A uniformed police officer of tall stature entered, came to attention and saluted. “Prime Minister, Major Marcel duBois reporting as ordered.”
“Ah, Major,” Sutherland said, looking him up and down. His uniform had obviously been cut to the man’s body, and he was the picture of military efficiency. “I expect you know why I have asked you here.”
“I would imagine it might have something to do with the death of Colonel Croft,” duBois replied.
“Quite,” Sutherland said. “I have been reading your file-especially your efficiency reports, as logged by Colonel Croft, and I am very impressed.”
“Thank you, Prime Minister.”
“I am promoting you as his replacement, with the rank of lieutenant colonel,” Sutherland said.
“Thank you, sir,” duBois replied, but a flicker of disappointment showed on his face.
“Ah,” Sutherland said, “I detect ambition.”
“Of course, Prime Minister.”
“You believe you should be given Croft’s rank, as well as his responsibilities.”
“I believe that responsibility and rank should go hand in hand.”
Sutherland beamed. “All right, full colonel.”
DuBois permitted himself a small smile. “Thank you, Prime Minister.” He was pleased; after all, he had a pair of Colonel Croft’s eagles in his tunic pocket.
The prime minister stood up and extended an open hand. “Allow me the pleasure of pinning on the emblems of your rank.”
DuBois felt a little abashed, but he produced the eagles and stood at attention while the PM pinned them on. He watched as Sutherland turned to his desk and returned with a framed certificate. “Your commission,” he said.
“Thank you, Prime Minister.” He noted that the commission was for colonel; the PM had been playing with him. “I shall be constantly devoted to following your every command.”
“You’d better be,” the PM said, smiling. “My first command is, find the man who shot Colonel Croft.”
“Yes, sir,” duBois said.”
“And how do you intend to go about it?” the PM asked.
“I have already taken the liberty of canceling all leaves and ordering each man to duty for the duration of the investigation, seven days a week.”
“It had better not take seven days,” the PM said. “What will be your first steps?”
“I shall order the immediate interrogation of every visitor to the island at their respective hotels, so as not to alarm the innocent; when that has been accomplished, I will start on the alien residents.”
/> “Detach a complement of your men and interview the residents simultaneously with the visitors. Here on my desk is a file on every alien resident, and I wish you to immediately arrest the first six of them and interrogate them at police headquarters. Do not release any of them until you are entirely convinced of their innocence.”
“It shall be done, Prime Minister.”
Sutherland handed duBois the six files. “Are you acquainted with any of these men?”
DuBois quickly leafed through the files. “I know four of them; Colonel Croft dealt personally with Pemberton and Weatherby, the two Englishmen, so I have not met them.”
“Meet them now, and report back to me,” Sutherland said. “Henceforth, you will report only to me, as Colonel Croft did.”
DuBois saluted and left the office.
“Congratulations, Colonel,” Sutherland’s secretary said. She was a tall white woman with beautiful legs and breasts, and he knew that Croft had been fucking her. “Thank you, Hazel,” he said, giving her a little salute. “And I hope that when circumstances permit, you and I might find time to dine together.”
“It would be my pleasure,” she said, exhibiting no grief for the departed Colonel Croft.