Murder in the Multiverse

by R E McLean

  Sarita put her hand behind Alex’s back, easing her fingers in gently. Then she pulled it away and held it in front of Alex’s face. Clear, gloopy liquid dripped onto her face. Alex grimaced, horrified.

  Sarita eyed the liquid then sniffed it. She held it away from her face, shrugged and licked some off her finger.

  “Sarita!” cracked Alex.” “That’s disgusting.”

  “Yeah. Pretty yucky.” Sarita brushed it off her hands. “What did you feel, when you hit the floor? What did you hear?”

  “There was a crunch. Then I felt splintering beneath me.”

  Sarita looked up. “Listen to this, everyone. Alex fell onto a box of eggs, and she thought it was her spine exploding.”

  “Shut up,” replied Alex, glaring at Sarita. “Anyway, why are you here? I thought you don’t jump. What if you bump into your opposite number?”

  “Shush now. You’ve had a serious spinal injury. You need surgery.”

  “What?”

  Alex felt her limbs slacken. Behind her, the fluid was still seeping, making her back cold.

  Sarita was snorting.

  “It’s not funny.”

  “It is.”

  Sarita reached out a hand and fumbled at Alex’s side. She drew an object up between them.

  A box of eggs. Smashed.

  “You were lying on this. Get up, you lazy ginger.”

  Sarita hauled Alex up as two orange-clad paramedics rushed in. They slid a stretcher underneath Claire and sped off with her. Sean followed, the dog whimpering in his arms. He nodded towards Alex as he left.

  “She’ll be fine,” said the Prof. “As long as you’re alive when they get you, you’ll always be good as new.”

  Alex marveled once again at this version of her city. Could she steal some of this tech, take it back with her?

  “I know what you’re thinking,” said the Prof. “You’re allowed to steal one idea. Just one. If you can convince the Luddites in your world to use it, then good luck to you. But nothing physical. The Spinner would never forgive you.”

  “Have you stolen any ideas from us?” Alex asked. She put her hand behind her back and grimaced. Her back was indeed covered with broken eggshells.

  “Ouch,” she breathed. She may not have broken her back, but being slammed into the floor like that meant she wouldn’t be running a marathon anytime soon.

  Sarita stood behind Alex and started moving her fingers across her back, testing the muscles. Alex closed her eyes and leaned into it.

  “Ow,” she muttered as Sarita hit a painful spot. Sarita stopped moving her fingers and started massaging that spot, dipping her fingers into Alex’s flesh through her shirt. Alex reminded herself to hurt her back more often.

  “The time is ten-thirty p.m. You have thirty minutes before you must jump.”

  “Thanks Dolores,” said Alex.

  “Dolores?” asked the Prof.

  Alex shrugged. “Suits her.” She turned to Sarita. “How did you find me?”

  “Madonna was tracking you. We knew you’d found him. And then Dolores—as you call her—raised the alarm.”

  “Madonna?”

  “Yup.”

  “But how? I didn’t come through the MOO.”

  “Our Mads knows more than she lets on,” said the Prof.

  “Oh,” replied Alex. “If anyone was tracking me, I thought it might have been you.”

  “Me?” said Sarita and the Prof in unison.

  Alex laughed, then winced. Sarita shifted her fingers a little and continued kneading.

  “Both of you, I suppose,” Alex said.

  “Didn’t you realize?” asked Sarita. “Madonna’s a genius.”

  “Well I never thought I’d hear those words all together in one sentence.”

  “She is. She developed the Hive. She created the Spinner. She’s Betsy Woznik.”

  “She’s the recluse who built the Hive?”

  Sarita pushed a muscle with her finger, making Alex gasp. She wasn’t sure whether it was a gasp of pain or enjoyment. “The woman’s a genius.”

  “I just thought she was a geek. A geek looking like a 1980s pop star.”

  Sarita laughed. “No. She’s a nerd. A proper, full blown nerd. Not a geek like you.”

  “What’s the difference?”

  Sarita’s hands stopped moving. “Nerds aren’t sexy.” She pulled her hands away and brushed them together as if shaking off dirt. “Come on, you’ll be fine after a couple of beers.”

  Alex felt heat travel up her back. “Yeah. I think I will.”

  Mike gave a theatrical sigh. “Will you two just get a room?”

  “Do you need extra workspace?” asked the Prof. “I’m sure we can furnish you with an office at the MOO.”

  Alex felt her chest tighten. She ignored what Mike had said and avoided Sarita’s eye.

  “Come on then.” Mike twirled his mustache with his free hand and looked at the Prof. “Let’s get this sucker back to the MOO.”

  57

  Kiss

  MOO

  28 March, 10:51pm

  Madonna was waiting for them at the MOO. She led them to the stairs (“the elevator doesn’t work at this time of night”) and up to the roof.

  The circular structure that housed the Spinner was there waiting for them. Alex blinked at it, glad that this time she wasn’t alone. It helped to have your friends working with you. It meant someone could hold your hair while you threw up at the other end.

