by W H Beswick
“Oh clever. Getting to the glass wasn’t a problem. He was her fiancé. Why didn’t she do the same with Zana’s glass?”
“She couldn’t be sure what glass he would use so the poison went into the bottle. After the Optio died, the prime minister knew his plot was falling apart. He panicked, got his own pistol, went down to the bar, shot the doctor, dropped the gun and fled. He shouldn’t have dropped the gun.”
“Because the gun told you the killer was an Earthling.”
“Obviously we already suspected that.”
“Oh yes, we were thinking the same thing.” I said, taking another sip of wine. Then I realized there was going to be a trial. “Oh by the Goddess, there is going to be a trial. It will all come out. Oh, a trial won’t be good for you. Putting it delicately, you are an Earthling. Of course, my family won’t be pleased. A princess in the middle of all these murders with an Earthling no less. Oh, I am sorry!”
“Hmp, I understand. No need to apologize.” He said, then taking a long drink of beer. “There will be no trial, I suspect, once Queen Rexannis has her answers. Such as was the man she loved murdered, was his body on Earth, if not where is it, and the names of the people, who are most likely Earthlings who are involved with the conspiracy. Once she gets her answers. The man will most likely be put into an airlock and blown into space.”
“What? You agreed to this.” I asked looking into his face.
“Not only did he vote for the destruction of Earth. I suspect he influenced the other voters.”
“I wonder why he became a woman.”
“The prime minister was a woman. It is my understanding most of the power on Icakka rests with the women. Ah, ah, and a woman can be more persuasive than men in some ways.”
“Are you suggesting he used his new body to…Euuu!”
“Of course there is always the chance he secretly wanted to be a woman. I doubt we will ever know.”
“Do you know who he really is?”
“The last president of Earth loved guns. I recall there being numerous pictures of him holding a Smith-Wesson 44. He claimed it was the original gun from some movie.”
“With his wealth and power he could have just vanished. Instead he tried to take over another world.”
“I am told power is very addictive. Never having any real power I wouldn’t know. And I don’t think I want to know.”
“So what happens to you now?”
“I am still working for Lady Venusun. Before all this happened I was on my way to investigate a series of burglaries on Galis. The last break-in resulted in a death.”
“So you go where Lady Venusun tells you to go and solve crimes.”
“Yes, that is what she pays me for.” The Earthling said. “So we will be going our separate ways.
“Mmm, yes, we will.” I said tapping my finger on the rim of my glass. I really needed to a manicure. My eyes drifted to Earthling who had moved away and was now sitting on the sofa. I walked over and smiled. “No, I will speak to Lady Venusun about becoming your partner.”
“What?”
For the first time the Earthling looked surprised.
