Murder On The Golden Halo

by W H Beswick

  Naturally I joined them. The Earthling was about to protest but must have remembered I was a princess. Then, he spoke in a whisper so quiet I could barely hear him. But the words made me think I had misunderstood him.

  “Ah, ah, Ensign, this is between you and me.” He said looking at me. “And Princess Deela. If you would be so kind as to tell me, Ensign: was it your mother or father who was from Earth?”

  CHAPTER 36

  ENSIGN SIG’S STORY

  “How dare you accuse me of such a thing?” Ensign Sig said, sounding outraged. I would have been if I was her, except I would have slapped the Earthling. This young officer, an Earthling? One look at her pointed ears was evidence how wrong the Earthling was.

  We all make mistakes.

  Then I realized that by agreeing with the ensign I was showing my prejudice against Earthlings. This made me stop and think. I could feel my pink eyes spread into wide ovals. My jaw dropped a bit. Then the tiny voice in my head started to laugh.

  No. I was better than that. Feeling like I was in a dream. I watched the ensign start to turn away.

  “I’m leaving.” She said and started to walk away.

  “Ah, ah, ensign, do you really want me to call Lady Venusun?” He said in a louder voice, not moving. “One call…”

  Sig whirled around. She was still angry, but this quickly faded. Fear filled her face. She rushed up to the Earthling and actually grabbed his arm and whimpered. “Don’t. You will ruin my life. You must understand?”

  “I do understand. Ah, ah, and I have no problem with what you are doing. These are hard times for anyone who has a connection with Earth. But there have been three murders. Murders that you or I were to be blamed for. This is the only reason I ask.”

  “I have nothing to do with those. I didn’t even know them.” She said, almost crying. “If the captain finds out.”

  “Ah, ah, Ensign Sig, by now Lady Venusun probably knows your secret.” He said, moving closer. “After finding out the ship doctor was not someone she would have hired, she is checking the backgrounds of the entire crew. Trust me, she won’t care. But she will care if you don’t help me.”

  “I don’t know anything.” She said with pleading eyes.

  “Ah, ah, I think you do but are not aware of it. I am guessing your mother was from Earth?”

  “Yes.”

  “Ah hmp, was she on Earth?”

  “Yes, she is dead. I haven’t seen father for years.” She abruptly stopped and looked down.

  “Until tonight?” He asked.

  “I am not sure it was him. He looked something like my father but not really. Something about his eyes and the jaw. I couldn’t be sure.”

  “That’s why you fumbled the shuffle.” I said, remembering how she dropped the cards. “The cards flew across the table. When that friend of the Prime Centurion came in and sat down. What was his name? Yes, yes, Daris!”

  “That is not his name. His real name is Titalus. Before the war he was a businessman or something. Mom said he worked with the Earthlings. Actually more than that. I think he helped them take over his planet. She took me back to Earth when it was obvious the war was going against the Earthlings. I haven’t seen him since. The only reason I survived is mother sent me to live with some of my father’s family. Having these ears on Earth was difficult.”

  “How did you end up on the Golden Halo?” The Earthling asked.

  “That’s the odd thing.” She said. “After the war, I applied to several companies for a position. I was surprised when this position was offered.”

  “Because you didn’t remember applying?”

  “Yes, but I couldn’t turn it down. The money is too good and there is the pension.”

  “Last question.” The Earthling said. “Did you tell anyone I was on board?”

  “No, I didn’t know you…I mean an Earthling was on board.”

  “Ah, ah, but you did know there was a mysterious passenger on board. Staying in Lady Venusun’s private suite.”

  “Everyone on the crew knew someone was in the suite. But who would have guessed it would be an Earthling?”

  “Who indeed?”

  CHAPTER 37

  THE EARTHLING PONDERS

  “Thank you Ensign,” The Earthling said with a smile. “You may go, and I will speak to Lady Venusun. Stop worrying about your position…and secret. As you can see, the lady will not hold this against you.”

