Perry - Trapped to Death

Cited to Death

Hoarded to Death

Burdened to Death

Researched to Death

Encountered to Death

Psyched to Death

Stacked to Death

Stoned to Death

Played to Death

Filmed to Death

A Jamie Brodie Mystery

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters,places and incidents are either products of the authorsimagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events living or dead is entirely coincidental.

2016 Meg Perry. All rights reserved.

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When youre researching the historyof science, your results will be more relevant if you dont use thescience databases. I pointed to the screen. We have databases forhistory and biography. For this class, its best to use these

As I spoke, my audience gazed back at me,passive as a herd of sheep. In the front row of the classroom, aguy in a Star Trek t-shirt was writing down every word I said. Inthe back row, a couple of guys were passing their phones back andforth. The rest of the class - nearly forty of them - were eitherslouched in their seats or propping their heads on their hands. Acouple of female students were smiling coyly.

Terrific. I sighed inwardly and plowed on.The most frequent barrier to success when searching the databasesis choosing the wrong keywords. I tapped the search box at the topof the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography landing page.Dont use too many words, and dont type in an entire thesisstatement. Use the two or three best words - the key words -that describe your topic. If youre searching for a persons name,surround it with quotation marks.

It was the first day of fall quarter.Yesterday, Id received a panicked call from the instructor, SamHerzog, an adjunct hired the day before, asking me to do a librarypresentation for this History of Science class. Id asked him whathis relevant assignments would be; hed laughed and said, Dude,Im still writing the syllabus.

Dude. I switched the screen to the History ofScience research guide. Everything you need - lists of appropriatedatabases, websites that weve chosen for their reliability andvalidity, tutorials on using the library website - is here. If youhave a question, search here first for the answer. If you need morehelp, email me. I tapped on the profile box containing my smilingvisage and my email address. My office is in the Young ResearchLibrary, and my hours are 8:30 to 5:00 Monday through Friday. Ifyou have any questions once you dive into your research, donthesitate to get in touch. Now, back to your regularly scheduledprogramming.

Sam Herzog stood up. Thanks, Dr. Brodie.Students, I hope you paid attention, because at the beginning ofclass on Tuesday, youll have a quiz on the material that Dr.Brodie covered today.

There were a few audible groans. The guy inthe Star Trek t-shirt smirked. The guys in the back sat upstraighter and stared at Herzog, their mouths open.

Heh. Served them right, the little assholes.Herzog said, Ill see you all Tuesday.

The class scattered. I logged out of thecomputer and turned off the projector. Herzog said, Thanks again.I appreciate this.

Youre welcome. Just doing my job. Thesuckiest aspect of my job.

He grinned at me. Youre a history guy, nota science guy, right?

Right. Coming to the science building islike visiting Mars for me.

Ha! I hear ya. He shook hands with me.Thanks. Youre free to return to Earth.

As I left the classroom, a young woman pushedaway from the opposite wall. Shed been in Herzogs class; Irecognized her hair - a headful of tiny blond braids that hung downto her waist. She gave me a dazzling smile. Dr. Brodie?

I stopped. Yes?

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyedyour presentation. She moved within a couple of feet and tippedher head slightly. Im glad to know that I can come to youwhenever I need assistance.

Uh huh. Whenever you need researchassistance, Ill be pleased to help. I held up my left hand. ButI might be able to save you some time. A, Im married; B, Myhusband and I are very happy.

Well, dayum. She grinned and steppedback a couple of feet. Cant blame a girl for trying.

No, I cant. Whats your name?

Ashley Bennett.

I shook hands with her. Pleased to meet you,Ashley Bennett. A word of advice?

Sure.

Visit the science library.

She laughed. I will. Thanks. She turnedaway and waved as she left.

I shook my head, smiling, and headed back toYRL.

Before I returned to my own office, I stoppedinto Olga Kovals. Olga, our departmental administrative assistant,was at her desk; Dr. Madeline Loomis, library director and my boss,was standing in the doorway of her office, and the two of them wereintently discussing something. I said, Oops, Iminterrupting.

Dr. Loomis said, Not at all. What can we dofor you?

Im covering my butt. I just taught aresearch class, and a girl hit on me afterwards.

Olga snickered and Dr. Loomis shook her headin amusement. I assume you set her straight, so to speak?

Yes, maam, and she took it well, but Idont want it to come back to haunt me.

Of course. Dr. Loomis led me into heroffice and picked up a notepad. What was her name?

Ashley Bennett. It was a History of Scienceclass, so she must be a math or science major. A white girl withlots of tiny blond braids, probably about twenty years old. I gotno indication at all that she was upset when I told her I wasmarried to a man.

But you cant be too careful. Dr. Loomiswrote down the information. Thanks, Jamie. Ill paperclip this toyour file.

Thank you. The last thing I need is astalker.

She snorted softly. Thats the last thingany of us need.

As I left the office suite, I got a text fromLiz. Where are you?

Just heading upstairs for my lunch.

I brought yours with me. Come onover.

I left the building again and went to theNorth Campus Student Center, where I almost always ate lunch withLiz Nguyen and Kristen Beach. Today we were being joined by mybrother Kevin, whod been dating Kristen for over a year, and JonEckhoff, Kevins partner in LAPD and Lizs husband.

Jon and Liz had only been married for 2weeks. I hadnt seen Jon since theyd returned from their Hawaiianhoneymoon five days ago. When I got to the table, I peered intoJons salad container. No poi?

Liz chortled. Jon stuck his tongue out, hisnose wrinkled. God, no. Liz told you that her aunties made me eatthe stuff?

Lizs mother was Hawaiian, and her familystill lived on the Big Island. Liz said, Its a Hawaiian rite ofpassage. You passed.

Barely. Jon shuddered. That shit isnasty. And its purple.

Kevin asked Liz, Do you eat it?

Liz snorted. Hell, no. I wont touch thestuff. My dad forbids my mom to fix it. She only eats it when shevisits the family.

Jon said, Thank God. I was afraid that everytime we went to your parents, your mom would bring out the poi.Since Im an adopted Hawaiian now.

Nah. But I will ask Mom to fix thatpineapple pork dish you liked so much.

Ahhhh. Jon smiled reminiscently. Heaven ona plate.