Rangin picks up the cup of coffee, and looks aside at Lt. Collins waiting for the next question she will ask of Mr Hsu, before putting it back down again.
Rangin picks up the cup of coffee, and looks aside at Lt. Collins waiting for the next question she will ask of Mr Hsu, before putting it back down again.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Graham arrives at the Command Post a minute or so ahead of T'Var and Kylah, and the three see the coffee, donuts and other breakfast treats ordered by Collins. All six of the Yorktown's landing party are now gathered in the CP.
"Did you want to meet privately?" Hsu asks. "If so, I'd like to check on my officers around the park."
Kylah's attention only grazes the coffee and treats, presumably provided by the resort, before she finds Rangin. What little pain that T'Var's medication hasn't completely hidden vanishes at once; Velir's soothing, strong presence is a better balm than Kylah has ever dared hope for.
She's almost embarrassed to see him in front of the others, afraid her expression will give away too much. All she can do is catch his gaze for a moment, hoping that brief shared glance will reveal just how grateful she is to be with him again--even in a professional setting, even without speaking to him or feeling the gentle touch of his hands on hers.
Then she hastily looks down at the table, praying that her cheeks won't burn with a flush, before she takes a seat. When she realizes it is the same one she used earlier where Velir knelt before her to tend her wounds... where his revealed affection for her took her from misery to joy in such a short period of time, Kylah cannot suppress a slight smile. She hides it by brushing some stray tendrils of hair from her face, and by the time she has folded her hands neatly atop the table, her expression is somber and businesslike again.
Last edited by choie; 13 Mar 2014 at 02:06 AM.
As the others come through the door, Rangin can only think what an opportunity has been missed to get some early information from Mr Hsu. At least he has given the opportunity to speak to him in private later on. Assisting with Enquiries was how it used to be put. He just hopes that Collins agrees to talk to him later on.
Than, as Kylah looks across, Rangin can feel his heart beat a little faster. A brief glance from her, and though his face may be impassive and polite, his eyes tell a different story. The happiness he felt earlier returns and as she heads for her seat, he turns behind him for his coffee to hide the smile on his face. He's even happier to see that she has had her injuries treated and doesn't appear to be walking with a limp anymore.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
For all he has on his mind, Graham suddenly realizes he's very hungry. He clears his throat and nods approvingly to Collins. "Nice spread. Good idea."
After he grabs coffee and a couple donuts he sits down as far away from Kylah as possible.
Purely by coincidence based on where he happened to be standing and where there was a free chair, he tells himself.
The direct subspace comm link to the ship chimes, and Cmdr. Pablo Vargas, First Officer and Chief of Security, appears on the largest screen in the CP. "I'd like reports from you and from each of the landing party, Mr. Collins," he says. "Are you any closer to finding the killer? What have you learned so far, and what more do you need to do? Do you need anything else from the Yorktown?"
Mr. Hsu is still standing there.
Each of you should report to Vargas in dialogue form; don't just write a non-quoting summary.
Kylah is startled to see Vargas on the screen. He is a reminder of the ship, which seems both weeks and lightyears away. And yet it has been just twenty-four hours. So much has happened...
She says nothing, of course, but is tempted to smirk at Vargas's question. Closer to finding the killer? Poor Mr. Wilson was found less than... what, six hours ago? Short of catching someone in the act, how quickly can one catch a murderer? If he expects such miracles, perhaps he should come down and put himself in charge.
Kylah looks at Collins with as blank a face as she can manage.
Graham clenches his jaw. Most criminals are stupid, he thinks. A few are brilliant, but most are dumb.
Eght times out of ten, it should be all over but the shouting after six to eight hours, with a good investigative team--even if you haven't made the pinch, you ought to know who you're going after and why.
But we aren't near there, he thinks: we've been messy, inefficient. You could attribute that to the fact that we've got a young team, mostly not experienced with Security or law enforcement. Or you could be honest and say that neither I nor Collins have moved the needle.
At least she has a legitimate excuse, he think--this may be her first rodeo, in terms of a murder investigation.
What's mine?
With the appearance of Cmdr. Vargas on the screen, Rangin feels a little bit sorry for Lt. Collins. She doesn't look like someone who wanted this particular job, let alone be ready for it, despite showing that on occasions she is perfectly capable of running the team. But, if she slips now, he is not someone Rangin will be able to talk around to cover for her.
Rangin knows what Cmdr. Vargas is expecting; why haven't we arrested Lord Falstofe and questioned him already. Especially given the fingerprints on the alleged murder weapon. If only it was that simple. It had only been a few hours since the murder had occurred and team was starting with no knowledge at all. If Cmdr. Vargas was expecting a suspect and conclusion, he should be asking the local security, not a team sent in to write a report on the capability of of a commercial organisation to run a resort.
A horrible thought did occur though. If Lt. Collins declared herself unfit to lead the team, who would Cmdr. Vargas pass the responsibility onto. The only other logical choice was Graham who, though he may not be ranking he certainly had the experience, isn't someone Rangin really wants to work under.
As he has been doing for the last while, Rangin waits for Lt. Collins to take the lead again.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Collins murmurs to Hsu, "Would you excuse us, please, while we confer with Cmdr. Vargas? I'll be in touch in, say, an hour or so." He nods and leaves.
She then says to the viewer with commendable self-assurance, "Good to see you, Commander. We just got back to the CP and haven't had the chance to compare notes yet. I'll let each of my team members report on what they've found so far, and then wrap up. Who would like to go first? Mr. Graham, perhaps? Or someone else?"
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 16 Mar 2014 at 12:20 PM. Reason: fixed name error
Graham glances around to see if anyone is particularly eager to report. Going first is the least I can do, he thinks, given the half-assed job I've done helping Collins so far. He stands, glances at Collins, and then clears his throat and faces Vargas.
"Like the lieutenant said, sir, we have not compared notes. So, please," he says, looking around the room, "please add to this or correct me if any of you have more complete information."
"In my view, Commander, there are three competing theories of the case, two of which are based on new information we learned this morning. We started the day with the possibility that Lord Fastolfe, who'd had a physical confrontation with Wilson earlier, killed him. The knife at the scene matches the one we confiscated from him, and his fingerprints--among others--were on it. My position, at least, was that we should delay interviewing him until we were able to dig for anything that might help strengthen our case against him, as he is likely--very likely--to be uncooperative. Uh, highly and obnoxiously uncooperative.
During that time we learned some things that suggest he's not the most likely killer--other than my gut--Fastolfe's a bully and a blowhard, but frankly I think he wouldn't find killing Wilson worth his time."
He clears his throat again. "We've found solid evidence Wilson was having an affair with Mrs. Hsu, his deputy and the wife of the security chief here. Further, there's a rumor he's also been dallying with guests and was on the verge of being fired. So we can add in the possibility of a crime of passion--Mrs. Hsu seems distraught, and Mr. Hsu has not shown any sign of knowing about it so far. But we haven't confronted either of them, yet.
"But finally, with that context, my bet at this point is that Wilson knew he was in trouble and was running some kind of play to get out of it. There a a couple guests we've found so far with stock holdings in WR&R's competitors." He shrugs. "That's not a smoking gun insofar as these folks probably have stock holdings in a lot things. But with big money at stake, Wilson could have been playing one or more companies against WR&R or against each other to swing control of this franchise away from WR&R. That much money--especially if somebody felt double-crossed--is reason enough to kill."
