Chapter 18

Alex drifts through classes with Mercy and Lauren, briefly fantasizing about a calm academic life before fear and obligation return. Dawes summons her to meet the newly appointed Praetor during office hours, urging Alex to be polite and presentable.

After a routine lecture and campus chatter about Beekman’s death and Halloween plans, Alex visits Professor Raymond Walsh-Whiteley. He reveals himself as a reactionary traditionalist who believes women should not serve as Lethe’s Dante or Virgil, and he condemns Sandow and recent society excesses. He lays down strict rules: vetted inspections and rituals, immediate reporting, added reading, and zero tolerance for controversy, citing Alex’s “shameful” Scroll and Key performance.

Alex probes about Darlington’s return and meets Walsh-Whiteley’s firm denial. Sensing a weakness in the photograph of a youthful companion and nautical keepsakes, Alex fabricates a Gray’s presence—“young and very handsome”—to comfort him. The Praetor, vulnerable and hopeful, accepts this, and ends the meeting by promising a schedule review, temporarily softened toward Alex.

As Alex leaves, she recalls Walsh-Whiteley’s phrasing—“glad-hander”—also used about Beekman, and notes his recent access to Lethe’s armory. She weighs his animus toward Beekman, timing of his appointment, and new means, concluding he could plausibly have motive and opportunity in the murder.