by Bob Cooper
“Dirk! It’s on the monitor about Bob Haskall! What happened?” she asked him.
“Acey, I don’t know. I was supposed to meet him for a drink. He said it was urgent. When he didn’t show, I went to his apartment and found him dead on the floor, so I called the Citizen Guard. I know they suspect me.”
Bob Haskall was like an uncle to Acey. He was always with them on holidays and special occasions. Even though in recent years Dirk and Bob argued over the politics of the Academy, they remained good friends.
“I made some breakfast and strong coffee to wake you up,” she said.
“No time. I have to get to the Academy,” he said, heading towards the door.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Someone left this outside our door last night. It’s addressed to you,” Acey said, handing Dirk the package.
Dirk looked at it. It had no return address on it. Already late for class, he threw it in his satchel and without another word, left for the Academy. Acey got dressed quickly and ran after him. She caught up with Dirk outside the main gate to the Academy where he stood watching. The news media were all over the entrance to the Administration building. They hadn’t recognized him yet.
“What are you going to do?” she asked.
“I have a class in five minutes,” he said and started to walk through the gate towards the building entrance, carefully watching the crowd’s reaction.
Acey followed him. Someone recognized him and shouted to the rest of the media.
“Here, he is! Professor Saunders, please hold up!”
The rest of the media quickly surrounded him with their audio and video equipment.
“Is it true Professor Saunders that you are the prime suspect in this murder?” one reporter asked.
“Can you comment on how you found the body?” said another reporter.
“Get out of my way. I’m late,” he said, pushing through the crowd and into the building.
Acey tried to get through, but cameras, recording devices, and boorish reporters mobbed her as well.
“That’s his Granddaughter. Don’t let her get away,” someone shouted.
Acey turned to run but was struck in the face by a microphone. It knocked her back.
“What can you tell us about this situation,” a female reporter asked.
Acey turned in the opposite direction and started to push through; her jaw smarted from the microphone. Another group of press representatives encircled her. There was no way out. Questions were hurled at her from every direction. She was trapped. Someone grabbed her right arm and pulled her through the crowd dragging her off the campus and down a side street. It was Hillary.
Tears flowed hard and fast—Acey couldn’t catch her breath. Hillary held her until she was able to breathe normally.
“I heard about Bob Haskall. I’m so sorry, Acey. It’s all people are talking about,” Hillary said.
“He didn’t do it!” Acey sobbed. “Why is everybody so eager to blame him?” she said, crying again.
“You don’t have to convince me,” Hillary said, feeling a little hurt from the tone in Acey’s voice.
“I know. You’re a good friend. I’m so glad that you are here,” Acey said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
They walked back to Acey’s apartment, but it was crawling with the media waiting to pounce on her. She decided to stay with Hillary. Everything in her life would be put on hold. Being there for Dirk was now her primary goal.
***
Dirk managed to get to his office and closed the door. He gathered up his lecture notes and headed to class. The stares from his colleagues along the way cut through his sense of confidence. He walked towards the classroom door and opened it. O’Malley stood there with the rest of the Governance Committee. The students had been dismissed.
“It is my duty to inform you in the presence of the Governance Committee that your tenure is suspended, and you can no longer teach at the Academy,” O’Malley said.
“This is an outrage. You can’t do this. I haven’t been proven guilty. The rules say…”
“In light of this most heinous crime, we felt it was in the best interest of the Academy to suspend you,” O’Malley said, cutting him off.
The security guards moved in to surround Dirk.
“Security will escort you out,” O’Malley said motioning to the security guards.
One of them grabbed Dirk by the shoulder and started to usher him unceremoniously out of the building. Dirk pushed the guard away.
“I don’t need an escort, and I will be back,” Dirk yelled at O’Malley.
The gasps and whispers from the crowd now turned into loud shouting—some directed at Dirk and some aimed at O’Malley. Three security guards grabbed him and shoved him out the door.
***
Raina, hidden in the crowd, watched the entire incident. She smiled, watching him struggle with the security guards. So far, everything was working out fine — score one for the Earther’s Movement. O’Malley was outside addressing the media when he saw Raina walk by. He nodded to her as she passed him, and she headed towards the rear of the building. One of O’Malley’s aids gave her an envelope. She waited until he left and then counted the money.
***
As they arrived at Hillary’s place, Acey heard the com link and answered it.
“Hi Dirk,” she said fumbling with the cover.
“Acey. This is Aidan. I heard the news. I’m so sorry.”
“Aidan, I need to be with him. He didn’t do it. He’s innocent. All he did was find the body.”
“So I heard. I read Inspector Davis’ report. They found his fingerprints on the murder weapon.”
“That can’t be. He would never do a thing like that.” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Then, a news bulletin broke on the monitor. “I’ll call you later,” she said.
“If there’s anything I can do, please let me know,” Aidan said.
“PROFESSOR CHARGED WITH MURDER,” the headlines steamed across the monitor.
