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

“Yes, I feel the cold as well. You’d better come in then?”

  “Thank you,” Micky said pleased that she had become more stable.

  They followed her into the living room.

  “Nice place,” Micky said warmly while noting that she hadn’t displayed any emotion on entering the very room where her husband had been murdered.

  “We like, sorry, liked it,” she said amending her words, as a tear came to her eyes.

  Noting that her emotional level hadn’t changed at all. He sensed that she was putting on an act, given where she had brought them.

  “Please, take a seat?”

  Only Charlie and the Lieutenant did so.

  “You’re quiet Lieutenant,” she said feeling the need to divert them away from talking about the house.

  “No, I get grumpy, He’s a nicer person than I am,” he replied, nodding at Micky.

  Anna then looked at Charlie, who just stared back at her until she then turned her attention back to Micky.

  “So how can I help you?” she wearily asked. “The police have been over this a thousand times already.”

  “Well, “said Micky. “You must know how the cops operate by now, Anna. Tripping over themselves asking all sorts of questions, when really, there are only two issues that need to be resolved.”

  Both Charlie and Lieutenant Armstrong looked at Micky with trepidation.

  “Look at them, you can see they’re already getting worked up. And what for, when we’re quite happy to chat like normal human beings. Right?”

  She grinned at that.

  “I mean, how come these so-called ‘experienced police’ can’t even find a gun? It's beyond me.”

  He felt her emotional level was rising rapidly and sensed an emotional flavour from her that equated to her thinking she must see if the gun was still there.

  Micky knew he had to be careful. Timothy Parker had felt his probing because Micky had probed him too hard.

  If Anna felt him probing, it would be over. They wouldn’t get any more information from her. The emotional nudge he’d given her earlier to calm her nerves was low-level and probably the maximum level he could safely use he thought.

  Micky realized he had been standing there thinking far too long, and she was becoming impatient as she waited for him to ask her a question.

  He strolled across the room to the patio window and looked out at the garden, his back to them.

  “This is a peaceful garden Anna,” he said with a smile.

  While sending her, a ‘where did you hide that gun’ mental question.

  To his surprise, her emotional level didn’t change at all.

  Then she walked over and stood by his side, looking out.

  “Yes, it is peaceful. We often used to sit out on the patio with a glass of wine on hot evenings.”

  He sensed she was speaking the truth. While, at the same time, his mind raced trying to find ways to improve his contact with her.

  “I can imagine it, Anna. We used to do the same.”

  “Used to?”

  “Yes, before my wife Alesha was shot dead in a robbery. Just bad luck walking in like that.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said but exhibited no emotional change. She really didn’t care.

  He started to say. “Where did you….”

  Then stopped speaking and sent her a strong emotional nudge instead. A nudge, which corresponded to him asking her again where she’d hidden the gun.

  “Under the tree,” she said, speaking without thinking.

  Micky couldn’t believe how easy it had been. Now he knew where the gun was hidden. He had almost seen it in her mind as a cavalcade of emotions rattled through her. The gun was wrapped in an oiled cloth, rolled in a newspaper, and had been buried deep down, under the tree between two large roots.

  “What’s under the tree, Anna?” he asked out loud.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know why I said it,” she hastily replied, angry at herself for even mentioning the tree.

  “Sorry, I meant, I’ll get rid of it one day,” she added while thinking, Damn. What made me say that?

  He could see her mind was in turmoil, and she was trying to change the subject. So to calm her a bit he answered, “I agree. Trees grow so large they can ruin the whole garden by casting too much shade.”

  “Yes, we found that as well. It’s pretty when it’s in flower, though,” she said, sounding calmer. “But the garden is entirely covered with leaves in the autumn,” she ended reflectively.

  Then finally said, “So, what are the questions you wanted to ask me?”

  ‘Bingo,’ he thought but wasn’t sure how to frame the question of her whereabouts on the day of the murder.

  Then, before he could ask her the question, the Lieutenant spoke up.

  “It’s just that we need to know where you were on the Twelfth.”

  Micky was really annoyed. Thanks, Lieutenant, he angrily thought. Just what I don’t need. You going in and asking the questions for me.

  “We can’t verify that your story is correct,” the Lieutenant happily continued, not realising he had upset Micky.

  “No one seems to have seen you at the shopping centre, and you don’t show up on any of their security cameras. How do you explain that?”

  “That’s not my problem. I can’t help it if the shopping centre’s cameras are duff.”

  Micky was furious. He sent the Lieutenant a sharp ‘Not now,’ mental jab. Causing the Lieutenant to suddenly remember that he wasn’t supposed to have asked the questions. He stopped speaking, looking guiltily at Micky.

  In the meantime, Micky sensed that her emotional levels had returned to normal. She apparently wasn’t worried about anything at that moment.

  Then, speaking slowly and carefully while monitoring her emotional state, he said.

  “Of course, if we find a gun wrapped in an oilcloth, and hidden under that tree, and your fingerprints are on the trigger, well…."

