Greetings, Steemians and Steemettes!

Looking forward to finally having my threads pulled out! Not too long anymore. Yesterday evening ended up being a bit longer surprisingly, so I ended up not getting all the sleep that I needed. Where have I heard that tale before?

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In case you missed the beginning, you can find it here. I recommend you read it before you go on with this one.

Tell me how you like these new designs. I really wanted to try something new for a change.

Chapter 9

We get a bit of exposition about our main characters at the beginning of this chapter. Talking to Mendez about the events so far and changing subjects, we learn that Vince Leone actually was married once before. He had some girls and a wife he considers to have been a good one. He ended up focusing very hard on his job, though and while he had a lot of success in that regard, becoming a name to be known in the criminal field, his former wife left him for someone else. The children he hardly ever saw, so the change of pace was no real change for them at all.

We also learn that apparently, Mendez used to be interested in Vince' new wife, Anne, as well. But they seem to be on joking terms about this.

They are having this conversation on their way to the McAster College. It is the place where Mr. Zander Zahn is teaching irregularly. We get to the reason for that shortly. Meeting the college president, a corpulent man from New York called Mr. Buckmann, we learn about the reach of both Mr. Zahns social awkwardness and his genius. We also learn about the existence of a man called Rudy Nasser, who is his assistant. Apparently, Zander Zahn tends to hold his classes very irregularly and tends to just cancel them on a whim on occasion. He is also known for some times extending a class for hours on end if he has any kind of idea that he maniacally and euphorically follows by some kind of inspiration.

These traits do not stop his classes from always being full. Let us take this as an indication for his actual genius.

We also get to learn about Rudy Nasser, a man in his twenties. Nasser is a highly educated mathematician and physician himself. This is what drew made him want to have Zander Zahn as his mentor. Similarities end there. As socially awkward as Zahn may be as socially competent Nasser is. Apparently, he is quite good looking. Whenever you find an attractive male specimen in a book, you are sure to find one or two females early on that make their interest in said man quite clear in an awkward fashion just so that we as a reader know about how attractive said male character actually is.

Ah, tropes. Always a pleasure.

Mr. Nasser knew about something having happened with Zahn, but he did not know about the murder. He did some damage control in telling our two detectives a bit more about Zahns behavior and antics. He believes Zahn to be absolutely harmless. He doesn't like people all that much, most people that is. He also tends to be obsessive compulsive over people touching him, making him want to wash himself clean immediately. Sounds stressful. Nasser is also always present during Zahns classes, acting as a relay between the awkward genius.

Upon being asked, Nasser agrees to having Mendez and Leone meeting Zahn again at his home, accompanying them. This will be the topic of the next chapter.

Continuing our investigation

A new set of characters, a bit more exposition about already present ones. No solid clues to further work with yet. Maybe Zander will be able to shed some more light over the events. I believe that having Nasser be present during a questioning will be helpful. Having someone you can trust in these kinds of situations can be helpful.

Read more of Papa Rodin!

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Papa Rodin Reads With You #4 - "Secrets to the Grave" by Tami Hoag

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Papa Rodins Weekly Recap #6 - Phantom Steem

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Papa Rodin Reads With You #1 - "Secrets to the Grave" by Tami Hoag

Papa Rodin Recommends - Minnowuprising and Upvoteplankton!

Papa Rodin Reads #6 - "Inferno" by Dan Brown with a twist

Tell me how you like these new designs. Wanted to try something new for a change.