  “How did you know?” Sig asked with anxious eyes.

  “I wasn’t sure until I got a closer look. You have your father’s ears but I suspect you have your mother’s eyes. Your father’s people don’t have blue eyes. And just a feeling. There are so few Earthlings around. You might say my radar is always looking for another Earthling. Many like you have taken to using disguises to avoid trouble.”

  “I should get contacts.” She muttered.

  “Ah, ah, that would be shame. Your eyes are beautiful.”

  The ensign just shook her head and walked off. I watched her walk off and then asked. “What is radar?”

  “Princess, if you would give me a moment.” He said. “I need to collect my thoughts and the facts of the case.”

  At this point he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. He brought up his hands and began to tap his fingertips together. A moment later he began to hum that song again. After a few more moments I felt foolish standing there. I started to look around.

  “I think I have it.” The Earthling said, opening his eyes and looking down at the doctor’s body. “Ah, ah, I pray I am wrong. We have to search the doctor’s cabin. Then a word with the ensign’s father. Perhaps a word with the queen. No, I can’t put it off. One last person to chat with.”

  “The mysterious stranger!” I said a little too excitedly.

  “The stranger. Why thank you, your highness.” He said with a bow. “I had forgotten all about him. I suspect that is what he counts on, people not noticing him, but even if they did they forget about him. Yes, we must have a word with him. He might be a dangerous individual, if I am right in my assumptions, but I can’t be wrong.”

  “So you know who the murderer is?”

  “Not exactly. I think I know who pulled the trigger. Ah, ah, remember princess. The original plan was for the imposters to save the planet Earth. Noble cause with the best intentions but this doesn’t justify how they were going about it. Back on Earth, they would say they were doing all this for the greater good. The plan to save Earth supposedly failed.”

  “Supposedly?” I asked, now confused.

  “Ah, ah, no. This is too terrible to consider. Why? Why? Why would they want the Prime Centurion and Beta Chief to fail? They wanted to keep them in place. To continue the charade. But killing the queen really doesn’t achieve anything. Unless the death of the queen was their goal all along.”

  “But why would this person kill the Prime Centurion and Optio?”

  “This person didn’t. There are two murderers. The poisonings ruined the original plan. The imposter’s plan was to kill Queen Rexannis with that pistol. An Earth weapon. Once it was discovered there was an Earthling on board, I would be accused and probably convicted.”

  “But you never left your cabin.” I protested. “There would be no evidence.”

  “Evidence wouldn’t be needed. Very little would be needed. An Earth weapon and I would be enough for the public. I am guessing the Prime Centurion and Beta Chief would have also pointed their fingers at me. The final nail would be discovering one of the crew members was half Earthling. Easy enough to say we were working together. That would explain how I got the weapon on board.”

  “That is insane.”

  “Ah, ah, your highness, you are a princess and above reproach. Very few people would accuse you of anything. Earthlings are accused of everything.”

  “Lady Venusun would come to your aid.”

  “Most likely, or I would hope so. It wouldn’t be important that I be arrested and convicted in court. All they would need
is for the media to convict me in the public’s eye. All they needed was suspicion. With an Earthling around who would suspect the Prime Centurion and Optio? While the true mastermind stays in the shadows. Completely unnoticed.”

  “Shocking.” I gasped, thinking this couldn’t be true. Then I recalled not just minutes ago I was horrified when he accused the ensign of being half-Earthling. Oh, I couldn’t forget how Prime Minister Tunga treated him. I shook my head, looking at the Earthling. “Unbelievable, but I am sad to say it probably would have worked.”

  “You know how those Earthlings are. You just can’t trust them.”

  “I desperately need a drink.” I said, slumping against the wall.

  “You can take the body.” The Earthling called out to the Captain and crew members. “Clean this mess up. Princess Deela needs a drink.”

