44
Later that same day
Leonard was sitting alone in the Physics Building cafeteria when Raj and Howard came in. They looked around for somewhere to sit but the only available seats were at his table. They walked over and sat down.
"Hello Raj. Howard."
"Phew. You know Leonard, you're kind of ripe."
"I had to sleep in my lab the past couple of nights and the radiation showers are out of order."
"Why didn't you just get a cheap hotel room?"
"Why didn't you guys pick up your phones when I called? I needed a place to stay."
"Bernie and I were out and we had some stuff we had to deal with. Personal stuff. Even if I picked up the phone you couldn't have stayed with us."
"And Emily and I were arguing all weekend. You wouldn't have been very welcome, dude."
"So I guess everyone was having romantic problems this weekend. And I bet somehow Sheldon was part of all of it."
"Dude, you really have to stop blaming Sheldon for everything that goes wrong in your life. Did you ever think that maybe it's just karma seeking balance for what you did to him?"
"What we did to him wasn't that horrible. He forgave us. He got over it."
"Leonard, we almost destroyed his career."
"He would have done that himself sooner or later. And now he doesn't even want to study String Theory, let alone prove it."
"Yeah, but he is studying it along with Alex and they're also developing other lines of research. And the university is totally behind them. They even gave Sheldon tenure."
"I'm the one who should have gotten tenure and a bigger office and an assistant. Can you imagine what it would be like to have Penny as my assistant? Well, the office door would be locked all the time, if you know what I mean."
"Leonard, have you been paying any attention to what's been going on around here for the last week. The FBI is investigating you. You're lucky you still have a job."
"They can't prove I did anything. Besides, you and Raj and Sheldon were all there. If I go down everyone goes down with me. Gabelhauser will never let that happen. It would make the university look ridiculous."
Raj and Howard looked at each other.
"I'm sorry Leonard, but I can't eat with the stink around here. I'm going to finish my lunch in my office."
"Raj, I'm coming with you. We still have that stuff to go over."
Raj and Howard left Leonard's table and the cafeteria. Once they were out in the hall they looked back to make sure nobody was behind them.
"Dude, speaking to Gabelhauser this morning was the right thing to do. I'm convinced of that more than ever now."
"Raj, you are so right. Leonard is absolutely planning to throw us and Sheldon under the bus to save his own ass."
"Feel like catching an afternoon matinee of Guardians of the Galaxy so Leonard can't find us?"
"I was even thinking of taking tomorrow off but I think I want come in to see the fireworks now."
At the same time, in Sheldon's office suite
"Is Dr. Cooper in?" asked Dr. Gabelhauser.
"Absolutely. Go right on back, Dr. Gabelhauser," answered Penny.
"Thank you, Ms. Queen. And I haven't had the chance to welcome you to CalTech."
"Thank you, Dr. Gabelhauser. I hope that I'll be here for a long time."
"As do I."
Gabelhauser walked back and poked his head into Sheldon's office.
"Have you got a few minutes, Dr. Cooper?"
"Of course, Dr. Gabelhauser. Please have a seat."
"I'm going to close the door. This is private."
"Of course."
"I had a very interesting conversation with Dr. Koothrapali and Mr. Wolowitz this morning."
"I must admit that I was aware they would be coming to see you."
"I am very disappointed in you, Dr. Cooper."
"I don't understand."
"You permitted a pedestrian scientist like Hofstadter to almost derail your career."
"As I've said before, the responsibility was mine because I selected the team. It was a failure of leadership."
"I don't see it that way. I believe it was a failure of character, Hofstadter's."
"What are your intentions?"
"I haven't decided yet. I expect to hear from the FBI sometime later today or early tomorrow about the rocket fuel matter. I'll then be meeting with President Siebert and the board to determine what, if any, course of action is indicated. I've scheduled a meeting with Hofstadter for tomorrow afternoon."
"And what do you expect of me?"
"Nothing. Though I suspect you may have to contend with the aftermath if there is one. If things go badly for Hofstadter do you think it will cause problems for your assistant?"
"I expect that to some extent it will, but I intend to help her through it. I believe she will come out of it unscathed. In any case, she has requested and I have granted her personal time tomorrow afternoon to deal with some unrelated matters off-campus."
"And what do you believe we can expect from Hofstadter himself?"
"I'm not certain but I suspect that if things go badly he will attempt to minimize the situation then pout and yell and attempt to shift the blame. That is his pattern. He does not like taking responsibility for his own actions."
"I will inform you of our findings as quickly as I can."
"Thank you. Are Koothrapali or Wolowitz to suffer any sanctions?"
"What do you think?"
"I would prefer that they remain in their positions. A formal reprimand might be appropriate. Though it took a long time they did ultimately did do the right thing and took responsibility for their own actions. They have done valuable work for the university. And they are my friends."
"I thought Hofstadter was your friend."
"I thought so also. I was mistaken."