the president. They figured he was just one of the millions
of Irish-Americans that feel an affinity for the liberation struggle in the north of Ireland,
and occasionally donate funds at events where they speak.
***
As part of the divorce settlement, Jeffersons ex-wife was still receiving a monthly
support payment from his salary, which logically speaking seemed to rule her out as a
suspect. His girlfriend, who ran the theater recently acquired by the college on 16th, had
no idea who could possibly have wanted to kill him. Having recently finished graduate
school back east, though, Elaine Richardson admittedly knew little about Jeffersons past
acquaintances or activities. Brautigan couldnt help wondering how some of the older
ultra-feminist professors at the school felt about the president dating someone half his
age, but it was Montoya who brought it up.
I wonder if she and Jefferson became an item before or after the divorce?
Regardless of when they met, Brautigan remarked, who might not have been too
happy about it? Might have been downright hostile over it.
Lieutenant Montoya met the two Jefferson boys at Petaluma High School during their
lunch break Monday afternoon. They said as far as they knew, Elaine had not met their
father until just recently. She only came to the house once, when she and their dad were
on their way to a retreat in Mendocino for a weekend last month. They thought she was
OK, kind of like a big sister in a way.
The Dean of Students at Radcliffe, where Elaine had studied until just before
Christmas, said that she knew zip about Ms. Richardsons personal life, and that she last
resided at a boarding house near the campus that had a regular turnover of students. She
gave Montoya the address and phone number, but was otherwise no help. When Montoya
phoned the boarding house, she got a recorded message.
Meanwhile, Brautigan drove down to Santa Cruz where he met Juanita Jefferson in the
campus coffee shop across from the library. She was already most of the way through a
double latte when he approached and said, Youre Juanita, I recognize you from the
photo your son has.
Yes, sorry I didnt wait, but Ive been up worrying about the boys all night. I suppose
their grandmother is taking good care of them, but Id like to be with them. She and I
dont get along, though, and it seemed best to let them come see me when they have a
chance to drive down here on their own.

I can imagine how tense things are with the in-laws, what with a divorce and murder,
teenagers and a new girl friend to deal with. Have you met Miss Richardson?
You dont waste any time, do you detective? I heard about his sweet young thing
from the boys, but weve never met. I dont expect that to change. I wasnt planning on
going to the funeral.
I see, said Brautigan, no false remorse, no regrets?
Lets just say my regrets are mine. Anything else I can help you with?
Yeah, I see from the settlement that your ex-husband got the house and you get a
monthly stipend for ten years. That seem fair to you?
Fair enough, I mean I dont think I could have done better with the boys nearly
grown and the house a wreck. A thousand a month keeps me off the street while I
complete my advanced degree. After that, well see what happens.
What happens now that theres no stipend, seeing how theres no salary to pay it
from? How will you manage?
I have a little saved up, and Ill have to talk with my attorney to figure out the rest. I
guess my former in-laws will probably sell the house and move the boys in with them
while they finish high school. Maybe thatll give me enough to land on my feet. Who
knows.
Youll let me know of any developments, then?
Sure, detective, well be regular pen pals.
***
When Montoyas phone rang, she spilled her coffee reaching for it, and said, Shit!
as she lifted the receiver.
Lieutenant Montoya?
Yeah, sorry, I spilled my coffee as you were calling. Whos this?
This is Roberta LaFarge, the manager of the Tory Terrace apartments where Elaine
Richardson used to live. I got your message when I returned from shopping just now. Has
something happened to Elaine?
No, but her boy friend in San Francisco was apparently murdered, and were
checking out everyone close to him for leads. Do you know if Miss Richardson had a boy
friend while she lived in your building?
I wouldnt know, but maybe one of the other girls would. I could ask around if youd
like.
Thatd be great Miss LaFarge. You can call me collect.
Brautigan wasnt particularly enamored with the lovely ex-Mrs. Jefferson, but he
didnt think she was the type to commit murder in order to collect early on her divorce
settlement. Still, the drive down the coast was a chance for him to unwind and sort out
some of the oddities of this case. The victim had no apparent enemies, a beautiful young
girl friend, a low pressure job with a big salary, and two great kids. It didnt make sense.
Ronda McClure, President Jeffersons executive secretary, was doing a lot better with
the Valium and three days rest. When Brautigan found her at her apartment on Russian
Hill, she looked like shed been enjoying herself. At age sixty, that might not mean much.
Maybe shed just polished off a glass of sherry.
Youre looking better than you were Friday. Manage to get some rest Ms. McClure?

