Morning seemed to arrive all too soon. At seven fifteen, Vinny headed over to the Special Applications administrative building, the whole division was to meet in the conference room. He arrived with about twenty minutes to spare and noticed four military policemen posted at the double doors leading into the room. Passing them with a sidelong glance he entered the already filling room.
The room was made to seat around thirty, however the division had over sixty people in it. The solution for that was more chairs. Some had been added to the table while the remainder were put up against the walls of the room.
Here he saw Colonel Daily with the division and the other department staff already seated along with a number of older policemen next to them, they were all seated at the far end of the table. He saw Cookie and Sweet seated in a corner so he weaved his way to them.
After greeting them they waited for everyone else to arrive and in short order they and the rest of the division did, squeezing into the room, everyone talking in hushed tones.
They saw Colonel Daily at the head of the table glance at his watch then lean over to speak to a soldier with short blonde hair next to him: eight o'clock had arrived. The soldier stood and the room fell silent.
"Good Morning, Colonel Daily, Department Cadre, Chief Gent, ladies and gentlemen. I am Lieutenant Colonel Richard Timms Division Executive Officer, and I have been asked to lead this meeting."
As he gave that introduction, he nodded to each of the groups in the room, he then shuffled his notes and continued on.
"As many of you may have heard, Charles Raimondo the Division's State Department Liaison has been arrested on suspicion of racketeering. A tip had come in and following the evidence provided, Chief Gent had seen fit to arrest him."
At this revelation there was some murmuring and glances in the whole group. Vinny and his friends looked around at each other with wonder.
"However," Timms continued, breaking up their thoughts, "It has come to the attention of the chief and the colonel of subterfuge of a different kind. Just this morning as Detective Barker- lead investigator- upon further investigation found another source invalidating the previous evidence. The significance of this is that it led back to this division, more specifically someone directly involved in these matters."
He paused; Vinny could tell there was more bad news on the way.
"Because of this the whole division will be under investigation. General Donaldson has authorized the involvement of the West Point Police Department instead of solely using our military police detachment due to sheer size of the case. All of your classes are suspended until further notice. You are free to roam on or off the campus, however you will be required to notify a member of our military police detachment. During the length of the investigation, any professional and personal records are not to be moved or destroyed, failure to follow this directive may find you charged with obstruction and any other applicable crimes."
This got noisy reactions from the group. Grumbles and groans were heard all around. Lockett even pounded a fist on the table and yelled, "You can't do that!" beside him Eggar and Sharpe were showing shock on their faces at the announcement.
"We can and we will Mr. Lockett." Timms sternly responded, "The nature and location of the crimes discovered pose a possible threat to this academy, the Army, and perhaps the nation itself. As such we will use any and all means available to discover the culprits and accomplices involved. Now, do not be too alarmed, this will be taken care of in the most professional and efficient manner, we aim to swiftly bring those involved to justice. However, to ensure the integrity of the investigation, everyone will be expected to follow certain guidelines."
The complaints and noises weren't dying down so Colonel Daily spoke up, "A quick rundown of Chief Gents' plan will alleviate most concerns from everyone." He spoke in a stern tone that quieted the group.
Timms nodded, "Of course sir. Primary investigations have been underway since law enforcement was notified, however with the recent developments last night and this morning the investigation has shifted to this division in the academy. That being the case there is a greater need for manpower that is not here. We have a team on the way that will do most of the footwork, interviews will be held, records examined, and the grounds will be inspected. During which time, all that is needed of you is your cooperation for the upcoming investigation and as mentioned before records are to be kept and discussion of this case does not leave this room until otherwise stated. We have no time table on this, nor can we give many details. However, if everyone is cooperative things should go smoothly."
He checked his notes and, apparently satisfied with what he said, he turned to the oldest looking policeman at the table.
"That is all on my end, Chief Gent? What direction do you have for the division sir?"
