SATURDAY STORY - NED - PART II

 SATURDAY, STORY, MAY 28, 2022 - NED - PART II

Last week I started a new Saturday story - about Ned Morrison - associate professor of Economics at Wisconsin State University at LaCrosse.  

Ned’s wife (Amanda) and son (James) were killed in a drunk driving accident.  Ned is a good teacher, but the pain still exists in his heart.  

He passed out in class and the EMTs took him to Gunderson Lutheran Hospital to see what was going on.  His academic dean, Mavis Larson had taken the time to sit with him.

*****

Mavis Larson had been in the waiting room for an hour.  She was waiting for word on Ned Morrison’s condition.  Ned had passed out in class and Lori Rohn, a former EMT who was working on a master's degree in health administration helped.  He had an ambulance ride to Gunderson Hospital and he was taken immediately to check out what happened.  Mavis had published academic papers with Ned and had watched him go from a superstar professor to a good professor after the accident.  In the back of her brain, she was worried that Ned could still have lingering effects from the drunk driving accident that killed his wife and son.  

Mavis was also single as her husband had been a captain in the Army and had been killed in Afghanistan.  While they hadn’t dated, Mavis did have some interest in Ned.

*****

Ned was in a hospital gown, propped up in bed.   Seeing him, Mavis said “Hi Ned”.

Ned looked toward the voice.  His eyes seemed glassy.  

He said very slowly,, “Mavis, is that you”.

Mavis thought ‘well he is alive and does recognize me.

She replied, “Hi Ned.  You gave us all a shock today passing out in class.”

Cecelia cut in.  “Hi, Ned.  I’m Cecelia Tisdale, a nurse here at Gunderson Hospital.  I wanted to bring you and Mavis up to speed on what we know and what we don’t know.”

Cecelia continued.  “Since your arrival, you’ve had a CT Scan, an X-Ray, and other tests.  The results are still being studied.  I do have some questions.  Did you eat or drink anything this morning?”

Ned had the look of a physics student who was given four AA batteries, two wires, and a set of Legos and asked to make an electric car for a mouse.

Ned started, “Breakfast?”

He continued.  “I don’t really remember eating breakfast.  I was up late last night watching the Packers play in the Monday Night Football game with Josh.  I slept in and woke up late and grabbed some clothes and came to campus.”

Mavis looked closely at Ned.  Normally he was clean-shaven, but today he had a little stubble.  Yup, he had rushed to campus.

Ned went on, “I grabbed a coffee from the faculty room just before my first class.  I think I drank it in class.”  After that class, I, uh, had to sign some papers for Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity for their fall rush activities. I had students at my office until I ran to my second class - and I don’t remember much after that.”

Mavis remembered that Ned was the faculty advisor for Sigma Tau Gamma.

Cecelia asked again, “Did you have anything to eat?  Maybe a granola bar, or a banana?  Did you have some water to drink?”

Ned answered, “No, I don’t think so.”

Cecelia asked, “Did you and Josh have any food or beer last night while you watched the game?”

Ned thought again.  “Josh brought a six-pack of Miller Lite.  We shared some microwave popcorn. “

Cecelia said, “Well, we took a urine sample and you were definitely dehydrated. And, your stomach was empty. It's a little inconclusive but we saw what could be a small brain tumor on your brain scan.  That could also be a factor.  We want to do a more thorough scan with some dye.  We also want you to stay overnight so we can monitor your conditions.”

Cecelia tried to lighten up, “You know passing out in class is generally only for undergraduates who have been drinking too much.”  Mavis stifled a laugh.

Mavis started, “Well Ned, you’ve had quite a day.”  She flashed a big smile toward her friend and colleague.  “Would you like some water?”  

Ned nodded yes.  

*****

Mavis sat with Ned for another twenty minutes - mostly on the phone with her administrative assistant Tracy - to cancel Ned’s classes for Wednesday and other administrative issues.  

*****

Amanda Zolinski was giving her statement to the campus police.  

“Tuesday night at about eleven she was walking from the library back to her dorm and an assailant wearing a black ski mask, and regular blue jeans jumped out from behind some bushes, grabbed me, and put his hand over my mouth to keep me quiet and pulled me into the bushes by Prairie Springs Science Center.  He ripped off my top, but that took two hands, so I yelled.

That’s when Lori heard me and yelled back.  The man ran off.”

Captain Timmons, of the campus police department, had come in to help with the questioning.  Officer Perez was also there.  She had been sent out when the 911 call came into the campus police office.

Captain Timmons asked, “Did he have any identifying marks that you could tell?”

Amanda said “I’m sorry officer, but it went so quickly.  His ski mask was black - or at least very dark.  I could see his eyes but I didn’t register his eye color.  His hands had gloves.  His voice sounded kind of normal - no accent.”

Captain Timmons continued, “How tall, how heavy?”