“…Professor Dirk Saunders was formally charged with the murder of his friend and colleague, Bob Haskall, according to Inspector Davis with the detective unit of the Citizen Guard. Evidence linking him to the murder was found at the scene. Dean O’Malley has suspended Professor Saunders from the Academy, and a warrant was issued late this morning. He has not yet been located. There is a citywide search in progress. If anyone should see him, please contact the Citizen Guard immediately.”
“Try contacting Dirk again,” Hillary said.
Acey activated the com link and connected with Dirk. “They have a warrant for your arrest and are looking for you right now,” Acey said.
“I know, I heard. I’m at the Petroglyph site outside of town where I used to take you camping. Come and get me. They will be scanning my link soon so don’t call me anymore.”
“Ok, I’ll be there.”
“No! Hillary said. I’ll get him and bring him here. If they see you, you will lead them right to Dirk. You stay put. Just tell me where he is.”
Acey gave Hillary the directions and waited. Her thoughts raced. Who would want to kill Bob? What was the reason he wanted to meet with Dirk that night? None of this was making sense. Dirk was the only family she had left. She shook uncontrollably at the thought of losing her Grandfather too. Painful memories about her parents being killed swirled in her head. The Academy had a small memorial service for those lost in the starship explosion and played the whole thing down. Negative publicity always dried up funding sources. The Academy avoided it at all costs.
***
The door opened, and Hillary and Dirk walked in. Acey ran into his arms.
“It will be all right. Nothing is going to happen to me. The truth will prove me innocent,” he assured her.
“The patrol units are everywhere. The street monitors have both of your pictures. You can’t leave,” Hillary said.
“It’s just a matter of time until you come under surveillance as well,” Dirk said to Hillar
y.
He threw his satchel on the table, and the package that Acey gave to him earlier fell out. He picked it up and examined it again, remembering it had no return address on it. He opened it and found several discs.
“What’s all that?” Acey asked.
“I’m not sure,” he replied.
Hillary opened the media reader on the monitor and inserted the first disk.
“Let’s see,” she said.
“These are dated some years ago,” Dirk said reading the labels.
He found the earliest disc and listened. The voices were familiar. It was a conversation between O’Malley and Acey’s father.
“…. Dr. Saunders, you are in no position to negotiate. I want your research notes, or your wife and the entire world will know about what you really have been doing on Europa.
“You insane bastard! You can’t impress the Board of Governors with that dribble you call research, so you have to steal mine,” Dr. Saunders replied.
“I was the one who got funding for your excursions to Antares. I was the one who convinced the Board that this was a worthwhile endeavor. I want the credit,” O’Malley yelled.
“But I did all the work to find the Codex,” Dr. Saunders argued.
“I will complete the research and publish the findings. You have no say in the matter. I’m sending someone to Antares Proper next week. Please turn over all your work. Remember, life will be very uncomfortable if I release these pictures to your wife,” O’Malley said.
The next disc was a conversation between O’Malley and Bob Haskall.
“… I want you to go to Antares Proper, find that temple and bring back all the research Saunders has completed. Use your charm and wit to convince him that this discovery is of great benefit to the Academy and transcends his professional ego,” O’Malley said.
“O’Malley, this is not right. You will destroy….”
“Shut up, Haskall! If you want that promotion, you will do exactly as I say. Now get out of here and go to Antares,” O’Malley shouted.
Just as they were ready to listen to the last disc, the video monitor flashed a news bulletin. “This just in. The Citizen’s Guard has just released an all point bulletin for Dirk Saunders. After finding incriminating evidence, a warrant has been issued. If anyone knows his location, consider him dangerous and contact the Citizen Guard immediately.”
Dirk turned to Acey and Hillary as he gathered his satchel. “We have to get out of here. Hillary, you must stay here. If they find out you were with us, you could be in big trouble.”
Hillary looked out the window.
“Too late. They’re already here!” she said.
4
Acey and Dirk grabbed what they could carry and ran out the door.
“Follow me,” Hillary yelled, leading them to the service elevator. It seemed forever before the elevator reached the service entrance on street level. When the doors opened, Hillary stepped out and looked around. The hallway was eerily empty. She soon discovered why. Citizen Guard patrol officers were all over the place and refused to allow anyone in or out.
“We can’t go out this way,” Hillary said.
She pushed the elevator button for the garage level, and when it opened, looked around.
“All clear,” she whispered.
Acey and Dirk cautiously left the safety of the elevator.
“There’s my land cruiser docked over there,” Hillary said, pointing to the bay straight ahead.
She remotely started the engine and opened the doors. Taking one more look around, she motioned them forward. Just as Hillary approached the vehicle, a shadow emerged. Acey saw it first and gasped. Dirk and Hillary heard her and stopped in their tracks. They waited for it to materialize holding their breath.
Aidan appeared with a weapon in his hand. They looked at each other, trying to decide what to do next. Acey stepped forward and spoke first.
“Aidan, please. He’s innocent.” She couldn’t find the rest of the words to express herself.
He looked at her and then the rest of them. Somehow it wasn’t as clear cut as in the manuals. His sense of duty was always primary. His father, a captain in the Citizen Guard, was killed in the line of duty. What would he do? The facts were straightforward—there was a murder warrant out for Dirk Saunders, and his orders were to find him and bring him in. But then there was Acey. He believed her and trusted her, but he had a job to do.