  CHAPTER 38

  TEQUILA SUNRISE

  “Shouldn’t you be searching for clues?” I asked, watching as Fross happily give orders to remove the body and start cleaning this up.

  “Let’s get you that drink.” He said, almost taking my elbow but then thought better of it.

  I smiled and said. “It would be most helpful if you gave me some support. I do feel a little weak in the knees.”

  “Ah, ah, are you sure?” He asked, but took my elbow when I offered it. His touch was light but firm. In no time he had escorted me up to the executive deck and into the parlor, where my favorite bartender was waiting.

  I must mention the sight of the Earthling and I walking side by side did raise a few eyebrows, and even loud snorts of disapproval.

  Any other day I would have…have done what?

  “The princess will have Daiquiri.” The Earthling said. “Is it possible to make it a banana Daiquiri?”

  “Of course…sir.” The bartender said, then looking a little ashamed, he smiled at the Earthling and said. “This is the Golden Halo. Would you care for a drink, sir?”

  “Yes, but I doubt you would know the drink, let alone how to make it.” The Earthling said. “I will take a beer.”

  “With all due respect sir, I bet not only do I know your drink but I can make it.”

  “It is called a Tequila Sunrise.”

  “A Tequila Sunrise. You should have ordered that for the princess. I suspect she would love the colors.”

  “Colors?” I asked, enjoying the small talk. For a while there was no talk of murder.

  “It is a very pretty drink.” The bartender said, starting to busy himself behind the bar. “I think I will make two and if her highness still wants the Daiquiri-”

  “No, no. I like pretty and alcohol. It sounds like my kind of drink.”

  Faster that I could have believed, the bartender placed two tall glasses on the bar. They weren’t just pretty, they were beautiful. This amazing drink started out red at the bottom, then slowly turned in a bright yellow. A cherry floated at the top. A tall red straw was stuck into the glass. I picked up the glass with a smile and then sipped. It was delicious. I took several more sips.

  “Careful, your highness.” The bartender said. “Those are like Long Island Iced Teas. They will sneak up on you.”

  “Sadly, my friend and I have work to do. So it will be the one drink.” I noticed the Earthling had taken the straw out of his drink and was sipping it. “Without the straw? You are no fun.”

  “Ah, ah, allow me to change your opinion in that matter.” The Earthling said, taking out the cherry and eating it, leaving the stem. He held it up and put it into his mouth. It looked like he was going to eat it.

  “You eat the stems of cherries?” I asked, but he held up his hand while his jaw twisted around it. Then just as quickly he smiled. He carefully took the cherry stem out his mouth. It was tied into a knot. I laughed too loud, making some people turn their heads, but I didn’t care. “Why, you are full of tricks.”

  “Before I got married, I used that trick to pick up girls in bars.” He said his expression turning a little sad.

  “Pick up girls in bars?” I asked and then realized what he was saying. “Oh, I see, you used that to meet girls. Oh yes, that would have caught my attention.”

  “Simpler times.” He said and took a long sip of his drink.

  “That song you hum. May I ask what it is?”

  “It was a silly song my wife used to sing. It is called A Brand New Key. I can’t remember the singer. The chorus was something about her having a brand new pair of roller skates and the man she liked having a key.”

  “Sounds silly. I know what roller skates are. I have a pair. I am very good on them.”

  “I have no doubt of that, your highness. The one line in the song my wife really liked was, ‘some people say I have done all right for a girl.”

  “I like that line too. Not to tell you your job but the captain is cleaning up all evidence of the crime.”

  “If this turns out the way I think it will, Lady Venusun and Queen Rexannis will insist that all evidence of the crimes be erased.”

  “Why?”

  “Right now, I think it best to keep my ideas to myself. Are you ready to continue with the investigation?”

  I finished my drink and nodded. “Yes. You appear to have some kind of accent.”

  “Yes, you have a good ear. I was born in a country called South Africa.”

  “Oh, sorry, I don’t know that one. Where are we going?”

