Another dead alien? Another washroom?

Thank goodness, we had brought along one of the big ambulances. So I got out my com and called the medical responders. The Peak had catered dinner for them outside.

“Brian, get Harrison to round up the rest of the crew, please.” I needed to get his attention away from the body. Blood poured from the Bremen’s throat. I grabbed some towels and tried to stem the flow.

The horrified male who’d discovered Brian and the Bremen still stood in the doorway. I would deal with him in a moment.

Shortly, the medical crew burst through the washroom door, and I relinquished my place. Although a fairly large washroom, the whole ambulance crew meant a lack of room for me.

I bounced up the stairs and found Inspector Hayden talking to Harrison and Brian. “Tell me what’s going on,” he said.

“Thomas, it looks like we have an accident or perhaps another murder on our hands. The responders are onsite in the washroom. Perhaps, an announcement would be appropriate. We’ll need to conduct interviews—especially since I’m guessing the alien’s been murdered—so no one can leave. Since the kitchen has started serving dessert, let them finish.” I stopped. Messy didn’t begin to describe the situation.

“Can you point out the Bremen ambassador?”

Inspector Hayden cleared his throat and pointed across the room. He appeared momentarily speechless, but then he gave himself a little shake.

I pulled Harrison and Brian aside. “As you know, the crime scene is the men’s washroom,” I told Harrison. “The medical team is in there now, but I haven’t talked to them yet. But assuming the Bremen is dead, we’ll need to sweep the washroom. And also interview everyone at the banquet before they can leave, including the kitchen and wait staff. We aren’t going to have an early night, and I’d just started to relax.”

“Stop relaxing; you find too much work for us when you do,” said Harrison.

Grinning, I said, “Stop being such a smart-ass. The crew has started to arrive. Gather them up while I go downstairs and talk to the medics. Actually, go down and take some pictures, first.” I paused. “Ah, Brian, since you discovered the body, I cannot allow you to be part of the initial investigation, at least at this time. You’ll have to wait to be interviewed.”

Brian didn’t look happy, but I wouldn’t have either. My next step involved the Bremen ambassador.

“Ambassador, we have an incident in the men’s wash- room involving a Bremen. Would you mind accompanying me so we can identify the injured Bremen?” Just a formality, I already knew who lay on the floor.

Ambassador Mugon-Dite nodded assent, at least I think she did since she followed me. We squeezed into the crowded room. The ambassador took one look, and said, “Official Skitem-Carry.”

I gave Raj a questioning glance—he had followed the rush of medics—and he responded with his thumb down.

Catching the eye of the Bremen ambassador, I nodded at the doorway, and we both went outside. “No question about the identity of the body?” I asked Mugon-Dite.

“No mistake, Skitem. Unusual Bremen,” she said.

Her statement made me curious. “How so?”

“Talk continuous—unlike Bremen.”

I had noticed something unusual about Skitem-Carry’s conversations, but I hadn’t clued into the reason. The ambassador was one Bremen I could understand. “Thank you for your help. And I’m sorry for your loss. Please go back to your table and wait. Someone will speak with you shortly.”

I followed Ambassador Mugon-Dite up the stairs. Studying the eating area, while I let my mind wander over what I knew so far, led to confusion.

Shortly, Harrison returned from the washroom. “Sarge, we’re about to set up a couple of tables over in the corner so we can start interviewing. Time to send the sweepers down.”

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“You have your pictures?”

He nodded.

“Go ahead.” I waited while Harrison issued a few orders. Then I said, “Interview the ambassadors first. We’ll show a little diplomacy. I’ll help out in a minute.” I walked over to reception to find The Peak’s manager.

Simone hovered at the counter. “What’s going on?” she asked. “I didn’t want to interfere.”

“We’ve found an alien body in the men’s washroom, and the Bremen is dead. What can you tell me about your evening? Has anything been out of the ordinary?”

“Other than a restaurant full of aliens, and a formal banquet, nothing’s unusual.” She smiled. Simone and I got along well. I had spent many an evening at The Peak.

“I know it’s hard to tell if anyone acted erratically. I can’t even tell myself with all the alien visitors. But, let me repeat, anyway. Did you notice any strange behavior, or anything out of place?”

“Not really. I spent most of my time helping people find their seats and answering questions about the food, and I’m exhausted.” She sat down and rested her arms on the reception desk.

