The following morning at 8am Martins sat at his table looking through yesterday’s newspaper, and it wasn’t long before he’d found what he was searching for. Picking up a pencil he smiled inwardly as he circled his find. Then leaving the newspaper on the table he reached for his bow-tie just as a knock came to his door.
On answering it he found a rather breathless John Mawdsley standing there. ‘What is it John? Don’t tell me you’ve started that early morning exercise I suggested?’ he smiled fastening the bow-tie.
’No Thomas, I’m afraid I have some sad news. May I come in?’
‘Yes of course.’
Mawdsley walked to the window before turning. ‘It’s Professor Borkollov Thomas, I’m afraid he’s dead.’
‘What? Don’t be ridiculous, I was with him last night in the lab; he was fine when I left him.’
‘That’s where they found him not thirty minutes ago; Doctor Francome examined him, apparently he’d suffered a heart attack.’
Martins sat. ‘Jesus… poor Professor Borkollov; poor Martha, has anyone told her, does she know?’
‘The Dean and his wife have gone over there. She will know soon enough.’
‘This is unbelievable; I must call on her, offer my condolences.’
‘Would you consider passing on mine also? Only I feel I would be poor at conveying them for myself.’
Martins rose again. ‘Yes of course John, of course. Well, thank you for coming to let me know. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone right now.’ Martins saw Mawdsley looking at the circled item in the newspaper; he calmly reached out and turned it over. ‘I will see you later then John!’
‘Er… yes, I’ll call by this afternoon, or perhaps this evening if that’s alright?’ Mawdsley courteously nodded and left.
A week later Borkollov was buried in the grounds of the university as per his wishes. The funeral was only a small affair encompassing very few who were not close friends or university colleagues, and only a half dozen or so of which returned to the Borkollov residence. Rumours were rife at this time that prohibition was just on the horizon, and so the board of governors at the university had banned the consumption of any form of alcoholic substance months earlier. Therefore soft drinks or tea or coffee were the only beverage on offer.
‘What will you have Thomas?’ asked Martha.
‘Coffee, but please let me get it.’
‘Nonsense, this is my kitchen. Now, is it true that you’re thinking of leaving the university?’
‘How… Mawdsley told you didn’t he?’
‘Bad news as you will come to learn Thomas, will always find the fastest of mediums.’ She offered passing him his cup. ‘And yes, the informant is whom you suspect. But you still have not answered my question.’
‘Am I thinking of leaving? Yes, it’s true.’
‘May I enquire as to why?’
‘As you know Martha Ivan had always been more than a mentor to me. He was a very close and dearly loved friend.’
‘I know Thomas, and he would always speak of you with the highest of regard.’
‘That’s exactly my point, because of our closeness I feel my heart would no longer be in our… in the research.’
‘He would be disappointed in you Thomas and no mistake. As I’m sure Dean Walkerton will be.’
‘The Dean and I have discussed this exhaustively, and he agrees with my recommendation that Professors Banks and Mawdsley; although I’m now doubting my choice, should take over the research.’
Martha touched his hand. ‘All the same Thomas… you will be dearly missed, especially by me. And as Professor Mawdsley either doesn’t know, or has simply neglected to inform me of them, I take it you do have plans?’
‘Only those of mice and the likes of mere men I’m afraid.’ He smiled.
‘Don’t play games with me Thomas; I know you too well to know you would not walk blindly away… so, out with it!’
‘After Ivan’s… well, I wasn’t sure which way I wanted to go. So I answered an advertisement in the Cleveland Herald, they were asking for a doctor to take over a practice in Charleston, their resident doctor is gravely ill and they need someone immediately. I really didn’t think they’d consider my application, but this morning I received a reply accepting me on principle. They want me to go down there the day after tomorrow.’
‘And is that what you really want?’
‘Like I said, I wasn’t sure. I guess the advertisement must have made my mind up for me.’
‘Well in that case Thomas, I wish you all the luck you so rightfully deserve, and you must come to see me before you leave.’
‘I’ll be certain to do that Martha.’
Professor Borkollov’s wake lasted not much more than an hour before those present once again reinforced their condolences with Martha and left. Thomas Martins was among the last to leave, and needless to say, he did not return to the house.
