K'hat'n'dlawa

Evidence

When Sarek entered the lobby of the Embassy, the only person there was the head of security- who appeared decidedly nervous as the Vulcan's boots echoed around the room.

"Ambassador Sarek?" Frank Nolan asked, his voice an octave higher than normal. Sarek did not reply- at that moment, the lift to his right opened. He turned around- Karen herself was exiting the lift, and he noticed that her hands were trembling as she patted at her hair. She froze when she saw him. There was a tense silence.

"This will prove to be interesting." Sarek said, moving his arms to clasp his hands behind his back. Both of their hearts were beating too fast. He was sure that he had just met one of her accomplices.

The head of security...yes, a logical decision on Karen's part. He would know how to cover up evidence. Fortunately, Sarek was more intelligent than either one of them.

"I still don't see how-" a male voice came from the entrance, and all three people in the lobby turned to watch as the director and Linette entered.

"Ambassador Sarek!" Linette blinked rapidly, obviously surprised to see him there. "What are you doing here?"

"Perhaps we should take this to the head of security's office." Sarek replied. They seemed confused, but the director led them all to the lift.

The journey in the lift was silent. It did not escape his notice when Karen and Frank traded desperate looks. They were worried. Excellent- they should be.

The lift stopped, and Frank led them to his office. Once the door closed behind them, the director turned to Sarek.

"Would you please explain yourself, Ambassador?" he asked.

"Certainly." Sarek again clasped his hands behind his back. The others sat down, but he did not. "I have received intelligence that three red data slates containing compressed files were recently stolen from Filing. Red slates, as you are aware, each hold one day's records- for all ambassadorial agreements, discussions, and diplomatic decisions made in this Embassy. Which means that there is sensitive information on those slates that pertain to Vulcan's private doings. My government has implored me to review the evidence of the crime and ascertain that such delicate information has not fallen into the wrong hands."

"So you're inserting yourself into this investigation without my approval?" the director asked, fists clenching, eyes narrowing.

"Yes, that is precisely what I am doing. This is allowed by Federation law, Director- and you do not have authority over me in any way."

The director was grinding his teeth together. It was true, and he knew it- the director's job was to cater to the ambassadors. He ensured that their diplomatic relations went smoothly, and that the ambassadors were content- as well as running other operations within the building. Sarek was, to put it simply, one of his employers.

"Very well- it doesn't matter, anyway. We got her solid, from what Frank told me last night about the security vids."

"Please elaborate on what evidence you have, Mr. Nolan." Sarek said, turning to the man. Frank cleared his throat and leaned against his desk, folding his arms over his chest.

"Miss Bennett here was looking for a stylus when she noticed the data slates in Miss Grayson's desk drawer. The slates from Filing have serial numbers printed on them to make it easier to find them, and when she saw the number, she knew that they were confidential files. She reported it to Linette Davis, who reported it to the director. He called me, and I scanned for prints- the only prints on the slates belonged to Miss Grayson."

Sarek noted that he would not meet his eyes. He was looking at the floor as he spoke.

"It would seem that after such considerable evidence." Sarek said slowly, weighing each word. "That Miss Grayson would have confessed. What did she say on the matter?"