Discover Love(18)

 

"How so?" Patrick queried.

 

"I got in with three of the smartest in the class," Tim grinned. "Eli Frederick was a genius software engineer. Hai's English was a little rough, but I quickly realized he was just as smart as Eli. And then Charlotte? She was only a freshman, but was allowed to take the class, and she was absolutely brilliant. We worked well together and created the most kick-ass project. Got an A and all four of us were offered teaching assistant positions. Eli and Hai didn't accept, but Charlotte and I did."  

 

"And you maintained a friendship with the other three?"

 

"Yes. We four got along fine and actually liked each other. I played some sports and belonged to a small fraternity so I had friends outside that group, but I really liked their company. Hai was funny as hell without even trying. Charlotte was an enigma. I got the feeling that she hid behind the glasses and nerd-girl persona … as though she wasn't very comfortable around a lot of guys and that kept them at bay. And Eli? His mind never shut down! He was constantly looking for a better way, a smarter way to do something."

 

"And after graduation?" Luke prompted. "What then? What can you tell us about the group?"

 

Tim's forehead scrunched in thought as he answered, "Hai got a job in California. I think he was with a Chinese based company that worked with hospitals … or something in the medical field. Then a few years later, he sent a group email saying he was moving back to China. Kind of a polite, kiss-off email. You know, an it-was-nice-to-meet-you email that was also essentially saying goodbye forever. And sure enough, I haven't heard from him since then."

 

"And Charlotte?"

 

Luke noticed a faraway smile light Tim's face and he wondered if a college romance had budded between the two.

 

"Charlotte was a year behind us, but she did a better job of staying connected. In college, she wasn't very social, but seemed to appreciate our group. She was brilliant, as I said, and really gave Eli a run for his money considering he truly thought he was the smartest. By the time she graduated, I have no doubt that she could have worked for any company and demanded good money, but Eli convinced her that she could live her dream by working from home."

 

Taking another large drink from his iced tea, Tim then explained, "You have to understand Eli to understand Charlotte."

 

Lifting his eyebrows in question, Luke did not need to prod to get more from Tim, who seemed to relish talking about his old college buddies.

 

"Eli truly hated being around people. He assumed they were not as smart as he was and, for the most part, he was right. His social skills were almost nil and his disdain for people in general was high. He tried having a job out of college, but he complained constantly. Then, after less than a year, he quit and became an independent, freelance software engineer. I tried to tell him to set up his own actual business with a license and tax breaks, but he refused to listen." Shaking his head, Tim added, "If Eli didn't understand something, especially if it didn't interest him, he would shun it. But what he was doing must have been working for him, 'cause he convinced Charlotte to do the same when she graduated." For the first time since speaking, Tim's voice held contempt.

 

"You disagreed about Charlotte working for herself?" Patrick asked.

 

Leaning forward, with his forearms on his knees, Tim focused intently on them, his lips pinched. "I liked Eli, but he could be a conceited prick at times. He touted the virtues of working in his sweatpants instead of a suit. He talked about how he could work a few hours a day and make more money than working for some company. He sang the praises of not having to work with people. I get it. For him, that was perfect. But Charlotte? She was sweet, giving, smart. I got the feeling that in high school she'd been bullied for being uber smart so she learned to pull it all in and kind of hide. At MIT, at least with us, she became more at ease with herself. And I think it would've been good for her to have a job where her intelligence would be valued and she would be accepted in a group."

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

Settling back in his seat heavily, he said, "But Eli was very persuasive and she took his lead and worked freelance for herself … and from what I assume, quite lucratively."

 

"Have you had any contact with any of them in the last six months?"

 

Shaking his head slowly, Tim replied, "No … now that I think about, not at all." Blushing slightly, he admitted, "But then, to be honest, they're kind of like old friends that slowly fade away. My life now is my family, my kids and their activities, and my job. I'm embarrassed to say that I had no idea that Eli was missing … wow, and it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that he's dead." Holding Luke's gaze, he asked, "What can you tell me?"