by W H Beswick
“They may very well be but I have my doubts.” He said taking another thin container from his bag along with a card that had printing and small boxes on it. Inside the container was black pad of what I suspected was ink. I watched as he pressed the Prime Centurion’s fingers into the pad and then roll them on the card, each time leaving an excellent print.
“That’s brilliant.” I said.
“Don’t be too impressed. I am still an amateur when it comes these old techniques.”
“You seem to be doing very well.”
“Ah, thank you but back on Earth everyone knew about fingerprinting. The sad fact was they weren’t really that reliable.”
“Oh by the way, someone told me you had a whole science for investigating crime.”
“Yes princess, it was called forensics. It was pretty amazing what those lab boys could do.”
“So you did have a lot of crime back on Earth?”
“Yes but, as I am finding out, so do most planets out here.”
“Really? You think we are just as bad…oh my, sorry.”
The Earthing was comparing the prints on the two cards. He lowered them and seemed to be thinking. It was like he hadn’t heard me. Then he looked at me with a very calm face and said. “Twenty individuals got together and in a manner of hours decided the fate of my world. Oh yes, I think you have beings out here that are just bad, maybe worse than Earthlings. Ah, are you going to put that in your book?”
CHAPTER 25
REALITIES OF THE UNIVERSE
The Earthling did some more what looked like pottering around to me, except when he bent down and picked up the butt of a cigarette. He studied it before putting it into a clear plastic bag.
“A cigarette butt?” I asked. “There is a tray full of them over there.”
“Ah, well, back on Earth if I found a cigarette butt at a crime scene I would get very excited. Very excited.” He said, smiling as he talked. I was sure he was playing some joke. But then he said. “You can tell a lot from a cigarette butt. Take this one for instance. It is barely smoked. The smoker tossed it down and crushed it out on this very nice rug. Despite, as you have pointed out your highness, there is an ash tray right over there. So they were enjoying a smoke and something happen to make them crush out the cigarette with their shoe. We can assume they left in a hurry.”
“Oh, probably when they saw the Prime Centurion die.” I said realizing this Earthling really was quite clever. “Anything else?”
“Yes, it was woman and they are rich.”
“No, now you are playing me for a fool.”
“No, no. You can see the lipstick on the tip. Interesting shade of green. You can also see the word Camel on the side of the butt. This is an Earth cigarette. Hard to find and very expensive.”
“That’s important. That would eliminate all the crew and most of the lower decks. The murderer is here on the upper deck. Someone of wealth and social standing did this?”
“It has been my experience that rich or poor, anyone can kill. You will notice I used the word kill. Most people can kill but not everyone can murder. And yes there is a difference, princess.”
“I am not sure I would have liked your planet…on the other hand.” I said looking down at the body. “It appears we are more alike than I would have wished.”
“Ah, ah…Princess Deela, do you really think my people would have gotten away with so much without help?” He started to pack his case. “Greed is a great motivator. There is no possible way the people of my world could have taken over so many planets without help.”
“I…I…” I stammered.
The Earthling went back to the poker table, filled a clean glass with the whiskey and brought it back. He smiled and held it up. “Here, this might help.”
CHAPTER 26
MY OWN PONDERINGS
I was sitting in the Earthling’s suite. Actually it was Lady Venusun’s. It was much bigger than mine with two bedrooms along with sitting room with a dome that was clear as glass. This allowed me to look up at the stars and planets. It was richly furnished but the furniture looked dated, or maybe it had been made to look that way. The walls were a soft blue with light wood paneling, the rug another shade of blue, but I couldn’t see a speck of dirt on it. Was the Earthling cleaning for her too?
Of course not, when he wasn’t solving murders he wasn’t her cleaning man.
The room I was sitting in was a round room with a long table with chairs set up around it. The chair at the head of the table had a very high back. The Venusun coat of arms was engraved into this chair. So, this was one of the many places Lady Venusun ran her vast empire.
