Chapter 21: Witness
David Bowen stepped into the sunshine outside of the administration building at Millstone University and stopped briefly on the sidewalk, shifting his shoulders under his shirt. Not that there was anything wrong with the fabric, it was high quality. Just the kind he liked. Nor were his shoulders tense, he was just attempting to resettle himself after sitting for the past hour.
Dressed in jeans, a button down shirt and a dark gray blazer, David knew that he didn’t look like the average college student. He didn’t care. His attire probably looked more appropriate for the office's casual Friday or perhaps a Ralph Lauren catalog. Lips quirking.
He glanced at one of the two pieces of printed paper in his hand; a class schedule. Dad will be pleased.
On the surface his face was blank, a mask of outward calmness. Underneath the wheels and cogs were steadily churning in his brain.
His father, the owner of Bowen Publishing, was very territorial about the company, always preferring that one of the family have a hand in each aspect of it. As good as the theory was, it simply wasn’t practical. The industry had grown swiftly in the past century, it was difficult to personally keep up with all the changing technology, let alone place one of his offspring at the helm of everything. There were only three sons.
At the moment one of them was in imminent danger.
“GET OUT OF THE WAY!” A male voice shouted.
Jumping backward to keep from being side-swiped by a passing cyclist -- flying down the sidewalk -- David almost fell on the concrete. He managed to right himself by catching hold of the side of the building's brick exterior. Fingers clutching the rough surface with a death grip.
"Hey watch it, man!" he retorted, grimacing. The mask slipping in accordance with his footing.
“Sorry dude," called the cyclist over his shoulder, already halfway to the front of the campus by now.
David stepped forward and brushed the grit off of his hand. Evaluating himself as he stood. Heart racing from the close call, his fingers throbbed faintly from where he’d grabbed the brick, not that he’d been injured.
Turning, he retrieved the pieces of paper that had fallen on the ground. Neither had torn. Glancing around to see if any other menaces presented themselves on the sidewalk. Geesh, that was close, he thought.
From where he was standing he could see the back of the campus. About 200 yards ahead, walking away from him was a shapely brunette in jeans, uggs and a green sweatshirt.
Her face was turned away, focused on something in her hands. She had a calm air about her and beautiful, curly, long brown hair that flowed halfway across the length of her backpack which appeared to be heavy with books.
Seeing it reminded him that he needed to go by the bookstore. According to the campus map, which was the other piece of paper in his hand, it was a few buildings back that way.
He started to walk after the girl.
“Mr. Bowen... Mr. Bowen... Oh good... You haven’t left yet," called the young co-ed who had helped him register. She was standing by the door of the building he had exited or rather, leaning against it. The weight of her tall thin body holding it open.
"Is something wrong?" David asked, looking back at her. Positive that he’d brought all of the required documents. Had he missed something? Doubt suddenly entering his thoughts.
"I'm glad I caught you...Will you come back inside for a moment? There's a question about your transcript."
He glanced in the direction that the girl in the green sweatshirt had taken, she was gone. She must have entered into one of the buildings, he concluded abstractedly. He’d have to get the book later. Wondering how late the bookstore was open. Let’s take care of this first. Whatever this is? he mused.
Turning around, he followed the co-ed back inside.