The Bitter Season (Kovac and Liska, #5)(24)

“Had he been ill prior to that?” Taylor asked.

“He had been hospitalized for pancreatitis once before several years ago. I understand once you’ve had it, you’re susceptible to it.”

“Was there an autopsy?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. He died of natural causes.”

Kovac just stared at him.

Foster blinked and looked away. “I can’t believe any of this is happening.”

“These three professors—Chamberlain, Sato, and Kaufman—how did they get along with each other?”

“They were professional acquaintances. Lucien and Ken Sato, being in the same department, had their differences, but they went to all the same functions and never tried to kill one another. That’s just absurd even to consider. Stuart ran with the Art History crowd. He didn’t have that much to do with either Lucien or Ken.”

“How long have the three of them worked here?”

“Stuart had been on the faculty for twenty-five years. Lucien came here from Macalester College in 2001. Ken has been with us only the last five years—”

“And he was being considered for head of this new department?” Taylor asked.

“He came to us highly recommended by one of our retired professors, Hiroshi Ito, whose brother had Ken as a student in the graduate program at the University of Washington. At thirty-eight, he’s already published two well-received books on Japanese history. Like I said, Ken is a very dynamic individual. He’s the face of the future for the department.”

“What did Lucien Chamberlain think of that idea?”

Foster’s mouth turned like he’d tasted something sour. “Lucien was predictably not happy about that. He felt Ken was jumping the food chain. But it wasn’t his decision to make. Hiroshi Ito is on the committee, so of course Ken would be considered for the position.”

“What was Professor Chamberlain like?” Kovac asked. “Was he a nice guy? Did he get along with his co-workers?”

“Lucien . . . was a very intelligent man,” Foster said, obviously choosing his words with the care of a man walking across a minefield. “Very professional.”

“You don’t have to be diplomatic with us,” Kovac said. “I’m sure you don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but we’re not the media. We’re investigating a double homicide here. Let’s call a spade a spade. If he was a pompous ass, then we need to know that.”

“He could be difficult,” Foster admitted. “He held his students and his peers to a high standard, and tended to put himself on a pedestal.”

“Did he have any enemies in particular?”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to call anyone an enemy.”

“But people didn’t like him.”

“He isn’t the kind of man who has friends. He has—had colleagues, rivals. He was a bit of a narcissist.”

“That’s like being a little pregnant,” Kovac said. “What you’re saying is people didn’t like the guy, and not without reason.”

Foster sighed. “This is so uncomfortable. Egos are a common commodity in the academic world, Detective. Lucien’s was bigger than some and smaller than others. We’re educators, not thugs.”

“And yet we have a dead professor.”

“I thought it was a burglary,” Foster said. “That’s what they were saying on the news: that Lucien and Sondra probably interrupted a burglar.”

“That very well might be,” Kovac said. “There appeared to be things missing from the house, including pieces from the professor’s collection. Do you know of anyone who can help us understand the significance of what we’re looking for?”

“Lucien’s collection is impressive.”

“You’ve seen it?”

“The tour was always the highlight of their annual dinner party. Ken Sato will be able to help you understand what you’re looking at there. He was practically drooling when we walked through the house last winter. Chinese New Year,” he added, thinking back on a happier event. “They always have their party on Chinese New Year.”

“We’ll need contact numbers for the Chamberlains’ next of kin,” Kovac said. “By the family photos, it looks like they have a couple of kids.”

“Yes, a son and a daughter. My secretary can give you their information. Charles and Diana.” He made a bit of a face. “Sondra was caught up with all things royal and British. Her family name was ‘Spencer.’ They were somehow distantly related to the family of Princess Di.”

“Thank you for your time, Professor,” Taylor said as they all rose. “Sorry for your loss.”

Kovac placed his business card on the desk. “If you think of anything we should know, just call. We’ll be in touch.”

“Was Professor Chamberlain going to get the job?” Taylor asked as they moved toward the door.

Foster’s brow furrowed as he frowned. “We haven’t made the decision yet.”

“But . . . ?” Kovac prompted.

“He was high on the list, and then his student assistant filed a complaint against him with the Office for Conflict Resolution.”

“A complaint about what?”