Star Law: A Marshal Cole Series

Chapter 15 (b)

"How do you feel?" asked Cole as Miguel joined him in line for hot kohee.

"Better after a shower," said Miguel. "And a fresh uniform. I'm not used to sitting in on meetings with the captain."

"Could have fooled me," said Cole with a chuckle.

Both Cole and Miguel purchased their items and took a seat. In addition to hot kohee, the marshal also got a cinnamon bun.

"What did Boz have to say to you?" Miguel asked.

"He gave me the ship crew, passenger and cargo manifests," said Cole.

"Oh, did you find anything?"

"I did but will follow up on my own."

"So what do you want me to do?" Miguel sipped his drink and watched Cole devour his bun.

"Back to the security office with Boz," said Cole. "We have so much data that is nearly complete. But it requires analysis."

"How am I to do that?"

"It requires you to question and re-examine the areas we have flagged as security breaches," said Cole with his mouth full. "If there is a three second glitch on cam, see if another nearby cam caught a picture of the unknown subject from a different angle."

"I see," replied Miguel. "And you expect that I will find things?"

"Possibly. Maybe. You'll be assisted by Boz  but you're observant and good at seeing patterns and recognizing faces," said Cole. "The person we are looking for is intelligent but not experienced. And by that I mean they are intelligent enough to evade security detection but not experienced enough to avoid a full-fledged murder investigation."

"How do you know inexperienced?" Miguel asked.

"I can't say for sure," Cole mused. "However, I sense it.  Truth is we don't know who we are looking for or what they are looking for. We don't know motive. All we can do is follow the evidence."

"But there wasn't any evidence at any of the crime scenes," said Miguel morosely.

"That in and of itself tell us something," answered Cole with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. "I will follow up on that thing I mentioned and then catch you at the security office. Think today's the day we find some new leads."

At this point Cole and Miguel stood and parted ways in opposite directions. At no time did they note above them a girl seated and with her back to them eavesdropping.