  “First to the doctor’s cabin and then to have a word with the ensign’s father, or maybe your mysterious friend. Yes, let’s see if the captain can put a name to this stranger.”

  CHAPTER 39

  THE MISSING CASE

  The Earthling searched the doctor’s cabin and I took notes while Fross tried to find out the stranger’s name and what cabin he was in.

  “Looks like the doctor was what we called a clothes horse back on Earth.” The Earthling said as he looked through the doctor’s closet. “Your highness, perhaps you could tell me if these suits are in style. I can see they are well-tailored and expensive.”

  “Oh I know what that means. A clothes horse is someone who has lots of clothes. That would make me a clothes horse.” I moved over by the closet, stepping over the debris on the floor. For a doctor he lived like a pig. At least the captain kept his mess in the bedroom. Both rooms in the cabin were unmade. Not only were there clothes on the floor, but empty bottles. There were more empty bottles and glasses on the tables. It appeared to me the rumors about the doctor’s drinking were more than true. I managed to make my way to the closet and studied the suits. I reached in and pulled one out. “This is a very nice suit. It is one those suits that never really go out of style. I know this tailor. He is quite expensive. I wonder how a ship’s doctor could afford it. These are all very much in fashion.”

  “Ah, ah, first your highness, you are not a clothes horse. You are a princess. There is a big difference.” He said with a smile. “Secondly, you are right. A ship’s doctor couldn’t afford these kind of clothes.”

  “Whoever helped the doctor buy these clothes obviously got him the job on this ship.”

  He looked right into my eyes and smiled. “You are right princess. The question is, why did they need the doctor on board? I understand putting the ensign here but why a doctor? An ensign could go unnoticed by my employer but the ship’s doctor. It was only a matter of time.”

  At this point the Earthling dropped down onto his knees and began to study the floor of the closet. He rubbed his hand over it. I joined him on the floor and studied the carpet. I had seen this mark in many of the closets I used at home and on my travels. “There was a case here.”

  “A small one, but you are right.” He said without looking up. “Probably a doctor’s bag. Why would someone take his bag?”

  “Maybe the murderer took it? There might be a clue inside that would reveal who the murderer is.”

  “Maybe.” He said and sat back, then tugged on his ear. Once again he thought for a moment. This time I waited. “Hmm, let’s go talk to y
our stranger.”

  “If the captain has found out who he was.”

  CHAPTER 40

  MY STRANGER

  My stranger’s name was Zumo Zecke. I pointed out to the Earthling that this was a common name on several planets. He told me this was interesting but wasn’t surprised.

  Then he looked at me with a very serious face. “Ah, ah, your highness, I do appreciate your comments, but I have to insist for this one. Please remain silent. I told you I worked in intelligence during the war. Yes, I was a spy. If this man is who I suspect he is, he was a spy, but of a different kind. I gathered information. He was an assassin. The man I know is very dangerous. Very clever, but also very dangerous.

  “You mean this man murdered people during the war?” I asked in disbelief.

  “Ah, ah, you don’t murder during a war. You kill. At least most of the time you kill. That aside, if he is here, he might have been hired to kill someone. So please, let me do the talking.”

  “Of course,” I said, remembering an Earth phrase. “I will be quiet as a mouse.”

  “Well said, your highness.” He said with that small smile.

  Mr. Zecke seemed to be waiting for us in his too small cabin. It was one room with the bed taking up most of the space. A desk and drawers were built right into the walls. There was a chair for the desk and one very small sofa. A window gave him a very tiny view of the stars and planets. The room was quite clean. As matter of fact it looked like the maid had just cleaned it. All the surfaces seemed to gleam. The man himself was sitting on the sofa, wearing the same plain brown suit. I now saw it was nicely pressed and well-tailored.

  He did call out the door was open when the Earthling had knocked. Aside from that rudeness he did rise to his feet and bow when I entered. He offered seats and drinks. Both were declined.