(A/N: I do not own Paw Patrol, enjoy!)
Among Embers
Marshall collapsed on the hospital bed.
"Marshall!" Everest yelped as she grabbed him and kept him from falling off the bed.
"They think I started the fire?" Marshall repeated Ryder's words numbly.
Ryder nodded slowly, "you've been suspended from all duties until the investigation concludes."
"But Marshall wouldn't, he couldn't, this is utterly ridiculous" Everest protested as she dragged the limp pup back into a sitting position.
"Ridiculous or not, it doesn't change anything" Marshall said, his voice sounding defeated. "We need those logs more than ever, Ryder."
"Rocky is already pulling them" Ryder said, coming over and wrapping Marshall in a hug of his own. "We will clear you Marshall, I promise you that we'll find the truth."
"Thanks Ryder" Marshall said, returning the hug. "But I can't remember anything about what happened until just before I called you, and neither can Everest."
"That doesn't matter, Marshall" Everest said, squeezing the distraught Dalmatian, "I know you couldn't have done this, and I'm confident that the facts will lead us to the actual culprit. We just have to figure it out."
At the lookout, Rocky was feverishly preparing the systems to extraxt all the logs on Marshall's vehicles, pup packs, medicine safes, and all other equipment. He was almost done when he heard a knock at the door. I wonder who that could be, don't they know we are busy? Rocky though as he went to answer the door.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Darrell asked.
"Do you see any other towers with the Paw Patrol symbo emblazoned on the side andl sitting on top of a hill?" Claire replied snarkily,
"Or with a bunch of pup houses or pup-vehicles parked out front" Augie added longingly.
"Ok, ok" Darrell replied, "but I don't think anyone is here."
"Maybe, maybe not" Claire replied with a shrug, "the fire isn't out yet so it is possible that none of them are here."
"Can I help you?" a voice asked, startling all of them. They spun around to locate the source and found a grey mix pup with several white patches and a dark grey patch over one eye looking at them with his head cocked to the side quizzically.
"Yes" Claire said, getting over her startlement first, "we are here to collect some logs for an investigation."
"Perfect timing" the mix pup said as he waved them inside, "I have them almost ready to be pulled. My name is Rocky by the way."
"Nice to meet you Rocky" Claire replied, "I'm Claire, these are my colleagues, Darrell and Augie. Has anyone told you what we are investigating?"
"No" Rocky replied as he led them up to the control room, "but based on the logs we are pulling, you are looking for some pretty specific things."
"Accurate" Claire said evasively.
"How far back do you want to go on each of the logs?" Rocky asked as he settled himself in front of the main display.
"30 days for everything please" Claire replied.
"I hope you brought a big hard drive for all this data" Rocky replied as he plugged the parameters in.
"Is it really that much data?" Augie asked in surprise.
"Not for the vehicles or equipment" Rocky replied, "because they only log things that happen. GPS and biometric data, on the other paw, is always recording…"
"Oh" Augie replied as the realized where most of their effort sifting through evidence effort was going to be spent.
"Good luck keeping up" Rocky said, "let me know if you need data of any other pups."
"I hope we won't" Claire replied.
"What do we know about him?" Claire asked after they had left the lookout. The three of them had jammed two SUVs worth of gear into one so they didn't have to bring two vehicles.
"Rocky, technical specialist and Eco pup of the Paw Patrol" Augie informed her, "definitely the most technically savvy of the pups, he helped Ryder design and build most of their newer gear. He is also responsible for maintaining their gear."
"Could he be giving us data that was tampered with?" Claire asked.
"He is technically capable of doing so" Augie admitted, "but would he is the question. I took a quick look at the time/date modified on the files as he copied everything over, and everything matched the names of the files. And I'm sure Ted can verify the authenticity, but he was perfectly compliant and willing to help."
"But he is also very close to the subject, and probably cares a lot about him" Darrell countered, "ethically, would he tamper with evidence?"
"His file would suggest no" Augie said, "but you have to remember who we are investigating and where. I think we have to initially trust the data until proved otherwise."
"Trust but verify" Claire said ominously.
"And that should take care of it" Cinder softly said to RoboDog. FT 304 had just made it's last water drop and checked off station for the last time. "As incident commander, I am declaring this fire as out, pending verification."
"Arf arf" RoboDog acknowledged as he brought the air patroller around and flew towards the lookout.
