by Rob Guy
“Yes?” Harry said, trying to act unconcerned.
“You never asked me what this is all about.” He smiled and left.
Now that did take Harry by surprise.
16
Free To Go
“What do you mean I’m free to go?”
“You’re free to go. It’s official, here.”
The lawyer handed Harry a release docket screened onto his tablet.
“This is insane. I don’t understand.”
“Read it, Mr Watt.”
Harry peered at the screen and took a moment to scroll down it. What he saw absolutely astounded him. He read out loud:
“In the case of Watt, Harold Alphonse, October 15th 2150.
Read:
In the case of Watt, Harold Alphonse, license number 11726213598.
Charge #1: Failure to renew Bailsman license.
Contravention of Section 4D paragraph 2 article 3 of The Bailsman Code of Conduct, Regulatory Statute Earth, District: New America, Seventeenth Edition 2145 states:
If any license issued by a recognized authority is not renewed on or by its’ expiry date, a grace period of seven (7) sidereal days is granted after such date for renewal to take place. Failure to renew after this time will result in the relevant fine appropriate to license issued and/or prosecution. Any said fines or imprisonment are subject to the relevant issuing authority in effect at the time of the offence.
Outcome of charge: Fine paid in full. Party to be reprimanded. Three (3) sidereal month suspension, suspended for two years.
Charge #2: Assault of a police officer. Mitigating circumstances: Defence of a minor. Outcome of charge: Preliminary hearing before the presiding Judge.
“What! Is this for real?”
“Absolutely it is. Miss Heinlein has paid the fine. You’re free to go.”
“Heidi? That gorgeous, beautiful, scrumptious, miniature Madonna? I, I can’t believe this.”
“Believe it, Mr Watt. Now please leave before they change their minds.” Harry looked at the lawyer. “Only joking. There will be a hearing tomorrow before the Judge for both charges, but I am assured by Miss Heinlein that that will be a formality.”
“How can she be so sure?”
“You’d better ask her that. The worst that can happen is sixty days, thirty for each offence to run concurrently. But that will only happen if the Judge decides to overturn the mandatory punishment for the first charge, and that’s very unlikely. Just don’t piss him off in court.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“And you even get to choose where you want to spend that time seeing as you’re not a permanent resident of Venus Station. But like I said, that won’t happen. Miss Heinlein has paid the fine and that should be sufficient to please the Court. As for the other charge, again I was told to pass on to you that you’re not to worry.”
“I see.” Harry shook his head. “C'est incroyable.” He was silent for a moment, taking it all in. Then: “How much was the fine?”
“Substantial is all I was told.”
“And what about Angel?”
“Again, Miss Heinlein has taken care of it. Miss Matsui will be after you with the Judge tomorrow morning. Her plea will be entered as self-defence, protection of a minor. Yes, she broke several bones, but she had mitigating circumstances.”
“Damn right she did. Guess the sergeant was right.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Nothing. Go on.”
“What I will say is that if it wasn’t for Miss Heinlein’s assurance that things will go well, Miss Matsui could be looking at six to eighteen months.”
“How can Heidi be so sure?” Harry said again, this time rhetorically.
“I’ve known Miss Heinlein a while. When she says something like that I tend to believe her.”
“I’ve known her a matter of hours, and I tend to believe her too.” But a sudden thought struck Harry. He drew the lawyer to one side. “But what about, you know, you know….” he whispered, tilting his head.
The lawyer was a moment deciding what Harry was inferring. Then he got it. “Oh that. It seems the guy that got shot had a jealous lover. He was found a few hours later, gunshot to the head. Same gun that killed, err…”
“Rogers, Timothy Rogers.”
“Yes, that sounds right.”
“He was gay?”
“Appears so.”
“Didn’t appear so to me. I know he was paying, but the women were all over him.” Harry shook his head and re-read the release docket. His keen detective mind was beginning to roll into action. He gave more thought to recent events. Slowly doubts started to rise.
“Was there a note, I wonder?” he asked, thinking out loud.
The lawyer frowned. “I’ve no idea. I assume so.”
