This story is a spin-off about a character first appearing in "New Experiences at the Lodge." That story's events are referenced here in passing, but you do not need to read it in order to enjoy this stand-alone story.
Professor Jeff Timmons walked across the central quad of Maybury College enjoying the first warm spring day of the year. The long New England winter was finally releasing its grip. The birds were chirping and the trees were showing their first green buds. Little knots of students covered the green space and buzzed with conversation. Laughter rippled from a larger gathering of the students and another group threw a frisbee further down the field. Some of his own students offered him a friendly greeting as he passed by. Jeff was one of the younger members of the faculty and was widely regarded as a cool professor. His English literature classes were well subscribed.
Jeff returned the greetings and smiled as he turned to enter the liberal arts building. He assiduously avoided letting his gaze linger on the attractive young women in revealing outfits among the students. Many were letting their nubile bodies soak in the first rays of the sun after a long winter and he couldn't help noticing them.
Jeff was aware of his position of authority and trust. He enjoyed being surrounded by young people's energy and enthusiasm on campus, but he felt guilty that he spent more time than he should admiring the female students. As a professor, he knew it was inappropriate to view them as sexual beings at all. Try as he might, it was hard to ignore the crackle of sexual energy that permeated the campus. This line of thought still occupied his mind as he made his way smiling through the creaking wooden door of the beautiful stone building that housed his department.
As a junior member of the faculty, his office was crammed under the eaves of the building, but Jeff thought his little space was quaint and cozy. The walls were covered in bookshelves that he had filled with his massive collection of literature. A small round window looked out on the green quad. He dropped his bag on the floor and looked out over the field. He stole a glance at a nearby beauty stretched out on a blanket, but then he shook himself and looked away.
"Creeper," he muttered to himself as he turned to sit at his paper-strewn desk.
"What was that, Professor?" Jeff jumped in surprise as he found his student assistant standing in the doorway.
Kat was a senior. Though she was not an English major, she had taken several of his classes. He had gotten to know her best in the last year after she had taken over as president of the Maybury Mountain Club. Jeff was the faculty advisor for the group and worked closely with the student leaders. She was smart, hardworking, and fun to be around with. She was the perfect choice for a student assistant.
She was also the perfect embodiment of the temptation that Jeff tried so hard to avoid, for Kat was a beautiful young woman who exuded a sensual energy. Her eyes always seemed to flash with mischief, her voice was an alto purr, and she favored clothes that displayed her curvaceous figure and ample breasts. Today she was wearing a short frilly skirt and a white tank top that clung to her body.
"Oh, uh, Nothing," Jeff managed to stammer. "I was just talking to myself."
"I see," said Kat. Her head tilted in thought as she examined him from the door. "May I come in?"
"Of course." Jeff gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "What are you doing here? I thought you had class in this block."
She shrugged. "Usually. My prof canceled it because it's so nice out. He said everyone needed a mental health day after the long winter."
Jeff shook his head. He was not in the habit of canceling class for no reason. He wasn't a well-liked professor because his class was easy. Quite the opposite. His classes were very difficult, but his teaching style was engaging and he showed genuine care for his pupils.
"Why don't you enjoy the day then? You aren't due here until much later this afternoon."
Kat shrugged again. "I was bored. And I thought you might need help grading the quiz from Tuesday."
Jeff nodded. "I do. Sure, if you want. But we'll need coffee first." He turned to set up the coffee pot behind his desk.
"Naturally," Kat agreed with a smile. She glided into the empty chair that faced his desk.
Next, Jeff pawed through the mess on his desk and produced the file folder full of papers and the answer key for the quiz he had given his English Lit survey class. Before they got to work, he poured them both a cup of coffee. They chatted about the next big outing for the Mountain Club for a few comfortable moments. A big trek was in the works for the upcoming spring break.
Jeff was just finishing his cup when the phone rang. He set the cup down and picked up the receiver.
"Jeff Timmons," he said into the phone while leaning comfortably back in his chair. Kat looked up curiously.
Jeff instantly sat upright. "Oh. Uh, good morning, Dean. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Kat arched an eyebrow in a silent question. Jeff shrugged.
His face paled and his eyes flicked to Kat as he listened to what the Dean had to say. Kat uncomfortably lowered her own cup to the desk. The Dean's angry tone was surely audible to Kat across the desk, though Jeff doubted she heard what he said.
"Yes, sir," Jeff said when the Dean finished his tirade. "No. Obviously, that's unacceptable. I'll get to the bottom of it." He ended the conversation and hung up the phone, still looking intently at Kat.
"Should I go?" she asked. "That sounded... serious."
Jeff leaned forward and rubbed his temples. "Yes, Kat. It is serious. But I think you need to stay."
"Oh?"
"That was the Dean. He's really upset."
"I gathered that much."
"It's about the Mountain Club. Apparently, on one of the treks this winter there was some... misconduct... at the lodge. At least that's the rumor going around. I told the Dean I would investigate."
Jeff shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"What kind of misconduct?"
Jeff sighed uneasily. "Well, some underage drinking for one thing."
Kat snorted derisively. "That's true for every trek. And just about any event for any club on campus. Is that it?"
"Well, no."
Kat crossed her arms waiting for him to go on. "Okay?"
Jeff shook his head before leaning forward with a loud sigh. "Basically, um, well. Actually... you see..." He paused and took a deep breath. His face was scarlet. He plunged on. "Kat, there's a rumor going around that there was a big, drunk orgy at the lodge."
Kat giggled in response. "Is that all?"
"This is serious, Kat."
"Why? Last I checked, there's no law or rule that says you can't have sex at the lodge. Everyone on that trip was a consenting adult. And no one was drunk." She waved a hand dismissively.
"Well, giving alcohol to underage drinkers
is
illegal... wait. How do you know which trip it was?"
