Murder On The Golden Halo

by W H Beswick

  CHAPTER 43

  BOYS AND THEIR TOYS

  “I need to get this to Lady Venusun.” The Earthling said, now holding the movie with his fingertips. “After I fingerprint this. Daris is not our murderer but he is wanted for something. He was being blackmailed. Probably worked with the kind of man we are hunting.”

  “That’s a crime?” I asked and realized the stupidity of my question. “Of course it is. I swear I sometimes worry about the way my brain works.”

  “Ah, ah, your brain works fine, your highness.” He said and started to walk a little quicker. We made our way back down to that very dreary bar with the plastic fish and nets. Thankfully the doctor’s body was gone. The bar actually looked much cleaner. There was no bartender, but there was the Earthling’s case.

  “Pity the bar is closed.” I said, looking over at the bar.

  “This won’t take long, princess.” He said, opening his case and going through the same process of taking the fingerprints off the movie case. “It is a shame. I would really like to watch this movie. I have heard of Steve McQueen and Denzel Washington. They are supposed to be excellent actors.”

  “They were both in this movie?”

  “The Seven Samurai was a Japanese film. That was a country back on Earth. It was remade into what we called a western.”

  “Oh I know what that is. It’s a movie where they ride around on animals and chase other animals with horns. They carried what you called guns too, if I recall correctly.”

  “Yes, the remakes. There were two were called The Magnificent Seven.”

  “Why were they magnificent?”

  “Ah, ah, how to explain that. Okay, they were what we called gunfighters. They were people hired to fight battles. Samurai were the same. In this movie, these seven people defended this village for almost nothing. They were risking their lives because it was the right thing to do.”

  “Ah, honor. I understand that.”

  “There are two more deaths and you are still free?”

  We looked up as Prime Minister Tunga walked into the bar. Once again her dress accented her figure wonderfully. It was black with silver trim. She stood there while watching the Earthling. He ignored her while working on the case. I did not. I stood up and said with authority. “If you’re accusing the Earthling of murder. I suggest you rethink that. We are very close to finding the murderer. I would wager we shall have him before the morning.”

  “I understand the ship’s doctor was shot?” She said.

  “Yes, and before you ask, it was an Earth weapon known as a gun. We think the Prime Centurion snuck it on board.”

  “A gun. Smuggled on board. Sounds like just the thing an Earthling would do. The Earthling males did like their guns. Boys and their toys.”

  “What?” I asked. The Earthling looked up with a strange look on his face.

  The prime minister’s demeanor changed. The Earthling just stared at her. Then ever so quietly with a small smile he said. “Boys and their toys.”

  The lady whirled around and stormed out of the bar. The Earthling watched her go. After she left the smile vanished. He looked down at the fingerprints. Once again he walked over to the wall and leaned against it. His eyes closed and he began to tap his fingertips together. This time it wasn’t as long. He looked at me.

  “You know who the murderer is?”

  “Yes, but I need to speak with Lady Venusun.”

  CHAPTER 44

  THE LAST MEETING

  Once again I found myself sitting alone in the Earthling’s suite while he went into the bedroom and talked to Lady Venusun. They were in there a very long time. I was deciding they were both being very rude when Queen Rexannis came into the suite without even knocking. She went straight into the bedroom without even acknowledging me.

  Finally, the Earthling came out and smiled at me.

  “Your highness, please be patient.” He said, bowing. Which was quite unnecessary considering we were partners in solving this murder. “I will be right back.”

  “May I come along?” I asked, standing up.

  The Earthling thought about this and finally nodded.

  We left the suite, then moved down the hallway and went around a corner. He put his finger to his lips which I knew was signal to be quiet. I heard a door open. I couldn’t help myself. I peeked around the corner and watched Prime Minster Tunga walk toward the Earthling’s suite.

  “Go let her in. I will join you in a few seconds.” He said, moving toward the door.

  “Where are you going?” I asked.

