by W H Beswick
MURDER ON THE GOLDEN HALO
AN EARTHLING MYSTERY
BY
W. H. BESWICK
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I am a princess. Please do not be impressed. On my planet alone there are at least three hundred princesses and that does not count the ones claiming to be a princess. I am clueless to understand why someone would make such a ridiculous claim. Considering the number of planets in the universe, I am guessing there are literally billions of princesses out there.
Trust me. It is really nothing to brag about.
I was just born into the right family. Although my father and mother would disagree. They are convinced I was switched at birth, but that is a completely different story. Let us say I have chosen to live my life as I see fit, which according to my mother is not always acceptable behavior for a princess. If I lived the life my mother wanted I would die of boredom. Not to mention the total lack of privacy. Then there is the arranged marriages. If you could have seen the prince I was supposed to wed. Putting it tactfully if he hadn’t been a prince he probably would have never been able to get married. Eventually he married my sister who was as thrilled as I was.
This produced a royal scandal so thanks to all and to my understanding grandmother, who left me a considerable fortune, I was able to leave my world and see what the universe had to offer. Since I am twenty-first in line for the throne, I doubt I will ever be sitting on it. To be honest I think my entire family was happy to see me go.
But not as happy as me. I am not going to miss the petticoats, corsets, slips, long gowns and hair spray.
Now this is my first book. I have been well educated. The one good thing about being a princess. I love to read and did well in my writing classes. I have attempted to start books before but only got a few pages into them before I became bored with my own words. I can only imagine how bored the reader would be.
So what happened to change things?
Well, murder.
A very important person was murdered on the very ship I was traveling on. I was right there in the thick of it all. It was exciting. How I ended up on the ship and who was murdered I will lay out in the following pages.
Now gentle reader you will note that the first few chapters are told from what is called the third person. The reason for this is I am recounting events where I was not present. These events were retold to me by the very same people involved. In some cases I did take some liberties with the telling but this was only for dramatic effect.
It is all true.
I also did this to inform the reader of the characters in this story. It is very important that you know who the players are in the play. So like any great director I have set the stage.
Once the stage is set, I will tell the story from my point of view. You will see the events unfold as I saw them myself. At the end of my story I pray your opinion of Earthlings will have changed.
Mine certainly did.
Oh one last thing…no two. Some of the names have been changed and you will note I have written this in my native language but have used some words that are universally understood.
I pray you will enjoy this story. I will accept all praise but please keep any derogatory comments to yourself.
Humbly yours,
Princess Deela
PROLOGUE
“Please come in.”
“Ah, is there a problem? I…I…am going to be late for work.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Ah, yes. You are Lady Venusun from planet Sirona.”
“What do you know about me?”
“You are tenth in line for the throne in your family. But you appear to have no interest in wearing the crown. Your interest seems to be more in business and other world politics. You have been very successful in both of these pursuits. You are the head of over a dozen multi-planet corporations. The family fortune had conservatively grown...”
“Conservatively?”
“Ah, a poor word choice. The latest estimates suggest it has multiplied ten times. I can only guess since I don’t have access to your private records. I do know you have used this wealth to…well…ah…make yourself one of the most powerful females in ten sectors.”
“More like twenty.”
“I only have access to old newspapers and such so the error in my speculation could lie there.”
“Still. Quite impressive. How did you know?”
“Ah…oh it was all just guess work, my lady. It was a problem to work on to pass the time. I do enjoy a good puzzle.”
“Murder is a puzzle to you?”
“I was once a police officer. Ah, ah, I could have been wrong.”
“But you weren’t. Explain.”
“Well Lady Venusun aside from being rich and powerful you are very attractive and still quite young in regards to lifespans on your world. I suspected although clever in manners when it comes to business and politics, you might be naïve when it comes to…ah…matters of the heart.”
“Well, considering past events I can’t argue with you on that point. Was that all?”
“Ah. Ah, no. Please don’t be offended. I suspected you are used to getting what you want and don’t often hear the word no. So this…well putting tactfully makes one…arrogant.”
“Arrogant? Yes, you are quite right. I am more aware of that now. Thanks to you. Go on, give me more details. You interest me.”
“Ah, I am really not that interesting and really not as clever as you seem to believe.”
“Enough with the…the…the. Whatever this is. Continue!”
“As you probably know I work as a dishwasher at one of the more exclusive restaurants on this planet. I don’t get out front for obvious reasons. But the rest of the staff tends to gossip.”
“You listen to gossip?”
“Ah, ah, yes. Gossip can be very helpful in matters like this. The trick in listening to gossip is trying to figure out what is true and what is made up. There is only a bit of truth in gossip. People…all people no matter the planet love to gossip. Even the…”
“Yes, yes, go on.”