“That doesn’t surprise me. I’m most impressed with your printed menu, by the way. It should’ve helped with your discussions about the food.”

“Yes, it did. I imagine you’d like a copy?

We laughed. Simone knew me quite well.

“More to the point, do you have any active security cameras tonight?” I asked.

“We have some outside. And there’re also a couple on each wall of the eating area, one in the kitchen, and one in the storage area.”

I crossed my fingers. “How about in the washrooms?”

“No. By law, we can’t do that. One of the cameras in the stairway, though, is focused on the entrance to the washrooms. I hear that’s where the action took place.”

My first piece of good news! “Wonderful. I’ll need a copy, and please keep your original safe.” I decided to be paranoid. “Just a heads up, you’ll need to be interviewed.”

Simone nodded. We both knew the night would be long. I made my way back to Inspector Hayden. I’d heard him make the announcements, and he now conversed with the ambassadors.

“Ah, there you are,” he said to me. “I know it’s early, but is there anything you can tell us?”

I had to think fast. “I haven’t gotten the medical report yet, since the incident just took place. I’m sure the IBC can let the bowling practices continue tomorrow though, since no bowlers seem to be involved.” Perhaps a bowler was involved, but I kept that thought to myself. “The schedule shouldn’t have to be changed, but that’s not my decision. And, of course, you’ve told everyone about the melted bowling balls?”

“Ah, yes, the bowling balls—thank you for reminding me.”

“Inspector, perhaps you and I can have a game tomorrow,” said Dino. “I will be around the bowling alley trailing after your Detective Sergeant.”

“That’s a great idea, although I’ve only played a few times,” said Thomas.

“Good. It’s a sport for all ages.” Oops. I really should be careful with what I blurt out.

Thomas smiled, but didn’t respond.

“Excuse me, Ambassador Rare. I must tell the other ambassadors about the melted balls,” said Thomas.

Dino and I walked away.

“Tari, I have some information for you,” said Dino.

“Is it in regards to the dead Bremen?”

“Not exactly.” Dino rubbed his hands.

“We’ll have to discuss it tomorrow. I must focus on the current investigation.” I wondered what Dino was up to.

Then Simone approached and handed me a small package.

“Thanks for your help,” I said to her. I hoped the recordings would be useful.

“No problem.” Simone smiled and walked away.

“Dino, excuse me. I must speak with my staff.”

Before I had taken more than a couple of steps, the medical examiner approached. So Raj and I huddled in a corner.

“It’s definitely murder. It only took a few seconds for the Bremen to lose enough blood to prove fatal. At this point, we’re assuming it was a knife. The body is being taken to the morgue. One of the Bremen doctors is going to do the autopsy with me. In reality, I’ll be assisting him. So much to learn.” Raj’s eyes sparkled.

“Okay, let me know if you find out anything unusual.”

Raj laughed.

Not a profound statement, I agreed. I went looking for Harrison and found him standing with Brian outside the washroom. “I have a copy of the security footage that should show who accessed the washroom.”

“I’ll look at that tonight,” said Brian.

Something made me say, “I think it’s Harrison’s turn to get red eyes.”

Startled, Harrison replied, “Thanks a lot. Next time, I’ll make sure and remind you it’s your turn.” We all laughed, albeit weakly.

“Make a copy and send it to me,” I said to Harrison.

After we trudged upstairs, the other detectives returned to the interview tables, and I decided to wander about the restaurant. I needed to mull over the last few days.

Why had Skitem-Carry been killed? The murder obviously had something to do with the bowling competition, but what could it be? Killing an official would not alter the results.

I returned and helped my detectives. It took a couple hours but we finally got through the rest of the interviews and procedures.

The last to leave, I stopped for a moment to talk to Simone. “It’s time to close the doors, Simone. You can open tomorrow, although you’ll have a bit more than your normal clean up.”

“Not unexpected. I have to admit this’s the first time we’ve had a murder in the restaurant, and one involving aliens to top it off. On one level, I’m excited, but mainly I’m exhausted.”

“So am I. If you think of anything unusual that happened tonight, give me a call.” I gave her one of my cards. “Even something as small as a funny look could help us.”

“Will do. Have a nice evening.” An automatic response since nothing of the evening remained, and it hadn’t been nice.

While climbing into my car, my com rang.

“Can you get to the clinic? Maori needs more surgery. She has a bleeder,” said my mother.