Yes, detective, these Valium pills Lorena gave me helped a lot. Have you found out
anything?
Nope, thats why Im here, replied Brautigan, to see if you might have thought of
something. Anything, anything unusual.
Well, its funny you should mention it, but when I came down after your call on
Friday, I thought it was strange that the office was so dark. President Jefferson always
opened the blinds first thing, so he could look out at the students walking back and forth
from the caf to the main building. Sort of like he was a captain of a ship on the bridge,
and the crew was below on deck. He always felt like a father to them, the young people
attending New College. They were going to change the world like he and his friends had
done in the sixties.
I take it you werent one of them yourself? I mean, not an activist?
No, I was opposed to the war and all, but I wasnt a hippie or revolutionary like
Angela Davis. You know she taught at our school once for a short while?
No, I hadnt heard that. Was that while you were there?
No, Ive only been at New College for three years. Ms. Davis was there back in the
seventies, after she got acquitted for providing guns to some of the Black Panthers doing
time at San Quentin that were later involved in a shootout with the Marin County
Sheriffs Department over in San Rafael. Pretty weird, huh?
Yeah, I vaguely remember that. It was before I was a cop. Anything else besides the
blinds that seemed out of place to you?
No, that was all. I didnt think of it until just now when you asked.
Well, if you think of anything else, give me a call. By the way, you and Jefferson get
along OK? I gotta ask, you know.
Sure, I understand detective. We didnt have any problems between us. I mostly kept
track of his appointments and typed his letters. He never hassled me.
***
Lorena Phillips, the main campus librarian, made no bones about her displeasure with
President Jefferson. When Lieutenant Montoya questioned her about him, she called him
arrogant, said he was a little too full of himself, used to, parade around the hallways like
our delusional national president.
You didnt care for him, I take it, said Montoya.
Oh, he had his good qualities, too, but I think he was losing his grip on reality. Like
he was some big shot university president, instead of a dinky little college running on
empty. He had a big ego.
He ever do anything unfair toward you?
Nothing to speak of. Just his attitude, but I can live with that. There are a lot of big
egos around here. Probably like there are on a lot of campuses.
What do you think of his girl friend, Ms. Richardson?
I dont give her a lot of thought. Shes young, inexperienced, but polite enough. I
rarely encounter her; the theater maintains its own archives separately from the library.
She only stopped by to go to lunch now and then.
***