“I was working the night the young lady came in and interrupted your meal. She made quite the scene. I could hear her back in the kitchen. From what I could hear, and listening to the staff, I was able to figure out the young lady was the ex-lover of your new husband. They had been together for several years. The young lady was also a good friend of yours. A childhood friend. Unlike you, she had title but no money. Your husband was in the same state before your marriage. Titled but poor. It was because of this your old friend came to you and asked you to employ her lover so they could be wed.”
“I did. She was one of my best friends. I now know how poorly I treated her. The fact was what he lacked in money he more than made up for in other ways. He was young, handsome and clever. Very skilled in the bedroom. It wasn’t just another…oh what is the word I am looking for?”
“Affair?”
“Yes, an affair.”
“But you fell in love with him.”
“Yes, I fell in love with him.”
“Yes, back on my world it would be called a whirlwind romance. Everything seemed to be fine aside from losing your friend. She vowed to make you both pay. While on your estate you and your husband were beyond her reach.”
“Then we went on what you called a honeymoon.”
“Ah yes, it was on your honeymoon the trouble started. Your now ex-friend started to stalk you. For the last month no matter where you went she showed up and humiliated you in public. A scorned lover. Even made threats against your life.”
“How did you figure out the plan was to murder me?”
“Ah, ah, well as I stated you are very wealthy but your
old friend was not. Yet, she was able to follow you to some of the most exclusive and private places on three planets. This was a woman who could barely pay her rent. Not only did she appear to travel in first class but was dressing quite fashionably. The question I asked myself was where was she getting the money? To follow you and your husband must have been very expensive.”
“Which made you suspect my husband.”
“Ah…my lady. Oh, yes, yes but more important he was giving her information on your travel plans. I watched your security and they are very good. Very smart and well trained. The fellow in charge is a very impressive man. Reminded me of my old captain. He was also a smart man. It appeared they came up with several very clever ways to escape this young lady.”
“Yet, she still found me.”
“This was all guesswork. But I still felt your life might be in jeopardy.”
“So you contacted my head of security, who, to their credit, took the time to listen to you. Because of this they were able to thwart their plot. You suggested the attempt was going to be made on our next stop. They were going to shoot me while on a jungle cruise. Explain.”
“Well they knew that once you ended up dead, they would both be suspected. Your husband is charming and would easily deflect any questions of his innocence. The stalking was meant to draw attention away from him and to the young lady. So when you ended up dead, your husband would not be suspected. He would be looked upon as a victim. Of course, working together I suspect they had worked out somehow to give the lady an alibi. An alibi that couldn’t be questioned. I believe they picked the cruise on this world because…ah. How do I put this?”
“The local law enforcement is inexperienced when it comes to murder. I believe the last murder committed on this planet was over fifty years ago.”
“Closer to fifty-five. The odds were in their favor the investigation would not be resolved. There might be gossip but nothing that would put them in prison. After a year or two they would have married.”
“As they say on your world to live happily ever after...”
“Said on my world. Said, my lady.”
“Yes, you are quite right. Suggesting my people watch my husband and cabin not only saved my life but put both of them behind bars. The prisons here are quite deplorable. I think in time I will arrange the release of my friend. My actions were wrong. As for my husband, he can rot. ”
“Ah, if that is all, my lady, I need to get to work. I am already late.”
“Stop worrying about dirty dishes. Your talents are wasted in the kitchen. I do understand why you were forced to take such a disparaging job. No, no, I could use someone like you. I want you to work for me.”
“As what, my lady?”
“Problem solver. I have a few problems that I am sure you can solve for me.”
“I thank you for the offer but I don’t think your head of security would…ah…approve.”
“Oh he agrees with me. Like me he respects intelligence. No matter who has it? We both think you will be quite helpful to both of us.”
CHAPTER 1
THE GOLDEN HALO
The Golden Halo is a privately owned ship. It was built by Lady Venusun for one purpose. To make deep space travel less tedious and much more comfortable.
For those who could afford the fare, the comforts and services were outstanding. Even the service for those who couldn’t afford the royal deck was quite good.
At least that is what I have been told.
It is considered one of the most beautiful space ships in many sectors. It’s gold and black exterior along with its webbed fins on the sides and back give it the appearance of a majestic bird flying through the stars.
There are seven levels to the ship. The lowest level is for baggage and other items too big to have in one’s cabin. The level just above this one is for the kitchens, crew quarters, supplies and luggage compartments. There are ten staircases and eight elevators. This gives the crew easy and quick access to the passengers above.
The two lowest levels contain smaller cabins. Actually nothing more than one room with nothing more than what is called a cot. The bathroom is so small you can barely turn around. They all dine together in banquet halls on cuisine that is, well, for lack of a better word, common. Naturally these are occupied by persons with limited resources.
The next level is a step up in quality, catering to rich tourists and businessmen. The dining rooms were quite good. There are two theaters, a small casino and several small bars.
