Dead Woods - maria c. poets Page 0,91

a mathematician.

He’s seldom here, but he turns in good work.”

“He once explained to me what he’s doing, but I didn’t understand

a word, I’m afraid.”

The woman smiled. “That would probably be true for most. Come

along.” She opened a door that led to a room that was noticeably larger than the front room. One wall was completely covered with a floor-to-ceiling bookcase stuffed with books. Another wall consisted of a

huge whiteboard covered with mathematical formulas. The woman

stepped behind the desk and put down her bag, which she had brought

along. She smiled when she saw Max’s confused expression. “I haven’t 231

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introduced myself yet. I’m Professor Thelmann, Daniel’s immediate

boss, and his dissertation adviser.”

“I didn’t know that Herr Vogler had a doctorate,” Max said to hide

his embarrassment. It was a rarity for him to succumb to clichés, but he wasn’t totally immune.

“Oh yes, right on schedule. He studied mathematics and computer

science and got his doctorate in mathematics. He’s highly intelligent; I’m sure you noticed . . . You know him, I assume.”

“Yes, I’ve already talked with him.” He resisted the temptation to

ask for an explanation of what exactly Vogler and Professor Thelmann worked on, since he guessed it would take quite some time. Instead he said, “If I understand you correctly, Daniel was your student and got his doctorate here, with you, and then went into the private economic sector—and then returned?”

Professor Thelmann nodded. “Exactly. He didn’t enjoy his excur-

sion into the harsh outside world, and he was back a short time later.”

“Is this something that happens quite often? I mean, that someone

joins the private sector and returns after a while?”

The woman shook her head. “No. It’s actually quite unusual. The

poor working conditions at universities have a lot to do with that.

Usually only temporary positions are available, and positions for support personnel are being constantly reduced.” She grimaced. “For

freshly minted scientists who plan an academic career and want to start a family, the conditions are definitely less than stellar. So most leave and never return.”

“But Daniel Vogler did. Were you surprised?”

“No. It rather surprised me that he entered the private sector in the first place. He could have applied to a different university and, most likely, would have found a job.”

“So what surprised you? Maybe he wanted to finally have a secure,

well-paying position.”

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Professor Thelmann smiled. “Daniel is quite an odd fellow. He’s

not interested in money. He prefers to work by himself and to spend

his time solving problems about whose existence ninety-nine percent

of people are oblivious.”

Max thought about the explanation Vogler had given him and

Lina and silently agreed with the woman.

“Computer science is more of a hobby for him, something to relax

with. His real passion is mathematics. I doubt a job exists in the private sector that wouldn’t quickly bore him.”

Max nodded. “What he did was way below his capacity, wasn’t it?”

“Was it? Daniel only mentioned that he worked for a software

company. He didn’t say what he did for them.”

Max explained briefly what Inoware had been involved with.

Professor Thelmann frowned. “I wouldn’t have expected that. As I said, Daniel is highly intelligent and easily bored, and programming simple security packages must have been a piece of cake for him. It’s no wonder he was back here in no time.”

“The company had to declare bankruptcy,” Max said.

Professor Thelmann laughed. “That was surely not because of

Daniel or his work. He’s a perfectionist, and if the assignments were as simple as you say, he most likely installed some additional security components, even if nobody asked for them.” Then she became serious again. “But why are you asking all these questions? Is Daniel in trouble?”

Max didn’t answer at once. Eventually he said, “We’re currently

investigating two murder cases. Herr Vogler knew both victims.”

She raised her eyebrows. “I wasn’t aware that was considered a

crime.”

“It isn’t,” Max replied calmly. “But I still have to check whether

Herr Vogler’s statement is true or not. He said he was logged in to

the university computer last week, during the night from Thursday

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to Friday, and this week on Tuesday evening. Is it possible to confirm that?”

Professor Thelmann looked at Max for a long time before she

answered. “Sure. I don’t have the slightest doubt that you’ll find his statements confirmed when you check the protocols.”

“You mean you believe him when he says he was logged in here at

those times?”

“I didn’t say that.” The woman looked at the whiteboard covering

the wall to the right of her desk. Her face was pensive, as if she were checking the formula on the board. “I only wanted to