Amanda said.  “I’m 5 feet 8 inches, and he seemed to be taller - but not too much taller than I am.  He seemed to be strong when he slapped me and threw me to the ground.”

Captain Timmons asked, “Are you sure it was a male? How about his clothes?  Did you notice anything special?  A logo or color?”

Amanda closed her eyes and thought.  “I’m pretty sure it was a male.  His voice was low - like a bass. Yes, there was some kind of logo on his shirt.  His shirt was dark - navy blue, dark gray.  He had jeans - no holes like girls wear - tennis shoes - I didn’t see the brand or logo.”

Office Perez interrupted.  “Her shirt had been torn when he pulled it off.   

*****

The attack

The assailant slapped her hard and growled “Don’t yell or I will really hurt you”.  

Amanda was so scared, but also determined not to get raped.  She yelled again.  “HELP”

The assailant slapped her again, but Amanda was in luck.  She heard a voice yelling “What’s going on”.  There was somebody out there!!

The assailant slapped her a third time, jumped off of her, and ran away.  

“HELP” yelled Amanda as she struggled to get up.  

The person who had yelled before came over to the bushes and called “Where are you?”

“Here” called Amanda - now becoming a little hoarse.

The voice was vaguely familiar to Amanda.  The face that went with the voice showed up above her.  Amanda recognized her as the girl in her Econ class that helped when Professor Morrison collapsed earlier that morning.  

Lori Rohn helped Amanda up. 

Amanda said, “Wow - that was close”. 

There was enough light to show Amanda’s face.  Lori said, “I think you’re in one of my classes - maybe my econ class.”

Amanda replied, “I think you are the girl who helped Professor Morrison this morning.  Thank you”.  

Lori introduced herself, “Yes, I’m Lori Rohn.  I’m an EMT that is going back to school to get my health administration certification.  I’ve seen you, but don’t know your name.”

Amanda said, “I’m Amanda.  I sit in the second row - and I see you in the front row every day.”

Lori called 911.  The call was answered by the City of LaCrosse but was forwarded to the UWL campus police department when Lori said she was on campus.  

Lori gave the dispatcher all the information - an aborted rape on the south side of Prairie Springs Science Center - just past the front entrance to the building in the bushes.  After hanging up, she noticed the time - 11:37 and the first officer arrived at 11:41 - she thought that was pretty quick.

The officer and her partner took Amanda and Lori to the campus police station on Farwell and 17th street - diagonally across from the Student Union.  

*****

After Amanda was questioned, Captain Timmons questions Lori if she had seen anything that might help.  

Lori replied, “I was coming from the library and heading towards my car in the Pine parking lot.  When Amanda shouted, I ran towards the sound and yelled back.  The assailant fled towards the east.  He seemed to be about six feet tall.  His face was covered.  He had Nike shoes - I think - maybe navy blue or black.  I think I could see the swoosh logo.  He turned to look back at me, and on his shirt, I saw a Sigma-like summation sign in math.  So probably in a fraternity would be my guess.  He was faster than I was, and I was going to stop and help the victim (in this case Amanda).  By the way, just a coincidence, but Amanda and I are in the same econ class.”

Officer Perez said, “We might have some video footage from the camera on top of Prairie Springs.”

Captain Timmons thanked them and offered to drop them off.  He dropped Amanda at Laux Hall and Lori at the Pine Street parking lot.

Officer Perez went back on patrol on campus.  

*****

Max Winthrop had been drinking at Howie’s Bar.  He was 20 but had an ID that said he was 23 and Howie’s was his normal place.  Tonight he was with some of his Phi Epsilon Kappa brothers.  About midnight a couple of Sigma Tau Gamma guys came in.  There were a couple of girls sitting on bar stools and some of the guys were trying to hustle them, to no avail.  They all were wearing dark sweatshirts with the Greek Letters - except one - Brian Schultz.  

The Greek organizations on campus had tried to foster “group like”.  The sororities had done a good job, but the fraternities were still very competitive.  Max got along with lots of the Sigma Tau Gamma guys (and the TKEs and Phi Sigma Epsilon guys), but Brian was just an obnoxious jerk. Max had overheard Brian talking to some freshman guys who were interested in joining a fraternity and Brian had said “Just don’t join Sigma Tau Gamma, they’re a bunch of crybabies”.  That was uncalled for.

He had studied earlier, but grabbing a beer or two at Howie’s with his friends was normal for a Tuesday night.

Max was a sophomore majoring in accounting and played lacrosse on the University of Wisconsin LaCross team.  He liked saying “I play lacrosse at LaCrosse”.  

****
Sheryl Jones was one of the girls on the bar stools.  She was hoping Max might make a move to talk with her.  Maybe she would have to make the move on him.  She was a Tri-Delt and a campus softball player.

*****

Ned Morrison slept well that night.  He had no nightmares that night.

Mavis Larson slept pitifully - with dreams of people dying.

<end of week 2 - Ned Morrison Professor story>