The chief nodded and stood up, "One thing, thank you. I wish to reiterate the importance of what the colonel has said, the two biggest things we need from you is time and discretion. Time for interviews you may have and discretion in keeping any details that come your way. Apart from that we hope to get things here back to their normal schedule as soon as possible. We will take things day by day, and the first plan of action will be to collect financial records from the various departments and sections in the division. If you are a department head or are in charge of finances for your section, we ask you to stick around for questioning. After that primary interviews will be held, following that the investigation will become a little less intrusive. We hope by then normalcy can be restored. Other than that, you are free to roam as under the guidelines given. Finally, if needed, you will be called for, thank you."
The chief sat down having finished speaking, Timms stood up again after him.
"Alright unless the Colonel or a department head wishes to add something, we will end the meeting and start interviews with the investigative teams."
A short, tense pause confirmed no one had any items.
"Very well, the meeting is adjourned. Department heads and financial officers will meet outside the Colonel's office in ten minutes."
With that they stood up and the room's occupants dispersed.
Vinny and the others left the room to meet up at an empty study hall- it was between classes so it was all to them. They all sat together because they all knew they wanted to ask the question that no one might have: how does this affect us?
Audrey spoke first, "This isn't going to affect how we search for who made it out Atlantis is it?"
Sweet nodded, "I am afraid it will. We might want to hold off on any other meetings involving the place for a while."
"What? That's crazy, we can't do that" Audrey immediately fired back.
"Think about it, the police are looking for suspicious activity, and though this isn't what they-" He suddenly stopped and looked over his shoulder when he heard hurried footsteps echoing off the floors behind him.
Coming around the corner of the room was Anna Hall, she quickly stopped when everyone's eyes turned towards her.
"Um, Mrs. Packard," she started, glancing around the room and among the group, "I need your help with something."
"What's wrong dear?" Packard asked.
Wringing her hands Anna said, "Could I speak to you alone, it is very important."
Pausing briefly Packard nodded and stood up. The two of them walked over to the far side of the study hall and into one of the smaller rooms that were set aside for cadets to study in.
The group could see them through a window in the room's door, there they saw her speaking to Packard in a clearly panicked manner.
"What do you think they are talking about?" Mole asked.
"I have no idea." Marge said.
They waited a moment more and shortly the two women exited the study space and returned to the group, Anna trailing behind Packard still looking agitated and worried.
Packard then spoke to them, "Anna has come to me because she believes she has information on the investigation. She feels strongly that help from someone other than the police are needed."
Sweet looked at Packard with a confused expression and replied, "I hate to sound dismissive but wouldn't the police be exactly who to go to?"
"I initially told her that but she has explained to me some notable concerns." She replied.
"Being?" Vinny prompted.
Packard sighed then said, "She has noticed Christoph Eggar, you know one of the instructors, he has been acting strange lately. She thought nothing of it until this investigation had popped up. That is when some of the things he has told Anna before hasn't added up."
"Are we sure the fella isn't just spooked by the sudden changes happening?" Cookie asked.
"I asked that as well." Packard said, "however, Anna left the meeting we just came from saying he was going to his apartment then when he must have thought he was out of sight immediately ran to where his office is."
They all sat there thinking about that, it was suspicious for sure, but why should they get involved? Packard must have known this because she stood there for them to see her ready to answer the questions that were surely coming.
Sweet responded after a short moment, "This definitely seems rather suspicious, all the more reason to go to the police, right? What are we missing?"
Packard replied, "Well she stressed the fact that he is acting erratic and impulsive, second the police, though fair, apparently have a bit of a history in shooting first and asking later," Anna's breath audibly hitched at that mention, "And lastly, I trust Anna and her judgement. Now I know this is a lot to ask but she asked me to go to Christoph and talk to him. At worst I plan to talk him down and have him come in, at best this is a misunderstanding and this will all amount to nothing."
Vinny, surprised, cut in, "Wait, What? If this is true what are you going to do if he is guilty? You corner a potential criminal and that could end badly. You can't go."