“You assume?”
“Well yes, it being suicide.”
“Assume makes an ass out of you and me.”
“I don’t see the need to be concerned with it, Mr Watt. The police are not interested in you for the murder. As far as they are concerned they have their man. Murder-suicide. Open and shut.”
“Perhaps. Just seems too easy.”
“What does?”
“I don’t mean the license nonsense, I mean the other stuff. I didn’t do it, obviously, but who’s the gay lover? How long did Rogers know him? Did they arrive together?”
“No idea. They wouldn’t tell me anyway. It’s not going to trial now. You’re free.”
“Amen to that.”
The lawyer chuckled. “You have a singular wit, Mr Watt. Or is it Watkins?”
“You can call me Harry.”
“So what’s with the Watkins name?”
“It’s my dead partner’s name. I used it when I visited Delilah’s. Don’t look so shocked, he would have approved. And you are?”
“Luke, Luke Elliot.”
“Well Luke Luke Elliot. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Harry held out his hand.
“The pleasure is mutual, Harry,” Luke said taking it.
“You’ll be with me tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
“And Angel too?” Elliot nodded. “Good. If you’re good enough for Heidi you’re more than good enough for me. You’re just a little young that’s all.”
“So I’ve been told. But I have represented the ladies on more than a few occasions. Assaults mainly.” Luke shook his head. “I will never understand why some men feel they have to do that to a woman.”
Harry nodded. Yes, you’re okay. “Heidi is a good judge of character.” He patted Elliot on the shoulder. This seemed to prompt him.
“Oh. I almost forgot. Miss Heinlein bid me give you this.” He handed Harry a piece of folded paper. It was sealed with real wax, and stamped HH. “She is old fashioned like that,” he added, nodding at the paper. “You’re very lucky, Harry.”
“I know. I thought I was for the rope.”
“No, I mean, you’re very lucky.” He looked down at the letter.
Harry smiled. “Yes I am. She’s a remarkable woman.”
“Well I’d better be off. I have a few things to attend to in time for tomorrow. The exit is that way. Good day, Mr Watt.”
Luke left Harry holding the note. He remained, statue like, the letter in his hand, for what seemed an age. He was slowly getting a grasp of what had happened over the last few hours. Finally he opened it. It was penned beautifully in Heidi’s own hand.
Well well. Who’s been a naughty boy, then? Do you want to know what I do to naughty boys? You mustn’t worry yourself about the fine. It’s all been taken care of, and so has Angela. I’ll explain when I see you. Unfortunately, Angela has to remain in custody until tomorrow. I’m booked in at the Hilton with Chisato. She’s fine, but asking for you and Angela. We are in room 237 under Heinlein.
Come as soon as you can.
H xxx.
17
Larry Meets Heidi And Chisato
“Thank God you’re both okay,
” Harry said again. He had embraced Heidi, and kissed her and kissed her till she had to tell him to stop. He had scooped up Chisato, and swung her round with such joy that it brought tears to Heidi’s eyes. The little doll of a girl laughed and laughed. Once all was settled, and Chisato had been put to bed, Heidi filled Harry in as to what had happened after he was beaten and taken away. They were seated together on the couch, a glass of wine in hand.
“Those bastards got it good from Angela. I wish you could have seen her. She was like a wild tiger.”
“I think I can imagine the scene. Thank you again for getting me out. But I’ve screwed everything up. We can’t possibly make the Mars ship now.” He saw Heidi raise a smile. “Can we?”
“Leave that to me.”
“What? Are you serious? You’re telling me you can delay the launch of a Mars cruiser?” Heidi was laughing. “Miss Heinlein, you should run for System President. You’d get my vote.”
“Mmm, and something else I hope.” She put her arms round his neck, and kissed him passionately.
“Boy oh boy.” Harry adjusted himself and coughed, making Heidi giggle. “Err, Luke seems to know what he’s doing,” he remarked. He could see Heidi was more than a little tipsy.
“Yes. I am very fortunate. He has morals. Rare indeed up here.”
