Death of Time (SpaceFed StarShips Series Book 4) 2nd Edition.: A thrilling, psychological, Mystery and Suspense, sci-fi detective thriller. (SpaceFed StarShips Trilogy)

by Gerry A. Saunders

  “Sadly, that’s true,” Micky agreed. Then, thinking they had all the information they needed from the Parkers, decided that it was time to leave.

  “OK, we have to go now,” he told them. “Oh, and be sure to tell everyone that the killer wears a bullet-proof vest, so they’ll need to aim at his head, or he’ll more than likely kill them.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to tell them.”

  “Are your company’s premises very far away Tim?”

  “About two miles. Why, do you need to go there now?”

  “No, not now, maybe tomorrow. I think the killer may decide to go there, but I’m reasonably sure he won’t come back here.”

  “Micky,” Charlie interrupted. “I’ve just had a thought. How did he pass through customs with that weapon?”

  “Good question Charlie. He couldn’t have. It’s too big to carry as a hand weapon. It would leak radiation anyway. So how did he get through with it?” Micky pondered.

  “Well,” Timothy interjected. “If he’s in the know and I think he must be. Then he could easily have shipped it on our transport plane. It has special clearance for carrying low-level radiation products between countries.”

  “I didn’t know that, but I bet that’s how he got it through customs.”

  “Ok, we’ll check the manifests for the last two trips. Then we’ll let you know if there was anything suspicious, tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Tim. Better exchange our numbers then.”

  Both did, with Timothy uploading the addresses and phone numbers of both companies to Micky’s mobile.

  “I understand that you have another son Martha. Is he all right?” Charlie asked.

  “Yes, he’s working on another part of the project, but now he has an armed security guard with him all the time.”

  “You’d better send the info to his department then. Impress on his guard that if the killer does show up, he must direct his shots at his head, or they’ll both be killed,” Micky said forcefully.

  “I understand Micky, I’ll talk to them next,” Tim replied.

  “Then I guess we’re done for now. And, as we said, were sorry to have intruded at this time.”

  “Thank you, Micky,” Martha said. “Both of you please come to see us when you’re this way again.”

  “We will,” Charlie said.

  “If we can help,” Micky added. “Or you need us. Just call us.”

  “Ok, thanks.”

  Then something nagged at Micky, something he’d forgotten to ask. Then he remembered.

  “Tim, where did your father die? It’s not in my records.”

  “It’s very strange Micky. My father was found dead in his office, and the walls were riddled with bullet holes.

  Initially, it was assumed that they had been fired by the killer, but there weren’t any bullet holes in my father’s body. Only a large bloodless hole punched right through it.

  Later, forensics matched the bullet holes to ammunition from my father’s revolver. So he must have sprayed the office with bullets, just before he was killed.”

  “So, was he shooting at something, or someone he could hear, but not see?” Charlie queried.

  “That’s possible I suppose but unlikely,” Tim replied.

  “A magician comes to mind,” Martha quietly said.

  “Or someone able to hide?” Micky ventured.

  “Yes, but if so, how would it be possible, Micky?”

  “That’s a brain teaser for sure.”

  “If you find out how it was done, let me know,” Timothy said with a smile, the first smile in days.

  “Will do, you never know what’s going to pop up in one’s mind,” Charlie added.

  “Well, we’re going this time. Thanks again for your hospitality.”

  “You’re both welcome.”

  “As I said, don’t forget to call us if we can be of help.”

  “Will do.”

  They all headed for the front door, as Micky scanned the area, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.

  Then Micky asked, “Tim, did you really feel me touch your mind?”

  “Yes, I really did.”

  “Then I’m sorry, I sometimes forget how deep my scans can be,” he replied as they shook hands and left the Parker’s house.

  Chapter 15.

  Just a Puzzle.

  Once outside, they started walking back to Spring Road.

