For the People Chapter 60
From the outside, Enchanted Exchange looks unimpressive. No flashing signs announce its presence, and a single badge seller guards the door. Looking more closely, however, a passerby could detect the guard's pointed ears. Pushing a Starfleet jump-suited Lily in her stroller, a gold-shirted Rick urges Ryan and Esposito forward to pay their entry fees.
A stage is set up at the front of the large space, awaiting a costume parade and trivia competitions. Rows of tables fill the back part of the room, displaying science fiction and fantasy wares. Hawkers of Star Trek and Star Wars memorabilia are interspersed willy-nilly with offerings of Elfin rings and dwarf-wrought swords. "We're going to have to search through all this wacked-out stuff," Esposito complains.
"Isn't that why you're here?" Rick questions. "And when the first trivia competition starts, most eyes will be on the contestants. You two can have a really good look for the phaser, or anything else that catches your eye. Espo, I see you as a Bat'leth battler, you've already got the Klingon howls down pat."
"I don't howl," Esposito argues.
"Shush," Rick cautions as a green-skinned Orion dancer mounts the stage.
"It's time for the Star Trek Trivia Contest," she announces. "We need all the contestants to come up here now."
"That's me!" Rick declares. "You guys enjoy your search," he adds as he pushes Lily forward. "My little cheering section and I have worlds to conquer."
"Last question. This will determine the winner," a tuxedoed Data announces. "On the original Star Trek, why were there two different races of Klingons? Rick, you rang in a microsecond before your opponent. State your answer."
"Because the makeup department forgot how they did it the first time Klingons appeared in an episode," Rick replies.
"That is correct," Data responds. "You've won an early entrance pass to the next Free Comics Day at Comicadia."
Rick claps his hands. "Shiny! Uh-oh, wrong 'verse. The pass is excellent Mr. Data, a truly exceptional prize."
"Comicadia gave it to us for free," the Orion whispers.
"Still much appreciated," Rick responds. He sniffs. "But you'll need to excuse me. My crew and I are needed in another sector."
The Orion hides a smile behind her colorful hand. "I understand. I have three of my own. There's a changing station right next to First Aid."
Rick bows. "My crew thanks you and we'll be on our way."
"How did your treasure hunt go?" Rick inquires as he returns to Ryan and Esposito with a newly freshened Lily.
Ryan shakes his head. "Nothing yet. But more vendors were unloading while you were playing gameshow."
"We figured we'd grab something to eat while they put out their stuff," Esposito adds.
"As I recall, the Romulan burgers here are pretty good," Rick offers. "Unlike their Vulcan cousins, Romulans enjoy good meat. But stay away from the Ferengi. They consider overcharging an art form. I'm going to stroll Lily around for a while. We might spy something that escaped the eagle eyes of the NYPD. Meet you at the new vendors in 20 minutes?"
"Yeah, sure," Esposito agrees.
"So what do you think?" Rick inquires of his daughter as the detectives take off for the concessions. "Shall we check out the Elves' jewelry? The Bajorans make nice things too. Mama's catching up on some of her files while we're gone. We could bring her a pretty bauble or two as a surprise."
"Ba," Lily responds.
"Glad you concur. So, course locked in for shopping. Let's engage."
Rick is paying for a gold necklace and bracelet set with amethysts when he spots something that sets off alarms in his brain. One of the vendors is unloading wares onto a table from what looks like a laundry bag. The figure is dressed like a member of the J'naii, a race believing in androgyny, with a short haircut favored by both men and women. Rick's not sure of the gender underneath the costume. But regardless, most vendors carefully transport their precious cargo in sturdy boxes and crates, wheeling them in on dollies. They don't throw them in a sack, like Santa Claus. Rick continues to observe as he scouts the surrounding tables, purchasing a cuddly sehlat for Lily.
"Come on," Rick urges, meeting up with Ryan and Esposito. The newly arrived vendor is just drawing a display phaser from the fabric bag when Rick inclines his head toward the table. "Bingo!" he mutters softly.
Signaling to Ryan, Esposito starts toward the newly arrived seller. "We've got a suspect."
Kate closes her last file, trying to decide what she wants more, a nap without keeping an ear open for the baby monitor, or some of the dark chocolate dipped cookies Rick gets shipped in from Brussels. In the end, the nap wins – for about ten minutes. Her cell buzzes with a call from Amelia Milcham. "Ms. Beckett, I'm so sorry to call you on a weekend."
"Is something wrong? Are you all right?" Kate queries.
"I'm OK," Amelia assures her. "But someone put something on one of my forums about Jason Jordan. At least I think it was about Jason Jordan. She just referred to him as that, excuse my language, bastard J, but she described something happening to her that was a lot like what happened to me, except worse. She's a nerd like me and was thrilled when J acted interested in her. He took her to the Angelika too, and the park. But she couldn't get him off of her the way I did. And she didn't have anyone to stand up for her like Thomas did for me."
"You mean this J raped her?" Kate presses.
"I think so. She didn't use the word, but she described it."
"Do you know who she is?" Kate asks.
"I just have her screen name. If I text the post to you, can you check it out?"
"You bet I'll check it out," Kate replies. "If Jason Jordan did commit a rape, my charges against him would go to a whole new level. And you and the poster you found may not be his only victims."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Amelia replies. "I'll send you the text right now."
"And I'll start looking into it right away," Kate promises.
Rick points at the mounted phaser. "Nice. Mint condition. You don't see too many of those."
"I can give you a good deal on it," the faux J'naii proposes.
Rick thoughtfully strokes his yet unstubbled chin. "Perhaps. But what can you tell me about its provenance? What episode did it come from? Why did the studio let it go? Who mounted it?"
"Hey, I just bought it off a guy who was down on his luck and had to unload some of his things," the vendor claims. "I don't know where it came from. So look, do you want it or not?"
Esposito steps up to the table. "He can't have it."
"You want it?" the faux J'naii asks hopefully.
"Yeah, I want it – as evidence." Esposito pulls back his cloak revealing his badge and gun. "You're under arrest on suspicion of grand larceny and the murder of Alan Trehosen."
Ryan rolls his eyes as the suspect sprints for a rear door. "Why do they always run?" He starts after the fleeing vendor while Esposito throws off his cloak to follow. Ryan downs their quarry with a tackle and Esposito snaps on the cuffs.
"I didn't murder anyone," the suspect protests.
Esposito pulls his prisoner to its feet. "You have the right to remain silent."
