"Zim," Dib called from the kitchen as he rinsed his empty coffee mug in the sink. "I have to go now."
Zim stepped into the living room slowly and looked at him, frowning. He'd spent the night on the guest bed as Dib had directed but hadn't slept, the human's words going over and over in his mind.
Dib lifted his coat from a stool by the bar and slid it on.
"Will you be alright here by yourself?"
Zim nodded, averting his eyes. Dib clipped his badge to his belt and picked up his keys.
"You sure? Today is going to be long."
Zim nodded again and the man smiled.
"Alright. Help yourself to whatever. I'll be back later." He felt like he was talking to a child, and in some ways the alien behaved as one. He wondered how old the creature was, and made note to ask him later. Dib left with a wave. Zim heard the garage open and the car pull out. Once he was sure the human was gone he began wandering the house, taking in everything. He spotted what Dib called the 'cat' curled up on top of the cabinet and avoided it. Something about the animal unsettled him.
Something bleeped from the human's office room and he investigated, curious. A rectangle symbol flashed on the computer and he approached it, sitting in the padded chair and reaching to press a key. An email opened as the screen brightened and the Irken tilted his head as he read.
'Hey Membrane, here's what I dug up;
Apparently the attractions show shut down because some parents complained that it was too graphic and mature for kids, go figure. Nothing much about what happened to the exhibits though, or who was playing in it. The horses were sold to a farm in West Virginia and one of the sword swallowers joined the state fair. I did find a police report from about a month before it closed. The details are sketchy but apparently one of the employees was attacked by one of the exhibits. Didn't say much, just that the guy spent five days in the hospital with injuries sustained from the tiger they kept, though the doctor on staff then said there was no way a tiger did that. They buried it though and after they closed no one bothered pursing it. Hope this helps your investigation.
Det. Steven Barnes, Utica PD'
The email had two attached photos; one of the hospitalized exhibit employee and an up-close of one of the bite wounds.
Zim sat back quickly. Flashbacks to the dark little booth, the metal seat he sat in for hours each day. Human faces passing, staring in at him. The young man in the photo, dragging him from his booth at the end of each day and shoving him into his little cage next to the 'magical' white tiger. Maybe the man was too rough that day, or maybe he'd just had enough. He shut his eyes, remembering the feel of claws and fangs sinking into flesh, tearing, blood splashing.
He shook his head quickly and stood, turning to leave the room.
Dib nodded to the receptionist as he passed and made for his office. Today would be a long one going over the details of the brothel case. Obviously he didn't mention the alien in his reports.
"'Morning Membrane," his supervisor stepped in as soon as he set his bag down.
"'Morning Charles. What do you have for me?"
"It's pretty open and shut. We're detaining the manager but we haven't located the owner yet and she's not giving it up."
Dib nodded, pulling his laptop out and booting it up.
"Figures. We'll find them. They never stay hidden long."
"That's what I have for you," Charles said, pulling a piece of paper from his folder and laying it on Dib's desk. "We have a lead."
He picked up the paper and read it over, then looked up at him skeptically.
"Monroe's?"
"She mentioned it during interrogation then clammed up. Its worth a look."
Dib nodded and folded the paper, tucking it into his pocket.
"I'll go this afternoon."
Charles smiled and gave him a wave before leaving. Dib sat down and Googled directions to the small butcher shop near in the east end. He'd passed it once or twice but had never actually been inside. It wasn't too far from his office so he made plans to stop by after lunch.