Elaine Richardsons former roommate from Radcliffe, Joni DellaRosa said that
Elaines boyfriend there, John Monroe, had been upset when she took the job in San
Francisco. He even flew out there once last year to attempt to persuade her to return to
the east coast where he was employed as an IT specialist at Harvard. Ms. DellaRosa
hadnt seen him since then. She only spoke with Elaine once by phone after hed returned
unsuccessful. Elaine seemed happy about the change.
When Montoya inquired about Mr. Monroes whereabouts on Friday, Harvard
personnel said he was at work all week.
Brautigan and Montoya decided to pay a visit to the twenty or so jewelers in the
Mission District to see if any of them polished their own jewelry, if they used potassium
cyanide, and if they recognized a photo of President Jefferson. As it turned out, only half
of them buffed their own merchandise, and only three used potassium cyanide. None of
them recognized the photo.
Ms. Richardson wore a gold necklace, but shed had it since childhood. President
Jefferson had no jewelry on at all. His ex-wife said he only wore a wedding ring, and had
no metallurgical hobbies. His sons and mother confirmed this.
***
Louise Bollinger, the librarians new assistant, was an octogenarian former history
professor whod been involuntarily retired but out of mercy retained as half-time
administrative assistant to Lorena Phillips. When Lorena asked her if shed heard about
Jeffersons death when she arrived for work on Tuesday, she said she saw it on TV, and
figured it must have something to do with the law school students who were on strike
against the 30% tuition hike imposed over the holidays. Lorena, who always took
Louises theories with a grain of salt, nevertheless asked why someone would murder
over a tuition rate increase.
Because theyve staked their future on passing the bar, and if they cant finish law
school, they might blame the president, replied Ms. Bollinger.
But it still seems a little far-fetched to commit murder, argued Ms. Phillips.
People have killed for less, insisted Louise.
I think youve been reading too much Miss Marple since you retired, said Lorena.
I mean, since starting work here in the library, she corrected herself, remembering
how sensitive Professor Bollinger was to the prospect of being put out to pasture as it
were.
What do you think about the poison. Isnt that what they use in all those English
murder mysteries you read?
Sometimes, but its more famous as the death of choice by spies and dictators at the
end of the line. Several Nazis used it when the Allies were at the gates of Berlin. Its not
hard to make; I could whip it up in no time in the lab. We used to make all kinds of
poisons in grad school.
Lorena recalled that Louise had a masters degree in chemistry, and used to conduct
undergrad remedial science for adults completing their BAs who lacked sufficient science
credits.
When Lieutenant Montoya walked in, they were still discussing Himmler and Hitler
and other scoundrels whod taken the quick way out rather than face trial.

So thats what librarians talk about when theyre not shushing students, huh?
We were just talking about some of the historical uses of potassium cyanide by
notorious monsters. Louise was telling me about students making poisons in science class
back in the old days.
I see. A popular past time in academia is it?
Only for young women with wild imaginations, answered Ms. Bollinger with a
chuckle.
When I checked with the science institute director, he said those chemicals are in
every science lab in the country, but that they dont intentionally combine such
substances except in highly-controlled studies, and that he had not allowed his students to
do so.
Thank God for that, Ms. Phillips remarked.
What can we do for you today, Lieutenant?
Some of your students mentioned they forget to close the back window, and I
wondered if you noticed if it was open Friday morning when you opened up?
I cant remember if it was or not. Did you find something?
No, just checking loose ends is all.
***
When Lorena Phillips ascended the escalator at the 16th & Mission BART station
Tuesday morning, she thought she recognized Sabrina, one of her former work/study
students from four years ago, across the street headed toward Valencia. She called out,
Sabrina, is that you?
The young lady turned and smiled as she recognized Lorena, and came jogging across
to see her.
When did you get back from Australia. What have you been doing?
Well, we toured with the circus for six months after I left New College when they
cancelled our fall semester, and then I went to Florida for awhile, and I got back here a
couple months ago, but havent found work. I injured my shoulder, so trapeze work is
out. Im hoping to pick up those four credits I need to graduate, and then maybe I can do
some dance instruction or something. Im checking with City College about it tomorrow.
Its so great to see you. We had such a good time while you were working in the
library.
Yeah, I might have gone to grad school there if they hadnt pulled the rug out from
under us just before we could graduate. Im still kinda pissed about that.
It was a rotten deal, all right. But now youre back. Was Australia fun?
It was OK. Kinda hot. Real dusty. Ill stop by and talk sometime. Right now I gotta
meet somebody.
Lorena continued on up the street toward the school, and remembered she had
forgotten to tell Sabrina she had a photo of the library staff with her in it that she might
want a copy of. Oh well, she thought, Ill tell her when she stops by.
When she passed Mariachis Mexican restaurant, Lorena saw Rita Hallsworth inside
having lunch, and went in to say hello. Rita had also been one of her work/study students
a few years back, and was in the photo she promised herself to find for Sabrina. Rita was

