JUSTICE REBORN (A Charlie Taylor Novel Book 1) by Ivan Bering Page B

approach to their social life and their home. After
his appointment as Sector Judge, there was less time available for a social
life. This reduction upset Stella, who enjoyed being with a crowd and all the
associated glamor; as the decline grew her frustration blossomed. Stephen knew
their relationship was sliding and resolved to make more time. This resolution
got destroyed on a daily basis as each new crisis erupted.
    As he showered and dressed his mind still
raced with the implications of the S3 problems. Maybe he should have informed
the Regional Director; instead, he had decided to keep the issue within the
Board. If confronted at a later date, he would argue it was a procedural
problem which, at the time, he was sure would be resolved.
     Besides, to inform the Region would have
created alarms which would give opponents to Justice Reborn more ammunition.
This was solid reasoning as long as all the S3 issues were procedural problems;
but, if the memory streams were not duplicates, the Regional Director would be
furious.
    Normally Stephen would have warned the
Region but recent exchanges with the Region left him uncomfortable.  At times
it appeared the Region already knew about incidents before he reported; their
response had been too fast and too well prepared, not a simple reaction. In
some ways this was a test to see if the news reached the Region before he told
them.  The risk appeared reasonable as long as the science of the S3
interrogation remained solid with no flaws.
    While he was dressing, Stella was
downstairs giving instructions. The distance between them was too great, and he
could not unravel the words. Finally she yelled up the stairwell.
    “Stephen, hurry down the Marshalls are
here. We’re starting on some cocktails.”
    He had finished dressing but couldn’t stop
reflecting on the rapid changes in his life. Justice Reborn provided him with
significant power and authority; but, he felt compassion should be part of the
equation, and he thoroughly reviewed each recommendation.
    “Damn it Stephen, aren’t you dressed?”
    Steve was already on his way down when the
yelling occurred. “Hi, Marilyn, George. Great to see you; let me get my drink.”
    They exchanged some local gossip, and the
ladies retired to touch up their makeup. Stephen and George took their drinks
outside onto the deck. George was a real estate developer and kept a close
watch on public attitudes and tastes. His next question came as a surprise.
“Steve, are you aware of some of the rumors circulating about the S3
Interrogation?”
    Steve’s years of experience allowed him to
maintain his poise and relaxed manner. “Nothing has reached me. What is it? Is
there a sexual component?”
     “You think all business men are only
interested in money or sex.  Right?   Don’t grin at me.  No….it was not about
sex. The rumor is; some of the interrogations have proven unreliable or faulty.
It’s a hot piece of gossip all over the office. I heard it a few times. It is
coming from our sales staff who work in Sector 13.”
    Stephen retained his composure, tasted his
drink and gave a small chuckle. “Oh, that one from Sector 13. It’s been around
for the past week. The opponents of Justice Reborn pull that rumor out of the
hat about every four or five weeks. It’s a tactic which tries to create doubt
and confusion without having to prove anything. You can take my word: the
memory scans are solid.”
    Stephen and George were close friends, but
nothing would make Stephen leak a Board secret. Friendship seemed to be sliding
along with his marriage. Was he prepared to sacrifice everything? Friends and
relatives didn’t understand he couldn’t trust anyone outside his tight legal
circle. Had he become too cautious? No, it wasn’t possible to share these
issues with family and friends. The system demanded a tight lid.
    Stella came to get them. The alcohol had
softened her, and she leaned on Stephen and held his arm. “Well George,