"Ryder said our ride to the scene would be here soon" Claire stated as she hung up her phone.
"Did he say how soon?" Darrell asked.
"No" Claire admitted, "but he did say that the fire is now out. Quite impressive all things considered."
At that moment, the arson team heard the sounds of an aircraft approaching. Then the air patroller came into view. "Is that our ride?" Augie gasped in awe as the majestic red, white and blue tilt rotor aircraft landed in front of the Lookout.
"Thanks RoboDog," Cinder softly said as she got ready to walk out, "thanks for all of your help."
"Arf arf!" RoboDog barked enthusiastically, pressing a button to lower the ramp in the back. Cinder strolled out, thinking about the nice, but quick, shower she was going to take before going to check on Marshall.
The arson team watched the ramp lower on the back of the aircraft and were about to walk inside in when they saw someone they did not expect.
"Cinder?" Augie gasped as the Dalmatian in question stepped off the ramp.
Cinder stopped in surprise. "Augie?" she softly replied, "and Claire and Darrell too?"
"Yup, the gang is all here" Darrell replied with a smile.
"Here to investigate our little forest fire I presume?" Cinder softly ventured.
"That would be correct" Claire replied, she couldn't tell if Cinder knew the details of whom they were investigating.
"Well, hop on, I'll take you to where we think it started" Cinder softly said as she turned around and walked back up the ramp with a flick of her trail.
"Where is Marshall?" Claire asked as they followed the lithe female Dalmatian into the air patroller.
"At the hospital" Cinder softly replied matter of factly, "We aren't sure what happened, but he thinks he and Everest were tranquilized. He woke up in the middle of the fire, got Everest and himself out to his ambulance, and Zuma drove them out to the hospital. He tore one of the stitches in his chest in the process and had to have open chest surgery without anesthesia. Ryder is with him now and it looks like both of them will make a full recovery."
"Interesting" Claire replied, now convinced that Cinder didn't know that Marshall was accused of starting the fire. The ramp closed behind the arson team.
"RoboDog, take us to where Chase thinks the fire started" Cinder softly directed, "after we drop these nice folks off, being me back to the lookout and then to the hospital. After you drop me off there, standby for further requests for assistance."
"Arf Arf!" RoboDog acknowledged happily as he guided the air patroller back into the air.
"Are you sure you want to wait that long to see Marshall?" Augie asked, "he did just have what sounds like major surgery.
"For the second time in a week" Cinder softly confirmed before shrugging her shoulders. "He is stable and I'll see him soon enough. I owe you guys a good turnover of the scene as you are not as familiar with the area."
Cinder proceeded to explain the fire in great detail, with the help of the various displays and projectors on the air patroller. Several eyes became wide when she described how the team got the family out.
"You had another fierce disagreement with a fire?" Augie asked in disbelief.
"And the fire lost again" Cinder softly confirmed, "it's not a big deal."
"Maybe not to you," Darrell replied with a knowing smirk.
RoboDog landed a little distance away from the cabin and opened the ramp. "Let us know when you are ready for pickup" Cinder softly said as the team excited the air patroller.
"How will we do that?" Augie asked, turning around.
Cinder's response was to toss something in Augie's direction, which he deftly caught in his paw. It was a black collar with an attached metal shield. On the front of the shield was a yellow star on a blue background and on the back the words "CHASE-AP SPARE" were written.
"Figure it out" Cinder softly teased as she closed the ramp, "see you in a bit, I'm sure." Everyone held on to everything as the air patroller took off.
"Well, let's get to work" Claire said and the team began shifting through the burned out remains.
Cinder patiently waited for RoboDog to fly her back to the Lookout. The moment he landed, she was dashing out of the air patroller and into the shower. She had just finished cleaning herself when she felt a paw tap her shoulder. "I'll be out in a second" Cinder softly replied.
"I'll be sure to keep my spots on while I wait" a familiar voice answered.
"Marshall!" Cinder softly yipped happily, disregarding her wet state as she jumped out from the water stream and enveloped her twin in a very wet hug.
"Careful on the stitches" Marshall said with a wince as he hugged her back.
"Deal with it" Cinder softly replied, giving him a gentle squeeze and nuzzle. "You've got to stop doing this to Everest and I" she softly continued as she released Marshall and they both shook the water from their fur.