Lady Venusun was royalty of some kind but didn’t use the princess or queen. Everyone just called her Lady Venusun and never milady. That included me. A princess. Sometimes she called me by my first name, which was annoying, but for some reason I dare not object. I knew she didn’t rule her world in a traditional sense. It was more like she ran it. To be honest she ran numerous worlds. I had no idea how wealthy she was. I just knew everyone seemed to fear her.
Is fear the correct word?
She didn’t seem to use her power for any real goal that I was aware of. Obviously she had amassed a great deal of wealth and power. It appeared she would only dabble in things from time to time. There was the story of a being on a planet she oversaw. He rigged an election to become president. He denied the allegations until the day he just vanished.
Mostly gossip.
But I have known people who she crushed because they betrayed her. It then occurred to me that I hadn’t see Lady Venusun in public since the whole scandal with her ex-husband. Before this she would have been seen at openings of all kinds, in clubs and more. Now she was virtually a recluse.
Was Lady Venusun nursing a broken heart?
“Deela, don’t start thinking about these things.” I said to myself. “It is none of your business. Especially when it comes to Lady Venusun. Now let’s try and solve this murder. It would be fun to solve it faster than the Earthling.”
I glanced at the closed doors. The Earthling had excused himself and locked himself inside the bedroom. It had been a good twenty minutes. I will admit I pressed my ear to the door but couldn’t hear a thing.
No surprise, since this was Lady Venusun’s suite. Thick doors and walls. She was probably watching me and laughing, saying something like silly princess.
“So what do we have?” I said to myself. “We have a dead body, poison, fingerprints and a cigarette stub. Oh yes, the needle marks. Why did the Earthling take pictures of the face and neck?”
I slumped back. None of this made sense to me. “Very well, who wanted the Prime Centurion dead? Obviously not the queen. Doubtful the good Optio would want his old friend and commanding officer dead. There is the doctor. He would most likely have access to this cyanide. Was it hard to get? The impression I got from the Earthling is there is some form of cyanide on many planets. Some more lethal than others. Oh let’s not forget the mysterious man who called himself Daris. He had vanished even before the Prime Centurion had been declared dead. Who was he, and did he want to kill Bacco? But the Prime Centurion invited him to the game. Deela, you fool. You have eliminated everyone except for the skinny man.”
“What skinny man?”
I almost jumped out of my seat. The Earthling had come back into the room without making a sound. How much of my musings had he heard? I felt myself blush but managed to regain my dignity and look at the man with a smile. “I have been noticing a man wandering around on this level. Very skinny and wearing a brown suit. He obviously was a commoner. And he was in the parlor when the murder occurred.”
“Mph, that is interesting. Point him out to me if you see him again. People being where they don’t belong are more than likely up to some kind of mischief.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” I said, standing up. “So? What is our next step?”
“You may want to change, your highness.” He said looking me over but
not in a nasty way, more clinical.
“Why?” I asked putting my hands on my hips, and yes, thrusting out my bosom. He stepped back but didn’t seem embarrassed. Did this Earthling have ice water in his veins?
“We’re going to see Queen Rexannis. Your outfit is a perfect distraction when playing poker or attracting the…but...ah, ah. Maybe I wrong. I am not a royal.”
I looked down at my mostly pink outfit and realized it might not be appropriate. Rexannis was in mourning. “I think you are right. A change of clothes would be in order.”
CHAPTER 27
THE GUARD
After I had changed into a simple black leather dress with matching cap and boots I rejoined the Earthling, who showed no reaction to my new attire. I love to wear black. It’s just so slimming. The Earthling’s indifference to my appearance and, well, my beauty and body was annoying. I was considered to be quite beautiful. The words exotic, wild, and yes sexy were used. I had read that Earthling really enjoyed sex. They apparently had written books on it and even had different positions.
Different positions for sex.
Very intriguing. But this Earthling in his pressed black suit and white shirt. No, no, I couldn’t see it.
