member--a perk traditionally given Belmont's
president.

Chapter 31

Ever since the original charges had been made, the Public Protection
Division of the Attorney General's Office had been investigating the
case brought to it by Diana. It functioned to protect the legal rights
of Diana and provide a copy of its report to the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

It had been denied access to the previous three day hearing by the
Belmont administration, but was promised the hearing transcript. After
a great deal of prompting, the transcript, all 700 pages of it, had
been sent to the Attorney General's Office as agreed.

It was copied and shared with the attorney representing Diana, Al
Garrett. He was appalled at the way the university administration had
handled the hearing and felt that all that was needed was to hit the
university administration with legal paperosa plentimus and they would
soon see reason.

He was unaware that the age of reason had not yet penetrated Belmont
University. Their axiom was, 'Reason? There is no reason, it's
company policy.'

The ensuing legal detritus delayed the reconvening of the second round
of the university hearing, but didn't prevent it. In the short time
given, Diana obtained affidavits from a prominent document examiner and
a promise of testimony from the university psychologist.

A court reporter was once again recording the proceedings, but it
wasn't Janet. The surroundings had changed also. Now, they were all
sitting around a table in a very large auditorium in the English
Department.

Diana had an attorney present, but university policy prevented him from
doing anything except whisper instructions to her. Of course, they had
talked beforehand and had planned how the defense part and cross
examination would go. Even so, the attorney was still in the court
mode--he had little or no concept of a university hearing and much of
what went on left him stunned with disbelief and unable to provide much
direction. When he tried, whispering furtively into Diana's ear to do
this or say that, it made Diana little more than a puppet dangling on
one string, and just as effective. One thing for certain, thought
Diana as the hearing progressed, someone should tell lawyers about
breath mints!

As soon as she could gain recognition from the chair, Diana requested
that the hearing be open. "The purpose of a closed hearing in
personnel matters is to prot