  Thirty metres on, they stopped, looked at each other. Then smiling they put their arms around each other and kissed long and hard.

  “Put me down,” Charlie gasped as her feet dangled in the air.

  “Sorry, got carried away,” he said, grinning.

  “Wow,” she said, feeling better now her feet were back on firm ground. “I thought I was going to suffocate.”

  He looked at his watch, 12 55.

  “Shall we find somewhere to eat?”

  “Do you actually know an eating place in this area?” she asked.

  “No, not really. Let’s get back to the hotel and see what the situation is.”

  “And find some yummy food, hopefully.”

  “Exactly… There’s a bus stop here on Henry Street, or shall we walk up to Spring Road?”

  “We’ll walk.”

  Six minutes later they were at the Spring Road junction, to find there were no cabs around.

  “Who’s going to pay, by the way?” Charlie asked.

  “The firm.”

  “Do you call them Taxi’s or Cab’s over here?”

  “Either, but Cab’s generally preferred.”

  Just then, a Yellow Cab came towards them along Anna Road, and Micky hailed it.

  “Hotel Hilton Newark,” he instructed as they got in, and the cab started off down Spring Road towards the Hotel without a word being spoken by the cabbie.

  “Seems a bit expensive,” Charlie said leaning over Micky, and pointing at the Cab’s meter. “Is that the cost per mile?”

  “Yeah, but it’s good for out here? In New York itself, it could be a lot more.”

  They both sat back and continued the rest of the journey in silence.

  When they arrived at their hotel, Micky paid the cabbie while mentally scanning the area. ‘Good, nothing out of the ordinary,’ he thought,’ as they went in and collected their room card from reception. By 16:30, they were sitting together on their sofa sipping a freshly brewed drink. Having already had a snack at the hotel’s restaurant.

  Afterwards, Micky connected up his laptop and scrambler device. Then realised that, although it hadn’t registered with either of them at the time, the corridor outside their room was entirely clear.

  Relieved, he made a call to Cedrick.

  “Hello ‘pest,'” Cedrick answered.

  “You look tired,” Micky remarked as Cedrick’s drawn features appeared on his screen.

  “It was tiring cleaning up your mess. Detective Pentrist from homicide was very helpful, though, and that security recording was a bonus.”

  “Yes, at least we have a picture of the killer now, even though it’s still a bit fuzzy.”

  “Yes. Forensics’ have an image enhancer, so hopefully, they’ll be able to clean it up a bit.”

  “The Parkers were interesting people, Cedrick,” Charlie chipped in.

  “Sorry Charlie, I didn’t see you in the background. What info did you get out of them?”

  “They recognized the killer’s face from the picture, Cedric,” Charlie said, then glanced at Micky.

  “Go on,” he encouraged her.

  “And it was interesting that Timothy Parker was able to feel the mental probes from both Micky, and from the killer. More importantly, he was able to differentiate the difference between them,” she added, then stopped for a moment before asking.

  “How can that be so, Micky? And why is it that Parker’s wife, Martha, didn’t?”

  “Well, I was only directing my scan at Tim, so she wouldn’t have felt it.”

  “But how could Timothy tell t
he difference?”

  “I’m not sure Charlie,” he answered.

  “But anyway, Cedrick. Tim showed us the drawings for one of the parts that his company are designing for Project Acarea. He called it a pusher plate.”

  “So, is it starting to make sense then, Micky?” Cedrick questioned.

  “Yes, I think so. Tim also said that Cebro International are designing the Nuke delivery system. With both companies liaising with each other. The companies have also hired extra armed security guards now.”

  “That’s interesting Micky. But where do we go from here?” Cedrick asked.

  “Well, their other problem seems to be with the shock-absorbers that they’ve been designing. Apparently, the project leading countries haven’t found anyone capable of producing them as yet.

  So maybe Cebro International are more important at the moment.”

  “Then Cebro International must be his next target, Micky.”

