The long hall that led to Public Health was a quick jog from the library, where I'd just studied Ashmore's academic history. Walls on both sides were lined with group photos of every class the medical school had graduated. Brand-new doctors looking like kids. The white-coats milling in the halls seemed just as young. By the time I reached the School of Public Health, the corridor had quieted. A woman was leaving the main office. I caught the door for her and stepped in.
Another counter, another clerk working in cramped space. This one was very young, black, with straightened hennaed hair and a smile that seemed real. She wore a fuzzy lime-green sweater with a yellow-and-pink parrot embroidered on it. The bird was smiling too.
'I'm Dr. Delaware from Western Pediatric Hospital. One of your graduate students worked at our hospital and I'd like to know who her faculty adviser is.'
'Oh, sure. Her name, please.'
'Dawn Herbert.'
No reaction. 'What department is she in?'
'Public Health.'
The smile broadened. 'This is the School of Public Health, Doctor. We have several departments, each with its own faculty.' She lifted a brochure from a stack near my elbow, opened it and pointed to the table of contents.
DEPARTMENTS OF THE SCHOOL BIOSTATISTICS
COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EPIDEMIOLOGY HEALTH SERVICES Thinking of the kind of work Ashmore had done, I said, 'Either Biostatistics or Epidemiology.'
She went to the files and pulled down a blue fabric loose-leaf folder.
The spine was lettered BIOSTAT.
'Yes, here we go. She's in the Ph.D. program in Biostat and her adviser's Dr. Yanosh.'
'Where can I find Dr. Yanosh?'
'One floor down-office B-three-forty-five. Would you like me to call and see if she's in?'
'Please.'
She picked up a phone and punched an extension. 'Dr. Yanosh?
Hi. Merilee here. There's a doctor from some hospital wanting to talk to you about one of your students... Dawn Herbert... Oh Sure.'
Frowning. 'What was your name again, sir?'
'Delaware. From Western Pediatric Medical Center.'
She repeated that into the receiver. 'Yes, of course, Dr. Yanosh.' Could I see some identification, please, Dr. Delaware>' Out came the faculty card again.
'Yes, he does, Dr. Yanosh.' Spelling my name. 'Okay, Doctor, I'll tell him.'
Hanging up, she said, 'She doesn't have much time but she can see you right now.' Sounding angry.
As I opened the door, she said, 'She was murdered'?'
'I'm afraid so.'
'That's really ugly.'
There was an elevator just past the office, next to a darkened lecture hall. I rode it down one flight. B-345 was a few doors to the left.
