“Plorit was also mated, and we are waiting for his widow to arrive to claim his remains. They’ve agreed to answer questions once they arrive. That will be in two days’ time, so for right now, our focus is the Takahashi case.”
“Hey, man, good to see you! Glad to see you’re feeling better,” Peterson called out as he sauntered into our office, carrying a tray of hot beverages, Reynolds close behind him carrying one more.
“See, I told you they’d said he’d be back, so I was right to order him a drink,” Reynolds smirked at his partner.
Sachuu gave Klora a long look. “See, that was easily understood.”
“I feel like we’re missing something,” Reynolds said, looking between the three of us Mylos.
“Klora was trying out some human idioms again,” I explained.
“Ah. I see. Um, You and Sachuu like the green tea, I seem to recall, so here you are,” Peterson replied, handing out the drinks. “And a caramel and vanilla latte for you,” he added, handing it to Klora.
We each murmured our thanks, and the two agents quickly took a seat.
“As I was just saying before you came in, we have another murder case, but progress is on hold until the victim’s widow arrives in two days’ time. I thought we could take another crack at questioning Linda Takahashi.”
“Good idea. That was a total bust. What is with her and that singing, anyway?” Reynolds grimaced.
“Classic avoidance tactic. She’s trying to get on our nerves and distract us, in the hopes we’ll give up. It wouldn’t surprise me if she didn’t try for an insanity plea later, using these antics as so-called proof.” Peterson frowned as he spoke, his lips twisting into a moue of disgust before taking a sip of his drink. “Damn, you guys really do replicate good coffee,” he sighed. “It’s almost worth applying to come join you guys up here just for the free coffee.”
I grinned, remembering Reynolds’ earlier promise to consider applying to study here. “My mate finds the fact that everything is free here astounding.”
The two men turned to stare at me. “I’m sorry, did you say everything is free?” Reynolds asked.
“No money changes hands within the Fleet,” Sachuu confirmed.
The two human agents exchanged glances. “That clinches it. I’m going to apply. Can I do that up here? You said something about being able to, right?”
Sachuu looked very pleased. “Yes. I will assist you with that matter when we break for lunch.”
First though, we had a killer to question. I wondered what her musical repertoire would be today. Whatever it was, it was bound to sound terrible as she screeched and squawked the lyrics. Everyone else seemed to be having the same thought as they took their time finishing their drinks, until at last, the L.T.C. stood and said, “Come. We might as well get the concert over with.” Everyone grimaced, but followed him out the door.
As we approached the brig, we could already hear her. “You call this food? I’m sure other people might find this acceptable, but I’m not one of them! I know this came out of thin air, probably from recycled poop particles! I want fresh cooked food, you hear me?” she screeched.
“Ah, Commander Sachuu,” one of the two males on duty said. He must have been a transfer from another ship, as he seemed to know the L.T.C. but I’d never seen him before. “Linda Takahashi is refusing to eat her breakfast.”
“Leave it with her until lunch, but make a note of it.”
“She’s painted her walls with it, sir.”
Sachuu regarded him steadily. “Then before she is given her meal at lunch, she can scrub it off.”
The male swallowed. “Yes, sir.”
“We’re here to take her to interrogation. Make sure she is given something harder to make a mess with for the rest of her meals.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, look, it’s my old buddies, Tweedle Dumb, Tweedle Dee, and Lieutenant Sasquatch. And lookie there, they’ve brought a couple human toadies with them,” she cackled.
“Charming,” Reynolds muttered.
“Why, thank you,” she preened, patting her hair with a hand covered in what looked like oatmeal as Reynolds managed to mostly hold back a shudder.
This was definitely going to be another waste of time.
CHAPTER36
