23. The Battle 3
Her foolish answer was funny and everyone burst out laughing while George was undaunted. Tim looked at the two boys who were sleeping soundly before he smirked in satisfaction. Nevertheless, George did not find her response funny but slighting, which he would always attribute to his age.
'She has indirectly informed me that I am not her President,' he thought.
“Go and eat at the Junior Staff Canteen. Your President will eat by himself when he comes,” he advised her dismissively and joined the General Manager at his table.
At that point, all eyes were on her and she was unstable. She was embarrassed, looked around the canteen, and looked down immediately. Instantly, she got up. With her head bowed down, she walked to the Junior Staff Canteen where the same meal would be served.
Meanwhile, Collins and his colleagues were there too. They never thought of eating at the Senior Staff Canteen, not minding that they were of the same rank as George.
Tim was having a good time when Dr. Morgan walked in to check on the patients. He looked up, faced the doctor, and waited for his verdict on them. As if he were not there, the doctor checked the fluid level and was satisfied, but he left Tim in the dark.
He took a step to leave but turned back to face Tim. 'Don’t just sit there playing on your phone,' he instructed. 'Get up and bring them some food.
"Never mind, Doctor. They’ll eat once we’re home," he said, brushing aside the doctor’s rudeness with an air of dismissive assurance.
The doctor studied his composed demeanor for a moment before conceding, "If you think so."
He walked away and Tim continued with his work.
Savannah
Apart from the President of the country, no other person was aware of Brig. Witherspoon's trip to Canterbury or as they thought. He returned after six hours with his cargo and was partially fulfilled. His main problem was how to supply the weapons to the soldiers at the war front.
“You can transport the firearms as drugs and food. Before they discover that you are already at the camp,” his president advised him, and he was delighted with his proposal.
“I got it, Your Excellency,” he accepted.
After he succeeded in doing that, he was relieved and returned to his office.
The Headquarters' Gate
Maj. Horton arrived at the gatehouse and informed David of the social media post and he was disoriented.
“Who wished to indict us?” He mumbled but Michael heard him and stated, “That is it. I wonder who we offended.”
Without delay, they scrolled down to the recordings of Tuesday and looked for the vehicles that drove into the premises.
“Can you remember the time they arrived?” Michael asked him.
“Yes, Major. They arrived before lunch.”
“Good. Let us look at the footage of that time,” he instructed, and they continued.
Shortly, they saw a vehicle that slowed down. They waited for the driver to park and get out of the car but he did not. Due to the lightly tinted windows of the car and the distance from the camera, it could not capture the faces of the occupants or what they were doing. After a while, the driver drove off.
“That may be the photographer,” David pointed out.
“I think the same thing but let's see if another car would stop,” the Major opined.
They watched the video surveillance for another ten minutes and Maj. Horton advised him, “We can go back to that car and get the details. So far, he is the only one likely to have done that.”
The Corporal looked at the social media post and added. “I agree with you. The point he parked and the picture tallied.”
“You are right. Let's go back.”
Afterward, they took the details of the car and fished out the owner. Maj. Horton was surprised and he informed the Corporal, “Lt. Col. Ben Smirnoff is the Commandant's friend. How can he publish such a disparaging post about the school?”
“Perhaps his car was driven by another person that day.”
“You are right. Probably his children.”
“You got it.”
The Head of State's Office
He was discussing with Tim the massive sales by his company when Michael walked in. He motioned him to a seat and dismissed Tim, “We will continue later.”
“It is all right, Your Excellency.”
He cut the call, faced Michael, and asked, “What is your discovery, Michael?”
Michael was not confident enough to report to his superior, especially when he was in doubt. Howbeit, he fine-tuned the message before presenting it, “The car of the likely suspect belongs to Lt. Col. Ben Smirnoff. I think it was driven by someone else or his children.”
His Excellency concealed his astonishment and complimented him, “You did a good job. You can leave.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency,” he appreciated him and left.
Instantly, he sent for his Deputy and he arrived without delay.
“You sent for me, Your Excellency,” he stated before he took his seat and focused on him.
“Yes. Michael has discovered the soldier behind the disparaging social media post,” he informed him, and watched his countenance.
“That is good. Who is he?”
“He is Lt. Col. Ben Smirnoff.”
The Second in Command's eyes widened and he stated, “I doubt, Your Excellency. I am aware that he is the Commandant's friend. Let's put the retired General under surveillance. He may not be happy with his retirement.”
“If you say so. But let's start with the Lieutenant Colonel. How do we get the truth from him?”
At The Auxiliary Armory PLC
After lunch, George strolled to the production department and chatted with the manager. He discovered that he was happy with the sales.
“This is marvelous, Sergeant. Let the President know that we are happy with the sales."
George smiled broadly and responded, “I'm happy that you like it. Unfailingly, I will convey your message to the President.”
Afterward, he requested another product and he gave it to him. He returned to his office and met Laura brooding over the incident at the canteen. He ignored her and walked into his office while she stared at him with her brooding eyes. She would have been relieved if he had closed after his lunch at the canteen. Now that he had returned, she could not think of the next trouble that he would give to her.
“I have an idea,” she told herself and smiled dryly.
He settled down and began to work on the new gun while Laura waited for the right time to hatch her plans. To her displeasure, it was a few minutes to 4 PM and George was still in the office.
“Pervert. Is he doing overtime today?” She cursed as usual.
The Clinic
After the Head of State complimented Tim on the sales, he was inspired to do more and scout for other war zones. While he was doing that, Gerald woke up from sleep. He was troubled when he did not see Tim and cried out, “Brother-in-law.”
Tim was startled and looked away from the television. He faced him at once and answered, “I'm here, Gerald.”
He calmed down and smiled softly. Likewise, he tried to get up but Tim restrained him, “Wait for the doctor to come. Okay?”
“Okay, Brother-in-law,” he answered and Tim walked out of the ward to the reception.
“Inform the doctor that the patient is up,” he instructed the receptionist, who showed disturbed but obliged, and Tim returned to the ward.