  “Exactly, Cedrick. We know that they’re located on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Which is about eighty-three or so miles from here, if my memory serves me correctly.”

  “Yes, but Philadelphia itself is a large place, Micky. Pretty easy for a killer to hide in. I’ll get onto it first thing.”

  “OK. Ah, and Tim said that a Doctor Hanson was in charge at Cebro.”

  “OK, I’ll have all you need tomorrow morning, hopefully by 10:00.”

  “Thanks, Cedrick. We’re going off out to get some food a bit later. OK?”

  “Yeah,” Cedrick replied then was gone.

  Chapter 16.

  Post-Mortem.

  Just as they were getting ready go out to eat, Micky’s Laptop beeped again and he saw Cedrick’s drawn looking face staring out at him from its screen.

  “Hi, Cedrick?”

  “Sorry to bother you again, but I’ve just had a call from Trinitas Hospital. A body was brought in from Staten Island late yesterday. It’s in their mortuary. You might want to see it.”

  “Cedrick, it’s almost 17:30. Can’t it wait?”

  “No.”

  “But we’ve already seen at first-hand what this weapon can do.”

  “Yes, I know you have, and I’m sorry. But you haven’t been able to poke around a dead body before. You might be able to find something that the pathologist might have missed. Anyway, it’s only a few miles away, so I’m quite sure you can work for another couple of hours.”

  “Alright, where’s the hospital? And, who’s the victim?”

  “I told you. The body is at Trinitas Hospital. I’ve organised one of our cars to take you both there. It’s probably waiting outside. The driver’s name is Thomson.

  “Great.”

  “I take it, it’s a yes then?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “You didn’t say who the victim was?” Charlie reminded him.

  “I only know the victim’s surname is Tomlinson. By the way. We’ve sent out a general request to all Hospitals and Police forces, today, asking them to look out for this type of MO. That’s all for now. Keep me posted, Micky.”

  “Will do,” he replied, and Cedrick was gone.

  Micky carried out a quick mental scan of the general area around the hotel but didn’t sense any threats.

  “We’d better be going Charlie, we’ll grab a sandwich somewhere,” Micky said, as he closed his laptop and unplugged it.

  He waited. “Are you coming, Charlie?” he asked impatiently.

  “Yes. Alright, I’ll go if I must,” she snapped back as she started to get ready.”

  When they exited the hotel, they saw a car waiting at the kerb, with a short man standing next to it. Micky assumed this was their driver, but scanned the area again for safety. Then went over to him.

  “Mr Thompson?”

  “Yes, sir.

  ”Right, Trinitas Hospital it is then.”

  “Yes, sir, Ok so Elizabeth Town, down Spring Street, then onto Williamson Street,” the cabbie muttered to himself.

  “Blimey, do you know every street?” Charlie asked.

  “No Miss but the Satnav system does.”

  “Of course,” Charlie muttered feeling slightly stupid.

  Ten minutes later they pulled into the Hospital’s parking area.

  “I’ll stay with the Limo,” Thomson said as Micky and Charlie headed for the hospital entrance.

  There were two people manning reception. “Ah, you must be… Mr Richardson, and…, Miss Bernstein,” the female receptionist said, reading their names off her screen.

  “We’ve been expecting you. I’ll take you down to the mortuary,” she added, having looked at her male counterpart for acceptance.

  “Follow me, please.”

  The mortuary was, unsurprisingly, down in the basement. It also felt icy and sterile.

  Once in the morgue, she left them, returning to reception.

  A tall man in a white coat was waiting for them. They introduced themselves as he took them over to the body, which was lying on a trolley, with a sheet over it.

  The man who was obviously an assistant hadn’t given his name but took the sheet off so they could inspect the body.

  The victim was a male, possibly in his late 40’s, and looked as if he had been a fit man.

  “So, it’s Mr Tomlinson then,” Micky muttered.

