While Kenya Adaeze and other students were quick to pick up on the increased visible presence of Moon Lake College campus security, no one knew the reason why, but all felt if it was something major to be concerned about that the college would let them know.
Dean Myers remained silent on the matter except for those who he absolutely had to inform, since the last thing he wanted was to instill panic on his otherwise peaceful campus.
After being contacted on the situation, he went to his computer and called up the class schedules for Jennifer Harper and Harold Jenkins. Both were in class right now, so he simply dispatched security guards to keep an eye on the targeted students.
Then he remembered that Harper shared a dorm room with first year art student Karen Yuletide. Myers grew more concerned that there was a normal potentially at risk too, feeling a regular human being was more vulnerable than a were.
Between being Dean and his own weretiger nature, it was more than his job to protect everyone who attended MLC to pursue a higher education. It was part of what made him who he was.
Therefore, discovering that Yuletide didn't have another class until this evening, he dispatched a security guard to escort the coed to his office for a conference.
"Did I do something wrong sir?" began Karen, not quite understanding why she was in the Dean's office. "No. Your grades are excellent and I hear you have quite an artistic gift," began the Dean, offering her a seat. "Unfortunately, what I do have to say is best said in person."
"Well, it can't be anything concerning my family, because someone would have contacted me directly first," realized Karen, thinking of her cellphone clipped to the waist belt of the dress she had on. "Did something happen to Jenny?"
"No. But this does concern Miss Harper and her fiance Mister Jenkins," began Dean Myers, before recounting what he was told of the suspect Dieter Wilhelm sending another henchman from Alabama to Moon Lake in order to prevent the wedding before his arrival that Saturday to bring "his" Jenny back home where she belonged.
"That—" said Karen, barely managing to hold her tongue. "He needs help. Like a good long rear kicking."
"For starters," agreed Dean Myers. "The authorities and the rest of the town are all doing what they can to help Harper and Jenkins, as well as protect Moon Lake's secrets," he said, since the Dean had previously shown Yuletide his weretiger fursona when he had to tell her about the rogue werevixen Yvette Smith attacking Harper and making her a vixen too.
"While you personally are not a target, you could be in danger if this new employee of Wilhelm's makes an attempt at either abducting Harper or killing Jenkins if you're nearby at the time," added the dean.
"Do you think that might happen?" asked Karen.
"The authorities haven't ruled it out, and I take any threat to this campus and its students quite seriously," replied Dean Myers, unable to suppress a growl. "Just in case, do you have anyplace to stay other than your dorm room?"
Karen thought about that for a moment, then replied, "If necessary," thinking either the Talbots or the Andersons, might be willing to host her under the circumstances. "But what about classes, let alone Jenny and Harry's wedding this Saturday?"*
"We're doing all we can, but one must have priorities, and in this case, your personal safety and the town's come first."
"I see. Have you talked to Jenny and Harry yet?"
"I'm waiting for their current classes to end. Then I'll request their presence here," replied the dean.
"I'd like to be here for that conversation, if you don't mind," requested Karen.
"I have no problem with that if they don't," answered Dean Myers, checking the time and seeing there was still about 20 minutes left before he could have the engaged couple brought to his office for that conversation.
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*It's currently Monday afternoon the week of the wedding in Moon Lake.—tmw.