  He let his words hang. Then almost staggered as her emotional flavour suddenly changed. Her feelings, now full of violence and hatred, flooded his mind.

  “You bastard,” she screamed as she suddenly turned and kept trying to hit him.

  “Bastard. Bastard,” she kept repeating, as Charlie and Lieutenant Armstrong both leapt up to restrain her.

  “I’ll kill you Sanderson, or whatever your bloody name is. Just like I did Ken,” she shrieked in rage, struggling to get free as the Lieutenant forced her hands behind her back and cuffed her.

  On hearing her confession, Micky calmly said, “Got you.”

  Lieutenant Armstrong then called in his waiting support team. Within moments, two cars squealed to a halt outside, and several policemen in uniform piled out, their guns at the ready.

  “Sergeant Cavendish. Read this woman her rights, then take her back to the station and book her,” Anderson ordered.

  Yes, sir,” Cavendish replied, as he took charge of Mrs Anderson, who was by now visibly subdued and crying copiously. He read her, her rights, then took her away.

  Micky opened the patio door then went outside into the garden, followed by the Lieutenant and Charlie.

  “You’ll find the murder weapon deep under that tree, Lieutenant. It should be between two large roots. It’s wrapped in newspaper and an oiled cloth.”

  “Are you sure?” He asked. “She never actually told us anything,” he added.

  “Yes, I’m sure,” Micky replied

  “So, if you are right. How on earth did you get that information?” The Lieutenant asked.

  “Don’t ask him, Lieutenant,” Charlie said, thinking to herself, ‘That was pretty damn smart,’ as Micky looked at her. Then they both smiled at each other.

  “Oh, and, Lieutenant. I’m sure that when you recover the gun you’ll find her fingerprints on the trigger. She thought she’d been very smart, and outwitted you. But she didn’t even think about cleaning the gun.”

  “But the case won’t stand up in court. There’s st
ill no actual proof that she fired the gun at her husband.”

  “No. You’re wrong, there is proof. I’m sure that when you find the weapon, you’ll not only find her prints, but also cordite residue all over it and its wrapping.

  Oh, and you’ll see that the newspaper’s dated the 12th. Which proves that she had to have been here on the day of the murder, not at the shopping centre.”

  Micky paused for a moment, watching the Lieutenant’s reaction.

  Then added, “I assume you recorded her confession, didn’t you?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “That’s good. So you’ll definitely have all the proof you need to convict her. Agreed?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “So, do you need anything else?”

  “Not at the moment.”

  “Right. We’ll stay around until you find the gun. Then I think we're done here, and can move on to Cebro.”

  “Cedrick told me you were good, Micky. But he didn’t say you were a miracle-worker.”

  “That’s because I’m not,” Micky replied, chuckling as he spoke.

  Chapter 21.

  A Case Solved.

  Just then, their driver entered, approached Lieutenant Armstrong and asked if Micky and Charlie were finished.

  “That’s up to Micky,” he said.

  “We’re waiting to see if I’m right, Chris.”

  “If you are Micky, you won’t have to wait very long,” the lieutenant said.

  “Depends on how difficult it is to find the package,” Micky replied.

  Then the Lieutenant turned to his driver. “Chris, you know the rules about leaving the car out of your sight. Is someone watching it?”

  “Yes, There’s a patrolman with it Lieutenant.”

  “That’s OK then.”

  Just then, two men carrying spades arrived. The words ‘Forensic Div. printed in black on the back of their overalls.

  Micky told the two-man team what they were searching for. Then showed them roughly where to dig, pointing at two large plants that were in a lightly dug area of the garden beneath the tree, with the roots of the plants partially exposed.

  “I think the package is somewhere between the two partially exposed roots. But further back, and deeper down, underneath the main tree root.”

  “OK sir,” one of them acknowledged as he set up a video recorder and filmed the area while the other man took photos.

  Then they started, carefully digging down between the two roots. While the others looked on.

  “I hope you’ve got the location right after all this Micky?” the Lieutenant ventured.

  “Don’t worry it will be,” Charlie said.

  Within five minutes, the two men were deep enough to extend their dig inwards.

  “It’s pretty easy going. Looks like this has been dug recently, Lieutenant,” one of the men said.

  Moments later, they both knelt down beside the hole, then looked in, turning their heads to try to see underneath the tree’s roots, some of which they’d exposed.

  One of the men leaned forward and looked again. Then lay flat on the ground with the upper half of his body now laying over the hole. Then while balancing his body with his left arm. He thrust his right arm into the hole as far as he could reach and poked around inside for a few moments. Stretching his arm as far as he could, he felt around with his fingers a bit. Then stopped.

  “Got it. Get the camera,” he ordered the other as he pulled out the package and held it up for all to see.

  He passed it to his partner. Pulled himself back until he was able to kneel then stood up again.

  “Go on, you got it out. You open it,” his partner said handing the package carefully back to him.