“I know you have influence, Madam President, but I’m still unsure as to how you’re going to get me off, let alone Angel. Inter-planetary craft is one thing, planetary legal stuff is another.”
“You’re a smart guy, Harry, you figure it out.”
Harry frowned. “The last time you said that to me we ended up sleeping together.”
“Yes we did. But not tonight. I have too much on my mind.”
“Hey! I’ve got morals too, you know.”
Heidi laughed and allowed herself to fall into Harry’s arms again. They clinked their glasses. “To you, Harry Watt, a man among men.”
“Why thank you, my lady. And here’s to you, and Angel, and Chisato. Thank you for…”
“That’s enough of that. Let’s not get maudlin.” Heidi finished her glass, and leaned across Harry’s lap to grabb the bottle.
Harry felt a brief rush of cold air across the back of his neck, and it wasn’t the fact that Heidi was deliberately kneading her breasts in his groin. He felt her shiver too. She straightened up, bottle in one hand, glass in the other. “Ooh,” she said, shaking her shoulders. “Felt like someone just walked on my grave.”
Harry turned his head to see Larry standing in the corner near the drapes. He held up his hand, and went to sit down in a chair near the window.
“Er, this is awkward,” said Harry.
“What is?” Heidi asked, topping up her glass.
“If I was to tell you I have frequent contact with my dead partner, would you a; believe me and think nothing of it, or b; think me crazy and kick me out?”
“Well those are hardly fair alternatives.”
“What if I could prove it?”
“Harry?” said Larry. “What are you doing?”
“Do you mind if we wake Chisato and bring her in here?”
“What?”
“Harry, that’s not a good idea,” Larry cautioned. “You’ll frighten her.”
Heidi looked at him. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I am. Would you do it? Otherwise it’s going to look like it is. That I’m having a conversation with myself.”
“And I thought this was going to be a dull evening.” Heidi put down her glass and stood up. “Okay, Mr Watt, I’ll play your game. But I promise you this.”
“Yes?”
“You’ll be the one staying up with her when she can’t get back to sleep.” Heidi walked off, a little unsteady thanks to the wine. Halfway to the bedroom she hiccupped and burped in quick succession. “Oops, I’m sorry,” she said to herself, placing the back of one hand over her mouth. She used the fingers of the other to trace a pattern along the wall, as carefree as you like.
A minute later she returned, carrying Chisato in her arms. Harry stood up and offered his own arms to her. Chisato, bleary eyed, reached out, and he took her from Heidi. She didn’t look angry, merely intrigued.
Bless this woman.
“Hello, little one,” Harry said quietly, Chisato’s tiny arms curled round his neck. “Do you want to play a game?” She nodded. “Good. I want you to do something for me. Can you see another man in the room? Don’t be afraid because he is Harry’s friend. I want mama Heidi to meet him, but he is playing hide and seek. Can you see him?”
Without a word, Chisato raised one arm and pointed to the chair by the bed.
Heidi looked horrified, but then she smirked. “Oh, I get it. Well I’m not playing this one. Harry, fancy waking her up for this. That’s just plain mean. Shame on you. Give her back right now.”
Chisato turned her face. She wore her meanest frown. “Mama Heidi, he’s there. He says hello.”
It was Heidi’s turn to frown, but a second more to look into Chisato’s eyes told her all she wanted to know. She put a hand to her mouth. “Holy shit!”
“Bad word, mama Heidi,” Chisato said, turning her head back. She waved at the chair.
Harry squeezed her ear the way she liked him to, and kissed her on the forehead. “Thank you, Chi Chi. Do you want to go back to bed?”
“No. I want to stay here with you.”
“Is that okay, mama Heidi?” said Harry.
“Yes. Of course it is. Let me take her.” She gave Harry the hard stare as she took Chisato back.
“Heidi, it’s okay. Larry was my partner. He was killed three years ago by the same man who tried to frame me for the shooting.”
“Larry? You called out his name on the way back from Doctor Noe’s. Which reminds me. Gotta pay that s.o.b. back for snitching.”
