The Maplethorn Initiative (Book 1, The Maplethorn Series)

Aftermath

Cam and Keegan were back in uniform for the first time in weeks. They stood at attention along with Tober in front of Luther Gates' desk.

A tailored navy-blue suit had replaced Gates' usual rumpled shirt and tie. He cleared his throat as he picked up the tablet that lay in front of him. "Maplethorn Academy agrees that all aforementioned charges shall be dropped," he read. "Provided that the undersigned cadets—that's you—agree to remain confined to Maplethorn Academy until the completion of their senior year."

"But what about Dr. Bensen?" Tober demanded. "Isn't anything going to happen to him?"

"Cadet Sunderland." Gates laid the tablet on his desk. "Do I have to remind you that you are at the position of attention? And how that means you do not get to ask me questions?"

"Yes, sir!" Tober stiffened. "I mean no, sir. Sorry, sir."

Luther Gates allowed himself a rare smile. "But I suppose you boys do deserve an answer, so sit down, at-ease, whatever."

Cam and Tober folded their hands behind their backs while Keegan pulled up a chair.

"Dr. Bensen," Gates began. "Has resigned from Maplethorn Academy along with his wife."

"Resigned?" Cam repeated. "Shouldn't they be in jail?"

Luther Gates responded with a humorless chuckle. "Welcome to the real world, cadets."

"But what about the kids who died?" Tober pressed.

"Some of the cadets who come to us are already too far gone by the time they get here." Gates wrung his hands together. "What can I say? It's unfortunate, but it happens."

"But when you have a doctor locking them in a room with a noose and—"

"Dial it down, Sunderland," Gates ordered. "I want you boys to know I hate this as much as you do, but room thirteen is clean."

Tober crept forward. "What do you mean clean? Sir."

"I mean you go down there now, and it has a bed, pictures on the wall, and even a little vase for flowers. It's also got a sign by the door that says room ten."

"But it happened!"

"Unfortunately, there's no evidence that it happened," Gates countered. "That's what they're going to look at."

"But what about our recording of Dr. Bensen?" Cam asked. "The one where he spilled the beans about what was going on down there?"

"You mean the same man who stood in front of my boss and swore up and down that y'all can fly, turn invisible, and..." Gates shook his head at Keegan. "Whatever it is you were supposed to be able to do. I never quite got that."

"It is super confusing when you think about it," Keegan said, sending a wink in Cam's direction.

"Ain't that the truth." Gates powered off the tablet and stuck it in a bag beneath his desk. "So, unless Drexler's gonna flap his arms and fly around my office, the matter is closed."

Cam's face reddened. "Uh, prefer not to, sir."

"I didn't think so."

"Wait!" Tober implored, unwilling to let the matter go. "Dr. Bensen got fired, and that's it?"

"No, cadet, that's not it. The old man resigned too."

"The commandant?"

"No, Santa Claus," Luther Gates snapped. "There ain't gonna be a Christmas this year."