presently working as a K-12 counselor in Oakland, but also worked at the New College
family counseling clinic from time to time.
Hi Rita, Lorena said, Guess who I just saw on 16th? Sabrina. What a surprise,
huh?
Oh, cool. I wish Id seen her. She was a nice person. Whats she doing now?
Looking for work, like a lot of former students are these days. Said she had a good
time in Australia, though.
Whats up with you Lorena?
Well, not much except the murder investigation.
Murder? Who got murdered?
Thomas Jefferson. He was found poisoned in his office Friday morning.
Oh my God, Lorena. Who would do something like that?
I dont know. The police dont seem to have any leads, either. Louise Bollinger says
it reminds her of Miss Marple mysteries. It sounds like a revenge killing to me.
***
When Rita went into the clinic reception area, Ronda McClure was sitting by the
window, and turned around to greet her.
Hi Rita, I was wondering if I could talk with you for a minute before you open? Ive
been so upset over Thomas death I havent been able to sleep without taking pills. I
thought maybe you could recommend something.
Sure, Ronda, come on in. I dont have any clients until two-thirty.
Thanks. I only knew Thomas for a year, but we were close work companions. He was
a real gentleman. I couldnt believe it when Lorena called me on my cell phone that
morning. I had to take Valium to keep from having a nervous breakdown.
Thats not unusual with unexpected trauma like that. Are you still taking them?
A couple times a day, and then sleeping pills before bedtime. Is that dangerous?
Not as long as you dont combine it with alcohol. But talk with your physician. I
cant prescribe meds or advise you professionally other than to suggest you discuss how
you feel with a friend or counselor.
Well, its like I dont know how to feel, which is kind of strange. I cried
uncontrollably at first, but since Friday, Ive been sort of stunned, like in a trance.
Its a big shock. Itll take a while to come to terms with it. Is the school planning any
staff support group activity?
Not that I know of. But maybe theyre waiting to see what the police turn up.
Well, Ill speak with the Dean and some others to see what we might do. Ill let you
know.
Thanks Rita. I feel better talking with you.
When Ronda left the clinic, she saw Elaine Richardson passing the Luna Caf down
the street, and turned to walk the other direction, even though she was going to the bus
stop where Elaine was now waiting for the light. She just couldnt bring herself to talk
about the murder anymore that afternoon. And she didnt particularly like Elaine, even
though she was nice enough to her. Maybe it was the age difference that made it difficult
to hold a conversation together. She turned down 18th without looking back.

***
At the funeral on Wednesday, Elaine sat with President Jeffersons parents, while
Juanita Jefferson sat across the aisle with her two sons. Ronda, Lorena, and Louise
along with friends, staff and faculty, filled the pews behind. Brautigan and Montoya
watched from the back.
Nothing unusual happened, no feud or nervous breakdown, no recriminations as is
wont to happen in divorced families sometimes. Ronda was a little tipsy, but wellbehaved under the circumstances. Outside, after the ceremony, Detective Brautigan
approached Ms. McClure to ask how she was holding up, and if she had thought of
anything since their talk on Monday.
Much better, thank you detective, but I still dont understand how anybody could
have wanted Thomas dead. He was always helping people.
Maybe it wasnt somebody in their right mind, he answered. Its a pretty crazy
world, you know.
Lieutenant Montoya, meanwhile, was busy extending her condolences to the family
and girl friend. When they started to get in their cars, she called Elaine Richardson aside
to ask her a couple questions.
When was it you last saw Thomas alive?
Thursday night, after work we went to The Phoenix for a beer. We had a couple
sandwiches and left about eight. I had a report to work on, so I went back to the office
when he went home.
Did you talk on the phone between then and Friday morning?
No. That was the last time we spoke.The next thing I knew was when Ronda phoned
to tell me he was dead.
Ronda phoned you? Not Lorena?
Yeah, Ronda. She was pretty worked up, almost hysterical. She said Lorena had just
phoned her to come down to the school, where you and Detective Brautigan were busy
examining the body and asking what anyone might have seen. She must have been on her
way already, because she was on her cell phone, and it wasnt coming in real clear.
Montoya managed to catch Lorena before she hopped a bus, and asked her if she
remembered calling Elaine on Friday when Detective Brautigan asked her to phone the
administrative staff not present to let them know. Lorena said, Yeah, I talked with her,
but she said Ronda had just let her know before I called.
Was Ronda on a cell phone when you reached her?
Well yeah, thats the number I have for her and Elaine and most of the staff I deal
with. I dont talk with them in the evenings, so I dont keep their home phone numbers in
my rolodex. Is something wrong?
No, just double checking all the details. Sometimes we find a lead that way. Not this
time, I guess. Thanks for your help.
When Brautigan found Montoya on the sidewalk, he suggested they compare notes
over coffee at Kellys down the block. He needed some fresh air after the stuffy funeral
parlor, and Kellys had outside tables where they could talk without being overheard.
***