  “Please, your highness, I need you to make her think you have been summoned to the suite along with her. Please, I beg you.”

  “Very well, since you asked so nicely but you better explain yourself to me at a later time. In detail.”

  “Trust me. You will know everything. There will be no secrets between us. That was part of the agreement I have made with Queen Rexannis and Lady Venusun.”

  “Oh, then I will speak to you soon.” I said, then rushed down the hallway. I reached the prime minister just as she reached the door to the Earthling’s suite. I smiled at her. “I see you have been summoned too.”

  “Yes, where is your friend from Earth?” She asked in a dry tone. “Still sticking his nose into places he shouldn’t? Once we get to Icakka, I will be making formal complaints against the Earthling, Lady Venusun, the queen and of course you.”

  “Good luck with that.” I said, using an Earth saying I had picked up. Smiling, I opened the door.

  “I see you are picking up some of his slang. I would think that a person of royal blood would know better.”

  We walked into the suite and found Queen Rexannis sitting quite at ease in one of the chairs, holding a glass of wine. She nodded to both of us. I nodded back and went in search of some wine for myself. Prime Minister Tunga stopped, almost walked out, but thought better of it. She bowed to the queen. “Your majesty, may I sit?”

  “Please do.” Rexannis said with another smile, looking very pleased with herself. “Have some wine if you wish. You may need it. You may sit too, Princess Deela. This won’t take long, but we should be comfortable.”

  I found the wine and a glass just as the Earthling came in. He stopped to put something behind one of the sofas. Then moved to the center of the room. He bowed to the queen and then me and then turned to the prime minister. “These murders are the result of a plot. A plot that started with the noblest of intentions. At least I am sure the men who were impersonating Prime Centurion Bacco Uxtel and Optio Zana had the best intentions. They were trying to save the Earth.”

  “Pray tell me how did they ever think the Earth could be saved?” The prime minister said. “They weren’t part of the twenty. The Prime Centurion was there to give his opinion and that was all. The cold hard fact was the fate of the Earth had already been decided.”

  “Actually that is not true.” Queen Rexannis said. “The fact was they were divided on the course of action. You may not know this, but I was asked to be part of the twenty. I refused to attend. But you did against my wishes.”

  “The names of the twenty were supposed to be kept secret. No one was to know.” The prime minister said, looking a little nervous.

  “Ah, ah, I will come back to that.” The Earthling said. “The fact is, for whatever reason, they failed. Now the smart thing for these men to do would have just been to vanish. Questions would have been asked but nothing more. Instead they showed up on the Golden Halo with a desperate plan. They were going to assassinate the queen and put the blame on me. Knowing my being Earthling might not be enough they arranged, I suspect through bribery, to have Ensign Sig brought on board, who is half-Earthling. They also blackmailed her father to come on board to point the finger at what many would consider his half-breed daughter. The final player was a man who I know to be an assassin. We crossed paths during the war. All the players were in place. All that was needed was for the assassin to do his job.”

  CHAPTER 45


  THE SOLUTION

  “I suspect her majesty was to die at the beginning of the voyage.” The Earthling continued.

  “Why did they wait?” The prime minister asked, not looking very happy. She kept finagling with the hem of her too short skirt.

  I wanted to know this too, but as they say back on Earth, this was the Earthling’s show. I raised my glass and realized I hadn’t even poured wine into it. I corrected this at once and took my sip. I nodded my approval and made a note to ask Lady Venusun where she purchased it. The Earthling must have noticed me looking at the label and asked if I was all right. “I am enthralled. Pray continue.”

  Then I realized I should be taking notes and began to search my jacket pockets for the notepad.

  “The assassin, a fellow I met during the war, was quite good at his job. More than capable of completing it. He was having doubts. I mean who kills a passenger, a queen no less, on a ship owned by Lady Venusun? She is indeed a powerful woman. He was nervous about this. Princess Deela even saw him a few times on this level. This was a man who had a talent for not being noticed. I suspect there were some negotiations going on. But then these all ended when the Prime Centurion was poisoned.”