"Not really my choice" Marshall replied, "but there is something we need to talk about."
"Then let's talk over food, I'm famished" Cinder softly replied as she toweled herself dry and walked out of the shower area.
"They have a suspect in the fire" Marshall told Cinder as they walked.
"The team figured it out already?" Cinder softly asked while they walked, "that is great, hopefully they catch the suspect quickly."
"I don't think he'll be too hard to catch" Marshall said softly as they entered the kitchen, "they think I started the fire…"
"Hah, that's funny, good one Marshy" Cinder softly replied as she snagged a snack bowl of treats and turned to face her brother. She froze when she saw his face.
You aren't joking Cinder softly thought to her brother.
I'm not joking Marshall mentally replied, someone called regional dispatch and left a tip saying that they saw me start the fire.
They do realize how insane that sounds right? Cinder thought back.
It doesn't matter how insane it sounds, they have to investigate it Marshall replied, and it gets worse because Chase apparently found my scent on a gasoline jug he found at the scene and Ryder says my pup tag GPS tracked me leaving Everest and being at the location where the fire started, when it started, before coming back to her.
Someone is trying to frame you Cinder thought, putting the chilling facts together.
It would appear that way Marshall replied, the trouble is I don't know who would do that or why. And I can't remember anything after I was tranquilized.
Wouldn't that be enought proof that you couldn't have done it? Cinder softly asked.
Not in this case Marshall replied, Everest only had the tranquilizer in her system, while they found both the tranquilizer and the antidote in my blood, which explains why I woke up when I did. And the only places that have that specific tranquilizer and antidote are the hospital, here at the Lookout in the controlled safe, what is in the darts in my pup pack and safe on my ambulance.
Cinder was silent for a few moments, processing all of that information. A thought dawned on her head that made Marshall cock his head at her in confusion. Don't repeat that thought to anyone, not even Everest Cinder added, don't even think it again if you can help it.
That might be hard to do sis Marshall thought back with a smile, you literally just planted an idea in my mind and now you want me to ignore it.
You act like inception between us isn't normal Cinder thought with a giggle of her own, but seriously, we can't influence the investigation in any way.
That I understand Marshall thought with feeling, they pulled Chase off the case so I can't imagine that you will be allowed anywhere near the case.
Definitely not Cinder replied, so we will see what happens. The twins embraced each other tightly, bracing themselves for what was to come.
At the burned out cabin, things were both bad and good as Claire, Darrell and Augie met back up after there initial reconnaissance of the site. "What have you found so far?" Claire asked the boys.
"I found paw prints leading to and from the cabin area" Augie said first, "they led to an area not too far away where there where multiple indentations in the ground where it appeared that two pups had laid down. I made a cast of the paw prints for comparison later."
"The fire was definitely accelerated" Darrell said, "I found traces of gasoline all around the area, and several gas cans. At least one gas can had paw prints on it so I collected those."
"Great info" Claire said as she wrote everything down, "Ted is on his way to the lookout to review the technical data that we were provided."
Claire's phone wrang at that moment and she answered it. "Arson…speaking…uh huh…yes…interesting…ok, send all of that to the Lookout please, thank you."
"More new information" Darrell noted.
"Yes" Claire said, "I had asked the hospital for all the data they could provide me on Marshall and Everest about their symptoms, conditions and treatment. That data is on the way to the Lookout but they also found traces of gasoline in one of the pups' fur."
"Which one" Augie asked uncertainly.
"Marshall's" Claire replied as she turned to get back to work.
After the team had catalogued and collected all the evidence that they could find and gathered it in the area near the cabin where they had been dropped off, Augie set about trying to figure out how to request a pickup. It wasn't going well.
"Why won't this thing work?" Augie quietly grumbled as he continued to fiddle with the tag on the collar.
You still can't figure it out?" Darrell asked as he kneeled next to his partner and looked over his shoulder.
"We should just call Ryder" Claire said with a huff, "instead of messing about with piece of technology that we don't know how to work." Darrell and Augie ignored her as they continued to try and fiddle with the tag. Claire sighed in resignation as she sat nearby to wait. She decided that they had five more minutes to try before she called Ryder.
"Have you tried putting it on?" Darrell asked.
"Putting it on?" Augie repeated, not quite understanding.
"Yeah, it is a collar after all" Darrell said.
