Chapter 38

Again, I don't own any of these characters

Cody smiled at her. "You darn right we do!" Cody pulled out a second digital recorder.

"Cody...Why did we need a second one?"

"Our back up...Just in case the other one didn't work, the microphone I put on your charm bracelet watch would pick up everything too..."

"Was that necessary though?"

"Well, it also let me listen to everything that went on in there. I wanted to make sure if he tried anything funny, I would know immediately so I could run in there and stop it...I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to you..."

Bailey shook her head and laughed. "You know...Sometimes your plans are a little over the top..."

Cody paused. "Maybe...but one of them got me you..."

Bailey smiled. "No, Cody...You got me, not your plan. But I do appreciate the lengths you'll go to to protect me..."

"I'll always try to protect you...Now, its on to Step Two..."

Bailey nodded. "Right. Let's go..."

Cody and Bailey made their way to the office of the Head of the Biology department. They were told he was busy at the moment, but they just smiled and said they would wait. About thirty minutes later, the department head stuck his head out of the door and motioned them in.

"Miss Pickett, Mr. Martin...To what do I owe the pleasure this morning?"

Cody turned to Bailey and she nodded. "Professor Reed, I would like to file a formal complaint against Professor Owen for sexual harassment..."

Professor Reed sat back in his chair. "Miss Pickett, that's a serious allegation. Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely...It happened not more than 45 minutes ago. We came straight here after it happened..."

Cody spoke up. "We would also like to add a count of grade tampering as well..."

"Grade tampering?"

"Yes..." Bailey pulled up her backpack and pulled out her test. "I believe that Professor Owen graded my exam improperly and gave me a grade lower than I deserved. I would like to request another member of the department regrade it..."

Professor Reed shook his head. "I can't do that, Miss Pickett..."

Cody spoke up. "Yes, you can, and under the Yale Charter, you are required to. We looked it up yesterday. Chapter 6, Section 12, Clause 8 states and I quote 'If a student alleges improper conduct by a professor in the grading of exams and coursework, the student is entitled to having said exams and coursework regraded by another member of the department upon the showing of the professor's bias or untoward conduct towards the student.'..."

Professor Reed just looked at Cody. "I stand corrected then. But as you said, there has to be proof of bias or untoward conduct..."

Bailey held up the digital recorder. "The evidence is right here...Would you like to hear it now or at a hearing?"

Professor Reed sighed. "Let's hear it now..."

Bailey played the recording of her meeting with Professor Owen. Professor Reed just slouched back into his chair. For the longest time he was silent. Finally, he picked up his phone and instructed his secretary to cancel his appointments for the rest of the morning.

"Why do I have the feeling you two laid a trap for him that he walked right into?"

Cody smiled. "This isn't on us...He's done this before and we have proof of it..." Cody held up the folder from earlier.

"You do know I will need all of your evidence..."

Cody shook his head. "I don't think so. We'll give you copies of this file and Bailey's test, but not the originals. No offense, but we want to make sure the originals don't disappear. And will upload the clip of the conversation to your computer if you like. Oh, and if you want, I've recorded our whole conversation as well. We want to make sure we have evidence of it being reported..."

Professor Reed just looked at Cody. "Are you sure you're Pre-Med and not Pre-Law?"

Bailey smiled. "He's Pre-Med...He's just brilliant..."

"Alright, I'll have my secretary come in and write up your formal complaint against Professor Owen. It will be served on him today and he will have a week to respond..."

Cody spoke up. "I assume you will be suspending him pending this matter..."

"I can't do that...Innocence until proven guilty, you know..."

Cody smirked. "Would you like me to give you the cite in the Yale Charter that says you have to? Besides, if you don't suspend him, our next stops today are the New Haven Registrar and the Yale Daily News..."

"You would really go to the press?"

"Of course. Professor Reed, Bailey is my life. Nobody messes with her and gets away with it. Besides, how do you think it would look in the court of public opinion? The 4.0 student on full scholarship, the Albright Award Winner, graduating in three years with double majors and brought acclaim and pride to the school by winning College Team Jeopardy versus the brand new professor with a history of sexual harassment?"

Professor Reed sighed. "We'd be crucified...Alright, once the complaint is done, I will call Professor Owen in and let him know he has seven days to respond and is suspended until further notice. Mr. Martin, while we are getting Miss Pickett's statement, I need you to make copies of what you have..."

That is exactly what they did. Bailey gave her statement while Cody made copies. Once the copies were made and while the secretary was typing up the complaint, Cody uploaded the recording to Professor Reed's computer.

"Alright, its 12:30 now. Professor Owen is in class until two. I ask you both be back here at 1:45 so Professor Owen can see his accuser."

Cody and Bailey nod and go grab a quick lunch on campus. As they sit there eating, they are both finally able to take a deep breath.

"Cody?"

"Yeah, Bails?"

"Thank you again..."

"For what?"

"For pretty much doing everything. This has been a lot like when I broke my ankle. Both times you've stepped up and taken care of me when I needed it..."

Cody smiled. "Bails, I have no doubts you could have handled either without me..."

"But fortunately, I didn't have to...because I do have you. I don't want you to ever doubt just how much you mean to me."

"I know. You mean just as much to me..."

Cody leans over the table to kiss Bailey.

"Now, I want you to be prepared. It could get ugly when we get back..."

"You think so?"

Cody nodded. "Professor Owen is probably going to shift the blame on to you. However, we have proof of what happened..."

Bailey shook her head. "Cody, if he starts talking smack about me, hold me back..."

Cody smiled. "I was about to ask you to do the same for me..."

Bailey smiled back. "We'll hold each other back..."

"Yeah we will...You ready to deal with this slime ball again?"

Bailey nodded. "Lets get it over with..."

Cody and Bailey gathered their things and made their way back to the Biology building. They went up to Professor Reed's office and he motioned for them to go sit in the conference room. He made a phone call and asked Professor Owen to come to his office. When Professor Owen came in, he was caught off guard by the sight in front of him. Cody and Bailey were sitting on one side of the table hand in hand while Professor Reed sat at the head of the table.

"Professor Owen, please have a seat."

He did just that. "May I ask why I'm here?"

Professor Reed sighed. "Miss Pickett filed a complaint of sexual harassment against you earlier this morning. She claims you offered her an A in her class if she would...do certain things for you..."

Professor Owen was silent for a moment. He didn't think she would go this far. "Professor Reed, I..."

"Do you affirm or deny that happened?"

"Of course I deny it! In fact, it was the..."

"This isn't a hearing, Professor Owen...You will have seven days to respond to her complaint and produce any evidence you have..."

"Evidence?"

"Further, you've also been accused of grade tampering."

Professor Owen got angry. "That's absurd!"

"Well, Miss Pickett has requested another professor regrade her exam..."

"She can't do that!"

"Actually, as it was pointed out to me, under the Yale Charter, she can and she has..."

Professor Owen sat back in his chair. "I'll get you a copy of her exam then..."

"No need. Miss Picket has given us a copy of her original exam. Professor Owen, again, you have seven days to respond. At such time, a hearing will be held to determine the merit of this complaint. While this matter is pending, you are suspended from teaching your classes..."

"But...but..."

"That is all, Professor Owen. Miss Pickett, Mr. Martin, you are both free to leave as well. We will forward a copy of Professor Owen's response to you as soon as we get it. Good day everyone." And with that Professor Reed got up and left. Cody and Bailey stood up as well.

Bailey glared at Professor Owen. "You picked the wrong people to mess with!"

To be Continued...