  “So you are saying another person poisoned the Prime Centurion?” The prime minister asked with raised eyebrows. “Not the aforementioned Earthlings? I have my doubts.”

  “That became even more evident when Zana was killed with the same poison. Before he died the Beta Chief mentioned there was a third Earthling on board. Another man. His appearance had also been changed. Before he was shot, Dr. Crag said his work on this man was his masterpiece. I’d like to point out something that bothered me. Why was the doctor shot? Especially with a weapon that was so loud it could be heard all over the ship. I was even more confused when her majesty showed me a pistol with a silencer that would have been better suited for the murder.”

  “Please tell us why?” Ley said, looking quite confident. “You seem to have all the answers…Earthling.”

  “It was the only weapon available to him.” The Earthling said. “The murderer didn’t have access to the Prime Centurion’s suite. So this man either brought it with him or got it out of the Optio’s cabin. It doesn’t matter. The murder of the doctor was an act of desperation. Maybe even panic. Dr. Crag knew who the third Earthling was. Since the plot was falling apart, he had to die. Then this man would just wait. Wait for another opportunity to kill the queen.”

  “So this third Earthling is going to escape.” I gasped. “The queen’s life is in danger. You must find him.”

  “I already have.” The Earthling said looking right at the prime minister. “I don’t suppose you will save us the trouble by admitting it.”

  “How dare you accuse me?” Prime Minister Tunga growled, jumping to her feet. She tried to slap him but he easily caught her hand. I was shocked not only by his quickness but the fact he was touching the prime minister. Then, adding to the problem, he smiled.

  “The doctor was able to make you look younger but you are still an old man inside.” The Earthling said. “You gave yourself away when you used the Earth phrase ‘boys and their toys.’ You realized your mistake and stormed out of the bar. Sadly for you in your rage you fell out of character. You walked out in a definite masculine manner. Oh yes, your perfume is not covering up the odor of your cigarettes. The Princess and I found a crushed out cigarette. An Earth cigarette with lipstick on the tip. Real cigarettes from Earth cost a great deal of money.”

  “Lies, all lies.” She snapped. “Oh, have your little moment Earthling. This time tomorrow we will be at Icakka. I am prime minister. It will be my word against yours. Who will believe an Earthling?”

  “Ah, ah, we have changed course. We are heading for Sirona at top speed. We should arrive there in two weeks. You will be confined to your cabin.” He said, walking away and picking up a leather doctor’s bag from behind the sofa. The Earthling smiled. “Hmp, you won’t be getting your injections. I suspect by the time we reach Sirona your skin will no longer be green. I also took the liberty of taking the green hair dye from your suite. So whatever color your hair is will start to show.”

  For a few moments she or he stood there in shock. I was shocked too. Then whoever this was glanced at the door and must have remembered we were on a spaceship. She pulled her arm away and glared at the Earthling.

  “How could you betray your own kind?” She snarled. “This was our only chance.”

  “Ah, ah, no, it was your only chance.” The Earthling said. “You were in a position to know the war was coming to an end. You also knew if the Earth was spared, you would be one of the few people held accountable. You would be put on trial and most likely executed, or imprisoned for life. I could understand you fleeing to escape, but then there is your nature. Your greedy nature. You just couldn’t stand the idea of being a fugitive. Moving place to place, always looking over your shoulder. I suspect the moment the plan to replace the Prime Centurion and Beta Chief came to your attention the wheels in your head started to spin. I now know Prime Minister Ley Tunga was among the twenty. As you said the names were supposed to be kept secret. Her majesty didn’t want to be part of the final act. As she stated, you went against her wishes and actually volunteered.”

  The Earthling seemed to think for a moment and then asked. “Ah, ah, I am curious. How did you pull off the switch? The Prime Centurion and Optio had been captured. But the prime minister couldn’t have been easy.”

  “So you don’t have all the answers.” The other Earthling said with a snort.

