CHAPTER TWO

The Professor stood up and went and got the Director and himself the last two cups of coffee. After placing the Director's cup on his desk, the Professor picked the most comfortable of the two chairs facing the Director, got good and comfortable, then drew a deep breath.

"Let me start with Mr. T. Morris," The Professor stated.

"Nine years with the agency, two as high security office staff, perfect attendance, what is your concern?" The Director interrupted.

"First, simply the nature of his assignment. All reports go passed his desk before they come to you. If I were looking for a one stop source of information, he would be my target. Second, he also has the last opportunity to alter reports before they come to you. With those devises we have found; this would be the perfect opportunity to find out how all would react if the report were changed. Last, again because of his position, he has spent the more time in the agents briefing room than any other office staff member. So, no hard facts, but plenty of reasons to be suspicious." The Professor concluded.

"Fair enough, with the fact that I am gone, we might also be more keenly aware if the reports seem slightly off, or if there is a change in his behavior," the Director added.

"I agree."

"Next?"

"L. Johns. six years with the agency, two years as high security office staff. Only one reprimand for obsessive absences due to a frequently ill child. A single mother, who has rectified her absenteeism. Ms. Johns position again makes her a prime target. Her recording all reports that come in from the field, even though they must pass Mr. Morris' desk before they come to you, still gives her plenty of opportunity to alter them. It is also in her report that she really needs this job. She could easily come under threat of losing her job, if more than one staff member is on the take."

"Her work, and her attendance has greatly improved over the last few months," The Director commented.

"That could mean she has made the needed adjustments on her own, or that someone is making her life easier financially." The Professor pointed out.

"Okay. I will buy that for now."

The Professor paused.

"I have saved the one I am concerned about the most for last, W. Coats."

The Director burst out laughing.

"You can't be serious! Wilma Coats was the first staff member that I handpicked back when I first became Director. She is the only one that I ever trusted to make agent assignments, besides myself and my assistant! Twenty some odd years with the Agency, twelve years as high security office staff, six or so high awards, well respected by all the board, why would she have any reason to turn traitor?" The Director asked in an upset tone.

"In the last six months, it has been recorded that she on several occasions tried to access files that she did not have clearance for."

"Look Professor, Ms. Sweeny, and I addressed that with her. She is seventy-seven for goodness sake. She is bound to get a little confused every now and then."

"May I continue? The Professor asked in a calm voice.

The Director motioned for him to do so.

"I can see why everyone is quick to dismiss those occurrences to her being advanced in age except,"

The Professor paused and pulled up a file on the Directors screen.

"Do you notice anything interesting about these files that she tried to access?"

"Professor, this was investigated, all these files are either one number off or are in close sequence to files that she is allowed into."

"Yes, that is true, but was it noticed that all the files that she has access to were recently changed?"

"Yes Professor, thus easily explaining her confusion!"

The Professor switched the screen.

"Who authorized these changes?"

The Director stared at the screen.

"I...I guess I assumed that Sweeny did, and she assumed I did." The Director said embarrassingly.

"Notice also, that none of her other work during that same time showed any errors in file access.'

The Director leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath,

"You are right Professor, at this point we cannot rule out anyone."

"I would like you to authorize agents Smith and Turnbuckle to be assigned to a class #1 assignment. Please make sure that it goes through Ms. Coats hands. I will fill them in tomorrow."

"Very well, just remember that It is you and Ms. Pat Wilcox that will have the best chance of uncovering who may behind this and if any of the Director's staff is involved." The Director said bluntly.

"I understand,"

The next morning acting Director Kingsley activated the G.G.K. system and let the staff members in one by one. After a brief staff meeting, he granted entrance to the floor to agents Smith and Turn buckle. He had briefed them earlier on the plan for them, so the meeting in his office was all for show. He remembered well the Directors parting words, but he had not been told that he could not try to "kick start" the action.

"Agents, this assignment is to receive your full attention. This has come down straight from the board and a copy has been sent to the Director, even though I doubt he will have a chance to view it for several days. Apparently, there have been several leaks concerning our operations over the last several months. Recently a breakthrough on the case was accidently discovered. All that information has been transferred to your tablets. Pick up what equipment you are going to need and report to the transport room immediately."