Augie snapped the collar on around his neck. "Ok, now what?" he asked as he moved his paw around the shield, feeling for any buttons. Suddenly, a picture appeared in front of Augie and Darrell.
What they saw was a golden fur Cockapoo laying on her back in grass, looking up at them in surprise. Next to her a brown German Shepherd who looked both surprised and alarmed was laying.
"Uh, hello?" Augie asked tentatively.
"Hi, uh, who are you?" The German Shepherd asked, his eyes darkening in suspicion.
"I'm Augie," Augie replied, "I'm hoping you can help me, Cinder just tossed this tag at me and said figure it out."
"Oh…oh!" The German Shepherd said, his eyes widening in understanding, "yes, Cinder told me she gave you my spare tag, arson investigator right?"
"That is correct" Augie replied.
"Ok, I'm Chase, the police pup of the Paw Patrol and the pup whose tag you are borrowing" Chase said with visible relief, "give me one moment, let me see if I can transfer you to RoboDog for pickup."
"Chase" the Cockapoo said quietly, "they called my tag, not yours."
"Oh" Chase said, something Augie couldn't quite place flickering across his eyes.
"I'm Skye" the Cockapoo said, "the aviation rescue pup of the Paw Patrol. One moment, RoboDog?"
The picture in front of Augie and Darrell split and the robotic dog that they had seen earlier appeared. He was definitely still in the air patroller.
"RoboDog" Skye said, "the arson team is ready for pickup, can you go get them please?"
"Arf arf!" RoboDog acknowledged before hanging up.
"He will be there in five minutes" Skye said before she too hung up.
"Chase," Skye said quietly, looking at her boyfriend, "you need to change your speed dial on your tag for me to something else."
"Apparently so if he managed to activate that instead of a standard all-call" Chase said abashedly. "but, no harm, no foul right?" he added hopefully.
"That depends on what you do next now that we are alone again" Skye said with a sultry look as she pulled Chase in close and expectantly. Half a heartbeat later, all was forgiven and two tails were wagging furiously.
"That was so cool and so strange all at the same time" Augie said excitedly, "I have to get one of these!"
"Maybe then you'll b able to actually figure out how to use it" Darrell said with a grin.
"You actually go ahold of someone?" Claire said without looking over at them.
"You missed it?" Augie yipped, "it was so awesome, but yes, RoboDog will be here in five minutes to pick us up." The sound of the air patroller rapidly approaching could already be heard.
A minute or two later, the air patroller was landing next to them. RoboDog helped them load everything inside before taking off and heading back to the lookout.
Ryder was waiting for them when they landed at the Lookout. "Sorry I couldn't meet you when you arrived" Ryder said as he waved them inside, "I have one of the side rooms setup for you as a work space and several others for you to sleep in."
"Thank you Ryder" Claire answered, "I know this is hard."
Ryder stopped, his hand on the handle of the door. "You have no idea" he said slowly. He paused for a moment before shaking his head to clear it and continuing professionally, "we will give you whatever support you need for your investigation." With that, he opened the door and ushered them inside.
The whole team was slightly amazed as how much space they had been given. There were multiple white boards lining the walls and tables in the center. All the data that they had requested was on the tables, labeled and sorted by where it had come from and from whom. There were also several displays and computers set up for their use.
"I'll leave you to it" Ryder said as he turned to walk out, "dinner is in a hour if you want to join us, otherwise, I'll bring some by if you would perfer to keep working."
"We'll want to keep working" Claire answered. Ryder nodded and closed the door behind him.
"Afraid of interacting with any of them?" Darrell asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Just trying to stay impartial" Claire replied. Something in her tone told them that now was not the time to question her. RoboDog came in with their evidence from the air patroller through a side door and they got to work.
"We should do something for Marshall" Rocky whispered to Rubble, Zuma, Tracker and Texas.
"What sowt of thing?" Zuma whispered back, stealing a glance in the Dalmation's direction. Ever since Marshall had come back from the hospital, he had been mopping. Everest and Cinder were with him but no one else had been able to get him to do anything.
"What is a game that Marshall loves?" Texas quietly asked, "one that he can actually play."
"There was that light tag game we played" Rubble said, "but it is daytime so we can't play it."
"The problem is all the games that Marshall loves involve running" Rocky replied, "or some kind of physical activity."
