"In the end, I think all of this was the best lesson you've ever taught, Professor Bauer," Jackson said. "The students were outraged over the article being taken down and they are now set to defend their freedom of speech in the real world."
"It was all part of my lesson plan," I said.
Clarity rolled her eyes and turned to Alice. "So, Michael Tailor is really going to get away with it after all?"
"I'm pretty sure Junior is looking for other schools," Jackson said.
"Thanks to your article, I was able to prove to the judge that Michael Tailor's money gave him influence over campus activities and processes. He agreed to keep it quiet in order to discourage further retaliation from Tailor."
"The judge also expunged the charges from my father's professional record. That was the amazing part. Thank you," Clarity let go of me to hug Alice.
Alice's cheeks lit up. "Just doing my job," she said.
Jackson beamed and kissed his wife on the head. "She's so modest. Though, really, the students did a lot of the work for her. They protested, they organized, and they've even come up with a plan for Landsman College to have more administrative transparency."
Clarity laughed, "Yeah, I hear they have an expert consultant helping them." Her father joined us and she nudged him in the ribs. "Tackling the shadowy world of college administrations, huh? That's how you decide to start retirement?"
Patrick Dunkirk stepped forward and hugged Alice. "Thank you so much for everything." Then he turned to me. "I appreciate that you went the extra mile to atone for past mistakes."
I felt awkward, my arm brushing intimately against Clarity's as her father spoke to me. "I needed a fresh start."
Patrick eyed our arms as Clarity, who was chatting with Alice, slipped her hand into mine. She wasn't watching her father's face as closely as I was. My heart stopped.
The former dean burst out laughing. "Ford, if this whole thing has taught me one thing, it's to trust my daughter. I'm glad she's met her match and that she's already making you a better man."
"I'll shake hands on that," I said.
The interim dean of students moved past us and out into the hallway. Patrick was nice enough to offer him a smile and a nod.
"Was it strange to be at Honor Council and not presiding?" Clarity asked her father.
"Yes, of course, but satisfying. It was really great to see that the system
I fought to get put in place actually works. Mighty nice of you to try it out, Ford, though I'm sure we didn't all really need to know your dirty laundry."
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to get your job back," I said. "Our article outlined how Tailor intended to coerce you, and Alice was able to prove to the judge how you were set up, but the president of the college was firm."
Patrick waved a hand at all our concerned expressions. "How am I supposed to stand in the same room as the Honor Council and not own up to my mistakes? I accepted the gifts from Tailor, I decided to make use of his influence, and I paid for it. I'm just glad that I was the only one."
Jackson shook his head. "No, I think the students are paying for it. They miss you. Now that they know how to organize themselves and create a coherent message of change, I'm sure they'd be willing to mount a campaign for your return."
"Don't you like my replacement?" Patrick asked. "Poor man, he certainly got thrown in at the deep end. I thought he did pretty well today, though, didn't you?"
I chuckled. "Landsman College could still use your guidance. The students respect you even more now they know you are human and not infallible. You can't tell me you don't want to be back on campus."
"Just like you?" Patrick asked.
I frowned. "I think it's obvious that from the start I was not cut out for academia. I'll just have to find my way doing something else."
"I like to imagine you're going to become some sort of scandal vigilante. You'll show up and expose the truth and then move on to the next den of iniquity," Jackson said.
"Please excuse him," Alice interrupted, "he's been reading too many short stories from his fantasy fiction class."
"Maybe I could consult with the students too," I said. "I have a few ideas about how to get you back into your old job."
"The only ideas I want from you are recipes for Christmas dinner. I figure our little table had quite a stretch since Thanksgiving. We should all get together and celebrate the rest of the holidays," Patrick said.
"I'm in," Clarity said, "as long as Ford is helping cook and clean."