Free Supersymmetry by David Walton

about how one might create such a blast.”
    She tried to answer, then closed her mouth again. Finally, she said, “But he gave me the equations to make sense of the data. You wouldn’t even know about it, if not for him.”
    Gallagher raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps our forensic specialists are smarter than you give them credit for. In any event, you have revealed critical data about our investigation to the man who is now our chief suspect.”
    Sandra remembered how evasive her father had been, and how unwilling to come along with her. Had he realized that the data pointed to him? “He’s at home,” she said. “He’s not running. He’s not acting like a suspect.”
    â€œFor your sake, I hope he’s still at home when the arresting officers arrive.”
    Her heart pounded. “You’re arresting him?”
    Gallagher gave a small cough. “Of course, Miss Kelley. I think it would be wise if you didn’t attempt to contact him. And please don’t leave the Philadelphia area.”
    She stood to face him, pulling herself together, and tried to match his frosty tone. “Sir, I have no intention of leaving the area. I’m an officer of the Philadelphia police department, and I have a job to do here. I believe my father to be innocent, and I expect that to quickly become clear. But I have no intention of interfering with the process in any way.”
    â€œOne more thing, Miss Kelley. Have you heard from your sister?”
    â€œMy sister? Which one?”
    â€œYour twin sister, Alex.”
    Her mind raced, but she could make no sense of it. “No. Not recently. Not for a few days, anyway. She’s in New Jersey; she had some kind of big presentation at work today.”
    â€œMay I please examine your cell phone?”
    Sandra’s breath caught. She remembered all the responses from the discussion boards on her phone that she hadn’t even reviewed yet. She hadn’t provided any data to them, but she doubted Gallagher would see the distinction. She was being treated like a suspect, and it was making her angry. She was one of the good guys.
    â€œWhy? Do you think my sister is involved in this, too?”
    He pursed his lips again, another internal battle. “We received an APB for your sister’s arrest an hour ago from the Secret Service.”
    â€œThe Secret Service? As in . . .”
    â€œYes, Miss Kelley. Your sister is wanted for the murder of four people, one of them Secretary of Defense Jared Falk.”
    It was too much. This whole meeting was surreal. It was a test of some sort, or a dream. She must still be at home, in her old bed. She pulled out her phone and handed it to Gallagher, who caught it in a Ziploc evidence bag and sealed it shut.
    â€œI would like to think that you are as innocent as you seem,” Gallagher said. “But I will not assume it. These two crimes are clearly connected, and they’re connected through your family. As a result, you are forbidden from taking part in this investigation in any way. Furthermore, you are to be given a leave of absence, starting today—”
    â€œI don’t need a leave, sir. There’s so much work to do, and—”
    â€œA mandatory suspension, then. Miss Kelley, you are relieved of duty until further notice. Now, I have other matters to attend to. You will now report to Detective Messinger, who will question you about your family connections and your movements over the past several days. Then you will return home and stay clear of this crime scene. You are dismissed.” Gallagher swiveled his head to stare at Angel. “Mr. Gutierrez, you will stay. I have a few questions for you about how you share the data you collect.”
    Sandra left Angel behind and followed the aide down the hall. Cheeks burning, she followed an officer down the hall to a conference room. He left her there, and she heard the click as the door locked