"Lo tengo, what about Pup Pup Boogie?" Tracker asked, "we can tone it down to stay at his level and then we let let him win."
"That actually might work" Rocky said thoughtfully, "but we have to try otherwise he will figure it out immediately. I mean, when was the last time Marshall beat your Zuma?"
"Not wecently" Zuma admitted.
"Let's go get it set up" Rocky continued, "then, Texas, we'll have you ask Marshall to teach you. Once he starts, then we will all magically appear and start playing under the guide of it being cadual."
"Why me?" Texas squeaked.
"Just trust me" Rocky said as they headed inside. A few minutes later, Texas nervously walked back outside to look for Marshall.
She saw him, Cinder and Everest right where they had left them, by the edge of the cliff overlooking the bay. Texas slowly made her way over towards them. Only Cinder turned her head to look at her as she approached.
"Beautiful, isn't it Texas?" Marshall said, slightly startling her.
"How did you know it was me?" Texas asked as she laid down next to them.
"I may be on light duty because of my surgery" Marshall said with a smile, "but all my other senses are working, including Cinder's eyes" he added with a laugh.
"I still cannot fathom how the two of you do that" Texas said in awe.
"None of us understand it, not fully, " Cinder said softly.
"But it will become less wierd the more time you spend around them" Everest added.
Texas nodded, "hopefully, and while this is very pretty, I actually came to ask for your help Marshall."
"Are you feeling alright?" Marshall asked, immediately shifting into his medic persona. He started to get up but Everest and Cinder held him down.
"Yes, great actually" Texas replied hurriedly, "but I was hoping you could teach me how to play Pup Pup Boogie."
"You want the super klutzy pup to teach you how to play a precision dancing game?" Marshall asked incredulously.
This isn't going to work Texas thought as she stammered out something incoherent.
"Come on Marshall," Everest said, giving Marshall a shove, "you may be klutzy but you are a good teacher and dancer."
"And a little light competitive play would be good for you" Cinder softly added with a nudge of her own.
"Ok, you twisted my paw" Marshall said as they all got up. Everest and Cinder shared a wink with Texas as the four of them walked back to the Lookout.
Marshall noticed that the game was already set up when they walked inside but didn't think anything of it as he started the game and Texas came up on the pad next to him.
"Ok, let's start with the theme song" Marshall said as he navigated the screen, "and set it to the lowest difficulty so you can learn." When everything was set, he tapped his paw to start.
Texas was surprised when an avatar of her appeared at the top of the screen, next to an avatar of Marshall.
"Ok, the idea is to tap the pad in the pattern indicated on the screen" Marshall said as the music started to play. "And you have to tap the pad when the symbol is at the top, like this." Marshall demonstrated.
Texas slowly copied Marshall, trying to split her attention three ways between him, the screen and the pad.
"Don't look at what I'm doing" Marshall said as Texas copied Marshall almost tripping over his paws, "watch the notes, the pad if you need to, and just let the music flow…"
Texas did just that and felt pattern starting to come to her. By the time the song ended, she was almost able to just watch the screen and move without looking at the pad. "Can we do that song again?" Texas asked when the song ended.
"Sure" Marshall replied as he cued up the song again. This time, Texas did much better, and was much happier when the song ended. "You pick the song this time" Marshall instructed.
He showed Texas how to flip through the songs and soon she found one she liked and was about to hit start when "I've got winner" echoed from behind them.
Both pups turned and saw all the other pups watching them. "I'm just teaching her how to play guys" Marshall said defensively, "we aren't competing."
"We can play casual" Chase said, "just for fun, everyone gets a turn."
"It will be more fun if we all play" Texas said to assuage Marshall's protectiveness of her enjoyment.
"Ok" Marshall replied hesitantly as he hit start.
The song was catchy and had a bouncy beat. Texas did alright, but Marshall still won. "Sorry Texas, this was supposed to be for you" Marshall apologized when the song ended.
"I'm having more fun now that everyone is here" she replied, "I never expected to beat you after just three songs."
Rubble jumped up on the pad next, "you are going down Marshall!" he challenged.
"We'll see about that" Marshall replied with a competitive smile as Rubble started a new song. This time it was closer, but Marshall handily beat Rubble, making Tracker the next pup up.
Marshall was enjoying himself until he noticed something going on. He didn't say anything to anyone about it and just let them play. After beating Rubble and Tracker, Marshall also managed to beat Rocky, Chase and Zuma.
