Colonel Ortiz whistled and said, Is that possible?
Call the front office and ask.
He picked up his communicator and said, John, check the school records for a Leila Barbers quantitative point average.
There was a pause, and then John said, Youre not going to believe this. Its 99.6. This is one smart cookie.
Okay, so what happened, Danielle?
I think someone who cares a lot for Leila heard her tell someone about how poorly she did on the test. You know that these test results are used for future job placement, and the results will play a large role in what kind of life shes going to have. Leila even thinks that this poor grade will cause all her other scores to be questioned. The only way to prevent the test result from hurting her future was to prevent it being graded. Eddie, I just met her and I wanted to steal the test myself. Our Superman has a heart.
At that moment the display screen on the wall came on and they saw Inspector Connor, who said, I understand you have some information, Miss Ash.
Yes sir, Danielle replied, and then she explained what she had uncovered.
That makes sense, Esa said, but what makes you think that she doesnt know who took it?
Because I dont think our Superman is stupid.
Esa furrowed his brow for a moment and then said, Go on, Miss Ash.
Think about it. What do you think would happen today if the attack didnt take place last night? Sergeant Garcia told me he was arranging for his security department to bring in a truth field and question everyone involved. Of course that was before the attack at the wall, our connecting it to the theft of the test booklet, and his uncovering the temperature data. Our Superman had no possible way of anticipating the attack on him or the use of the climate system to prove he was there. Without the attack, wouldnt we have just concluded that the climate system fluctuated? That would have been easier to accept than our Superman. Its only by combining the two events that we were able to uncover his existence. But he knew that the missing test booklet would be investigated fully. He wouldnt have run this risk if there was any way that Leila Barber could be implicated or him connected to it. Couple that with the fact that I dont think theres a deceptive bone in this girls entire body, and I think it becomes clear that she knows nothing about it.
Inspector Connor was quiet for a few moments and then said, Im inclined to believe you, however, Im still going to go through the interrogation process in the hope that the pressure will cause someone to crack. I have a profile team working on what our Superman is like. This information will help them. Is there anything else, Miss Ash?
Yes sir. I would like for the test administrator to have Leila retake the test immediately.
Inspector Connor and Colonel Ortiz were both taken aback by this request.
And why would we do that?
Inspector Connor, I just spent less than five minutes with this young woman and came away highly impressed. I sincerely believe she knows nothing about what happened and is innocent of any wrongdoing. I also believe that she did poorly on the original test, which would not properly measure the talents she has to offer our society. She was taken with me by security as soon as she stepped off her floater and went through the security portal. She doesnt know whats going on. I think it would be in everyones best interests to have her retake the test before she comes out of the room and discovers that her test booklet was stolen. If she scores like I think she will, there will be three of you fighting to have her on your staffs. Ive run across two women that highly impressed me in the last twenty-four hours. Julie was the first, Leila was the second. Theres also one other reason. If she retakes the test, then our Superman will think he was successful and just might let her know he did it. I think its a long shot, but we have to take whatever shots we can.
Inspector Connor was shaking his head and smiling. When all this is over, Miss Ash, Im going to have to thank our Superman for our finding you. Colonel Ortiz, have the test administrator give Miss Barber another test immediately. Better do it quickly; I understand it takes a long time. Miss Ash, keep up the good work, he said. Then the screen went dark.
Colonel Ortiz was on his communicator setting up the test while Danielle sat in a chair and thought about how Superman must feel about Leila Barber to have done what he did. She felt pretty certain that Superman and his feelings were unknown to Leila. She remembered back to the ninth level when she loved James Spincer. He was so wonderful, charming, and graceful, and great to look at besides. She never told him how she felt. At that age, she looked like a twig with a big head stuck on top. She knew that he could never be interested in her. So she would just sit in class and dream of what it would be like to be Jamess girl. Danielles brief contact with Leila made it easy for her to see how someone could be too shy to approach her. She knew that beauty and brains can be intimidating, and she said to herself, Usually beauty attracts men, but once they discover your brains, they leave skid marks trying to get away. Most women eventually learn to hide their intelligence. I dont think Leila could do that. Superman is smart. Hes not intimidated by her brilliance, just her beauty.
Danielle said, Colonel Ortiz, excuse me. Eddie, could you get the quantitative point average list of all the boys within three levels of Leila?
You have an idea?
Yes. I think our Superman has to be intelligent. He would have to be in the top 10 percent of his class.
How do you get that?
Simple. He didnt leave skid marks, and since youre supposed to be interrogating me in here, we might as well make the time useful familiarizing ourselves with our list of possible suspects.
Skid marks? Colonel Ortiz thought. Then he lifted his communicator and began talking.
Chapter 12
T ag was really worried as he approached the security portal in front of the school. He saw one of the security officers detain a pretty girl that he didnt remember having ever seen. Then Leila went through the portal and she was taken with the other girl. His mind was racing trying to remember if there was any possibility that they could have seen him last night. He slowed down as he approached the portal and commanded his mind to slow down and think. He then realized that if they had seen him they would not be at school this morning. They would be at his house arresting him. He forced himself to relax and passed through the security portal. He gave a half smile as he passed two men who were standing at each side of the doorway and he entered the school.
Most of his classmates were standing in the hall asking each other questions about what could have possibly caused all the security people to be there. Hey, Tag, his good friend Eric said. Eric had been Tags friend since before the first level. After Tags mother had warned him about telling anyone about his gift, he told Eric that he was just fooling him. He punched him in the ribs lightly and said, Youre too slow to catch me. I dont need any special powers, and ran until they were both out of breath laughing. Tag thought, I wonder if Eric remembers that. I hope he doesnt.
Then Eric came up and said, Aint we got fun? Then he bent over and whispered, Think we can get them to play tag?
Very punny, Eric, Tag replied. These people dont mess around. Why do you think theyre here?
I dont know. A couple of students saw Mr. Graham and his two associates taken into individual offices. Maybe it has something to do with the test we took yesterday.
Tag hoped that was all it was about. The number of people investigating seemed way out of line for a simple test booklet that was missing. He was going to have to keep a low profile until they left. Youre probably right. Lets go to class; maybe Ms. Knowles will know something.