"Overall, sir, I'd say that we've made progress but we don't have a clear suspect for the trigger man...or woman. If this theory is right, somebody working on behalf of WR&R or a competitor. We still ought to interrogate Fastolfe, as a matter of course. And Mrs. Hsu, I think, clearly knows more than she's said--we really need to put the squeeze on her."
"Uh," he adds, after a pause, "We might need some more security personnel from the Yorktown at that point. Mr. Hsu has been very cooperative, but, ah, seems a little defensive where his wife is concerned. I'm not sure how he'll react when the cat's out of the bag. Or if we really put the screws to--ah, pressure--her to come clean."
"Any questions for me, sir?" Graham says, taking a formal parade rest position behind his chair.
With no sign of response from Cmdr. Vargas or Lt. Collins, Rangin coughs politely and stands up. "Perhaps I may be able to add some further information. We have checked with the resort security and tracked Mr Wilson's movements. He did nothing out of the ordinary last night and retired to his suite at 11:15. That is the last current known position we have for him until his body was discovered several hours later. The suite has been checked and it appears that he spent little to no time there before leaving again. The suite has a side entrance which is not covered by resort security cameras and it appears he used this exit to leave without being noticed."
"From within the suite, several things have been found. We have discovered more DNA evidence and fingerprints that Mr Wilson was having an affair. We have a full set of Mr Wilson's working WR&R files, initial examination shows nothing untoward in them. Lt. Collins also discovered a private safe in the wall of his suite. This safe does not appear on any WR&R records and appears to have been installed privately by Mr Wilson without the knowledge of anyone else. The closest match we can find is a Holdfast Corp. JL337 safe. It is sealed into the wall and appears to include a transtator assembly and subspace antenna. Its use may account for the transporter signal that was detected in the area over Mr Wilson's death. Lt. Delaney is currently seeing if there is any access possible from Mr Wilson's communicator to determine what secrets he may have been keeping."
Rangin nods at Cmdr. Vargas on the viewscreen while remaining standing, "That is all for the moment, Sir."
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Cmdr. Vargas says, "I've already reviewed the architectural plans for the staff quarters. As to the side entrance to Wilson's suite, did you check to see if there was any dust in the connecting hallway? It might show signs of having been disturbed. Keep working on the safe - that's a very interesting part of this case. Who's next?"
Dr. T'Var looks around the table and then reports, "Dr. Halsey, the resort's doctor, seemed oddly excited or happy as to Mr. Wilson's death. I do not know why, and did not ask him directly, but perhaps we should do so. You already have my autopsy report, sir."
Lt. JG Collins says, "Thank you. Mr. Kylah, please report."
Kylah knows she is at a great disadvantage and has little to add compared to the technical crew's reports. Graham already told Vargas almost everything she might have provided, even facts that he was not present to observe himself. What can she say of value? I disgraced myself with a stranger and am probably considered a whore by Mr. Graham, I am despised by the mission commander who is utterly unfit for the job, I am desperate to get out of this meeting so that I may get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, but at least I admitted my romantic feelings for Mr. Rangin and discovered he returns them, so the mission is not a total disaster...
"I fear I do not have much to contribute that has not already been expressed in able detail by the others, sir. I can confirm that it appears Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Hsu were involved romantically, not just by DNA evidence but through personal messages left on Mr. Wilson's communicator. I was present at the guest interviews that Mr. Graham described, and can concur with the statements of fact that he made.
"I..." She looks down at the table for an instant, wavering. "I am not as certain about the conclusions that are being drawn about Mr. Wilson. It seems... no, I suppose you are not looking for--for what you would consider a hunch, sir, I apologize. I would just wish to add that one of the guests we interviewed with investment ties to a rival company, Mr. Palver, was clearly not--that is to say, he admitted that he was no longer under the influence of his spore treatment, claiming that it had happened seemingly spontaneously during the night. According to the staff here, there is no history of anyone else simply 'losing' the influence in such a way. Something extremely emotionlly disturbing must have caused this.
"I doubt anyone under the influence of the spores would be able to murder someone. Which means we must look carefully at Mr. Palver. And also determine if any of the other guests who should still be under the influence are... not. The other obvious implication is that it was a guest who did not take the treatment or, more likely, one of the staff members.
"There is also the matter of the weapon. Whoever used the knife, which was identical to but not the knife that Lord Fastolfe used to attack Mr. Wilson, must have been aware of that incident yesterday afternoon--the clear intention of using this weapon would be to point to Fastolfe's guilt; anything else would be a coincidence that beggars the imagination. Which narrows our suspects down to those who were present in the induction room: aside from Mr. Wilson and ourselves, that would mean the resort staffers Mrs. Hsu and a male associate named Khövsgöl whose exact job function or title I do not know. And of course, the guests: Mr. Palver, Rosemary Calvin, Vice Admiral Hardin and his aide, Lieutenant Commander Ebling."
Kylah takes a deep breath, having had to concentrate to recollect the names. "They would seem to be our prime suspects, but the circle widens if we acknowledge that they might have communicated this incident to someone else. Mrs. Hsu would have very likely informed Mr. Hsu, for example. Admittedly there is the possibility that Lord Fastolfe is attempting some elaborate self-implication strategy in order to throw suspicion off himself, but..."
She trails off, realizing that for someone who had little to add, she is adding far too much personal observation, which coming from someone like her is likely little valued by security officers. But she has some small knowledge of how a government reacts to threats--successfully or poorly--and she knows she must mention something that has been bothering her.
"There is one more thing, sir. I know I should not offer my perspective on security, as it is not my responsibility. Normally I would have expressed this to the mission commander before speaking with you, but the team did not have a chance to meet and report in private. That being the case, I do wish to put on record that I am concerned about how the resort administration--and, I fear, we ourselves--are handling things in the bigger picture of security as a whole, and I... with your permission I will continue. Or perhaps I should wait until after Lt. Delaney reports, and then Lt. Collins herself. I am sure she will mention the same issues." Kylah does her best to sound as sincere as possible. "I apologize for my presumption and appreciate your patience, Commander."
Last edited by choie; 16 Mar 2014 at 02:32 PM. Reason: Forgot Delaney.
"No apology necessary, Ensign," says Vargas encouragingly. "Go on, please."
Kylah steals a glance at Collins and sees her turning slightly red.
Quickly shifting her gaze from Collins lest she lose her courage, Kylah takes another deep breath. "Thank you, sir. With the greatest respect, I fear that neither the resort staff nor we ourselves are doing an... an optimal job of ensuring the security of the guests and staff. Indeed, it may be impossible to do so considering the numbers; I admit that I do not know how large the Yorktown's security complement is, and I am aware you cannot order everyone down to the planet.
"But there are more than two hundred guests and I do not even know how many staff members. Ensuring that they are all safe, even with the resort's security and the few Yorktown team members available... how can it best be done? I worry that we on the Yorktown crew are not focusing enough on that. And on the resort's side, we have seen most regretfully how well their best security measures protected Mr. Wilson."
Her halting words gain speed with her emotion, although she tries to keep herself in check. "Meanwhile, the resort seems to have no plans to inform the guests that there is a dangerous criminal lurking about. Although it is almost certainly true that the attack was specifically aimed at Mr. Wilson, there is always the possibility that it was not. And even if it was, there is a risk that another murder will be attemtped in an effort to deflect our investigation."
Kylah glances at Velir, needing some friendly face to bolster her courage before returning to Vargas's image. "Have we been neglecting a duty to ensure that the people here--indeed, even in the research lab--are not only protected, but aware themselves that they must be careful? I mention the lab because... there was that transporter trace at the scene of the crime. I may be wrong, but I do not think we know whether someone transported to or from the scene. Has the murderer already left the resort? Even the planet?