"No faiw, I'm off my game today" Zuma whined as he stepped down.
"I can tell" Marshall replied, patting him on the back as Skye hopped up.
"Your crown of the day is mine Marshall!" Skye crowed confidently as she picked a song.
"We'll see" Marshall said. The song started and Marshall was trying his best but something seemed off about Skye too. Everytime Marshall missed a step, Skye would miss a couple of steps only a second or two later. It kept their scores neck in neck as the end of the song approached. As the last few steps came on screen, Marshall was just barely ahead.
But then Marshall tripped over his paws and landed with a splat on the pad. Skye saw it happening but couldn't stop her paws in time, with the last steps carrying her to victory. Skye wanted to growl in frustration.
"Good job Skye" Marshall said as he picked himself up. Skye said nothing as Marshall looked at her. "You are mad you won, aren't you?"
"What?" Skye yelped in surprise.
"You are a great actor in plays and talent shows, Skye," Marshall said with a grin, "but I can still read you like a book."
"I, well, uh" Skye stammered.
"I know what you guys are trying to do" Marshall said as he turned to the rest of the pups, "and I appreciate the sentiment, but letting me win isn't fun."
All the pups looked at Marshall in surprise, except Cinder. She just smiled because she too figured out what they were doing too and knew what Marshall was about to say next.
"I have way more fun when all of us are playing together and just having fun" Marshall continued, "I don't have the same competitive bones that some of you have." A couple pups looked elsewhere innocently. "And while it is nice to win once in awhile, winning the whole time is boring."
"We just wanted to make you happy, Marshall," Rocky apologized.
"I appreciate that" Marshall replied, "but why don't we actually play now and just have a good time? I think Everest has a bone to pick with Skye…"
"Maybe not a bone" Everest yipped as she hopped up, "but definitely a song!"
Marshall smiled as the song started and he laid down next to Cinder. "They only wanted to help" she cooed softly as she rested her head against his neck.
"And they did" Marshall replied and he leaned his head against the top of her's, "but enough was enough."
"Who gave it away?" Cinder softly asked.
"Chase was the first" Marshall replied, "he was on fire and then just started dropping notes like they were illegal. Zuma wasn't much better. Skye was trying so hard to pace me that I think she was genuinely upset when I lost."
"She'll get over it" Cinder softly giggled. The rest of the afternoon was much more enjoyable for all the pups as they continued to play all the way up until dinner time.
"Ok, what all do we have?" Claire said as she walked up to one of the white boards.
"The GPS data from Marshall's tag" said Augie, "it shows him and Everest walking, then Everest stopping while Marshall goes to the cabin and back. Also, the paw prints we found match Marshall's paws."
"And the paw prints we found on the gas can are Marshall's as well" Darrell chimed in, "along with the hospital reported he has gasoline in his fur when they cleaned him for surgery."
"What about the tranquilizer in his system?" Augie asked, "doesn't that preclude him doing anything?"
"Not if the antidote was in his system" Claire replied, "I discussed that with one of the doctors and the short version is that if he injected himself with the antidote at the same time as the tranquilizer, he could nullify the effects. But it have to be at the same time or the antidote first followed immediately by the tranquilizer. Any delay in administering the tranquilizer after the antidote would risk giving him a heart attack. And if he did the tranquilizer first, he would be unconscious before he could give himself the antidote unless he did an very low dose which does not appear to be the case. They are going to keep testing his blood to figure out how quickly his body is processing both drugs to verify how much he gave himself and when."
"You make it sound like you've already decided he is guilty" Augie said quietly.
"I go where the evidence leads" Claire replied testily.
"Let's just focus on the facts then, shall we?" Darrell said placatingly.
"Speaking of facts, I have some interesting ones for you" Ted said as he walked over from were he was working. "First off, none of the records have been tampered with."
"That is a good sign" Augie said.
"Yes, if nothing else it builds credibility" Darrell added.
"The first thing of note is that Marshall's tag did not log any major changes in his vitals around the time of the fire until just before he called Ryder" Ted explained.
"So he was awake that whole time?" Claire asked to clarify.
"That is the interesting part" Ted replied, "his vitals signs from when he started his walk with Everest to calling Ryder don't show a whole lot of variation, but are also consistent with his vitals when asleep."
