A Hidden World

Causing Trouble

A woman answers. "Hello."

"Good morning, I am Major Tammy. A researcher gave me your number. I am calling to enquire about orphan Clair Switson. She is a rescuer now. They would like her moved from her orphan residence."

"I'm the director and I know nothing of these arrangements. One of my stenographers likely has her files. Do you have a number I can reach you at?"

"No, this is a temporary posting. Could I get a number of one of your case workers? Perhaps they can help."

"Yes, Clair Switson, correct me if I got that wrong. We've so many orphans. That'd be Jodie, but you'll have problems getting hold of Jodie. She's always out checking on orphans. Try forty one zero three.

"In order to move her they'll need paperwork from Jodie and knowing how my stenographers are, all university students who don't have a clue, it should take about three weeks. Then we have to double check everything, again university students who worry about their courses more than the people they should be concentrating on. Maybe Jodie can speed things up. I don't see her often, she's always running around. I'll not see Clair's paperwork or final disposition in my office for at least three months."

I reply, "Thank you, I will try Jodie."

She supplied a shortened phone number with not enough digits. I dial it on Clair's phone but it doesn't connect. I ask Bill if he can operate her phone in her fancy desk. He nods, brings it up and dials a number she supplied. We follow the ring to an empty cubicle. It looks like everything in this office except where our two rescuers are working. There is nothing in, or on the desk or any wall. "Clair, remind me that I need a mobile phone."

I ask Clair for Kathy's number. "How do I find out where Elsie or Jodie are?" I explain what we discovered. She tells me a crew of security will arrive shortly. Sharon will have access to any information I require. I hand Clair her phone.

"What are you entering in those computers?"

While walking back toward their computers, Melisa reports, "They're supposed to be interviews between case workers and orphans. I think they're fakes. There are only six different comments repeating over and over, like a form letter." I look over a couple of forms. They have no date and no signatures.

Bill comments, "The only thing that changes are the names of interviewers and orphans."

A group of blue shirted people come in led by our captain from last night or his alter-ego a colonel from Sharon's assessment. "Major, Captain, it's good to see you again. Did everything turn out for you, Captain Clair?"

Clair replies, "Perfectly, thank you. Your teams are great."

He hands me a phone, "General Kathy asked that we deliver this secure phone to you, sir."

"I have had enough of this rank stuff. I am Tammy from now on."

"Tammy, we're calling more staff. Kathy wanted us to report to you with two teams. I only have one available, but we're yours to command."

"I need to do some research. Would you listen to these two rescuers' stories about this place? I suspect, like they do, this office is a fake."

His security team follow the rescuer instructors. I sit down at a desk with Clair beside me. I look at my new phone and smile. Speed dial numbers display on it. The first line reads, 'Kathy - GOD'. I smile and scroll down to 'Sharon - Research'.

"Sharon."

"Tammy here, Sharon, how much access did Gerry give you?"

"Hi Tammy, you're my first call. Would you like names of every woman ever associated with Gerry?"