Hidden Talents

do a thorough analysis of community dynamics in Witt's End. I want to map the entire social structure of that burg. You know, in-depth observations, detailed interviews, that kind of thing. I especially want to see those vision pools you told me about.”
    “And will there be secretly taped observations and interviews?” Serenity kept her tone deliberately bland.
    “Shit, are you going to hold that one little incident against me for all time? Come on, Serenity love, be reasonable. You used to teach this stuff, too, remember? You know how field research works. I wanted pure, unadulterated data. I couldn't let you know what I was doing. It would have influenced the results and conclusions.”
    “Tell me,” Serenity said, “did we get published?”
    There was a distinct pause on the other end. “Ah, yeah, we did. This month's Journal of Social Dynamics . I called the paper ‘Private Codes: Outsiders and the Formation of Communities.’” Lloyd's voice warmed with pride. “I don't mind telling you that article is creating a lot of interest in certain circles. Hey, I'll send you a copy.”
    “Is my name in it or am I just referred to as research subject A?” Serenity asked.
    “I always respect the anonymity of my subjects,” Lloyd said gravely.
    Serenity didn't know whether to laugh or slam down the receiver. “I ought to sue you, Lloyd. If we had a lawyer here in Witt's End, I might just do it, too. As it is, I can't be bothered. Good-bye.”
    “Serenity, wait, don't hang up on me again. I'm on bended knee here. I need your help on this thing. None of those weirdos up there in Witt's End will even talk to me unless you tell them that it's okay.”
    “I'm not going to let you turn Witt's End into a research project.”
    “Serenity love, I need this study. If I get another paper published this year, I'll be first in line to get the nod for old man Hollings's position as department head.”
    “Aaaah. I get it.”
    “What's that supposed to mean?” Lloyd demanded.
    “I just wondered what was at stake for you. Now I know. Good night, Lloyd.” Serenity hung up the phone again. She leaned over and unplugged the cord from the wall.
    Caleb folded his hands behind his head, stretched out his legs and leaned back in his chair. He gazed thoughtfully at the ceiling. “Lloyd?”
    “Professor Lloyd Radburn, assistant head of the Department of Sociology at Bullington College. He wants to be named head of the department.” Serenity drummed her fingers against the arm of the sofa and studied the notes she had been making earlier. Verify delivery schedules for all products. Arrange catalog entries. Color or black and white photos in catalog? Cover art? Contact printer in Bullington .
    “This Radburn guy wants to study Witt's End?”
    “Yes. He thinks our little town is a quaint throwback, a living example of how the typical frontier community may have functioned.”
    “Think he's right?”
    “Uh-huh.” Serenity smiled. “But I certainly don't intend to help him prove it. I've got a business to get off the ground.”
    Caleb rose to his feet and walked over to the window. He stood looking out into the darkness, his gaze on the glass-walled hot tub room off Serenity's back porch. “Is this Radburn the reason you gave up the academic world and came back here to Witt's End?”
    “What?” Serenity looked up from her notes with a frown. “Oh, I see what you're getting at. No, he isn't. I never really left Witt's End. I commuted between here and Bullington most of the time, except for a brief period during my rebellious stage when I lived on campus.”
    “That didn't work out?”
    “Not for long.” Serenity smiled wryly. “I didn't really fit in down there in Bullington. At any rate, as soon as I figured out a way to make a living here, I quit my job in the sociology department and opened my grocery store. That was three years ago. Lloyd didn't even work at Bullington when I was there. He got hired by the department about a year ago.”
    “How did you meet him?”
    Serenity wrinkled her nose. “He started showing up around here on weekends early last spring. Hung around the store and Ariadne's café, trying to blend in with the scene. We sort of got to know each other.”
    Caleb did not turn around. “Sort of?”
    Serenity cleared her throat. “You may have noticed that there are not a lot of people my age here in Witt's End. That's one of the things I hope to change around here, by the way. I'd like to