His face defied age, but considering his thinning hair and its color, Micki guessed he had to be at least fifty.
“Hello,” he said, smiling. “I’m Professor Truebell.” He cocked his head. “Neither of you are in any of my classes. Are you lost?”
“No. I’m Detective Harris, this is my partner Detective Dare. NOPD.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Can I help you in some way?”
“Professor, we’re looking for one of your graduate assistants. Elijah Wetekamm.”
“Eli? What on earth for?”
“Just to question him. His path may have crossed one of the missing coed’s. Any information he could offer would be appreciated.”
“I’m certain he would be happy to speak with you, but he’s left.”
“Left?” Micki repeated. “For the day? The week?”
“The entire summer session, I’m afraid. A family member needed his help, so he went. He withdrew from his classes.”
“When was this?”
“Monday morning, first thing.”
She frowned. “I find that odd, Professor.”
“Life, Detective, is not about what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for others.” He smiled, gaze moving between them. “Spoken like the philosophy geek I am.”
Something about the elfin man made her think she’d enjoy passing a couple hours with him at Shannon’s Tavern, swapping stories and life philosophies over beer and peanuts.
Clearly, that wasn’t happening. Ever.
“Could we get his contact information from you?” she asked. “A cell phone number, email—”
“An email address, of course. He’ll be checking in. But he doesn’t have a cell phone. I’m sorry.”
Micki looked at Zach. He looked as doubtful as she felt. “That surprises me, Professor Truebell. To most young people, their cell phones are as important to them as their limbs.”
“Exactly why he doesn’t have one. And why I don’t, either. To live actively in the moment, one needs to experience it. Can’t do that if you’re attached to an electronic device.”
“More philosophy?”
He smiled. “Always. Let me get that address.” He went to his desk, jotted it on a sheet of paper, and handed it to Micki. “I wish I could help more.”
“If he checks in, could you please have him call one of us? It could be a matter of life or death.”
Truebell took the card. Zach stuck out his hand. “Thank you, Professor.”
Truebell eyed it a moment, then took it. “You’re very welcome. Good luck with your investigation.”
Micki watched Zach’s face: whatever he was picking up from the lively professor, it was causing the corners of his mouth to twitch, as if he was holding back laughter.
They were nearly to their car before she asked. “What was so funny?”
“The good professor thinks you’re hot. Apparently, he likes his chicks badass.”
“Chicks?”
“His word, not mine. The whole gun thing, very turned on.”
“Fabulous.” She rolled her eyes. “Nothing else? About Eli or Angel, anything?”
“Nothing. He was telling the truth. Eli left to help a family member in distress.”
“This Eli might not even be the one we’re looking for.”
“My guess is, he is.”
“Because of what Jeanette said? About your eyes?”
“That and the coincidence of him having a family emergency around the same time Knight was killed.”
“Where’s that piece of paper Jeanette gave you?”
“Close to my heart,” he teased. “Why?”
“I’m going to google him.” He unlocked the Taurus, they slid inside and buckled up. “What was his last name?”
“Wetekamm, Elijah.”
“You’re going to have to spell that one.” He did and she punched it into her smartphone. “Yup, there he is. He’s got the trademark baby blues.”
He started up the vehicle, then leaned over. “Let me see.”
She held out her phone for him, then scrolled. “He’s a do-gooder. Associated with a charity devoted to helping displaced and disenfranchised youth.”
“That fits with what Truebell was saying.”
“Here’s a picture of them together, some event. Truebell’s receiving an award.”
“There’s one way to be a hundred percent certain he’s our guy—”
“Show Angel his picture. Just what I was thinking.”
“Holy crap—” He backed out of the parking spot. “—does that mean . . . could it be we’re on the same page?”
She snorted. “In your dreams, Hollywood Houdini. The way I see it, you’re on my page now.”
He slid her an amused glance. “The right page?”
She smiled. “Damn straight. Task force meets in an hour. I’m thinking we should divide and conquer.”
He nodded. “You speak their language, Mick, I don’t. All I’d bring to the party is super-freak and let’s face it, they wouldn’t get it.”
She laughed. “Thinking you’re right, Hollywood. You check on Angel, show her the photo. I’ll take the meeting. We meet up after.”
“On your page, Mick.”
Chapter Forty-six
Thursday, July 18
1:10 P.M.