  Although he was pale skinned, the dead man had a peaceful look about him. If you didn’t know any different, you would have thought he was sleeping.

  “Are they sure he’s dead?” Charlie asked Micky.

  “Of course, look at his wound.”

  Charlie had been trying to avert her eyes from that area of the dead man’s body but, although nervous after seeing Harry’s body, was now obliged to look.

  Although Tomlinson’s body had the look of the ‘undead,’ this was simply an effect that had been caused when the weapon that killed him, cauterised the flesh as it burnt through him. Thus preventing any blood or bodily fluids from leaving the body.

  They could see that the hole in his chest looked quite large, now that the tube had been removed.

  Then another man in a white coat came towards them.

  “Good afternoon,” he said with a smile.

  “I understand you’re waiting for me. I’m the pathologist, Doctor Stefan,” he added introducing himself. They both smiled at him and shook his hand as they told him their names.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” he said, speaking to Micky. “But I’ve already carried out the post-mortem.”

  “Hence the peaceful look on his face,” Micky remarked, wishing he had been able to see the victim first.

  “Yes, we try to take any look of fear or such like, out of their facial expression, for their relative’s sake.”

  “May I look more closely at the body?”

  “Yes, certainly. Just ask if you need help.”

  “Thanks,” Micky replied as he started to inspect the wound, with Charlie watching over his shoulder.

  He could see that the wound was thoroughly cauterized. But noticed tiny lacerations further in.

  “How much time do you think passed, from when the weapon cauterised the wound until the tube was shoved through the wound?” He asked the pathologist.

  Dr Stefan appeared horrified at Micky’s question.

  “I have no reference for that, sir.”

  “But, I’m sure you’d agree that he must have been dead for quite a long time,” Micky said. “And it’s obvious that his blood pressure level would have had to be almost nil or the lacerations would have bled profusely,” he added in a stern sounding voice.

  He was annoyed and unimpressed, with the pathologist’s apparent lack of knowledge on the subject.

  Then he pointed to the ‘tube,’ laying on a support nearby.

  “Look. Can you see that, just there?” He asked pointing to the outer surface of the tube-weapon.

  “You can clearly see that there was minimal seepage of blood from the tiny lacerations.

  Otherwise, you would expect
to see blood smears all the way along the tube.”

  “Yes. I understand what you mean,” Doctor Stefan answered thoughtfully, as he checked the weapon again.

  “Yes, I would agree with you. There are very few smear marks.”

  “And there aren’t any stretch marks. Which confirms our idea that the initial wound was the cause of death,” Micky stressed.

  “Oh yes, we know that already, sir. There were no flesh or bone fragments within the tube itself either. Which enabled us to verify that the burning of the hole came first.”

  “And your labs, what did they come up with on the type of burn that caused the hole?”

  “Well, the cauterization of the inner wall of the hole is as expected. But what has surprised us is that the blackened area is slightly radioactive.”

  “Then it must be a very sophisticated weapon,” Charlie said.

  “Yes indeed.”

  Dr Stefan paused a moment, then turned to Micky.

  “I’m sorry, but this is all pretty new to us,” he said, sounding totally embarrassed.

  “We hadn’t heard of this serial murderer before today, or of his latest victim in France. Well, his latest victim up until now.”

  “That’ll be Jackson, Micky. Remember Cedrick’s files?” Charlie said interrupting Dr Stefan.

  “Yes. But strictly speaking James and Harry were the latest, victims,” he replied. “I know they weren’t involved in the project. But they were killed by the same man, even though he was aiming at me both times,” he finished.

  Dr Stefan was still looking ill at ease, and, sounding slightly irritated interrupted Micky.

  “Yes, yes. Nevertheless, we have to make clinical assumptions about the effects on both of these victims’ bodies. Even though no one in France has, as yet, confirmed that their victim’s body suffered the same consequences like this one.”

  Dr Stefan looked around as if expecting one of them to disagree, but no one spoke.