"This panel has simply followed the lead of the prosecutor, Henry Tarbuck, and allowed him to continue to dictate to you without question—without thought of equal treatment.
"I am aware, as you are, that a male faculty member was recently convicted of child molesting, given a leave of absence and then replaced in his position without loss of pay or tenure. Is what you accuse me of doing worse than child molestation?"
Diana let the question hang in the air for several moments while she looked at the panel. Only Henry and Anuse returned her gaze, the women kept their eyes steadfastly on their papers which they held like shields before them. Useless, she thought, then aloud said, "Thank you. I have concluded my statement."
"I would like to clarify a few things," Henry began pontifically. "The record will show that the remarks you have made are your opinions. We will not respond to them. I want to make it clear, however, that I am a chairman of a committee of the faculty—not the prosecutor." There, he thought selfrighteously, that will show her that I can quote my lawyer too.
"Secondly, we do not decide anything. We will not recommend anything. We are merely the investigating committee which makes the report."
Chapter 36
True to form, Henry adjourned the second hearing with lies—it didn't matter, he reflected, we have the power.
The hearing panel met the next day. Each person was given a copy of the report that Henry had prepared. "Read it and when you have finished, come over here and sign this original. I will require that you turn in your copies today. You are to keep this report in confidence."
"When is Diana to be notified?" Timidly, Esther asked the question, raising her eyes from the document she was reading.