Chapter 26

When Samuel got to the Commandant's office he was surprised to see state police detective Holmes there already. "How did YOU get here so fast?" he asked in bewilderment.
"I was in Lake View," the detective answered, "on another matter when we got the call. I hopped the ferry and came right over. Looks pretty clear cut. Another clear case of self defense. Both you and the other cadet are lucky to be alive. The coronor's coming. He'll be here in a couple of hours. Fields should be here in about a half an hour."
"I am afraid," Samuel put in "the danger is not over."
He took two slips of paper from his pocket and handed them to the Commandant. "These are legitimate work slips," he continued, "they came from our own computers . These two had intimate knowledge of The Academy. I checked a computer before reporting here. Their names show on the roster. Even if I had thought to make a security check they would've been cleared. But there's no record of them besides that. That means whoever assisted them only had access to the daily rosters. I'm afraid, sir, someone in The Academy betrayed us, and I think an immediate effort should be made to find this individual before they can make another attempt." The Commandant stared at the pieces of paper in his hands, back at Samuel, then back to the pieces of paper. "Yes!" he finally managed, "Yes. You are absolutely right, cadet! Whoever this individual is they must be found! Proceed with the investigation!"
"I do not think that would be appropriate," Samuel objected. "My personal inolvement in the situation may cloud my judgment."
"Detective Holmes," the Commandant asked, "would you assist the cadet and see that his personal involvement does not hinder his judgment?"
"Of course!" the detective answered. "Such an investigation would be paralell to my own."
"Proceed cadet!" the Commandant ordered. Samuel took out his notebook.
"Sir," he requested, "can you inform me who has access to the daily work rosters?"
"Myself," the Commandant answered, "my secretary, the assignments officer, and the issue officer. Those are the only four individuals that have access. No other officers have any connection with the programming, only us four. Only one of us could have put those names on the rosters, and told the computer to print these slips."
Samuel made his notes quickly. "Then that certainly narrows the prospects," he commented. "Thank you sir! Would you consider a 24 hour guard on my wife?"
"Already done!" the Commandant answered.
The Commandant reached in his desk, pulled out a gun belt and pistol. "My personal arms," he remarked. "I don't think you should go to supply to be issued. Take these. Until further notice you are to be armed at all times."
Samuel took the weapon, donned it, then bowed. "Thank you, sir!" he snapped. He headed for the door with Detective Holmes on his heels.
"I think the first thing should be to investigate the prisoner," Samuel suggested.
"I concur!" Holmes agreed.
They quickly headed for the brig.

Page 34

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