Thursday evening, at the New College emergency meeting of the board of trustees, it
was decided to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of
President Jeffersons murderer. The $10,000 reward was announced on the KPFA
program Flashpoints, broadcast live from the New College performing arts center Friday
evening. By the time Detective Brautigan and Lieutenant Montoya learned of it on
Saturday afternoon, the school switchboard had received thirty messages of dubious
repute. One even suggested it was an act of God for supporting the homosexual lifestyle.
The New College of California Board of Trustees are offering a ten thousand dollar
reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who murdered
New College president Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was a visionary; he and Pedro
Gabriel headed the Council of Elders--the true fiduciaries of the Colleges soul in its
mission for a just, sacred and sustainable world. His quest to create a meaningful
cultural reality as the centerpiece of the movement, that depends on a radical
transformation of social relationships to enable people to confirm one another, to
recognize one another in a new way, to see one another in a new way that implies
attentiveness to thefor lack of a better word--spiritual environment, inspired all of us to
commit to this reality so that people can feel the capacity to act from the heart, rather
than just out of a battle for power or an attempt to redistribute material resources or
expand legal rights. Thomas Jefferson was instrumental in creating experiences of being
together, that feel better, more empowering, and more real than the alienated
communities on which people are currently dependent for their social identities. It is not
an exaggeration to say that he was a pioneer in the politics of meaning.
Worse than the off-the-wall phone calls, were the marginally sane people popping in
off the street into the school lobby with fanciful stories to offer in exchange for claiming
the prize. By Monday it had become such a problem that the college found it necessary to
rent a security guard to post at the entrance to keep these treasure-seekers from bothering
the administrative staff.
Meanwhile, Brautigan and Montoya now had to comb through the messages in
addition to working on their theory that the murder might have been an inside job.
***
Monday afternoon, when Lieutenant Montoya picked up the cell phone records for
New College staff for the week of the murder, she wasnt sure what, exactly, she was
looking for. After an hour and a half, it looked like another dead end, until she recalled
the remark Elaine Richardson made about Ronda McClures fuzzy phone call the
morning of the murder.
The phone records listed the numbers and persons phoned, duration and location of
calls by city, but to get the precise location of cell phones while a call was connected,
Montoya had to get the phone companies internal tech support specialists to track back
through archived GPS positioning datainformation that might and might not be
retained in the cell phones themselvesin order to find out where Ronda was when she
received Lorena Phillips call, and where she was when she phoned Elaine Richardson
with the news of President Jeffersons death.

Tuesday morning, Lieutenant Montoya and Detective Brautigan arrived at Ronda

McClures apartment on Russian Hill just as she was getting out of the shower. They had
a warrant.
When Montoya informed Ms. McClure that they already knew she was on the
premises of New College when she received the call from the librarian Lorena Phillips,
Ronda broke down and spilled her guts, literally and figuratively. She claimed she had
gone to confront Thomas over his affair with that child Elaine Richardson, and threaten
to kill herself with the potassium cyanide shed stolen from the science lab, but after
pouring it into a cup of water when she saw him arrive in the parking lot, Shed gone
quickly into the restroom next door to throw up, and when she came back out, President
Jefferson was downing a couple aspirins with the cup shed set down on his desk.
When Thomas collapsed onto the sofa, Ronda had run down the back stairs and
hidden in the old elevator shaft that now served as a janitorial supply closet. Less than an
hour later, her cell phone rang.
***
After taking Ronda McClures statement, Detective Brautigan and Lieutenant
Montoya returned to her apartment and found a photo album and diary under the bed. In
the album were collages of Thomas Jefferson and Ronda McClure positioned in frames to
appear as though they were attending festive social occasions together, including one of
Ronda in a wedding dress holding flowers.