"Of course I have no knowledge of what Captain Singh has already ordered, and you may not deem it our--or at least my--business to know, a mere ensign and one not even trained in security, but I wonder if you might tell us if any ships in orbit or the vicinity have been informed and possibly... detained? Or a search requested? There may be legal prohibitions but even a request in the name of safety might not go amiss... After all, no doubt many guests will be both leaving and arriving daily as part of the normal activity of the resort. I worry that we have not determined how this can be prevented. Especially if it has been the resort's policy not to inform anyone of this crime."
She swallows, her cheeks burning. "Thank you for allowing me to speak, sir, and forgive me--and I extend that to Lieutenant Collins and Mr. Graham as well--for my presumption in asking such questions in a purview not my own." At last she clamps her mouth shut, although she keeps her eyes as evenly on Vargas as she dares.
Last edited by choie; 16 Mar 2014 at 10:10 PM.
"You raise some valid points, Ensign," Vargas says thoughtfully. "Just two other ships remain in orbit at the moment, the yachts Trimalchio and Fastolfe's Chariot, as I believe we earlier discussed. We haven't searched them, and I'm not sure on what legal basis we could. No others are due to arrive for another few days. If the landing party thinks additional Security officers ought to be beamed down, that could certainly be done."
"The transporter signature in the park couldn't tell us if someone transported to or from that place," Delaney puts in. "We still haven't checked the resort's transporter, though."
"We haven't told the resort guests about Wilson's death because the Hsus asked us to maintain a low profile during our investigation," Collins says curtly. Her color has not improved. "We still have no indication that this was a crime likely to be repeated. It's looked to me all along like Wilson, and Wilson alone, was targeted for some reason."
"Mr. Graham, you're the only Yorktown crewmember with previous experience in homicide investigations," Vargas says. "Do you think it would be worthwhile to spread the word more broadly, or to expand our Security footprint on OC3? And does anyone else have any thoughts on that option?"
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 17 Mar 2014 at 12:02 AM.
"If I may, sir. I believe that Mr. Kylah is leading towards is not just the security implications of this murder, but the diplomatic implications as well. Before expanding knowlege of this crime to the rest of the resort it may be worth checking the guest list to make sure everyone is a Federation citizen. Also how do you break it to all the guests that the manager has been murdered. I'm relieved we have someone here who would be able to work out the best way to do that." Rangin nods at Kylah before continuing.
Rangin hopes that both ladies are happy with his suggestion. It would give Kylah something specific to do away from Lt. Collins, in an area Kylah would do well in and something Lt. Collins would probably not want to do.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
"We already know that Prolun Jaxo, in guest house #8, isn't a Federation citizen," Delaney says. "Hwuen isn't a Federation member world. There may be others."
Graham can't help but start to pace. "Well sir," he replies, "in successful investigations each step as much as possible is based on a plan for manipulating the environment to move the investigation forward--or at the least not derailing it."
He rubs his chin, trying to think of a good illustrative example that will get the team--especially Kylah--focused on problem-solving rather than taking disagreement personally. "For example, if we're worried about our perp getting off-planet before we have any basis to detain them, right now we have the fact that he or she knows an abrupt departure would draw attention and look suspicious. Once we imply there's a murderer wandering the resort--well, just like that"--he snaps his fingers--"they could be just one of a hundred guests rushing for the exits. Before we risk triggering that scenario we need a plan for it."
"It is worth gaming out as a team our next steps based on how we want to shape the environment and how we'd expect the murderer or other persons of interest to react." He glances at Kylah, nodding a little. "Including whether there's reason to believe another staff member might be a target." He clears his throat, expecting this will earn him a lecture later from Rangin. "Even then, of course, we'd want to weigh how valuable someone is as bait versus trying to zero out any risk."
He resumes his place by his chair and shrugs slightly, glancing briefly at Collins. "As you've heard, sir, you caught us ahead of our, ah, consensus building exercise. At the moment, as the L-...ah, Lt. Collins said, our operating theory is that this was a targeted killing. I don't see a reason to make any dramatic changes."
Kylah would almost laugh at some of the absurdities both Graham and Collins have just spoken if she dared--or if she weren't so dismayed by Velir's own words. His judgment of her, if genuine, is so inaccurate she can hardly believe this is the same man who seemed to understand her so implicitly less than an hour ago. Even if he merely used this as a tactic to soothe ruffled feathers, his willful misinterpretation of her motivations to Vargas as a sop to Collins's vanity is hurtful--however unintentionally.
She keeps herself as still as a stone and none of this shows on her face. "Thank you for giving my suggestions due consideration, and educating me on how a criminal investigation is properly done," she says humbly. "My ignorance is likely due to my background. I was taught from an early age that fear and mistrust are actually enhanced when the truth is withheld; that those who desire chaos easily create it by spreading lies or rumors however they wish. But that may simply be how things are on Elas. A killer from the Federation may not have such machinations in mind."
She cannot turn to Velir, but she must speak to his comments. "I do wish to say that while I do not wish to disagree with Ensign Rangin, diplomacy is not at all what concerns me. Although, Commander, if it is your belief that the mission is better served with me in the capacity Mr. Rangin suggests rather than interviews, I will of course follow your orders." Though I hope you are prepared for the inevitable lawsuits and outrage once Graham and Collins are unleashed without anyone to prevent or smooth over their numerous gaffes and insults--or outright assaults, in Graham's case.
"But until now I have not been thinking of diplomatic matters in the slightest. If I had, I would be in favor of agreeing to WR&R's self-interested wish for silence. Withholding life-or-death information is the best weapon of corporate attorneys, diplomats and dictators. To the contrary, I fear my problem is that I still think too much like a civillian. I care most about protecting lives, even if that comes at the expense of letting a killer escape."
If Kylah possesses one sole talent, it is keeping her voice and manner neutral and respectful despite her distaste for those around her. Thanks to a decade under her uncle's thumb, she has honed this skill like an expert--even though she does not always choose to use it. However, she does so now. "Sir, I know it is proper behavior for a Starfleet officer to let the words of my seniors in age and experience ease my concerns. But I have not yet learned how, and thus I remain afraid for the innocents on this planet. I lack Mr. Graham's confidence that the killer will not think to take advantage of our silence by spreading his or her own rumors. And I also lack Lt. Collins's assurance that the wisest course of action is to obey the request of a corporation wishing desperately to keep its financial interests intact--a request made to us by Mr. Hsu, whose wife was apparently having an affair with the murder victim." Surely, surely Vargas will see the absurdity of this woman's decisions!
"Finally, their ability to assume the best-case scenario--that no one else is in the slightest danger from this killer--and their willingness to stake others' lives on that assumption... no, I am not yet enough of an officer to be that brave. It frightens me."
Even as the words fall from her lips, she cannot believe such things are truly being considered. Starfleet's alleged best and brightest, making such choices. She cannot even give voice to her reactions toward Mr. Graham's contemptuous idea of using someone as bait. The very thought makes her shudder, especially after the things Collins said to her yesterday. Is treating people like lures the preferred strategy of every security officer? She did not realize Starfleet was full of officers worthy of Romulans at their most manipulative.
Worse: they might as well be her Guardian.
Last edited by choie; 17 Mar 2014 at 03:49 PM.
Graham frowns. "Withholding life-or-death information..." what the hell is she talking about? he thinks, more genuinely confused than annoyed.
