***** Vol.3 Chap.28 A storm brewing *****

The next morning, Frank took an early flight back to Pittsburg, arriving in his office around noon. He stopped at the departmental office to pick up his mail. Again, Mary from the office was the first to catch and stop him.

“Dr. Abdulcizi? The boss wants to see you as soon as possible.”

“Anything that I should know?”

“I know nothing. I am only a secretary.”

“Ha, ha. Liar, liar…”

Just then, the department head, Dr. Jim Thomas, came out of his office.

“Frank, you got a minute?” His voice is somber.

“Sure.”

Frank walked in and Jim closed the door.

“What’s up?”

“Sit down.”

The entire atmosphere was subdued and stifling.

Jim walked back to his desk and sat down while Frank pulled up a chair opposite him.

“I don’t know how to start. So, I am giving it to you straight.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Jim said slowly in a serious tone.

“A complaint had been filed with the Academic Appeals Board yesterday alleging you and Mark Hymann of plagiarism. The suit accused you and Mark of illegally publishing materials belonging to JB who asserted that all of Mark’s material was originally her idea. She had produced a significant amount of documentation showing how every part of Mark’s research and dissertation were ideas stolen from her and she had the log book to prove it.”

Frank sat there quietly, listening to him while shaking his head. He recalled JB’s conversation with him before he left for the conference. He did not think much of it at the time.

“That is not true. None of it is true.” He waved his hands to add emphasis his answer.

“Frank, I am not the judge, nor the jury. It is not me whom you have to convince.”

“I am shocked.”

“Me too, Frank.”

“How could JB do that?”

“Well, she did.”

“Let me talk to JB.”

“That is not a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“It can be construed as intimidation.”

“Come on.”

“Frank, I am on your side. Please listen to me. Stay away from JB.”

“So, just do nothing?”

“Do whatever you like, but stay away from JB.”

“OK, I will not call him or stop at her office.”

“Frank, I am serious.”

“OK, I get the idea. What is your advice in the meantime?”

“Go home and do some soul searching. The Academic Appeals Board will contact you for a hearing. You better have some good, convincing evidence.”

“I can only tell the truth.”

“Frank, you have been a valuable member of this department. I hate to lose you.”

“You won’t lose me.”

“Good.”

“Well, I am going back to my office if you have nothing else for me.”

“No, don’t forget the faculty meeting tomorrow afternoon.”

“It’s on my calendar.”

Frank sauntered out slowly as if a sludge hammer had flattened his whole body.

He stopped at Dean Cherry’s office and was told again about the complaint. Dean Cherry also advised him to stay away from JB.

He was totally baffled, not understanding why JB would think this way, and was not sure what had caused JB to file such a complaint.

Instead of going to the faculty club for his usual dinner, the news weighed heavily on him, so much so that he lost his appetite. Picking up some Chinese takeout on his way home, he was dazed with no comprehension or understanding of JB’s complaint. The words ‘complaint’ and ‘plagiarism’ weighed heavily on him.