Inspector Connor, Julie said, Ive taken the liberty of using one of our clerical staff and his wife that is on leave from her job to be Danielles parents. Ill be sending pictures momentarily.
That is satisfactory, Julie.
Danielle turned to go and felt a huge sense of pride that Inspector Connor thought she could be as good as Julie. This new job is going to be exciting, she thought, and she looked forward to the coming day. Her communicator vibrated and she answered to find Julie on the other end. Ive sent a floater to pick you up and take you to your new living space; it will be assigned to you as your departmental transport. I have also assigned a Sandra Wong to pick up your medical equipment.
My former boss, Danielle thought. She laughed and realized, A pay grade five, no less. Then she saw Sandra walking toward her with raised eyebrows. Sandra had obviously been hustled out of bed to pick up the medical floater. She had also been directed by Mr. Whorton to explain how she had wasted the talents of one of her subordinates. Yep, Danielle was going to have a good time. Then she said, Thanks, Julie. I appreciate all youve done for me. Danielle could see Julie smile in her communicator just before she broke the connection. Danielle walked by Sandra and nodded. The former supervisors expression was priceless.
Chapter 11
D anielle arrived at school just before Leila and Tags public floater arrived. One of her assigned parents took her by floater to insure arrival at the time most students arrived. She had to admit that all of the security forces and the platoon of marines made quite an impression. She knew about it, and she was still intimidated by the scene in front of the school. She paused a few minutes, looking at all the security people and their vehicles. Then she walked forward toward the entrance. As she approached the front of the school she recognized John Sinclair and Colonel Ortiz standing on each side of the entrance. As she started up the steps she noticed that the girl whose test had been taken was right behind her. She looked at John Sinclair and raised her eyebrows, and he got her message because he, too, immediately recognized the girl behind her. The security officers had set up a portal that each student had to walk through. As she went through the alarms went off. A security officer came forward and said, Please follow me, miss.
As soon as Leila stepped through the portal the alarms went off again, and the same security officer turned and asked her to come with him also. Perfect, Danielle thought, and followed the security officer into the school.
The two girls were taken to an office, asked to sit down, and told that someone would be with them shortly.
What the heck is going on? Danielle said to Leila.
I dont know. What are all these security people doing here, and did you see those marines?
Sure did. Does this happen very often?
No! Its never happened before.
Oh, by the way, Im Danielle Ashford. I just transferred here because my parents have a new job at the bank. What a way to begin my first day!
Hi, Danielle. My name is Leila Barber. Ive been going to this school since my first level and trust me, Ive never seen anything like whats going on outside. I wonder why I set off an alarm.
Me too, Danielle said. Ive never set foot in this building before.
Maybe thats why you set off the alarm, Leila said.
This girl is smart, and honestly, I dont think anybody in the school I attended was as pretty, thought Danielle. She also noticed that Leilas face was open, and when she talked she looked you straight in the eye. I dont think she would be very good at deception. She really doesnt know why security stopped her, Leila decided. So she placed a mental wager with herself, betting that Leilas interrogation would confirm that suspicion. If she doesnt know, then why would someone go to such trouble to steal her test? She let that thought play around in her head and then asked, Was there anything special that happened at school yesterday?
Leila looked down at the floor and said, We took our administrative placement test yesterday.
Danielle could tell there was something wrong. She said, I took mine before I left to transfer here. That was a long test, wasnt it?
Yes. And I dont think I did very well.
Why not?
Well, I didnt get much sleep the night before, and I was exhausted when I took it.
Whats your quantitative point average?
Before the test it was 99.6.
Holy mother of pearl, Danielle thought. She had never heard of a point average that high. She graduated with a 96.4, and she was number two in her class. This girl is more than smart. If that point average is correct, shes brilliant, Danielle realized.
Wow! Youre smart. You probably did better than you think.
No, Im pretty certain I didnt. Im concerned that after the bad grade on this test all my other scores will be questioned.
Well, lets hope for the best. Im new here and Id appreciate it if after all this is over you would show me around.
Leilas face brightened and she smiled at Danielle and said, Ill be glad to. See me during our lunch break and Ill start introducing you to everyone.
Thanks Leila, I really appreciate it, Danielle said, and then pressed a small black button on her communicator band.
John Sinclair felt his communicator vibrate and leaned over and said quietly to Colonel Ortiz, Shes got something. Go take her out of the office to an interrogation room.
Colonel Ortiz turned and went inside the building to the office where they were being held. He opened the door, pointed at Danielle, and said, Youre not on the student roster. What are you doing here?
Im a new student, sir. Im transferring here because my parents were moved here for a new job. This is my first day. Colonel Ortiz was doing an excellent job of looking extremely suspicious. He gave absolutely no clue that he knew her, and his tone of voice was saying that he didnt believe her.
Whats your name?
Danielle Ashford.
Colonel Ortiz looked at a small screen he held, looked up at Danielle, and then looked back down at his screen and said, Miss Ashford, I am going to take you to an interrogation room where there will be a truth field. I recommend you answer all questions honestly. The interrogator will know if you dont.
Yes sir, Danielle said meekly and got up and followed Colonel Ortiz out of the room. She glanced at Leila on the way out and shrugged her shoulders.
As soon as they were in the hall, Colonel Ortiz placed her hands in a containment field behind her back, which held her hands together, and walked her up the hall through all the students that were standing in the corridor.
Danielle kept saying, Hey, Im a new student here. This is my first day. I dont deserve to be treated this way. The students in the hall didnt recognize her and felt bad for her.
Once they entered the interrogation room, Colonel Ortiz removed the containment field from her hands and said, Whats up?
Danielle smiled and said, Boy, youre tough, Colonel.
Call me Eddie.
I know why our Superman took the test.
Colonel Ortiz said, You never cease to amaze me. I didnt think wed ever have an answer for that.
I think he did it because he cares a lot for the girl.
What?
I dont think she even knows its missing. Matter of fact, Ill make a five credit wager with you she not only doesnt know its missing but wont have a clue as to who took it.
I just look stupid. After last night, theres no way Ill make a wager with you. Tell me why you say that.
Leila Barber is the girl whose test was taken. She told me, a complete stranger, that she knows she did poorly on the test because she didnt have any sleep the night before. Eddie, she has a 99.6 quantitative point average.