"I, ah, I'm not sure I understand, Mr. Kylah," Graham asks, trying to keep his tone as gentle as possible. "We've disclosed the nature of our investigation to those people we've interviewed so far." He looks at Collins and Vargas briefly as he says this. He spreads his hands and makes an effort to glance around at everybody rather than putting Kylah on the spot. "The clock is ticking until everyone will be able to freely act as if the murder is public knowledge--because it will be, almost certainly within the day."
He pauses. "Let me approach this a different way--if you don't mind, sir," he says to Vargas. "A question for the whole team. Is there anyone we should interview, or any actions you feel we should take, prior to the murder becoming public knowledge, whether we like it or not, let's assume sometime today? Or--if you believe we should make a public statement immediately, how would we craft the statement to shape the environment to our advantage?"
Last edited by general_urko; 17 Mar 2014 at 04:27 PM. Reason: added acknowledging Vargas
"Yes, Mr. Graham," Kylah says, a wave of spiritual and physical weariness threatening to overtake her. When did she last get any rest? She cannot remember. "The news that there has been a murder will indeed eventually get out one way or another; that is what I have been saying. It is how it gets out that is in our power. Either half-truths and chaos will result as it spreads in a disorganized and uncontrolled fashion, or--if we act quickly and carefully enough--we will be in control of how this news disseminates.
"We might draft an announcement that explains the situation, acknowledges that there is a killer at large, and gives our best secommendations for maintaining their safety--what those recommendations or even requirements would be, I cannot presume to guess as that is not my specialty; remaining in groups, keeping to their rooms, avoiding staying out at night, that sort of thing. And we could also assure the guests and staff that Starfleet and resort security have been enhanced to protect them to our greatest abilities. Assuming that we will, indeed, beef up security," she adds with only a hint of acerbity. "If the status quo is maintained, as suggested earlier, it would be irresponsible to pretend we are doing all we can."
Her hand slowly lowers to the table, surreptitiously clutching the edge and leaning against it for support. Kylah glances over to Delaney, then back to the viewscreen. "I am sorry, Commander. I know I am saying far more than I should. Lt. Delaney and Lt. Collins have not had a chance to report, and as there are yet some aspects of the investigation that have not been mentioned, I am sure the others will wish to address them."
Last edited by choie; 17 Mar 2014 at 08:50 PM.
Graham mentally cringes, wondering if Vargas will offer to beam down crayons and finger paint so the team can continue its work.
Now he's pissed--not at Kylah (or anyone else on the team) but at himself.
Clearly Collins has been struggling with pulling the team together--but how did you start this mission, Booker? Not just oblivious to it, but affirmatively making things worse.
The knot of anger makes his head ache as he mulls over how the hell to make things better.
Vargas says, "Again, no apology is necessary, Mr. Kylah, but I'm sure we all have solving this crime and protecting innocent people on OC3 as priorities. I also think that, as a Communications officer, your talents would be best used in interviewing suspects and witnesses. You agree, Mr. Collins?"
There is the slightest possible pause before Collins says, "Yes, sir."
"Very well. Mr. Delaney, we haven't heard from you yet. Your report, please."
Delaney reports on what he's found as to Wilson's secret safe and various scans, and concludes by saying, "I'd like to check the resort's transporter and to get that safe open. Those are at the top of my list for now."
Vargas nods. "Agreed. Mr. Collins, Mr. Kylah, liase with WR&R staff as to how the news of Mr. Wilson's death should be announced. But first, Mr. Collins, I'd like to talk to you privately, please. Call me on your communicator. Yorktown out." He cuts the connection.
Collins looks uncomfortable as she picks up her communicator and leaves the room. She says, "Keep discussing the situation, everyone. I'd like an action plan when I return. Mr. Rangin has made a good start on one."
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 18 Mar 2014 at 02:58 PM.
Graham frowns slightly as Collins leaves. That can't be a good sign, he thinks. He lets out a deep breath. But I might as well give changing up the dynamics in here a shot...
He clears his throat and nods to Kylah. "Good suggestion on that Palver character." Then he spreads his hands briefly and very lightly claps them together. "Well, so, Rangin, what have you got?" he tries to say in as positive a tone as he can manage.
Collins sighs deeply before opening her communicator. "Collins to Vargas. I am alone now."
It seems to take an eternity for Collins to leave and the door shut behind her. During this interval, Kylah's mind dimly contemplates what Vargas wishes to say in private--right now it would be no surprise if Collins received a field promotion, so miniscule is Kylah's opinion of Starfleet decisions.
She does give the man credit for keeping her involved in the interviews, but as he said, that is simply due to her role as a Communications officer. Not because he is aware of her actual contributions to the mission. He will likely never hear of them.
Once the door closes at last, Kylah's trembling hand lets go of the table and she sinks, or rather nearly collapses, back into her chair. She says nothing and looks at nobody. There is no anger, no stubbornness; just fatigue and a dim sense of anxiety.
Graham says something. Oh, Palver. A verbal pat on her head. Then he addresses Rangin. Kylah knows she should be proud that Collins praised Rangin, that Graham seems to defer to him. But even that is beyond her.
Last edited by choie; 18 Mar 2014 at 03:51 PM. Reason: Everyone ninja'ed me.
Having said his piece, Rangin leans back to listen to the others. Then he hears Graham describing it more as a game or a situation than a murder enquiry and then using someone as bait, well how could he expect less of him now. No doubt Graham would find a way.
If Rangin thought that his idea for Kylah would be well received, then her response to his suggestion clearly shows him how wrong he is. It's not what she says, but how she says it that makes him think he would have been better off saying nothing at all. When referring to diplomacy he was thinking of the best way to inform people as to what had happened, not to hide it. It appears that Kylah had thought he was thinking otherwise. Did she honestly think, he would want it to be kept secret. By lunchtime just about everyone in the resort would know about it, whether they liked it or not.
Then Graham asks what we should be doing. Seriously, Graham asking us. He's the expert. Not even asking how we catch a killer, but how can we shape the environment, could he be any less removed from what had happened, from the picture of Mr Wilson at the head of the table, that Graham himself put there.
Then Kylah comes out with the precise point that Rangin was trying to make earlier, he would have to ask her later on why she was upset. Perhaps it had been the way he had worded it. He sighs while Lt. Delaney gives his report and Lt. Collins is then summoned to a private call. Who knew how that was going to go.
What catches Rangin unawares is Lt. Collins asking for an action plan and that he had started on one. The few scribbles on the piece of paper an action plan. The piece of paper Collins had been holding as the meeting had started and had not been returned. That piece of paper... he realises everyone is looking at him and he tries to remember what he had written.
Once Lt. Collins has left, he begins.
"You know, I'd hardly call a few scribbles an action plan. I'll try not to speak for anyone," Rangin looks straight across at Kylah, "and if I do, I apologise," before looking round at the other, "I'll just list the few points I had, though I'm sure everyone here has probably thought along the same lines."
Rangin takes a deep breath again. "First off: Suspects. Who do we have in mind, why do we have them in mind, have they been interviewed, who should interview those we haven't. I had Mr and Mrs Hsu and Lord Falstofe as three we should definitely speak to sooner rather than later. Perhaps Dr Halsey, should be included as well", he adds with a nod to Dr T'Var.
Rangin's fingers trace over the pad indentations.
"Next, information. Who else can we ask, what else can we ask for. What else would the staff know, can they provide alibis for any of the guests, did they see Mr Wilson after 11:30. Are there any other sources of information we can use like the teleporters", with a nod to Delaney, "any extra spore introduction." with a nod to Kylah. "Then once we have a list, how do we split it up, who would like to do what, which tasks bests suit which people."
