Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Arthur swallowed. "Dom's?" he spoke disbelievingly. "But, he's alive, I spoke to him-"

"I know." The young detective looked at Arthur, his tone reassuring. "I'm sorry, Mr Ogilvie. But the fact his wallet was found at the source of the fire is an indication that he may have been involved in its starting."

Arthur rubbed his forehead. "Detective, I think you'd better come in." He stood aside, letting the other man enter. "Please, have a seat. Coffee?"

Blake smiled. "Very kind of you Sir, but no. I just want to get this cleaned up."

Arthur nodded. The two men sat down. Ariadne looked at them. "I can leave if-"

"No," Blake interrupted. "That won't be necessary." He looked at Arthur. "I just need to get some background. What can you tell me about Dominic Cobb?"

Arthur blinked. "He's the Principal. He wouldn't burn down the school."

Blake nodded. "I see." He rubbed his chin. "There are several other members of staff I need to question. Mr James Eames, who is currently in hospital, and a Mr Robert Fischer."

"Fischer is on his way to the Bahamas." Arthur shrugged. "He couldn't get out of here fast enough."

Blake nodded. "Well, when he returns, he'll be questioned. We need to know where he was during the time of the blaze starting." He looked at Arthur. "Where were you, Mr Ogilvie?"

"I was at the school." Arthur locked eyes with the detective. "And so was Eames. We were-" he paused. Looking at the other man's honest, open face, he told him the reason. "We were trying to trace a student through the database records."

Blake nodded, and pulled out a notebook. Ariadne stood up. "I'm going to get some water. Arthur? Detective?"

"Oh, please," Blake said, nodding. She walked into the kitchen. Arthur swallowed.

"So, you were trying to trace records. Why?"

Arthur leaned forward.

"I think -" he spoke carefully - "I think Robert Fischer is trying to get a new school, with himself as Principal."

Blake's eyebrows went up. He looked at Arthur. "Mr Ogilvie, that is some claim. What's your evidence?"

Ariadne re-entered the room, carrying two glasses of water. Setting one down in front of the detective, she sat next to Arthur. He turned to her, and to his surprise and relief, she laced her fingers through his.

Blake picked up the glass. "So, what's your evidence?"

Cobb entered the house. "Mal?"

"In here!"

He entered the living room. His wife got up, a worried look on her lovely face, turning to relief. "What happened with the Superintendent?" she asked, after he'd hugged her.

Cobb buried his face in her shoulder. "Its...not good."

She pulled away from him. "What is it?" Her face betrayed her anxiety. "Dom. Talk to me!"

He sighed, and sank down on the couch. "The school has to be shut, in its present site. Its dangerous to re-build it." He bit his lip. "Only, district don't have the money to spare for a new school."

Mal sat next to him, her face puzzled, and angry. "But there has to be! The students here need a school!"

Cobb nodded. "They do. And they will get one. Someone has put in a bid to build a school, privately. Of course, the price tag also includes that the benefactor is free to sit on the board of Governors, and exercise power over who is hired."

Mal looked at his face, searchingly. "And who is this benefactor?"

Cobb gritted his teeth. "Maurice Fischer."

"So, you were suspended-" Blake said, looking at Arthur - "for throwing ice cream over Mr Fischer?" His mouth twisted, and Arthur could have sworn he was trying not to laugh.

"Yes, that's right," Arthur admitted. "He claimed assault, and got me suspended. During that period, he managed to get himself installed as Acting Vice Principal."

Blake noted it down. "OK. And then what happened?"

"Well, he proceeded to-" Arthur closed his eyes. "Let's just say it was bad."

Blake nodded. "I see." He closed the notebook. "But you were re-instated?"

"Yes."

"OK." Blake stood up, and put his notebook back in his pocket. "I'm going to have to take this back to the station. You've given me anecdotal evidence, but I really need to get to the bottom of this."

Arthur stood up. "Detective, I know its sounds far fetched, but-"

"He was paying a student." Ariadne's voice broke in, and both men turned. "Arthur, you need to mention that. That Eames overheard Fischer talking to a student, telling him to do something...and then the school was destroyed."

Blake set his mouth in a line. "Mr Ogilvie, you need to tell me everything. Is this true?"

"Yes."

"OK. Date, time?"

Arthur gave the information.

"But, I do have to ask you something."

Arthur blinked. "What is it?"

"I need to question Dom Cobb." Blake looked slightly embarrassed. "If the wallet was planted, I need to find out who he thinks did it, and how they got it."

Arthur sighed. "Of course."

"Dom, please." Mal's tone was soothing, but it was having little effect on her husband. "There is no guarantee that Robert will get the school."

Cobb shook his head, and stood up. "Every chance. I should have listened to Arthur!" He turned to her, holding a glass of scotch. "He suspected Fischer was up to something. Ever since that first incident...and now-"

"Calm down!" Mal stood up. "Nothing has been proved yet! You'll be saying Fischer started the fire next!"

Cobb blinked. "Or got someone to. That's why Arthur and Eames were in the school - if they had died-"

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Cobb sighed. "I'll go."

As he opened the door, he blinked. Arthur stood on the doorstep, with Blake. "What is this?"

"Mr Cobb," Blake began. "I need to talk to you. Its about your wallet." He held up the plastic bag. "We found it, where the fire started." Blake looked embarrassed. "I need to know-I need to ask some questions."

Cobb nodded. "Of course. I'll get my coat."

Robert yawned, the warmth of the sun warming his face. The hotel bed was luxurious, and he stretched out. Suddenly, the sharp ping of his BlackBerry disturbed his thoughts. Squinting, he reached out and grabbed it off the bedside.

He frowned. An email had come through. He clicked it.

Plans for school going through. Be prepared for a promotion!

Smiling, Robert clicked off. Yawning, he turned over, and closed his eyes.

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