I followed the Earthling down the hall to Queen Rexannis’ suite. There was a large man in a black uniform standing in front of the door. His eyes looked over the Earthling. Then with a deep, disapproving voice said. “Her majesty is expecting you. She is a queen in mourning. Show respect…Earthling.”
“Oh, oh sir, I wouldn’t think of treating Queen Rexannis with anything but respect.” The Earthling said in a very submissive voice. “Ah, ah, are you stationed here all the time?”
“Only when the queen is inside. If she leaves I follow at a discrete distance.” He said, looking annoyed. I suspect he had been given orders to treat the Earthling with respect.
“The Prime Centurion didn’t have a bodyguard?” The Earthling pressed.
“Obviously not.” The guard said, looking right into the Earthling’s face. “Or he wouldn’t be dead.”
“Ah, quite right. I was led to believe that before the war Prime Centurion Uxtel did have a bodyguard?”
“Yes, before the war. The bodyguard, my brother, went with him to war. He was killed…by an Earthling.”
“Those things happen in war.”
The man seemed to be trying to intimidate while the Earthling passively just stood there. The guard glared for what seemed ages. Then the Earthling said. “Ah, ah, the queen is waiting.”
The guard’s expression changed. Finally, he just nodded and said. “The queen is waiting.”
The queen was waiting for us in the sitting room. She was now dressed in black with her hair pinned into a tight bun. A black veil covered her eyes. She was also wearing just a touch of makeup.
I thought this was odd.
She was supposedly in mourning. Two maids were setting up the small table for what looked like a snack. Once this was done, she motioned for the maids to leave. Once they were gone she pushed up the veil, looked straight at the Earthling, and smiled. “Before you start to interrogate me. Allow me to ask one question.”
“Ah, ah, I have no intention of interrogating you, your majesty.” He said with a bow but there was a knowing look on his face. “Your question.”
“Was the person murdered tonight Prime Centurion Bacco Uxtel?”
“No he wasn’t.” The Earthling answered, like he had expected her question.
CHAPTER 28
THE QUEEN’S SUSPICIONS
The queen’s smile faded away. She slumped back, almost seemed ready to cry, but as queens must do, she did not.
I myself was ready to scream the word ‘what’ but I have been trained in a similar manner to Queen Rexannis. Still a gasp came out my lips.
“Come Earthling, we have much to discuss.” Queen Rexannis said, sitting up and waving toward the silver pot and china cups. There were small triangle shaped sandwiches. “I find myself in need of what you Earthling call a snack. Please join me. It is real Earth coffee. Princess Deela, would you please pour.”
“Of course, your majesty,” I said, taking a seat and starting to pour the coffee. It smelled wonderful. The Earthling pulled on his ear. Then finally sat down. He just kept studying the queen while she scrutinised him. Under normal circumstances this would have been rude. These were not normal circumstances, and the queen wasn’t objecting.
“The sandwiches are cucumber and cream cheese.” Rexannis said, fluttering her fingers over the plate of sandwiches. “An Earth delicacy that I have become quite fond of.”
“Ah, ah, I have never had one.” The Earthling said taking a sandwich and taking a small bite of one end of the triangle. He seemed to savor it and smiled. “This is quite delicious.”
“Yes, they are. Oh cream and sugar in mine.” The queen said to me. Then looking at the Earthling. “And you?”
“Black.” He said.
I handed the Earthling his cup. I put cream and sugar into two cups, then handed one to the queen. She just smiled and took the cup. Then like a true queen sipped and nodded her approval. The Earthling sipped his. I didn’t sip. I gulped down a mouthful, sighing as that wonderful rush hit my body. Neither the Earthling nor Queen Rexannis took notice. So I tried one of the sandwiches. Without thinking I muttered. “Very tasty.”
“Bacco enjoyed a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.” Queen Rexannis said. “But when he came back he started to take it black?”
