J. B. Tilton/Page 6
FIVE
"We need to find who did this," said Archer when they had all gathered in the conference room. "I think our first order of business is to account for the whereabouts of everyone on the ship when Captain Spencer was murdered."
"Captain Archer," said Commander Marks, "with all due respect, sir, I have to ask you to recuse yourself from this investigation."
"Why is that, Commander?" asked Archer. "This IS my ship."
"Yes, sir," said Marks. "But your whereabouts just prior to Captain Spencer's death are unsubstantiated. Until we rule someone out as a suspect, everyone must be considered a suspect."
"You're outta line, Commander," said Trip. "Cap'n Archer is a senior captain in Star Fleet Command. And he's no murderer, I can assure you of that."
"I agree with Commander Tucker," interjected T'Pol. "I do not believe Captain Archer was involved in this crime. However, Commander Marks does raise a valid point. Star Fleet Command will not accept our opinions as proof of innocence."
"You're not saying he's involved, are you?" demanded Trip.
"No, Commander, I am not," said T'Pol. "But for the sake of appearances, I believe the Captain should exclude himself from the investigation until such time as we can conclusively clear him."
"Very well," said Archer reluctantly. "Commander Marks, do you have any objections to T'Pol heading this investigation?"
"No sir, I don't," said Marks. "She was on the bridge when Captain Spencer was murdered. The rest of the bridge crew can attest to that. So that clears all of them. Besides, I'm not sure a Vulcan is capable of murder. It wouldn't be considered logical."
"No, it would not," responded T'Pol.
"Okay," said Archer. "But I expect to be kept apprised of everything in this investigation."
"Certainly, sir," said Marks.
Archer left the room and returned to his ready room. He didn't like being kept in the dark, especially on his own ship. But T'Pol had a point. Until he was independently cleared as a suspect, the results of the investigation could be considered suspect. He knew T'Pol would waste no time in clearing him. It was nearly an hour later when T'Pol, Commander Marks, and Phlox appeared at his ready room.
"What's going on?" asked Archer.
"The investigation is progressing," said T'Pol. "Besides yourself, four other crewmen cannot account for their whereabouts when Captain Spencer was killed. They are being questioned."
"Captain," said Marks, "would you consent to a search of your ready room and quarters?"
"What for?" asked Archer.
"It would help to establish your non-involvement, sir," said T'Pol. "The others have already consented."
"I guess it would be okay," said Archer.
T'Pol and Marks thoroughly searched the ready room while Phlox took sensor readings. His medical tricorder would register things another tricorder might miss. Convinced their search had turned up nothing, the four moved on to Archers quarters.
Archer pressed the button on the panel outside his quarters and the door opened. He held Porthos as the others searched the room. The very friendly "mascot" of the Enterprise would simply get underfoot as the other searched. They were nearly finished with their search when T'Pol raised the mattress on Archers bed.
"Commander, Doctor," said T'Pol.
Everyone stepped over to see what T'Pol had found. Lying on the bed underneath the mattress was a hypospray. Dr. Phlox carefully took a sensor scan of the hypospray before anyone touched it, and then carefully placed it in a plastic bag.
"Unfortunately," said Phlox, "it appears we have found our murder weapon. The hypospray is empty but I am detecting the residual remains of peanut oil. And Captain Archers' DNA."
Archer just stared at the three speechless.