Rangin looks straight across at Graham. "As for bait, the only people who should be in that situation should be those willing to accept the risk. Perhaps we should let the resort know that Ensign Graham, master detective is on the case and then see who tries to stop you. Interested?" he says with a grim face.
Rangin then looks at the cup on the desk in front of him, "and finally the most important part of any meeting, while we sort this out. More coffee."
He heads across to the tray for a refill. Rangin calls back over his shoulder, "Anyone else want anything, while I'm here." His face is turned away as he tries not to wonder what the others must be thinking behind his back. Probably something unpleasant, especially where Graham and Kylah were concerned. Graham he could handle. Kylah, he could, but only by being utmostly professional, and he had no idea how she would take that, not to mention it was unfair on her. This wasn't going to be a pleasant meeting.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
After wrestling down his anger and forcing himself to adopt as positive an attitude as he could, he's more shocked than anything else when Rangin suddenly gives him attitude and then the cold shoulder.
He glances around at Delaney and T'Var, wondering what they think about this, and rubs his head. "Look, it would be just peachy if we could deal with murderers--and slavers, and rapists and more--by inviting them to bond with us around drum circle and hugging it all out at the end, but that's not how the universe works" he says, as much to the room as to Rangin's back. "Lots of people volunteer to get wired and step into dangerous places. And sometimes..."
He watches the sheet fall over the woman's face. She was eighteen. Elizabeth's age. Number seven. Number four since they knew for damned sure who was doing this.
But there aren't enough of us to watch every potential victim, and he has too much money to hire too many lawyers and enough tech to keep slipping our surveillance nets.
So how many do we let it get to? Eight? Ten? Twenty? A thousand? Exhaustion makes him weave and almost fall. Every second you spend asleep, or eating, or taking a crap is one tick of the clock less in another girl's life...until...unless you can stop this...
"Sometimes...you...can't..." his voice cracks, and then trails off. He clears his throat. "Ah, forget it," he says gruffly. "I agree with Rangin's list of suspects. Mrs. Hsu I think is especially important." At this point he's looking at the table, trying to compose himself and get back to the present moment.
He clears his throat again and looks at Kylah. "And I'm not trying to crap on your idea about making some kind of statement. What...I'm trying to say that if we were to 'explain the situation,' the truth is that 'investigators do not believe it was a random act.' Well, ah--at least Collins and I don't, I guess. Making it sound like a modern day Jack the Ripper is on the loose...yeah, I don't see it helping our investigation." He shakes his head and gets his voice back to normal, and again tries to sound as encouraging and supportive as he can. "But I don't see it helping guests either, on balance. People can do stupid things when they panic. My position...my suggestion...is that we try hard to avoid that."
He shrugs and manages a smile, glancing toward Rangin. "But then it's not my call at the end of the day, is it? So you should, \you know, keep feeling free to tell me how wrong I am." He turns back to Kylah and lowers his voice. "Uh, like I said on the ship, I don't bite."
Delaney says, "I'll have another jelly donut, if there're any left. Thanks."
Dr. T'Var says, "Nothing for me, thank you. Your plan sounds like a good one to me, all in all, Mr. Rangin. Of course we need to flesh it out a bit more. I confess I am very uncomfortable with the concept of using anyone as 'bait,' however. We should be able to solve this mystery and find Mr. Wilson's killer using logic and the investigative tools and methods at our disposal, not by endangering anyone, even under controlled conditions."
In the hallway, which is otherwise empty, Collins reaches Vargas by communicator. He says, "I wanted to give you the chance to report outside of the presence of the rest of your landing party, Lieutenant. Are you satisfied with how the landing party is working together? Is the investigation going as you think it should? Do you need any additional resources from the ship? Is there anything else we haven't discussed that you wish to bring to my attention?" He waits for her answer between each question.
Collins sighs again and answers each of Vargas' questions "Given that we're all, save Doctor T'Var, pretty green, we're working together ... uh. that's it. We're working together. There are definitely personality conflicts but I suppose that's normal in any group of people just thrown together.
"I cannot answer that as I've never conducted a murder investigation before. But I do think we're moving in the right direction.
"Some additional security personnel, specifically those with investigative experience, would be nice. One or two could accompany the team member conducting the rest of the interviews and be a sounding board; and maybe a few more so that we're in teams of three or four, not just one or two.
"I know this isn't the time or place, but I would like to request a change of quarters, or at least a change of bunkmate." This last answer is given quietly, and in a voice ready to break.
Kylah listens to everyone carefully with various emotions fighting through her exhaustion, although only Delaney's comment gets a visible reaction from her--she has to smile slightly at the man's devotion to his stomach.
But it now worries her that Graham and Rangin are almost as badly at odds with one another as she is with... well, almost everyone she meets, it seems. Kylah knows her own conflicts are too multitudinous to blame on anyone else, but Velir Rangin is a natural peacemaker and Booker Graham is...
She does not know. She gets such conflicting senses from him. Perhaps he is like her: at war with himself. There is obviously a part of him that wants to get along--the attempts at bonhomie, clumsy as they often are, do not feel insincere. A big difference between him and Collins.
Kylah shakes her head infinitesimally while still looking down at her hands. She whispers almost prayerfully to herself, "Why cannot the past day be erased?"
Taking a deep inhale to clear her foggy mind, she tries to regain enough energy to be heard. "At the risk of sounding like the biggest hypocrite on the planet, I do not think it is helpful to debate against caricatures of each other's arguments," she murmurs. "We talk at cross-purposes when we do so. I am quite sure Mr. Rangin is not the insipid naif regarding criminals you just depicted, Mr. Graham. He is from Coridan. Just as your background should be respected, so should his. And if you were including me as well in that remark about how to treat murderers and rapists..." Her strength wavers at the last word, but she quickly continues: "Then I shall also say that despite my youth, I... I know evil, as well. I desire it to be punished as much as you."
She finally lifts her head to look at the man who kissed her hand so recently. "Velir," she says, unable to address him in any other way right now. "As much as I disagree with some of Mr. Graham's... methods... I believe he is not the despotic thug that you--and I--fear. At least I hope he is not," she finishes softly, and this time looks at Graham. "I did not think you referred to volunteers when you brought up 'bait,' Mr. Graham. It sounded as if you were recommending setting someone up to be in such a position unknowingly. A volunteer is a different matter.
"To return to the agenda, we are all in agreement that if nothing else, the affair between Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Hsu must be either proven or eliminated as a motive for his death. I worry that we might be distracted by its simplicity. Maybe the distraction is even purposeful... I almost feel... there is just something not quite right here." Kylah frowns when she again stares down at the table. "It fell in our laps so easily. As if we are the ones being baited."
She shrugs, not quite able to put the pieces together in any articulate manner. "So we must first confirm the affair with Mrs. Hsu, and if it turns out to be true, somehow learn whether Mr. Hsu knew about it. Talking to Mrs. Hsu will require an extraordinary amount of delicacy. A confrontational demeanor would be disastrous. We have only some hairs and the messages on the communicator as evidence, and I am not even certain how--"
The words she has spoken seem to crash in her mind. Kylah stops for a moment, frozen in thought. And then she inhales again.
"No. I do have an idea," she says, tense as she straightens in her chair. "The communicator. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hsu were witnesses last night--this morning, I suppose--when I found it, as well as when I expressed my wish to access its information. But... they do not yet know I have done so. Nor do not know I have revealed its contents to anyone."
