Star Law: A Marshal Cole Series

Chapter 20 (c)

Marshal Cole was surprised when he got the call from Deputy Security Chief Champion that he was been given a priority clearance through pressure doors to assist in the investigation. He was even more taken aback when he found out the request came from Miguel. This pleased him a bit although it was overshadowed.

"Looks like you'll have your hands full for a while," said Horn, standing to one side as Cole took the call. "I'll see you later on."

"I'd like for you to come with me if is all just the same," said Cole. "I need your insight. This is more than just a homicide investigation."

Horn nodded assent and grabbed a jacket. The exited the cabin and entered the corridor. A few people peered out and lingered in the halls. Frightened faces outnumbered calm ones. No one looked cheerful as security lights and warnings continued to inform people that the emergency had not ended.

Cole approached the first set of pressure doors at the end of their section and looked up at the camera. The doors opened slowly and he and Horn strode through. They had just crossed the threshold when the process reversed and the doors began to shut again. A few people noticed them and began running down the corridor to get through as well.

"Panic is starting to set in," said Horn. "As soon as this alert is lifted, the better."

"You won't get an argument from me," agreed Cole.

The two men had to pass through two more sealed sections till they came to a corridor where Miguel, Boz and a security detail waited for them.

Miguel approached with a look of relief in his face. He had a datpadd in his hand that looked like a continuous video feed of a door. He looked over Horn who was standing behind Cole but said nothing

"I wasn't sure they were going to let you through," said Miguel. "We found her. We found the girl. We backtracked the man who was shot by the Security Chief to a utility room. The blonde girl is in there."

"And she has never left?" asked Cole.

Miguel shook his head. "No."

"And there's no way in and out?"

Miguel shook his head again. "No."

Cole slapped him on the shoulder. "Good work, Miguel." At this point he noticed Boz. "You too, Boz."

"Thank you, Marshal," replied Boz. "Miguel is the one who worked all this out.

Miguel almost looked like he was blushing.

The two members of the security detail were looking annoyed at the delay. Cole took over at this point and took the datapadd from Miguel. He turned to the two men. The names on their uniforms read Cormier and Turak.

"Cormier, Turak... Miguel has discovered the origin of where this attack began. Your boss shot one of the people who came from there out in Central Plaza. The other one is inside this room."

Cole turned the datapadd around and showed a screen capture of a blonde girl looking right up at the security camera.

"She's just a child," stated Cormier dismissively.

"And not a very big one at that," Turak said.

"Nevertheless, she has been seen near the scene of two murders and now associated with an attack that has left scores dead," said Cole. "We really don't know anything about her. We need to be cautious and we need her alive. You're boss depends on that."

That seemed to strike a chord in the two security men.

"The utility room is around the corner," said Miguel.

"Good, I'll need you to stay here, Miguel," said Cole and before any protest over this order could be made he went on to add: "The security detail and I will be armed and I'll need you to take the gentleman behind me to safety if need be. His name is Richard Tilston-Horn and he has information helpful to the investigation."

This seemed to satisfy Miguel and he reached over to Horn with his hand. Horn gripped it and the two men shook. "Pleased to meet you, sir. We'll stand back and let the Marshal take care of things."

Horn eyed Cole knowingly and stepped back graciously. "Thank you, Miguel."

"And what of me, Marshal?" Boz asked.

"I don't think the captain would take too kindly if you were damaged in a police raid," said Cole with a lopsided smile. "Best to wait here with the others."

"I am pretty resilient," said Boz. "I can withstand limited gunfire."

"Let's hope there is none of that," Cole grimaced. "Nevertheless I'd rather not have to explain bullet holes in you.

"Understood, Marshal," acknowledged Boz.

"Thanks, Boz," replied Cole. He then turned to Cormier and Turak. "Okay security... on me."

The Marshal led the two men down the corridor and turned towards the utility room. As he drew his gun, Cormier and Turak drew theirs. They moved swiftly and quietly into place taking positions to either side of the door. Cormier and Cole took the high and low right side and Turak took middle left. The key panel was on the right and Cormier nodded to begin a count.

"Open on 3," said Cole in a whisper. He mouthed the words 1, 2, 3. Cormier flashed his pass over the key panel.

The door slid swiftly to one side and all three men jumped into action. Cole was first through the door and Cormier and Turak next. They were trained well and covered every corner. However, it was obvious given the size of the room that no one was there. All three men shouted "clear!" when they completed their sweep.

There was a single chair in the center facing the door. Against each wall were idle robotic cleaners that were stored when not in use. The chair looked to come from a service desk in the far corner.

Cormier approached the chair and pointed to cut binders and some blood on the floor. "Someone was restrained here."

"No sign anyone else was in the room," said Turak looking around.

The three men holstered their guns and surveyed the room. It appeared there was no possible exit aside from the door they came in.

Cole leaned back and called out the door to Miguel and Horn who were around the corner. "It is okay to come now!"

Seconds later Miguel peaked around the door opening with Horn and Boz. His face showed surprise. "She's not here?!"

"No, she isn't," said Cormier. "Sure you didn't take your eyes off the screen?"

"No!" cried out Miguel. "It is a continuous feed. I don't understand."

Boz couldn't show expression on his face but his voice sounded perplexed. "Miguel is correct. I have been monitoring the door since the beginning. The girl should be here."

"But she's not. Getting pretty tired of locked rooms and no suspects inside when a crime has taken place," said Turak.

"Thank you Cormier, Turak," said Cole. "They probably need you in Central Plaza. We'll stay behind to process forensics. They'll still be important for an after action report for your boss"

The two men nodded assent and left the room.

Richard Tilston-Horn stepped up and looked around. "It would appear we might have two people who can come and go as they please."

Miguel's face was still one of confusion. "I don't understand. Two people?"

Cole nodded his head in agreement at Horn. "I think you're right."

"What do you mean?" Miguel asked plaintively.

"It means we think we know two people are getting in and out of locked rooms. But we just don't know how," said Cole emphasizing the last how. "It'll be more clear when we brief the captain. Let's seal the room. It can be processed later. Think we are needed elsewhere till this crisis is over."