I stopped and looked at Penny. ‘Why did you just elbow me in the ribs, really hard?’
‘Little Mister Tact,’ said Penny.
‘I don’t want any of it,’ Chloe said firmly. ‘That damned collection has dominated my family for far too long. You’ll help me get rid of it all, won’t you, Stuart?’
‘I can do that,’ said Stuart. ‘I know some people …’
‘For a really good price, of course.’
‘Of course, dear,’ said Stuart. He looked at me. ‘What are we going to tell the security people, when they finally arrive? Don’t think I won’t be having some very harsh words with whoever’s in charge! Even allowing for how far we are from everywhere, a response time like this is utterly unacceptable.’
‘We’ll tell them Professor Rose killed everyone,’ I said. ‘Dropping everything on the dry old stick is a bit hard on him, but you said Rose had no family. So we’ll say he became obsessed with the Cardavan collection and the mummy in particular, and wanted it for himself. He killed George because George denied him access to the collection after they quarrelled one time too many. Then he stole the mummy and hid it. And used some rare Egyptian poison to kill all the others, because he was afraid he’d be found out. Something exotic that he picked up on his travels.’
‘A good enough story for public consumption,’ said Stuart. ‘With the gem gone, there’s no proof the alien was ever here.’ He turned to Chloe. ‘And we don’t need to bother Black Heir about any of this, dear. You know what they’re like. You could end up in one of their secret laboratories, while they dig through your mind searching for anything the alien might have left behind.’
‘You’re right, as always,’ said Chloe. ‘They can keep their field work! I never want to get this close to an alien ever again.’
‘Very wise,’ said Stuart.
Chloe suddenly shuddered. ‘I’m cold. I think I’ll go back inside. I feel in need of a drink. In fact, I feel in need of several large drinks followed by very large chasers, all in the same glass. With an olive. Would anyone else care to join me?’
I gave the nod to Penny and she smiled brightly at Chloe before accompanying her indoors, so Stuart and I could have some time together. The door shut behind them, and I nodded to Stuart.
‘Case over, Colonel,’ I said. ‘All the mysteries solved.’
‘The Organization will require a full report on everything that happened here.’
‘I’ll see they get one.’
‘Thank you,’ said Stuart, ‘for saving Chloe.’
‘That’s why you brought me here,’ I said. ‘I only wish I could have saved the others.’
‘You can only follow where the case leads,’ said Stuart. ‘Now you and Penny should leave before Security arrive. They’re a bit too public for you.’
‘Of course,’ I said.
‘I’ll take care of the clean-up,’ said Stuart. ‘Make sure everyone understands the official version of events, and see that all the bodies are properly put to rest. That’s my department.’
‘Too many people died,’ I said, ‘before I was able to solve the case. And this isn’t the first time that’s happened. If I’m going to be sent out on more of these murder mysteries, I need to do better. I would appreciate any help or advice you can offer me, Colonel.’
‘Of course,’ he said.
We shared a brief smile. Two professionals who understood each other.
‘You know,’ said Stuart, ‘I do have some questions as to how you were able to …’
I looked at him and he looked at me, and we both smiled again.
‘Tell me,’ said Stuart, ‘do you know why so many alien starships end up crashing on our world?’
‘I think so,’ I said. ‘It’s because bigger countries have always preferred to fight their wars in other people’s countries.’
Stuart looked up at the night sky, full of stars that shone so brightly from so far away.
‘We have no idea at all of what’s really going on out there, do we?’
‘No,’ I said truthfully. ‘We don’t.’
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