“Acey, you know I have no choice in this matter. I must bring him in,” he said, focusing once again on the situation at hand.
She mustered up all her logical ability.
“Aidan, we have proof that Bob Haskall was killed by O’Malley and his people. But we need time to tie up some loose ends. I promise he’ll turn himself in as soon as we get the rest of the evidence.”
Hillary saw an opportunity, and she took it. She whispered to Dirk to grab Acey and throw her into the land cruiser on her command.
Aidan considered her proposal.
“Acey, I believe you but….”
“Now,” whispered Hillary to Dirk.
Dirk grabbed Acey and threw her into the back seat, and he jumped in after her. Hillary was already in the driver’s seat and activated the thrusters to maneuver the land cruiser out of the parking bay.
Aidan swung his weapon towards the vehicle. He saw Acey’s face staring back at him from the rear window. The land cruiser did a complete turn-around and sped out the garage exit. Aidan lowered his weapon and radioed the Citizen Patrol team.
“I spotted them. They just left via the north exit of the garage in an older model land cruiser. Begin pursuit and keep me informed,” he shouted as he rushed to the main floor.
Hillary was able to lose the Citizen Guard before they were able to get started. Once out of the parking area, Hillary traversed the side streets and alleys until they were in the clear.
“Where to?” she said, watching Dirk and Acey untangled themselves from the unceremonious exit from the garage.
“Head northwest towards the Lost Burro Canyon. You’ll see the remnants of an old mining town in the hills. We can hide there for a while.” Dirk said.
Acey’s mind was on Aidan. He could have shot at them or disabled the land cruiser, but he didn’t. She was grateful and relieved. As she struggled to get comfortable, she noticed the last disc in Dirk’s satchel, which they had not had time to playback in Hillary’s apartment.
“Put this on and let’s see what it says,” Acey said, handing the disc to Dirk.
He activated the cruiser’s monitor and inserted the disc. A video of Bob Haskall appeared.
“Dirk, I apologize for my weakness and all the trouble I have caused you. You must go to Antares Proper, and there you will find proof of O’Malley’s complicity in your son’s death. I knew that my life was in jeopardy because I knew of O’Malley’s deeds. These discs were scheduled to be sent to you upon my death, but when I learned of O’Malley’s plan to force you out of the Academy, I confronted him and told him about the recordings. I knew then that my death was imminent. I wanted to make things right. Take care, old friend, and give my love to Acey.”
The picture dissolved into a million pixels. Dirk was unable to break his concentration from the monitor. A good friend betrayed him, but somehow, he felt more pity than anger. Acey sobbed. The mention of her parent’s murder brought back the initial pain with the added dimension of anger.
“I will never let O’Malley get away with this. I swear I will bring him to justice,” she screamed, pounding her fist on the back of the front seat.
Dirk put his arm around her and Acey nestled in. Dirk continued to hold her until her anger subsided.
“Dirk, you’re going to have to direct me to where we should park this crate,” Hillary said.
Dirk leaned over the front seat and checked the instrumentation.
“In about twenty-four more miles you should approach the Lost Burro Canyon. There is an old mining camp there. I excavated those ruins in my you
nger days. If memory serves me, there are caves that we can hide in.”
Hillary found the spot. She concealed the land cruiser under a dilapidated wooden bridge on a dry riverbed. They set up camp in an abandoned mine shaft nearby. Remembering her camping skills when Dirk took her on archeology digs, Acey built a fire to keep them warm through the night.
***
Dirk was awake before Acey or Hillary. Although he knew it was risky, he had to contact an old acquaintance and find a way to get to Antares. He walked down to the land cruiser where he used Hillary’s com link to contact “Uncle Harry” from the Cosmos Procurement Company.
“Harry, this is Dirk. I need to call in my marker.”
“Why Dirk you old fart! What marker might that be?” asked Uncle Harry.
“Don’t play coy with me. Did you forget about how I saved your skin from the Council of Justice on Auriga? It seemed that you were caught with some contraband—was it 100 or 150 kilos of Aurigan Roo?”
“Okay! Okay! Look, Dirk; you’re hotter than a Soloran fruit fly cluster in a mating frenzy. I could be sent away for just talking to you,” Harry said.
“You will be sent away if you don’t do as I say. I want an S-Class space ship fully provisioned in two hours.” Dirk said. He gave Harry the coordinates.
“But Dirk, that’s impossible….”
Dirk closed transmission and headed back to the camp. Hillary woke before Acey, grabbed a bottle of instant nutrition, and drank it down quickly. Acey stirred just as she was ready to down another one.
“Where’s Dirk?” Acey asked.
“I’m not sure. I saw him walk down to the Land Cruiser earlier. Here, drink this. It will wake you up and take the hunger away,” Hillary said, throwing Acey a bottle. She then left to clean up down by the riverbed.
Acey took a drink and gagged. How can she drink this stuff, she thought? All alone now, the reality weighed heavy on her. What are we going to do? We have to get those discs in the hands of the proper authorities, she thought to herself.
