J. B. Tilton/Page 7
EIGHT
Commander Marks entered the Enterprise conference room with a PADD in hand. Everyone else was already in the room. Marks noticed Archer sitting next to T'Pol.
"What's he doing here?" demanded Marks. "He's supposed to be confined to his quarters."
"These preceding concern him," said T'Pol. "He has a right to be here."
"I've heard back from Admiral Forrester," said Marks, handing the PADD to T'Pol. "He agrees with me. Anyone suspected of a crime like this should be confined to the brig."
"Please sit down, Commander," said T'Pol. "There have been new developments in this matter."
Marks took a seat at the table. He looked around at the others gathered there. Drs. Phlox and Links sat next to Captain Archer on T'Pols' left. To her right sat Amanda, then Marks, and finally Commander Lavene. Trip sat at the foot of the table. Two security guards stood at the door.
"As you are all aware," began T'Pol, "I have asked Drs. Phlox and Links to go over the physical evidence again. Their conclusions were the same. Captain Spencer died from an allergic reaction to peanut oil that was injected into him. The method of injection was a standard hypospray.
"You are all also aware that such a hypospray was discovered a short time later in Captain Archers' quarters. And that the hypospray contained the residual effects of peanut oil."
"Exactly," said Marks. "I'm assuming it was Captain Archers' DNA found on the hypospray, just as Dr. Phlox said?"
"Oh, it was indeed Captain Archers' DNA," said Phlox. "Peter and I did a thorough analysis of the DNA. It is definitely Captain Archers' DNA."
"So what's the problem?" asked Marks. "It seems the evidence is pretty clear to me."
"Looks can often be deceiving," said Dr Links. "There are some serious questions if the evidence is legitimate."
"What does that mean?" asked Marks.
"Captain Spencer's DNA was not found on the hypospray," said Links. "If it was used to inject him with the peanut oil, his DNA would have been present."
"So Captain Archer cleaned off Captain Spencer's DNA after he murdered him," offered Marks.
"In which case," said Phlox, "neither the residual oil nor Captain Archer's DNA would have been present."
"I have had the doctors perform numerous tests on the hypospray," said T'Pol. "They are convinced there is no way to remove Captain Spencer's DNA and leave the other material on it. The only logical conclusion is that the hypospray was planted to incriminate Captain Archer."
"Not a surprising conclusion," said Marks, "coming from his friends."
"I agree with the conclusions," said Links. "In fact, I'm the one who first noticed the discrepancy."
"They're only suspicions," said Links. "They don't change anything. Captain Archer is still the prime suspect based on the evidence. And the orders from Admiral Forrester are clear. They're on that PADD. Check them for yourself. Captain Archer is to be returned to Earth immediately to face an Article 71 hearing."
"Only if he is a suspect," said T'Pol. "Based on further investigation, we no longer believe Captain Archer to be a viable suspect in this crime."
"As I said," said Marks, "that's not surprising coming from his friends."
"I can assure you, Commander," said T'Pol, "I am not motivated by such factors as friendship. As a Vulcan, my conclusions are based solely on the facts and logic. And I am sure Star Fleet Command will agree with those conclusions."
"I agree with Sub-Commander T'Pol, Tom," said Commander Lavene. "She showed me their evidence. It's compelling."
"Craig," said Marks, "he killed the captain. Are you siding with them?"
"As I said, Commander," said T'Pol, "there have been new developments in this matter. We have continued to investigate this matter. And what we have discovered has led us to remove Captain Archer as a suspect."
"On what grounds?" demanded Marks.
"The evidence we have uncovered indicates that the murderer is another person," said T'Pol. "Since there is no evidence to assume more than one person was involved, and since the evidence does not implicate Captain Archer, the only logical course of action is to remove Captain Archer from suspicion."
"What evidence?" asked Marks. "Who else could have possibly been implicated by the evidence?"
T'Pol looked at Marks.
"You, Commander," said T'Pol dispassionately.