  The Prof stepped forward. His face had lost its fruity quality and was back to its normal Einstein-resembling self, his hair more disheveled than ever. Alex gave it a friendly tug, expecting it to come away in her hand.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, sounding affronted.

  “I’m so sorry. Oh God, I really am. I thought it was a wig.”

  He patted it. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Sarita gave her a conspiratorial look. Alex looked away, blushing. Mike strode towards the Spinner, pulling Philip Gladstone with him. What shape would his facial hair take on, when they jumped? And how long would he have to put up with it until their next jump? If Alex was ever allowed to jump again.

  Alex stopped in her tracks. “I need to find Shrew.”

  “Shrew?” asked the Prof.

  “Schrödinger. My cat. He ran off.”

  Madonna smiled. “He’s back at your condo. He’s fine. Gorgeous boy. You need to feed him a bit less, though. And get him neutered.”

  “Right. Thanks.” Alex stepped towards Madonna and held out her hand. Madonna held out her own limply. Alex tried to shake it but then gave up and brought it to her lips instead. Madonna gave a squeal of delight that reminded Alex of the sound effects in Like A Virgin. She resisted the urge to tell Madonna what she was thinking.

  Instead, she opted for sincere and mature. “Thank you,” she said. “I heard you were looking out for me.”

  Madonna shrugged. “It was fun.”

  “Fun?”

  “We don’t get a lot of people like you round here. The way you talked your way past that bald kid was priceless.” She pursed her lips, her beauty spot moving up and down. “But you need to be going. You’re already later than my former husband.”

  Alex nodded, trying not to think about the ramifications of that last sentence. She looked across the roof toward the Bay. Had there really been a virtual microfiche underneath it less than two hours ago? Had she talked to Dolores, or was it Madonna all along? She hoped she’d get the chance to come back and find out.

  She turned to Sarita. “Come on. Time to jump.”

  Sarita looked pale. “Oh, hell.”

  “Is that why you don’t jump? It makes you sick.”

  “Kinda.”

  Alex sighed. “I’ll help you. We both will.”

  Mike had the door open to the Spinner. Alex steered Sarita inside then followed. She gave Madonna and the Prof a quick wave. Sarita had turned a shade that reminded Alex of an elephant crossed with a jellyfish. She took h
er hand. “It’ll be OK,” she said.

  She screwed up her eyes and waited for the world to start spinning.

  They stumbled out and into the MIU, relieved to find Nemesis waiting at the other end.

  “Where’s Madge?” asked Alex.

  “Ohh, I don’t feel so well,” said Sarita.

  Alex turned to her. “Take deep breaths. Don’t think about cauliflower.”

  “Cauliflower?”

  “It doesn’t matter. Here, this’ll take your mind off it.”

  She leaned in and gave Sarita a quick but gentle kiss. Then, suddenly aware of Nemesis watching, she pulled back, stuttering.

  “Oh, bum.”

  Sarita started to laugh. “Yeah. Don’t do that again.”

  “I’m sorry. It was the relief. Of getting back in one piece.”

  “I’m sure it was.”

  “I cured you of your sickness though, didn’t I?”

  “Yes. You’re going to make a good colleague.”

  “Colleague.”

  “Yes, colleague.”

  Alex turned toward the Spinner. Philip lay on the floor, groaning. His face was half-buried in a pile of vomit.

  She frowned. “Where’s Mike?”

  Sarita pushed her to one side. “What?”

  “He’s not there.” Alex turned to Nemesis. “Has Mike already come back?”

  “No. He was with you.”

  “He was when we were at the MOO. He was in the Spinner with us.” She felt her heart pick up pace. “Where is he now?”

  Sarita put a hand on her arm. “He’s probably back at the MOO. Leave it with me and Nemesis. You go brief Monique and we’ll get him.”

  “Are you sure? Shouldn’t I—”

  “It wouldn’t be wise for you to go back again after spending so long there. Let us handle it.”

  Alex slid to the ground.

  “I can’t just abandon him. Not after he came to get me.”

  Mike had been rude and dismissive when they’d first met but he’d come to rescue her, regardless of the consequences to his facial hair. He was her partner.

  Sarita’s hand was still on Alex’s arm. “We’ll get him. Alex. Now go.”

  58

  Mike

  The Spinner

  28 March, 10:53pm

  Mike slumped against the wall of the Spinner as it slowed. When it came to a halt he felt his chin as always.

  It was bare. That made a change.

  He withdrew his hand, not wanting the others to see him checking his beard. It was something he preferred not to mention. Something that embarrassed him.

  He looked up.

  The Spinner was empty. There was no one with him.

  “Sarita? Alex?”

  He stood up and looked around. The Spinner was quiet, its gray walls giving nothing away. Had they already left?

  He turned, expecting to see the open doorway behind him. The wall was a blank nothingness.

  He put his hand to it. It was smooth, and cold.

  “Nemesis?” he called. “That’s enough. Let me out.”

