Chapter 37
JOLAR
“I don’t know how she can keep up the bullshit,” Peterson growled, watching through the monitor as Sachuu simply sat across from Linda Takahashi and stared as she continued her concert in the interrogation room.
“Diddy doo!” she finished before taking a breath. “Gimme some water. I know my rights. You can’t leave me dehydrated.”
“Perhaps if you simply answered our questions at a normal volume, it would alleviate the demands on your body,” he countered.
“I haven’t heard any worth answering. You guys are trying to pin a murder on me! I didn’t kill anyone!”
Klora entered the room, carrying a small bulb of water.
She snatched it from him greedily, quickly sucking it dry.
“Bah! That’s barely enough to wet my whistle. Get me another one.”
“And here I thought you were a genteel lady. Or so you said when we first encountered each other.”
“Back when you were at least pretending to be somewhat of a gentleman, you mean!”
Sachuu held up his hand at Klora, indicating he wanted him to wait. “Simply answer this one question, and you can have all the water you want, and I’ll take you back to your cell.”
“Is it the same question?” she asked, looking wary.
No. The question is, do you know who the man pretending to be your lawyer actually is?”
She cocked her head, looking at him asessingly, pursing her lips. “No. My husband introduced us, and I thought he was who he claimed to be.”
Sachuu delicately scented the air, then nodded. “You may take her back now and get her more water.”
Klora moved to undo the leg shackles from the chair so she could stand up. She unfortunately had to be fastened that way as she’d tried kicking the chair at Sachuu when he first entered the room the last time.
She stood up, swiveling her head to regard Sachuu.
“I don’t know who he is, but I hope you catch that son-of-a-bitch.
My husband left, and I hadn’t been able to find him.
I don’t believe for a moment that he ditched me for some random floozy and ran off.
Especially now that I know who the body belongs to. ”
“You knew it was there?” Sachuu asked, looking unsurprised.
She paused in the doorway, turning to regard him as she spoke.
“No. But when you said you were looking for a body, I thought, well if someone did bury one at my house, it would be there or under the patio. Guess who hired the landscapers for us? Ding ding. We went on vacation while it was all being done. Then my husband supposedly ran off. Whoever that guy is, he’s the one who pretended to be him when meeting my husband, then I think he killed them both.
And he left that body there to frame me!
” She shuffled out into the hallway, for once silent. Sachuu got up and came to join us.
“Think she’s telling the truth?” Peterson asked.
Sachuu gave a curt nod. “Partly at least. Forensic examination of her expressions will hopefully tell us what parts. I have my suspicions, but I don’t want to voice them in case it taints the results.”
“Fair enough,” replied Reynolds.
Klora returned. “Is it time for lunch?” he asked, looking hopeful.
“I could eat,” Reynolds said.
“Yes. Reynolds, I’ll help you with your application before we return.” He pointed at me. “Jolar, go see your mate and join him for your meal. Do not return until you’ve booked your honeymoon.”
“He needs the wedding first,” Klora pointed out.
“They do packages where it’s included,” Sachuu pointed out.
“Just get it done. Don’t worry if it takes a couple of hours to decide and pick a deal you both like.
When I return, I’m arranging Takahashi’s transfer to our main facility.
She’s given all that she is willing to at this point, and she’s already been found guilty of the fraud and attempted kidnapping charges.
We can always lay new charges and question her there if necessary. ”
“Seriously, is that what you guys do? Just pick a ready made wedding package deal?” Reynolds asked.
“It’s efficient and removes much time consuming tasks,” Jolar replied.
“Mitch wants a cruise package,” I told them as we filed out the door. “We should have a confirmed booking by later today, no problem.”
“Yeah, sure. Easy peasy,” Reynolds shook his head looking skeptical despite his words.
“Those signing up and marrying Mylos are probably more go with the flow sorts and eager to get started on their courses,” Peterson suggested.
I shrugged.
“Perhaps,” Sachuu allowed. “Is that not how it usually happens? The package deals were already a thriving business model before we arrived in your system.”
“That’s true,” Reynolds hummed. “If I was going to tie the knot, I know I’d like a low key, no hassle deal.”
Peterson nudged him in the ribs. “You’re about to find out if you’re getting hitched!” he teased and Reynolds turned white.
“I know. Just…don’t remind me, okay? If it happens, it happens. The odds are against it though! Right?” he looked at Sachuu desperately.
“Indeed.” He led Reynolds and Peterson down a side corridor while Klora and I stopped at the elevator.
“I think I’m going to go watch and see if he gets matched. His expression was too funny!” Klora said. “Tell Mitchell I said hello!”
And then I was alone, except for the ever present Xeranos. I palmed open the door and got in. “Sickbay, please, And Xeranos, could you please find out if Lilo and Stitch is set in a real town and if we can take a cruise there.”
“Absolutely. Would you like me to list suggested routes and hotels?”
“Yes, please, and it needs to be as soon as reasonably possible.”
The elevator began to move.
“I’ll have that ready in a few moments. When you’re ready to view the results, simply prompt me.”
“Thank you.”
“I’d like to confirm the booking is for three?”
“Yes, just us going.”
“Noted.”
The elevator paused, then changed direction to move to one side, then paused again and began moving up once more.
I thought of the human agents’ reactions to Sachuu’s suggestion to simply pick a package and go get married. Was that truly so unusual? The elevator came to a stop, opening to reveal the main entrance to sickbay a short distance down the hall. I supposed I was about to find out.