Her finger absently describes a circle on the table as she considers. "This can be used differently with each of them. With Mrs. Hsu, what if I were to speak to her alone, and very discreetly--with every wish to prevent her embarrassment--mention that I have decrypted Mr. Wilson's communicator and heard her messages. I could ask her if there is anything she wishes to tell me. I would promise her that whatever she says need not be made public if it is not relevant to the crime. Something I do indeed believe. If they had an affair but it was no motive for Mr. Wilson's death, there is no reason to reveal it and thus harm her marriage or, more importantly, Mr. Wilson's family. If I am gentle enough she may open up to me, as a woman to another."
She pauses. "With Mr. Hsu, I would treat him differently. To him, I would not reveal the contents of the messages. I would tell him I had heard them, that no one else knows of them. And I would gauge his reaction carefully. You may not believe it, Mr. Graham, but when I put my mind to it, I am... I am very good at reading people," she says with a brief glance at T'Var.
"The rest would depend on him. If he is genuinely confused or curious, I would refrain from revealing anything incriminating regarding his wife. If he becomes defensive, if he seems to know what I am referring to... I could offer to keep silent. In return for some sort of compesnation, perhaps; I am known to have spent money around the resort, and such expenses require credits. He will agree or will not, he might be outraged.
"Either way, I have now informed two suspects that i have potentially incriminating evidence that no one else has. How they react to this knowledge is up to them."
Kylah finally pauses, then returns her even gaze to the security officer, aware of the irony of what she is saying. "In short, Mr. Graham," she says with a fleeting, wan smile, "I will volunteer to be your bait."
Last edited by choie; 19 Mar 2014 at 03:27 PM.
He can't help it but having heard Graham, Rangin takes a deep breath, then a second. Did Graham really consider him that naive, a Coridanite, one of the most corrupt planets in the Federation with the easiest route to the underworld. As far as Rangin weas concerned the only place rapists and slavers belonged was at the bottom of a Dilithium mine, dead or alive, not sat around a campfire singing happy songs of redemption. A cynical smile on his face, Rangin turns around from the table with a chuckle, a coffee and a jelly donut prepared to let Graham know exactly what he thought of him only to listen to Kylah, before nodding his head ruefully as her words sink in.
"Kylah, you are quite correct and we should be working together, not against each other." He looks across at her, grateful for her presence and current calm demeanour. Who knew how she was managing to keep it.
He takes a deep breath before continuing. "Sir, your donut." Rangin passes it across to Lt. Delaney, before sitting down with his coffee. "Ok, let's try this again."
"Kylah, one half of me applauds your audacity in thinking of this, the other half considers it foolhardy and unnecessary and the details could come out in an interview anyway. Mr Graham, you're the expert, what's your opinion?"
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
"Yeah, well," Graham replies to Rangin, "it's probably fair to say I've probably given you and others here reason to doubt my expertise." He takes and exhales a deep breath.
"I don't like this idea, not one bit. Because--honest--" he says, crossing his heart exaggeratedly with a glance and a good-natured shrug toward Rangin "I really don't like to see people potentially in harm's way."
He turns back to Kylah. "But the fact is, it's a good idea, a pretty damn good idea, from the standpoint of moving this investigation forward."
He rubs his chin and then nods toward Kylah before glancing around at the others. "It uses every bit of leverage we've got, plus it dangles a couple other goodies...maybe some coin, maybe being able to confide in a...ah, more approachable person than some of us."
He pauses a moment. "But last night..." he starts to point pretty aggressively at Kylah, which he realizes is ironic because he's mostly mad at himself--yes, you'd look like a nut case jabbing your chest with your own finger, he thinks, then realizes what he's doing and lowers his hand. He clears his throat. "Ah, last night was not...we were not buttoned up." He shakes his head and adds quickly, "That is not directed at you, Mr. Kylah," he says with emphasis. "It's my--it's about how well we were operating as a team to have your back. Anybody's back when we're supposed to be ensuring that we stay in control of a situation."
He starts to pace. "Like I said before, people do stupid things when they panic. If they are involved and Kylah wheedles some information loose, we know for sure Mr. Hsu is armed. No reason why the missus wouldn't be too."
He claps his hands at his sides. "Well, I hope somebody else objects," he says, glancing around at T'Var and Delaney, then turning back to Kylah. "Or you change your mind...but, yeah, if you want my professional opinion, it's a clever play."
He stops pacing next to Rangin. "Look, sorry for the sarcasm before." He raises his hands like a a gesture of surrender, smiles and shrugs. "Uh, do you, you know, ah, want to hug it out or anything?"
Last edited by general_urko; 19 Mar 2014 at 05:17 PM. Reason: typos
Seeing Velir look at her directly gives Kylah a much-needed reminder of... Of what it means for someone to care for her. He is appropriately professional as always, he is tired--they all are, even if they had a few more hours of sleep than she did, it was still far from a good night's rest--and he is frustrated. But Velir Rangin cares. Her heart quickens in astonishment that such a man could feel this way. Only because he knows so little about you, she thinks darkly. But even that darkness isn't enough to extinguish the flicker of hope.
His objection to her plan does not bother her. She would expect it of him. Indeed, she would likely be disappointed if he were sanguine about the idea. But she cannot believe she is in any danger, except her reputation. After all, if Mr. Hsu truly behaves in such a way that leads her to the idea of suppressing the data, she will be considered a blackmailer. Still, by now, Kylah's reputation is of less and less significance. How much worse can it get, unless she murders someone herself?
Then Graham begins, and he is positive, and for once she is proud of having someone acknowledge that she is a benefit to this mission, that one of her ideas might truly assist in some way. And then he mentions last night. Of course he would. Anyone would. The blood drains from her face. She feels sick.
"That was... that was different. Last night was... This time there will be no personal--" Kylah cringes inwardly. She knows she's making no sense. How can she bring up why last night was different, without bringing up her allowing herself to get influenced by the spores, by Jan's desire? Or inadvertently revealing exactly what happened in that hotel room? Then again, what is the point? Graham clearly knows that she and Jan... T'Var certainly implied it too. So does Velir, of course, the only one who knows it as a fact. Yes, they must all know, it is a fantasy to think they do not. They do not know why, but that is irrelevant. All the whys are mere excuses for her own stupid, shameless behavior.
She tries to keep from embarrassing herself and imagines how T'Var would behave. Logic. Lack of emotion. "Mr. Graham. Last night there was no murder. No danger." Except...except... "What you seem to consider chaos was, if you will forgive me, an overreaction due to mere miscommunication. There was no need for anyone to have my back. It was at its heart a social dinner, however it began." Or ended. Bile is rising and she has to swallow. I have spoken to Aldaan and my parents and the Council and Klingons and I have shown nothing. I can do this now. "What I propose now is a different matter entirely, and if agreed-upon we will plan accordingly. At any rate, I do not believe there is any real risk. Not just because I have no doubt in the crew's ability to 'protect' me, but also because I do not believe this affair is the motive for the murder. This was a pre-meditated crime, hardly a crime of passion. I doubt anything will happen. And even if it does, not only will my team members be around, I will be on my guard as well."
At this, she stops. Any more and she risks breaking down.
Last edited by choie; 19 Mar 2014 at 06:03 PM.
Delaney munches his donut and thoughtfully looks up at the ceiling. "Something like that could work, Mr. Kylah," he says. "Yes. That's probably just about the right way to handle the Hsus."
Kylah glances at Dr. T'Var and sees her nod encouragingly.