  No reply.

  “Madge!” he hollered. “You’re playing a trick on me, aren’t you?”

  He waited for a reply.

  “Very funny. Now just let me out.”

  He leaned against the wall, hoping it would open under his touch.

  He moved around its circle, shifting his hand up and down the smooth material. Nothing changed; no indentation, no change in temperature.

  He swallowed.

  “Come on now, guys. I had a long day, I just saved Alex’s hide and I want to be let out.”

  He had no idea which part of the wall the door would be in, but he had to start somewhere. He hurled himself at it, letting his shoulder barrel into the surface.

  It didn’t give. His shoulder hurt.

  “Ow.”

  He slid to the floor. Nothing for it but to wait.

  “Please don’t damage the walls,” came a voice.

  ‘Nemesis! I’m sorry. Let me out now, OK?”

  “Who’s Nemesis?”

  Mike felt his chest constrict.

  “Very funny.”

  “If you think this is a joke, that’s fine. It isn’t.”

  The Spinner started to shift. He leaned against the wall, feeling the familiar motion.

  “Stop!” he cried. “Let me out!”

  There was no response. The Spinner picked up speed.

  59

  Pizza

  San Francisco

  31 March, 8:03pm

  “Rik, this is my dad. Duncan. Dad, this is Rik Patel, my lab partner.”

  Alex’s dad put out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

  Rik waved the pizza box he was carrying by way of apology. As he placed it on the table, Alex slipped him a couple of twenties; the promise of free pizza had broken his bad mood.

  Rik wiped his hand on his jeans then shook Duncan’s hand. “Just landed?”

  “Alex picked me up from SFO a couple of hours ago. I met her cat. He’s an odd ‘un.”

  Rik nodded and opened the box. Alex grabbed a slice. She was glad to see her dad, but hadn’t lost the sensation that a panic attack might overtake her at any time. It had started when Mike disappeared.

  She eyed her dad. She couldn’t tell him anything about the MIU. Nor Rik.

  “How’s Morag?” she asked.

  “On the mend. Slowly. She sends her love.”

  “Good. You sure she’s OK with you being here?”

  “There are twenty-three women on rotation by her bedside. They look at me funny whenever I turn up.”

  “Well, it’s good to see you. I’ve had an odd couple of weeks.”

  Rik looked up. Cheese dripped down his chin. “Alex was an expert witness in a murder case.”

  Duncan’s eyes lit up. “You’re working with the cops? Do they give you a gun?”

  “Don’t be daft, Dad. I’m only a witness. I had to appear in court, that’s all.”

  “Oh. Just as long as you’re keeping out of mischief.”

  “Of course,” she replied.

  Her phone rang: Sarita.

  “Give me a minute, will you? Don’t eat it all.”

  She slipped outside. The night was cool, the remains of a fog dissipating.

  “Sarita. Did you find him?”

  “No.”

  “Isn’t he in Silicon City?”

  “The Prof and Madonna haven’t seen him. They did a check of the Hive and there’s no sign of him.”

  Alex leaned against the wall. She felt wobbly. “I feel responsible.”

  “Don’t.”

  “He jumped to help me. You did too. I know you aren’t supposed to jump. Maybe it caused a problem, some kind of anomaly?”

  “We don’t know. But we do need to find him.”

  “Right.”

  “Monique wants you back.”

  Alex felt a smile spread across her face. She quickly banished it.

  “Me?”

  “Yeah. You up for a new mission?”

  She looked into the apartment. Her dad was standing in front of Rik, telling him some kind of story. Lots of hand gestures and marching. She rolled her eyes.

  “I’ve got my dad here. My aunt was attacked.”

  “I know.”

  “How?”

  “I just do. Look, will you help, or not?”

  She looked at her dad again. He was laughing with Rik, bending over her lab partner with his hand on his shoulder. It looked like they’d known each other for years.

  Then she thought of the look on Mike’s face when he’d burst in on her and Philip Gladstone. The relief she’d felt.

  “Yes,” she said. “Yes. I’m in.”

  A Rift in Space & Crime, Book 2 of the Multiverse Investigations Series

  Mike is missing – can Alex find him?

  Alex has returned in one piece from her first multiverse investigation. She’s caught the criminal, kept the crime from happening twice
and made it back for closing time.

  But there’s one problem. Mike Long, her new partner, is missing.

  Can Alex find Mike in an unexplored universe, keep the mysterious rifts in spacetime from turning San Francisco into a puddle of goo, and live down the embarrassment of kissing Sarita after their last jump?

  Buy ‘A Rift in Space & Crime’ Now

  Read Schrödinger’s Origins Story

  How did Schrödinger become a quantum cat?

  Well, it happened around Hallowe’en, when he met a quantum witch…

  Find out how Schrödinger got his powers in his origins story, Schrödinger and the Quantum Witch.

  Exclusively at multiverse-investigations.com/witch.

  Copyright © 2019 by RE McLean

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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