  The package was covered in soil. As he carefully shook the dirt off, they saw that the object was wrapped in an oiled cloth exactly as Micky had predicted

  A photo was taken. Then one of the men carefully peeled off the oiled cloth, to expose newspaper wrapped around the object. By now it was easy to see the vague shape of a gun. Another photo was taken.

  Then the paper was gently removed, finally exposing the weapon that Micky had said would be there.

  “Clever,” one of the men said. “No wonder it was missed on the first search.”

  “Take care with that newspaper, Gents,” cautioned Micky.

  Both men gave Micky an angry look.

  “Just ignore them,” the Lieutenant said, seeing Micky’s expression.

  “How did you do it, Micky?” He asked.

  “A lot of people would like to know that Lieutenant, including me.”

  “You must admit, it’s strange that you can get information that we can’t.”

  “So what are you asking?”

  “Did you read her mind? I know it sounds daft, but?”

  “No Lieutenant, I can’t read minds.”

  “Just wondered. So many new things are going on in the world today.”

  “Anything else Lieutenant?”

  “Well, I’ve read the intelligence reports from Interpol about these mysterious murders, seven in all I think and spread over several countries.”

  “And?”

  “I also know there’s a connection between most of the murders. I’ve seen the police reports.”

  “And?”

  “Well, two of the victims, Harry Blackstock and Professor Parker, seem to be connected to a project named Acarea.”

  “And?”

  “Maybe it’s coincidental, but you’re investigating these murders. Now you’ve been ordered to go Cebro, International.

  I know Cebro are involved in top secret projects, so they could also be linked to Project Acarea.”

  “You’re on the right track Lieutenant,” Micky slowly answered, wondering just how much the Lieutenant actually knew.

  “You should be on our team Lieutenant,” Charlie put in.

  “Perhaps,” he answered with a smile.

  “So, what’s your conclusion? Just out of interest.” Micky asked.

  “Well, when you look at the relationships, it seems to me to be obvious.

  After all, we know that Blackstock was raising money for the project. Parker was involved in Quantum physics research for the project.

  So, I think that Cebro must also be working on something for the project,” he said pausing momentarily.

  “It all seems to be linked, Micky. So what is Project Acarea?”

  “You tell me, Lieutenant,” Micky replied egging him on. Trying to find out how much more the Lieutenant knew or suspected.

  “Well, I’m only a dumb homicide Lieutenant, but I think I know what Project Acarea is about.”

  “What?”

  “Building man’s first Starship.”

  “I see. So, is there a ‘but’ in there?”

  “Yes, I believe so. I think that someone is trying to delay the project.”

  “Well done. You’re right on the button, Lieutenant,” Micky said smiling warmly at the Lieutenant.

  “That’s also our conclusion,” he admitted, as he auto-scanned the area again and found it clear.

  “I assume that you’ve also seen the reports on the murder weapon the serial killer uses, so you probably know what my thoughts are on the subject.”

  The Lieutenant looked at him. “Maybe. There is so much information out there about scientific developments, especially in the area of space technology.

  I read everything I can find from websites to technical journals. As well as from NASA and other space agencies. I also love reading science fiction books,” he paused, thinking.

  “I suppose you could call me a space geek. Anyway, I know we don’t have anything like that weapon and aren’t likely to have anything like it in the foreseeable future.

  But, I fear. No, I actually believe that someone, possibly from the future, wants the Acarea project to fail.”

  Micky was surprised at the Lieutenant’s grasp of the situation, and of the scenario he had put forward, which he thought was worry
ingly close to what he believed.

  “Lieutenant, you could very easily be right. But I would advise you not to spread your thoughts around, at present. You could end up as a target.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that Micky.”

  “No, well take care. By the way, I know Cedrick has your number, but could you give it to Charlie.”

  “Sure.”

  “We may get a chance to talk more on this at a later date.”

  “I’d like that,” he said giving Charlie his card.

  “Thanks… um, Brian.”

  “You’re welcome Charlie.”

  Micky looked at his watch. 12:45.

  “I’m getting hungry,” he said.

  “There are plenty of eating places not too far away,” the lieutenant said. “Chris knows most of them around these parts.”

  “Thanks, that’s useful, Brian,” Charlie replied, adding. “Well, as we’re going off for a bite to eat, do you want to join us?”

  “Thanks, but I still have things to finish up here. Oh, the car’s yours to use as long as you need it, Micky.”

  “Then, we’ll talk another day,” Micky said shaking Brian’s hand, while Charlie kissed him on the cheek, then turned and followed Micky out of the house.

  “What do you want to do Micky?” Chris asked. “Food, or go straight to Cebro?”

  “Food would be good. Cebro will probably be on their lunch break anyway.”

  “Then food it is. So, what sort of food do you both like?” he asked as they headed out to the Limo.

  “Something simple, but hot, a steak maybe, and a place that’s quiet if you can,” Micky requested.

  “And you Charlie?”

  “The same will be okay,” she replied feeling queasy just thinking about a big fatty steak.

  “There’re two or three places down to the left of the Chester Pike. They aren’t too far away from Cebro.