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The upstairs office still had his desk and a single lamp. The rest had been cleared out. Boxes of books filled the floor. The red light on the answering machine said that there were three calls. He hit the play button. Robin Priest said that the college's personnel office had located a few nice places Calvin and his wife might want to look at. He gave details that escaped Calvin. If they could come up this weekend or next week, he could arrange a visit. The next call was from Terry's sister to say that Terry had arrived and was resting. |
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The third call was from Mitch Tojian. "Calvin, sorry to bother you, but I found something I think you should know about. Come in anytime. I'll be here until six-thirty." He left his number. |
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It was not quite noon. Calvin punched the number and looked out the window at the front. The men were moving Matty's bureau into the rear of the truck. |
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When Calvin identified himself, the secretary immediately switched him to Mitch's office. "Can you meet me in half an hour?" |
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"Yes." Tojian's office was ten minutes away. |
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"Good, but not here. At the Emerson." |
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"I'll meet you in the lobby." |
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Calvin did not ask why. There was little anybody could say to involve his interest. But he would meet with Tojian, it would be something to do. Like calling the gas and electric companies to turn off service. Returning library books. Dropping off Matty's bike at the Home for Little Wanderers. |
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When he hung up, Calvin just stood by the big push-out window. The sky was a blue steel bowl. A flock of starlings sat on the telephone wires like notes on a staff. Below, the lawn made a gaudy green mat to the gray asphalt. |
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What held his mind was the dogwood. It rose out of the grass like a charred claw. |
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