The Professor escorted the two agents to the elevator and entered the code for them to leave. He was on his way back to the office when office staff Morris asked him a question.

"Professor?"

"Yes?"

"The new office staff member, um Ms. Wilcox. I was wondering what her role would be. I mean we are a complete team already, and I am not sure..."

"Mr. Morris, let me assure all of you that your jobs are secure. Ms. Wilcox is only here on temporary assignment while the Director is gone. As far as her role goes, the best I understood it from the Director, Ms. Wilcox will basically be a floater. She is trained in all phases of office operations. She will also serve as a runner for me if the need arises." The Professor said with a smile.

Two hours later the G.G.K. system let the Professor know that Ms. Wilcox was asking permission to come up. The professor granted her permission. Before the elevator door opened, the Professor announced that Ms. Wilcox was on her way up.

At first glance, Ms. Wilcox was nothing special, as far as looks were concerned, yet the Professor was astounded at what the Director was able to pull off.

"Welcome Ms. Wilcox, I trust your trip went well. I am Professor Kingsley. I am acting Director Bernard Kingsley"

"The Director had informed me that you would be in charge, it is a pleasure to meet you." Ms. Wilcox stated, and held out her hand.

The Professor reluctantly shook her hand.

"Please take a moment to get familiar with our staff and their routines, then please see me in the Director's office." The Professor told her.

Ms. Wilcox seemed to have a calming personality, that finished off any job security feelings that might have still be lingering. One staff member still seemed to have a degree of mistrust, but she had that feeling about all her coworkers. As was his custom, Mr. Morris was over friendly, and as her custom, Ms. Coats was quick to break this up.

"Tell me Ms. Wilcox, How long have you been with our Agency?" She asked, as she tugged her away from Mr. Morris' proximity.

"Ten years next month," Ms., Wilcox answered.

"How about you?"

Ms. Coats, who thought that her reputation was widely known, sneered at her for an uncomfortable length of time before she answered.

"I am Wilma Coats, senior office staffer, not only here in New York, but companywide. I have been with this agency for over twenty years, and I have earned every award, possible. I find it hard to believe that someone who has been with this agency two years, much less ten, is not aware of my length of service!" Ms. Coats said sharply.

"Oh, I have heard of you Ms. Coats, and you are everything I was told."

Wilma Coats stormed back off to her desk, as the rest of the staff smiled quietly to themselves. Only someone who was temporary could have said those words without serious repercussions.

Ms. Wilcox finished speaking with the rest of the staff, before entering the Directors office.

"So, Ms. Wilcox, are you ready for work?" The Professor asked.

"Oh yes," she replied.

"Good, I want you to assist Mr. Morrison. We have just sent out two agents on a code #1 green assignment, and I need their report on my desk A.S.A.P.

"Yes sir," she replied and wiggled her way to Mr. Morris' desk.

"Acting Director Kingsley ask me to assist you in expediting the report that is due in on two agents that were sent on a #1green assignment." Ms. Wilcox said politely.

"Well thank you, but I really don't..."

"I am sure the acting Director has all the confidence in the world in your abilities, however it was his orders. Perhaps I could take care of some of your less important tasks, while you concentrate on getting that report to the Directors office."

"Well, I guess I could go for that," Mr. Morris said with a smile.

Ms. Wilcox returned the smile. As she turned to grab a chair, she ran into Ms. Coats that had suddenly come up behind her.

"What are you doing with him?" Ms. Coats asked gruffly.

"Nothing yet" Ms. Wilcox said with a smile.

That smile quickly disappeared.

"I am following the acting Directors orders. I do not remember reading anywhere in the office code book that says that the senior staff member has any right to question the Directors orders. However, please correct me if I am wrong."

Ms. Coats backed up a step or two.

"Watch your step there Ms. California, I have more pull than you might think!" Ms. Coats said harshly.

"Oh really? I will try to keep that in mind." Ms. Wilcox said casually

Wilma stomped back to her desk, loudly mumbling the whole way.

"Quite a spry ole gal, isn't she?" Ms. Wilcox said softly to Mr. Morris as she fixed her chair next to his.

"Yes, she always has been, but she has gotten much worse over the past few months," He replied.

"Interesting," Ms. Wilcox mumbled as she started to work.