Before anyone else could add their thoughts, Packard quickly put up a hand, "I can, and I will. However, I don't plan on going alone, I was wondering- "
"I'm going with you." Sweet immediately said.
"Me too." Audrey chimed in a second later.
"Don't cut me out." Cookie said.
"I will go." Mole stated
"Me too." Vinny added
Packard blinked, "That was easier than I thought, Marge would you mind taking Anna to her apartment, she has had far too much stress for one day."
That is when they noticed that Anna was barely holding it together. She seemed very close to crying with red eyes and rapid breathing, the young woman not doing well. So as not to make it worse for her no one stared at her or mentioned it.
"Can do," Marge replied, walking over to her and placed an arm over her shoulders, "Let's go."
There they left down the hallway footsteps soon fading out.
"Okay, what's the plan?" Vinny asked
"Well, whichever way this goes, I hope all we do is talk. However, as you said things could go bad quickly. So, with that in mind I want you Vinny to be with me and the rest of you to follow but stay back. That way we don't spook him but you are close enough to help if something was to happen."
"Seems like that'll do." Cookie said thoughtfully scratching his chin.
"Are you sure about this though?" Sweet asked, "Because this is risky, we still have got your back, but it is risky."
"Yes I am." She said, "It is our best shot we have with the time we got. Anyway, let's go."
With that they were off, they didn't say much to each other they just walked in a group in silence. It was almost nine o'clock and the sun was brightly shining, a stark contrast to the turmoil and unease that had dropped itself on the academy. Two days ago, things were business as usual and one could even argue it was enjoyable despite the odd ways that they originally had been brought here. Now the atmosphere had definitely chilled, there were no greetings from staff or cadets and everyone just went to their destination as fast as etiquette would allow.
Soon they made it to the right building, Sweet and the others hung back around a corner of the hallway leading to Eggar's office while Packard and Vinny made their way to the doorway. He was starting to have second thoughts as they neared their destination but soon set those aside as it was far too late for that. When they got close, they saw the door was slightly ajar and could hear a voice on the inside of the office.
"I don't know, he didn't say."
It was Eggar speaking with someone. After a pause he spoke again.
"No idea, but whatever this new evidence I am afraid he'll be released, and we're done for."
They could hear drawers being opened and closed quickly.
"No, I didn't. I will take care of that once I take care of something here."
Still silent, he must be on the phone with someone. Vinny thought it was time to make themselves known so he knocked on the door, letting it swing open under that power.
"I know! I know! I'll- "
He stopped mid-sentence; the color drained from his face upon seeing the two of them. He froze one hand holding the phone up to his ear the other had been stuffing papers in a satchel.
"I have to go." He said quietly. He slowly put the phone down and pulled his other hand out of the bag.
Seeing an opportunity Vinny decided to bluff on his suspicion.
"Come on Eggar, did you think you wouldn't be found out?"
Pale and now slightly shaking, Eggar looked totally gobsmacked, his mouth moved but no words came out from the chemical expert.
Hands on his hips Vinny continued, "Now come with us, we don't want to make things harder than they need to be. We'll make sure you are treated fairly."
When Vinny stepped toward him one hand beckoning to come over, Eggar exploded into motion. In one fluid movement he slung the satchel strap over his shoulder with one hand, and with the other picked up the telephone base with the handset still on it and threw it at Vinny's head. Surprised Vinny quickly threw his arms up to block the makeshift projectile. Eggar was already moving, and quickly ran towards the door and lowered his shoulder into Vinny knocking him over causing him to cry out.
Eggar then tore down the hallway towards where the group was but they must have heard Vinny's yell and were already rounding the corner. Seeing them Eggar balked and quickly ran the opposite direction.
Vinny had pulled himself up and, seeing that Packard was untouched in the scuffle, launched himself out of the office after him.
"Is he the one?" Audrey asked Vinny as she and the others drew near.
His reply echoed down the hall, "What do you think?!"
There you go, hope you all have a good week.