Vargas says, "I know that this is not work you are accustomed to, but a good Starfleet officer is flexible, innovative, and learns to make do. I could certainly beam down more Security personnel, but we have none with previous homicide investigative experience; I already checked. Are you thinking maybe four to six more officers? And do you have anyone in particular in mind?" There is a long pause when she mentions changing cabinmates. He coolly replies, "You are correct, Mr. Collins; that is more than a little off the subject. Please focus on your mission, and discuss that with the Quartermaster when you return. Anything further?"
"Four should do it, Sir" Collins replies "Whomever is available is fine, thank you.
"Yes Sir. Understood." she concedes "and thank you. Collins out."
Once the conversation is done, Collins takes a moment before going back inside. She leans her back against the wall and closes her eyes. Stupid idiot. she chastises herself. After a few minutes, she rejoins the group, listens for a pause in the current conversation, then says "Okay. Let's hear it." as she sits at the table.
Kylah is so surprised by the approval of her plan by Delaney and T'Var--particularly T'Var--that she does not hear the opening door. Even as T'Var nods, Kylah remembers Velir does not approve, and that makes her turn toward him, hoping she might have convinced him as well. No; that is not really true. She wants his own genuine opinion, positive or negative. She respects his intelligence and good sense far too much to want anything less.
At the sound of Collins's voice, Kylah winces and sends a last look toward Velir before forcing her gaze away--but to Graham, not Collins. She thinks instinctively: Whatever he says, and especially whatever she says in return... I must not say a word.
It does take a great deal of will power not to gauge Collins's emotions. Yet even though Collins will never know, Kylah refrains. It is a small victory, but Kylah will take whatever she can get.
Last edited by choie; 20 Mar 2014 at 12:53 AM.
To Graham after he asks about hugging, "You know, a handshake will suffice", Rangin comments holding out a hand. "Of course, coming from Coridan, you might want to count your fingers afterwards." Rangin wonders if Graham will get the joke. If he was any kind of policeman, he should.
As Collins comes in and sits down, not looking the greatest and asks for an update, Rangin responds. He isn't going to shoot down Kylah's plan in front of Collins, but he still has concerns about it.
"Sir, we have been discussing the best way to remove the possibility of Mr Wilson's murder being a crime of passion. Mr Kylah has come up with a good working solution to determine Mr and Mrs Hsu's guilt or otherwise about it. The first part is sensible. As we have cracked the security on Mr Wilson's communicator and Mrs Hsu is unaware of this, Mr Kylah will talk to her discreetly with these facts to find out what she knows. It is more likely that she will open up in this way and it should be easy enough to have someone close at hand to assist if required. It would be interesting to know if she knew of other affairs Mr Wilson had."
"The second part still requires a little more work to find out what Mr Hsu knows. For starters, he knows we have cracked the security on the communicator as Lt. Delaney was running through it in his presence in Mr Wilson's suite. If he knows of the affair, then he does not know of the method of communication. It was suggested that someone approach him with knowledge of the messages to gauge his response."
He looks round the rest of the team, "I wish to propose a slightly different tack to the suggestion of approaching Mr Hsu discretely with knowledge of the messages. My preference would be to use the fact that we have found extra fingerprints and DNA in Mr Wilson's bedroom to gauge his reaction without mentioning that we found his wife's hair there, something he does not know about. With this as an opening, I believe he might be easier to read. It would also reduce any risk as we are not outright confronting him about his wife, but judging his reaction about Mr Wilson's affairs. As Mr Kylah pointed out, if he shows curiousity, he is unlikely to be aware, if he shows guilt or anger, then we should be more suspicious. It is just an option though and regardless we should still have someone on hand to assist. Mr Kylah has volunteered to be the person to talk to him and I agree with the rest of the team that she is probably the best person to do so."
Rangin stops and thinks. "Of course, we should still ask them for an alibi on the general ground that everyone is a suspect, but I'm betting they spent last night together."
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
"Regarding the missus, I agree," Collins says flatly. "Regarding the mister, both approaches are valid, but in the interest of expediency, I suggest we go with Mr Kylah's plan. We should wait a bit. The Yorktown is sending us a few more personnel. That way, we'll be sure each team has back up. Have we decided who will work with whom?"
"Not to worry," Graham says, chuckling as he shakes Rangin's hand. "Like any upstanding security man on Coridan, just slip me a few credits and I wouldn't notice a thing."
Graham winces a little when Collins comes back in as her demeanor seems to confirm his worry that the conversation with Vargas was not going to be a pleasant one. He decides it's obvious he should ask if there's anything he can privately rather than in front of the group. It's more of a judgment call but he decides to keep his mouth shut as Rangin starts giving her an update: I'd get his and my half-life from rapprochement to argument down to seconds by somehow saying something that sets him off now, he thinks. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.
As she vowed, Kylah remains silent until the others who wish to add their thoughts. Velir's considered response is expected, but not Collins's terse agreement--Kylah didn't even realize Collins knew her plan; she must have heard more than Kylah realized. While Rangin speaks, Kylah pays close attention to his points and digests them.
But after Collins was so quick to override Rangin's recommendation, Kylah is not only surprised, she is also less sure of herself. Yes, I am that contrary, she realizes wryly. If Collins agrees with me, something must be wrong. However, she does not want to be the one to break the unbelievably tentative detente, so she contemplates her words even more carefully than usual.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," she says, politely neutral, before turning to Velir. "I do think Mr. Rangin makes a very good point. I was not aware that Mr. Hsu saw Lt. Delaney with the communicator. That does change things. And we do have the DNA and fingerprints, so perhaps..." She hesitates. Her brain is really not working as quickly as it should. "Well... wait, I may be forgetting some information. Do we have DNA evidence of Mrs. Hsu in Mr. Wilson's bed? Have we decisively identified the hairs as hers? Red hair is hardly unique, one might as well say it is Lt. Coll--" Kylah's eyes widen and she quickly casts an embarrassed look at Collins. "I am sorry, it was just an example." Her gaze makes a hasty shift to first Delaney, then Velir. "Or was there some other DNA evidence that was linked to her?"
Even these questions only raise more doubt. "I just... something feels so off about this. So convenient. Does it not seem... Did you not say that you found fingerprints of cleaning staff? Why were there hairs and--and other evidence--on the sheets and bathroom? Of course the cleaners would not have been in yet today, and at any rate, Mr. Wilson and...whoever he was with...were unlikely to have been together last night. But if it has been more than a day since they were together, why is the evidence still there? This is a premium resort, the cleaners must work every morning. And if one is really having an affair, there would be--" Do not blush, please do not blush! "--There would be good reason to change the sheets, at the very least."
She turns back to focus on her hands, unable to face Velir. Her stomach is roiling. Until last night she had no real concept of just how... how much one expended during sexual intercourse. She remembers how her body felt afterward, once Jan left the bed and she was alone, the spores wearing off, only then aware of just how sweaty and sore and sticky and filthy she was...
Stop.
"I believe it is an anomaly worth thinking about," she says hoarsely, desperate to get back to the present. "In--in any event, as I think of it, if we just have hair and fingerprints, this is not quite enough. There is, what is the phrase... plausible deniability. Mrs. Hsu is a friend and close associate. She--or her husband, if he knows of it--could say that she sat on the bed, she used the bathroom, at any time. What cannot be denied is Mrs. Hsu's voice. Her words to him. Her tone."
Kylah's tired eyes light up for an instant when a thought occurs to her. "And there is a way we can use that, even though he knows I decrypted Mr. Wilson's password. I am sure Lt. Delaney did not mention the messages, did you?" She looks at him expectantly. "Even if you did, I could--I could say I did not reveal those specific messages. I will indeed sound like a disgrace of an officer, but that is something he should report to you, if he is truly without guile.
