by John Jonas
CHAPTER 7
Jarvick and Matea were standing in the Space Transport terminal speaking with a supervisor of personnel. He had explained that they were investigating a missing person and deliberately omitted any part about uranium being found.
“When is the last time you saw Hemet?”
“About eight months ago, I think he said he was going back to work at the mines on Rylos. He alternated between there and here, working as a cargo handler for the Eos run” the supervisor said.
“Did he associate with anyone that worked here? Did you see him talking to anybody on a regular basis?” Jarvick asked.
“He didn’t have that many friends here; he was pretty much a loner. I did see him talking with one of the pilots more than once, but they were never on the same ship so that was unusual.”
“Do you remember the pilot’s name? Is he here?” Jarvick asked.
“He left a week ago for Rylos on a Kalderum run, his name is Drago.”
“Do you have his home address? Any information on him would be very helpful.”
The supervisor said “I need to go to the records section to get that, it will only take a few minutes. You can wait in the break room if you want.”
Jarvick and Matea went into the break room where they sat down at one of the tables.
Matea said “We haven’t gotten a hit on the radiation sniffer. If Hemet was hanging out with this pilot, maybe we’ll get lucky with this guy.”
“Maybe, but I want to search his place if we get a hit or not. Something doesn’t smell right. We have a cargo handler and a transport pilot that do not crew the same ship, and the missing man has uranium on his work clothes.”
The supervisor walks into the room and hands Jarvick a note with the address of the pilot. He thanked him and they walked out to the cruiser and got in. Jarvick said “This Drago guy lives way out in the industrial sector on 133rd street. Strange.” They drove east for about a half hour and turned right on 133rd then south for a quarter mile. The street was lined with large warehouses and industrial yards. They parked in front of a small office with a warehouse next to it and got out. Matea retrieved the sniffer and turned it on. Jarvick went to the front door and knocked as he peered into the window. He could see a small reception area with a door that was closed on the opposite wall. After trying the door and finding it locked, they walked around the fenced area and found an opening to the yard that surrounded the warehouse.
Jarvick stepped through first and then helped Matea into the yard. As they walked toward the large metal building, the sniffer beeped and Jarvick stopped.
“Well, we have a connection between these two. Call into the station and get the lab guys out here, I’m going to take a look around.” Jarvick walked away as Matea got on her radio.
He only found one window that he could see through, up high above a small attached shed. He climbed on top of it and looked in. Inside the large warehouse was a bare floor with a few tools scattered around and some metal parts against the far wall. He hopped down and went back to the front of the building. Matea said the lab guys were on their way. Jarvick says “Looks like we are going to Rylos to talk to this Drago guy. I’ll tell the Captain.” They got into the cruiser and took off, Jarvick talking on the radio.
Jarvick piloted the hyperlight cruiser into the Rylos airlock and landed on the pad. He and Matea could feel a light vibration as the airlock door closed above them. When the inside air pressure matched the outside, he opened the hatch and they both stepped out and walked down the stairs where they were greeted by the station chief. After both showing their badges to him, the chief escorted them through another airlock to an office that had a small table surrounded by four chairs. “Please sit, make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything?”
Jarvick said “No thanks, we’re her to talk with a pilot if you don’t mind. His name is Drago.”
The station chief said “He just got here too, he’s in his quarters resting, want me to go get him?”
“Please” said the detective.
Five minutes later, a dark-haired man, six-two, appeared to be in his low thirties walked in; Jarvick introduced himself and Matea while showing their badges. After some small talk Jarvick asked him “Do you know a man by the name of Hemet?”
“Never heard of him.” Drago answered.
Jarvick glanced at Matea with a ‘what-a-liar’ look and asked “Are you sure? He’s a cargo specialist at Space Command. You were seen talking with him.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell. Can I go back to my quarters now?”
Jarvick, ignoring the request, says “Is your residence still on 133rd street in Vendorra?”
“No, I live in the city center, near 6th street.”
“Mr Drago, we were told that you had a residence on 133rd by the station chief on Gavilon and that you had been seen talking with Hemet several times. Why are you lying?” Jarvick asked.
“I don’t know why he told you that. I…” Jarvick interrupted him “You’re coming with us back to Gavilon for questioning. Turn around and put your hands behind your back.” Jarvick handcuffed him and the three of them walked out and headed for the exit.
During the three hour trip back to Gavilon, both of them tried to get more information out of him but Drago just sat there, stoic and quiet. Matea thought she saw him smile once but it didn’t last long. After escorting him to the detention section of the police station, Matea returned to her lab and Jarvick walked into the Captain’s office and briefed him about the day’s events. The Captain digested the news and said “I agree with you, detective, something isn’t right. I’ve got a gut feeling there is more than what we’re seeing. Let’s leave this Drago character in detention until he talks while you go to Earth and take a look around. Find out when and where the uranium came from and get back here as soon as you can.”
Jarvick said “Yes sir, I still have the hyperlight and the jump belt, I just have to pick up a few supplies and I’ll be on my way.”
“Good luck, detective, have a good flight.”