“Is this when you began to suspect he was not your fiancé?” The Earthling asked.
“No, I had no suspicions at first. His changes I assumed came from the war and almost dying. Of course the supposed memory loss. That will change anyone. Even the queen’s consort.”
“Ah, yes your majesty. The memory loss. He needed to relearn a great many things.”
“This is true, but as time passed I began to suspect his memory loss was selective. He remembered how to play cards and such, but when it came to his personal history. Nothing.”
“Nothing?” The Earthling said before sipping his coffee. “Excellent coffee. But you accepted this at first?”
“Yes.” She said, leaning forward. “Have you ever been in love?”
This made me look at the Earthling. If this question affected him, he showed no sign of it.
“Ah, hmp, yes.” He said, taking a moment to adjust his glasses. “Deeply.”
“Then you will understand. People in love for a long time know each other. Bacco and I grew up together. We knew each other’s heart and soul. Yes, we were lovers. The wearing of white was for tradition. I noticed little things. The coffee. His new fondness for Earth whiskey. But it was when we kissed that I knew. Now tell me how you knew?”
“Little things at first.” The Earthling said. “The color of his skin. It was pink. On Earth that is one of the signs of poisoning. Then his chest was bare.
“All men on my world have bare chests.”
“He was shaving his. I could feel and see the stubble on his chest. His beard was growing back. His red beard.
“There are no redheads on my world. Continue.”
“Well, he had fingerprints.”
“Fingerprints. Oh the marks on one’s hands. My people don’t have those.”
“Ah, I knew that, but the Prime Centurion did have fingerprints. The scars on his face and neck bothered me, so I took some pictures and contacted a cosmetic surgeon I had met during the war.”
“What is a cosmetic surgeon?”
“Oh that’s a doctor that does face and body repairs and improvement.” I blurted out. “I believe Dr. Crag used to be one.”
“A very good one according to my friend.” The Earthling said.
“It was very fortunate you were able to find him in such a short time. Let alone contact him.” Rexannis said, giving the Earthling a curious look.
“Thankfully Lady Venusun is a very resourceful woman. Ah, ah and there really aren’t that many Earthlings lef
t. Even fewer that are doctors of any kind.” The Earthling said, this time showing just the slightest sigh of regret. “He confirmed whoever did the surgery on the man we now know isn’t the Prime Centurion did a poor job. If I took him at his word he said he could have done a much better job. There would still be scars but not as….ah, ah.”
“Severe?”
“Yes, your majesty. My friend said if he didn’t know any better he could have sworn the scars were made on purpose. I suspect Prime Centurion Bacco Uxtel was killed and this person replaced him.”
“Someone murdered my beloved Bacco?”
“Ah, ah, I can only say that in all likelihood he is dead. Why he was trying to replace the Prime Centurion is still a mystery.” He said and took another bite of his sandwich. “This is quite good. Did the Prime Centurion leave the case containing the whiskey lying around?”
“Yes, and no I didn’t kill that man.” Queen Rexannis said. “I will give you the man’s death does save me considerable embarrassment. As you know I was at the game. I wanted to watch this man play. Princess Deela will tell you that how each person plays poker is unique.”
“Oh yes, tells, bluffing,” I said. “We all do it but not in the same way.”
“I have played poker.” He said with a smile.
“I suspect you were very good at it.” The queen said, taking a sandwich and then nibbling it.
“Ah, well I used to play with the boys back on Earth,” The Earthling said, looking as if he was remembering a happier time. “They stopped playing with me.”
“Why?” I asked thinking this was quite rude.
“I kept winning.”
“I imagine you did.” Rexannis said, finishing her sandwich. “So who is this man?”
“I have no idea. Ah, ah, if I had my way, I would have the body be put in an airlock and dumped into space.”
“Why?” I gasped looking at the Earthling.
“He suspects the man may be an Earthling.” Queen Rexannis said with a grin, then sipped her coffee.