  “It really doesn’t matter, but I do know this plan must have been formed at least a year before the war ended.”

  “More like two.” I chipped in. “I had a friend who had a sex change operation. The outside is easy. The inside takes time. I don’t know why I didn’t spot it at first. I guess the doctor did have talent. Still, the people close to the prime minister would have noticed the change in her personality.”

  “Would they?” The Earthling asked.

  “Probably not.” Queen Rexannis said. “Like me, Ley had no family. Being prime minister, no one would question her authority.”

  “But she,” The Earthling said and stopped. “He was going to ensure his safety and strengthen his hold on power on Icakka. I couldn’t figure out why the doctor was here. You could give yourself the injections.”

  “Oh! Oh.” I exclaimed. “He had more work for the doctor. He was going replace more Icakkaians with Earthlings!”

  “Exactly.” The Earthling said looking disgusted with the prime minister. “I wish I could say I was surprised but I keep thinking of the old Earth saying. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. I wonder if there even was a time when you thought of anyone but yourself.”

  The person I now knew not only was an Earthling but had been a man began to yell a stream of words that sounded terrible. They appeared to have no effect on my friend. There was that nice smile on his face. Finally, Ley finished. In a rather disgusting manner, she wiped spit from her lips with the sleeve of her dress. “Ah, ah, my mother kept telling me that swearing was an ignorant person’s way of expressing themselves. It appears she was right.”

  At this point four of the queen’s guards came in and stood by the door. The Earthling glanced over and then back at the imposter. “I believe Queen Rexannis has several questions of her own for you. Your Majesty, she…he is yours.”

  “I knew from the moment we met we would be excellent friends.” Queen Rexannis said, standing and finishing her wine. She motioned to the guards. “Take the prime minister back to my suite. We have much to talk about.”

  The queen walked over to wet bar and put down her glass. She smiled at the Earthling. “Do you wish to know who he really is?”

  “I have my suspicions, but it would be nice to have them confirmed.”

  It was at this point the person who everyone thought to be Prime Minister Tunga broke into tears as the guards escorted her out. She or he slump
ed and they had to almost carry her or him out. The queen stuck out her hand. The Earthling bowed and kissed it. Then said. “Clever fellow. I will have to remember that.”

  Then the Earthling and I were left alone. I sipped my wine and studied the words the fake prime minister had yelled. I had written them down. He took out a beer out from behind the bar and took a long drink. “What do these words mean?”

  “Those are words that a princess should not know.” He said reaching over and ripping the page out of the notebook.

  “They are still up here. I will do some research.” I said with a smile. Then, suddenly I thought of something. “Wait a moment. The Earthling killed the doctor. Who killed the Prime Centurion and Optio?”

  “The queen of course.” He said. “I thought that would have been obvious. You know a woman scorned.”

  “I have no idea what that means.”

  CHAPTER 46

  NOW WHAT?

  “It means Queen Rexannis was not fooled for a moment, but she is a queen. As a princess, you know reputation is everything to one of royal blood.”

  “Not everyone.” I said with smile and sipped my wine. “Pray continue.”

  “Ah, ah, princess, you are the exception to so many rules. You definitely walk your own path.”

  I thought about this for a second and giggled. “Yes, I do. You are stalling. Continue.”

  “It wasn’t just her reputation she was concerned about. In her mind these were the men who killed a man she loved. No, exposing them in public wouldn’t be enough. She would have her revenge and avoid the embarrassment of a trial. I have my doubts that she knew about the prime minister, but she knew her life was in jeopardy. So she struck first, not realizing she was foiling a bigger plot.”

  “Do you know how she did it? I mean we know she used poison but how did she get the poison into the glass?”

  “My guess she got a hold of some liquid cyanide and filled the glass with it. Then dumped the contents and let it dry. The inside of the glass was still coated with the cyanide. She put the glass back into the case. The imposter filled the glass with whiskey and the poison mixed in with it.”