"What does that mean?" Darrell asked.
"It means that he is in great physical health overall and that he wasn't exerting himself at all" Ted replied, "which also means the tranquilizer and the antidote would had to have been given at the exact same time and in precisely the right amounts for him to stay conscious; if he had injected the drugs in sequence, there would have been a spike or drop in his vitals between the two injections. Alternativly, he was giving the tranquilizer first and the antidote later."
"Good to know" Claire said as she scribbled notes on the board.
"I also found that the gear system that maintains the pup packs logged that it needed to replace two tranquilizer darts in Marshall's pup pack after the last mission he was on, I believe to some farm out in the desert" Ted continued. "But, his pup pack did not log any darts being employed during that mission."
"Mysterious" Darrell said.
"Quite so" Ted replied, "which means they were removed prior to that mission. Unfortunately, the only security cameras that are continuously recording at the Lookout cover the entrance and the control room. There is a secondary internal set of cameras that covers everything when the intrusion alarm is activated. I'm sending the tapes back to Heartland for my team to comb through to see if there is anything suspicious over the time period of from when that pack was used previously to when the darts were logged as being replaced."
"Is there any indication that anyone accessed the pack during that time frame?" Claire asked.
"Nothing was logged in the maintenance logs other than the normal automated post-mission checks" Ted replied.
"Does Marshall know how to remove those darts?" Claire asked.
"Nothing in his file indicates that he has that kind of technical proficiency" Augie replied.
"And you need to use special tools to open the compartment on the pack where the darts are kept" Ted added, "which are locked in the same room as the packs. The special unlocking tool requires hands to use. Theoretically, Rocky's maintenance pack could also be used to manipulate the unlocking tool. That pack was also present but because Rocky uses it for maintenance only, it isn't checked automatically like all the rescue packs."
"Even more confusing, this makes my head hurt" Darrell said.
"With Rocky's maintenance pack, could a pup have bypassed the lock on the special tool?" Claire asked to clarify what Ted was saying.
"Probably, especially if they knew what they were doing" Ted admitted.
"So, putting all of these pieces together, what does this look like?" Darrell asked.
"Well, it is a bit confusing but I think I have it" Claire stated. "Marshall sneaks into the gear room, uses Rocky's maintenance pack to open his medical pack and removes two darts. The darts are replaced by the automated system without anyone knowing. Then, he uses one of the darts on Everest on their walk to knock her out. Now alone, he walks to the cabin, douses everything in gasoline and starts the fire. Then, he goes back to where Everest is unconscious and gives himself the antidote and tranquiler at the same time to create his cover that he was drugged."
There was silence in the room as everyone pondered that chain of events. "Do you really think that is what happened?" Darrell asked.
"It is what the evidence suggests" Claire replied.
"But what about motive" Augie challenged, "and how did Marshall start the fire?"
"Fires are easy to start, all he would have needed was a match or spark" Claire said dismissively, "as for motive, it could have been to create a situation that made him look good or to pull Everest closer to him by saving her again. There are any number of reasons that could be used to justify this in his mind."
"It is shaky, but possible" Darrell said, "all the evidence fits but the the motive is really where it is lacking.
"Don't look at me" Ted said, raising his hands, "all I can say is what is technically possible."
Claire turned to Augie who was still silent, "what do you think?
Augie didn't answer immediately. "That fact that it is technically possible is worrysome" he said at last, "and while some of the sequence is conjectural, his pup tag data is pretty clear that he was there which means at best he was complicit on some way because he didn't put the fire out immediately or report that he couldn't put the fire out." Augie paused for a moment as he ordered his thoughts. "The motives you suggested are flimsy. We need to figure out the why even more so than the how in this case because otherwise, sequence of events has enough conjecture in it that no one will believe it."
"Marshall did this" Claire asserted, "we just need to find out why."
A/N: Special thanks to PawPatrolAllStars for the time and talent of his character Texas
A/N: Soecial thanks to 18 For the idea for this chapter.
A/N: I'm back everyone, but you smarties already figured that out didn't you? I'll be uploading weekly for the next two weeks or so to get everything that I've already written out but still have time to return to a normal release schedule once I am through those chapters. Love to hear what all of you think. Is Marshall guilty of arson? Is he being framed? Let me know what you think in the comments or PM if you think you've got everything figured out.