"We must be honest: the truth is, should he get angry and defensive, even if he knew of the affair, that is not proof of the murder. It does help us hone more closely in on him, but it does not provide proof. If he goes through with a blackmail scheme, on the other hand... or if he even makes an attempt to retrieve the communicator, or better yet--" Better yet? What is she hoping for, exactly? "Well, it will at least give us more insight into his character. I repeat that I do not really expect anything other than either embarrassment or simple curiosity or even... if we are being purposely led down this path... satisfaction."
She inhales, then exhales heavily. "But again, I do think Mr. Rangin's prudence is wise. I believe I would only mention the communicator after I carefully bring up the other evidence, as he suggests. I may not need to go any further. I do not wish to be hurtful." Finally she looks at Graham. "To answer Lt. Collins's question, what is your best advice on how to proceed, si-- Mr. Graham?" Why can she not stop calling him sir? His age, his experience, his imposing presence? The violent side that frightens her? Or all of the above?
"Different people will respond in different ways," Dr. T'Var observes, "if they find themselves in an uncomfortable or distasteful situation. The response of any suspect will not necessarily be as we expect it, and even if it is, it will not perhaps be as revealing as we might hope."
Delaney shakes his head and answers Kylah's question. "No, I didn't mention the messages to them. As far as I know, neither Hsu is aware that we know of Mrs. Hsu's message on Wilson's communicator."
"Okay then," Collins decides "So let's review who is doing what on which team. Mr Rangin, has that been worked out yet?"
"Before anyone gets any ideas, I've seen the hairs from the bedroom and the only matching redhead I've seen is Mrs Hsu." Rangin thinks it better to interject before someone else says anything. "We also don't know how often Mr Wilson had his suite cleaned, whether once a day, once a week or otherwise. There were some of Mrs Hsu's fingerprints in the bathroom as well as two other DNA samples to be identified, one set of which is likely to belong to Mrs Hsu."
Rangin turns to face Kylah, "If you are going through with this, who do you want as your backup?"
Turning back to Lt. Collins, "That detail hasn't been worked out. I believe Mr Delaney has already stated his preference for checking out the teleporter, Dr T'Var was to talk to Dr Halsey. There is the interview with Lord Falstofe to sort out as well as fact gathering from the staff which has yet to be assigned. I do not believe you, sir, myself and Mr Graham have yet to have any tasks assigned, depending on how we team up. I would personally prefer to team with Ensign Kylah, but I believe we would all like to around to assist in case of trouble." Rangin smiles across at her, "However, I am aware that we have a multitude of tasks to complete and that needs to be arranged."
"Does anyone have any preferences?" Rangin asks around the table.
Last edited by CatInASuit; 20 Mar 2014 at 04:51 PM. Reason: added dna evidence
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Kylah wants to smile at Velir for... well, for everything he has said. She merely gazes warmly at him, not wishing to reveal anything to the others. His comment about the hair--well, he is a man, and hair color is likely not the first thing he notices about women. Indeed this may be the most typically male thing she has ever heard him say.
"With dozens of staff members and two hundred guests--not to mention those at the research lab--I cannot believe we have identified all the redheads on OCIII," she murmurs with a raised eyebrow, interjecting some levity. "I would hate to attempt to implicate Mrs. Hsu based on something that a woman can change in fifteen minutes at the resort's salon."
She switches her focus to the others. "I think perhaps before I enter into mild intrigue with the Hsus, it would be best to conclude as many of the prime interviews today as we can--Commander Vargas did express that wish. Particularly Lord Fastolfe, of course, as we know. But also Rosemary Calvin. The latter may seem an odd choice, but anyone who was in the induction room and viewed the knife attack should be of interest. I would also suggest Mr. Khövsgöl, the staff member who accompanied us. Also... I hesitate to bring this up, but there are also Vice Admiral and his aide. Purely for completion's sake. Really, it probably would be prudent for us to meet with them to keep them informed if merely out of respect. Most likely Lt. Collins and Mr. Graham, and perhaps Dr. T'Var since the Vice Admiral is here for his health, are the best for that discussion?"
Kylah keeps her tone as even as possible, but she genuinely believes both the Vice Admiral and his aide merit more investigation. She still thinks their entire presence here is baffling. It seems an extraordinary conflict of interest to have the man ultimately responsible for Starfleet contracts staying at a resort hoping to gain his favor. All while he's under the blissful influence of spores. And now that others connected to competing interests are here as well? Both interviews she has conducted today uncovered investors. Who knows how many others are here?
Yes, untoward would be the most generous way she'd describe such a decision.
Moving on, she continues. "To return to the Hsus, perhaps the talks with them should be delayed until after the working day is over, although I might be able to arrange it when Lt. Collins and I discuss the announcement with them, as Commander Vargas wished. No doubt they are extraordinarily busy anyway. I will defer to Mr. Graham regarding whom to join me as backup, as he expressed his concern regarding--regarding the security issue." She moves quickly on at the awkwardness, and then must choose how to phrase her next thought. The simplest way is best, and so: "Whomever he chooses, I am most grateful that you would wish to volunteer, Mr. Rangin."
She turns and holds his gaze for a moment, wishing he were an empath or telepath himself and could know the depth of her own feeling. She dearly wants to be by his side, just walking, just talking, just working together. Anything at all.
But then thinking of security reminds her. "Oh! There was something that I do not believe we mentioned to Commander Vargas--although perhaps you did, sir," she says to Collins belatedly. "The matter of the security video. I have forgotten, how is that suspicious missing--and added--footage being tracked, again?"
Last edited by choie; 20 Mar 2014 at 05:19 PM.
Graham can't help but be amused by the fact that the whole group seems to have flipped from being at each others' throats to being overly solicitous of everyone's preferences for who-works-with-who.
"Well, look, not to step on anyone's toes, but if Kylah's volunteering to be, uh, 'my bait,' as she says, I'd like to stay on top of her. Ah, that is, I mean, on top of her safety on, this," he says, mentally kicking himself for his poor choice of words.
Kylah's shoulders slump and she fights to prevent this verbal slip--if that is what it was--from dragging her back down.
When Collins left the room before, Kylah did her best to change the atmosphere, to assume better things of Graham, to behave as professionally as possible. But they will not let her forget. One moment he claims he is not attacking her, says he only wishes to protect her; the next, he drags her back to last night and reminds her exactly what she is.
Is it intentional? Does he wish to shame her to please Collins? Or is he insinuating something about his intentions toward her? Even if it was a mistake, it was callous and unthinking. The truth is, his unpredictability continually makes her uncomfortable--even frightens her. At best, he is tone-deaf. At worst... a thug and a lecher.
She says nothing and does not look up. But she deeply regrets having ceded control over the Hsu assignment after all. And wishes beyond hope that Velir will somehow intuit just how much she dreads being alone with Booker Graham.
You hear the familiar whine of the transporter beam, and four people shimmer into existence at the far side of the room. The Security team, all in red-shirted uniform, is led by Ens. Faisal Mahmoud, Graham's friend and cabinmate, a short, tough Libyan male, and includes Ens. Carlos de la Paz, a tall Mexican man; Crewman Felice Dodson, a young, stolid Canadian woman; and Crewman Emil Markovich, a middle-aged Czech male. Mahmoud gives Graham a grin and immediately turns to Collins. "Reporting for duty, ma'am." All have phaser-1s and communicators; Mahmoud and Dodson also have tricorders.
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