The sixth level is usually occupied by the staff of the passengers on the royal level. Servants, aides and bodyguards and such. The rest of the cabins were taken up by those who weren’t quite rich enough to afford the royal level.
The royal level is taken up by one main casino offering all games of chance along with full bar staffed with a hostess to make sure everyone was having a good time. There were smaller games rooms but these were usually reserved for private parties. Across from the casino was a restaurant with a gourmet chef. The décor is done to reflect that of an old sailing vessel. Further down is the gym/spa complete with pool. Membership required. There was a public pool for those who lacked membership but no one really used it.
The rich and powerful don’t bathe with persons they don’t know.
There are also several small cafés offering dishes from many different worlds. Naturally the menu was quite pricey.
There was also a food court which offered dishes at very reasonable prices. This was mainly to cater to the staff from the lower level. There were three theaters. Two for movies. The last for live performances.
There are only three ways to access the royal level. They were through an elevator that had an armed guard. The code to operate the doors was only known to him and was changed daily.
New day. New code.
The reason for this security was the luxury cabins took up the entire floor. All are state rooms, have a parlor, bedroom and full bath. Two of the cabins had two bedrooms. Each cabin gave the passenger an amazing view of the stars and planets through large windows. Some cabins have thick red plush carpet with dark wood walls and brass fittings once again representing an old sailing vessel. The furnishings have a definite masculine feel. Others are decorated with bright pastels and overstuffed furniture with a female’s taste in mind. All are decorated with the intent of giving the guest the most comfort possible.
The other two ways to access the royal level are by staircases that are only to be used by the crew of the Golden Halo. A key was required to gain access to the staircases. These doors are also guarded.
No one had access to the bridge except for the bridge crew. This rested on the front of the ship above the royal level. The captain along with his executive officers have their quarters right down from the bridge. An elevator ran directly from the lowest level to the bridge. This too was coded and guarded. The engineering stations, maintenance and the galley for the crew are built into the rear lower section of the Golden Halo. There is only one door to these areas. Like the other doors, one needed an access code to gain entrance.
The whole design of the ship was keep the crew and passengers separated, except the hostesses, maids, valets and entertainers. Only these and the high ranking officers had contact with passengers.
Needless to say only the very rich can afford to be on the seventh level of the Golden Halo. On this particular voyage several cabins had been reserved for the wedding party of Queen Rexannis Windsax of the planet Icakka.
CHAPTER 2
QUEEN REXANNIS WINDSAX
The youngest and perhaps one of the most beautiful queens to have ever come to the throne was Queen Rexannis Windsax. The young queen stood a little over six feet, which was tall for a woman on her world. Her father had been tall and her mother beautiful. She benefited from both their genes. Her face oval shaped with a soft chin but sharp cheekbones. The large green eyes were rare on her world. They were not only beautiful but suggested a shrew mind. Her figure was slender for h
er world but would have been considered voluptuous on other worlds. Windsax’s long hair was a waterfall of tight green curls that fell to her knees. It was rarely seen down. As a princess, and then as a queen, she always kept her hair styled into elaborate twists and buns. The tone of her skin was also green, but a much lighter tone than her hair. As was tradition, she was wearing a long flowing gown made of white silk with gold trim. It fell to her ankles but one slit hinted at a long shapely leg. She wore no crown or jewelry of any kind. This was also custom. On her world a soon to be married woman went to the altar only adorned with her beauty and purity.
Queen Windsax stood at the window of her suite watching the vast landscape of stars and planets laid out before her. The universe was so vast. It made her feel so small, which was a rare thing for a queen. There are times she wished she could be like her friend Princess Deela.
Young and free.
But she was a queen. Not just by birthright, by choice. A choice that no one knew she had made. It was the first life changing decision she had made.
Her older brother was heir to the throne. From the day he had been born he had been groomed and trained for this. But all the grooming and training cannot truly change what is inside. The prince was selfish and so very arrogant. To add to that, he was a fool. Her father and mother realized this. The throne was his by blood and birth. They were considering changing tradition and appointing Rexannis as heir. The senate and temple leaders secretly agreed with this. For they too knew a fool when they saw one.
Before the announcement could be made, both of her parents died tragically in a shuttle crash. While it was still under investigation, the prince attempted to take the throne even though he knew it was against his parents’ wishes. A long bitter struggle was avoided when the prince died from a virus.
At least that is what all the reports said.
Princess Rexannis Windsax suspected her brother and his followers had a hand in her parents’ death. She had no proof but sure as there were twelve Gods, he had a hand in the murder of their parents. Everyone seemed to ignore the fact the princess had studied medicine and chemistry. Everyone except for her brother’s friends and followers just wanted to put this behind them. They complained until the crown rested upon her head. Then for their own well-being they closed their lips.