“I mentioned his name? Well there you are. You shivered just now. Did you feel a cold wind, just before I spoke of him in the cab?”
“Oh God. I don’t know if I want to hear this.”
“He’s sat over there, waiting.”
“Waiting for what?”
“That’s what I want to find out. Please, Heidi, come and say hello. Please?” Harry held out a hand.
“This is insane.” Heidi stared at him. She muttered something in frustration. “Let’s put you back to bed, sweetheart.”
“I want to say hello, too,” said Chisato. She reached out for Harry again, and he took her back. The two adults looked at each other. “There’s a bird,” Chisato exclaimed. She pointed to where Larry was still sat. Harry and Heidi looked over.
“What does he look like, baby girl?” asked Harry.
“Green and yellow. He’s talking. He’s funny.”
“Sounds like Jonny.”
“It is.”
“What’s he saying, Chi Chi?”
“He doesn’t blame you for what happened. He knows you didn’t mean it. But you should have listened to him.”
“Ha! Take the white one, Harry,” Harry said, mimicking Jonny. It made Chisato giggle. “I’m sorry, Jonny.”
Heidi shook her head. “I don’t believe this.”
“Come on, let’s go over.”
Harry let Chisato fall gently down, and he walked over with her, holding her tiny hand. Heidi hesitated before joining them.
“Well that was fun,” said Larry. “Say hi to Heidi for me.” He smiled at Chisato and waved. “Hello, beautiful. My name is Larry.”
“Larry says hi,” Harry related.
“Likewise, I guess,” Heidi replied, with the utmost disinterest.
Chisato hung her head, her dark eyes, unsure, looking up at the strange, new man. She put a finger in her mouth, biting on the end.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Harry coaxed. “Larry is my friend. Don’t you want to say hello?”
“Don’t want to,” she said, and turned her face away. She clung to Harry’s leg.
“Okay,” said Heidi, sternly, “enough of this charade.” S
he went to pick up Chisato, but the little girl rounded Harry’s legs to appear on the other side. Heidi hesitated, watching her.
“Hello, Larry-san,” the little girl finally said, her voice so quiet.
“Kon’nichiwa, Chisato,” Larry replied, smiling once more.
“You look funny. Are you all right?”
“I am fine, thank you. It is very kind of you to ask. Would you like to see a trick?”
“Yes.”
All the time, Harry was repeating what Larry was saying. Heidi was simply lost for words. She looked at Harry, she looked at Chisato, and she looked at the chair. Jonny sat on Larry’s shoulder, and although Harry couldn’t see him, Larry would keep taking seeds out of his top pocket and they would disappear out of his hand. Harry simply had to ask the question.
“Is Jonny pissed at me? I know he said it’s not my fault, but why is he still here? He’s not waiting for me to cop it too, is he?”
“Bad word, Harry-san.”
“Sorry, little one.” He crossed his eyes, and stuck out his tongue. Larry did the same. Chisato giggled, and covered her eyes with her fingers. She moved over to stand beside Heidi, ready to play peek-a-boo around her legs.
“He’ll be on his way soon, I think. I met him soon after you, you know. He was pissed, especially as he told you which color to use, but hey, these things happen.”
“You use bad word too, Larry-san,” Chisato told him.
“Anata wa tadashī utsukushī shōjodesu. Gomen'nasai.” Larry bowed his head.
“That’s good, Larry. Thank you,” said Harry. “He just said something to Chisato in Japanese,” he explained to Heidi. “Not sure what, though.”
“He said sorry,” Chisato said.
“And?” Larry prompted.
“And that I am a beautiful girl.” She blushed and spun round playfully.
“Well that’s nice,” said Heidi, looking completely bewildered.
“Give Jonny my apologises, will you?” said Harry.
“Done.”
“Aahh,” Chisato sighed. “The bird makes sad noise. He says it is time for him to go. Bye bye, birdie.” She started waving.
“Guess that’s all it took,” said Larry. “He just wanted to hear you say sorry. You two should wave as well. I think it’s the least you could do.”
