She's much tougher than you expect

For a moment you see quavering uncertainty in the girl's eyes, but she quickly recovers.

"I don't know anything Dean Hawkfeather," she says firmly. "I can see what you can see. Someone played a vicious prank on my friend and destroyed her favourite teddy bear."

"What about last night?" you snap, moving closer until your faces are only inches away. "Was that a prank too? Or are you going to stick to your lie about a nightmare."

You have to give the girl credit for not backing down as you do your best to intimidate her. You've made Marine recruits crumble with similar treatment, but although she's trembling slightly she stands her ground and glares back at you.

"It was a nightmare. And this was a mean prank. I don't know who did this except that it wasn't me."

"Last night you and Chanel were both dressed. In dark clothes so you could sneak out after curfew. You weren't sleeping and she had no nightmare. What made her scream?"

"Very well," she says as though making a decision. " Yes, we had gone out. But we had come back and Chanel lay down on her bed and passed out. We'd been drinking, Chanel more than me. She woke up screaming a few minutes later. I lied because I didn't want to get her in trouble for drinking."

You think back, trying to remember if there was any scent of **** on Chanel when she clung to you last night.

"She didn't smell of liquor. That's another lie," you bark.

"It is not," she answers firmly. "We were drinking vodka coolers. She brought them. There are more under her bed if you look."

You step away from the defiant girl, reaching under Chanel's bed and pulling out a canvas bag that clinks as you move it. There are five bottles of vodka cooler inside. You look back at Rose, who looks back at you calmly.

"You're aware that drinking is a violation of the Code of Conduct, aren't you Miss Newton?" you snap as you approach her again, holding the bag up.

"Yes sir, you made that perfectly clear in the meetings. That's why I lied about it. I didn't want to get either Chanel or I in trouble. She did have a nightmare, or a drunken dream or whatever. There was no box or note left on her bed. That was in her head. This prank is something else. One of the girls trying to be funny after Chanel's hysterics last night."

You look at her, staring into her calm face as you process what she's said. It sounds like bullshit to you, but there is just the possibility that it might be true. Rose might have invented the nightmare story to avoid telling about curfew violations and drinking. You don't like to admit it, but it is possible.

"So you admit to being out after curfew and drinking," you snap.

"Yes sir. Both Chanel and I are guilty of that."

"Where did the liquor come from?"

"Chanel got it. I don't know from where. But it isn't difficult to get ****, even if you're underaged Dean Hawkfeather. She probably talked someone into buying it for her."

"You realise that drinking is a paddling offence, Miss Newton?"

"Yes sir. But I would submit that the actual offence in the Code of Conduct is "Drunkeness" not just drinking. I was not drunk, and while I cannot speak certainly for Chanel, I would point out that neither you nor headmistress Naylor thought that either of us were drunk or had even been drinking when you were in our rooms last night. As such, I would submit that we have not violated the letter of the Code of Conduct, and are not subject to it's provisions for punishment."

You stare into her face, trying not to let your anger at this self assured young woman show. She stares back at you, unblinking, with no hint of mockery in her face.

"Possession of **** in your room is an offence Miss Newton."

"Yes Sir. And I plead guilty to that, even if it was under Chanel's bed. I certainly had knowledge of it. I will state that it is the only such contraband in this room. You can search it of course, but you will find that to be the case. I will submit to punishment for having **** in my room, as Chanel will too, I don't doubt. I believe the Code calls for four strokes of the paddle. I am prepared to take them now sir."

"You seem to know the Code very well Miss Newton."

"I read it when it was first sent to students. I refreshed my memory after I heard what happened at the first meeting." He stoic face breaks for a moment as she giggles. "Margot was horrified about the tie! I wish I'd seen it!"

"I thought it best to know the Code, since you had made it so clear that you intend to enforce it fully," she says, recovering her composure and gesturing to her bed where a copy of the Code of Conduct lies open. "So, as I said, I am prepared to take my punishment now. Although the Code also states that in the case of several miscreants being punished for the same offence they should all receive their punishment at the same time. And Chanel is with the nurse."

"You have all the answers, don't you Miss Newton? I suppose you intend on a career as a lawyer."

"No sir. I intend to hire lawyers as I need them, and I wish to be able to communicate and direct them properly. Wording is very important Dean Hawkfeather. Words can be everything."

"Yes they can. And for the record, I think that some of your words are less than truthful Miss Newton. This matter is suspended for now, but it has not ended. You may expect further conversations in the near future."

"I will be ready to discuss anything at any time Sir. I will await your decision about my punishment."

"Very well. You might want to clear that mess up before Chanel returns," you say, gesturing to the mess on the bed. You turn to leave, but then a second thought strikes you and you pick up the note left behind and put it in your pocket before departing.