Kate's Investigation
By
UCSBdad
Disclaimer: A thorough investigation shows I do not own Castle. Rating: K Time: After my story, Kates' Run.
"We'll have to check that out." Andi said.
"Go ahead. I assume that all the guys were ogling us, if not worse."
"Andi," Gigi said, "I've found something here. This looks like jammer leaves."
Andi didn't want to know how Gigi knew what unused jammer leaves looked like, so she examined them.
"You do know that possession or sale of dangerous drugs is illegal?"
"No, it isn't." "Rice-Davies said. "Not at all."
"What?"
"It's not illegal. Treefrog, or whatever his name is…"
"Trelawney." Andi said.
"Trelawney. Anyway, in addition to being the manager of this place, he's the whole government. He writes the laws, he enforces them, and he's the judge, jury and executioner. But he hasn't had the time to write all the laws this place needs. He's covered murder, rape, robbery, burglary, fraud and some other stuff, but he hasn't gotten around to making any kind of substance illegal. So, jammer and everything else is legal here."
"Excuse me while I check."
Andi went outside and called Trelawney. She explained what she'd found.
"They were all passed out by the freshwater pool for all of Threeday. I had people keep an eye on them, so they didn't drown.
"As far as the drugs go, she's right. I haven't had the time to write up that part of the laws. I finished something on obstruction of justice last month, but I've been too busy to do anything else."
"Couldn't you just copy the laws of one of the other resorts in the Union?'
"No. Their laws are all copywritten. We'd have to pay to use them. The home office didn't want to pay that much, so they told me to write something."
"This is the poorest resort in the Union. I know." Andi said and hung up.
She went back inside and told the young ladies they were in the clear. They all smirked.
Grey spoke up.
"You know, if you're looking for suspects, those Chinese bitches would be at the top of my list."
"Why?"
"Because they're Chinese. Everyone know the Chinese are trying to take over the whole Europa Cluster."
"They're really from China?"
"No, from some planet called Sinkiang. But they're Chinese. That's suspicious right there."
"This Fuzzy was probably some sort of secret agent, trying to stop whatever nefarious plan they have. They must have killed him." Liz Parks-Keith said breathlessly.
"We'll continue with our inquiries." Andi said quickly.
As the three left, the ladies were busy coming up with theories on the murder that bordered on the absurd and then crossed that border.
"Guess what?" Gigi said. "Next on our list are the Soong sisters, from Sinkiang."
"Of course they are." Andi grumped.
The Soong sisters weren't in their cottage and a quick look inside showed nothing out of the ordinary.
They found the three Soong sisters sitting on the grass in a small grove of trees, apparently meditating. Or something.
As the three stood wondering what to do, one of the employees approached with three plates, each containing a ball of rice.
"Is that for the Soong sisters?" Andi asked,
"They each get one rice ball a day. They apparently haven't gotten to the point where they can exist without food. The smart money says that if they ever do, they'll be dead soon after."
"You bet on whether your guests will die or not?" Andi demanded.
"No. Of course not. That's just an expression. Bet on something bad happening to a guest? Never happen."
Andi didn't believe a word of it.
"How long have they been out here?"
"Since last Oneday."
"They haven't gone anyplace?"
"No. The boss is worried they might die or get sick and sue the company. He makes sure someone watches them 25/8."
"There is no need for anyone to watch us, Detective Carson. May I be of assistance?"
Andi turned to find one of the Soong sisters looking at her. The other two were motionless except for a slight rise and fall of their chests.
"May I have your name?"
"Certainly. I'm Mei Ling Soong. I'm the oldest sister. There's no need for Mr. Trelawney to worry. We are attempting to leave the fetters of our earthbound existence behind and achieve Nirvana. And how may I help you, Detective?"
"You might tell me how you know my name and position."
"While it may seem like we're asleep, we're actually in a very high state of alertness. I heard your name and position from a number of passersby,"
"There's been a murder of a Mr. Fuzzy on last Threeday. Have you heard anything about that?"
Mei Ling thought for a moment.
"No. Not a thing. Nor have I heard anything about Mr. Fuzzy before his demise. Now if you will excuse me."
She closed her eyes.
"We'll check with Trelawney to see if people really were here 25/8 watching them."
In fact, there were people there, 25/8.
"I almost hate to task, but who's next on our list?" Andi asked.
"Alicia, Duchess of Hermes and her maid, Irina Borodin. But we are getting close to the end."
As soon as they knocked on the duchesses' door, they heard someone yell.
"Answer the door, you ninny. Now! Get to it."
The door was quickly opened by a young, attractive blonde woman in a baggy, black dress.
"May I help you?"
"We're Detectives Andi and Gigi Carson and Sergeant Tolan of the Saint James Constabulary. We need to talk to you and the Duchess."
"Don't keep company standing outside, you stupid cow. Invite them in." A voice from within yelled.
They entered. Sitting on a heavily carved, high-backed chair that looked a bit like a throne, was the Duchess. She was also young, attractive and blonde. In contrast to her maid, she was heavily made up, was dressed in an embroidered silk gown and had on more jewelry than Andi had ever seen on one person before.
"Offer them a chair, silly." The Duchess said.
The maid grabbed two chairs and hauled them in front of the Duchess.
"I must apologize for my maid. Competent help is so hard to get these days. Now, how may I help you?"
Andi explained about the murder and told the Duchess that they had been brought in from Earth to aid in the investigation.
"A murder? Here?" She glared at the maid. "And you never told me? How stupid are you? I could be murdered in my sleep. You're hopeless."
"Can you tell us where you were on Threeday?" Andi asked.
"I'm sorry. Are you asking me, Alicia, Duchess of Hermes, for an alibi?"
"Exactly."
The Duchess looked as if she'd explode at Andi, but apparently thought better of it.
"I suffer from terrible migraine headaches. I was inside all day long as I have been ever since I got to this place. It has nothing at all to offer but peace and quiet, but that's what I need. My maid can vouch for me."
"You were here the whole of Threeday?" Andi asked Irina.
"No. I left to have lunch and spent the afternoon and evening at the restaurant and bar."
"And I pay you for this." The Duchess grumped. "And I pay you far too much." The Duchess put her hands to her forehead. "I have another migraine coming on. Get me a green pill."
The maid ran to get the pill and come back with one.
"And a glass of water. Do you expect me to take the pill without water? When you were pulled out of that wretched peasants' hovel and brought to be my maid, my people made a great error. They should have left you there and taken a pig to me instead. At least then I'd have a companion with a bit of intellect."
The Duchess took her pill and went off to go to sleep.
"Do you know of anyone who can vouch for the Duchess' presence when you were away?"
"No. The maids are only allowed in when the Duchess is outside and that's rarely. The maids weren't here on Threeday. I'm sorry."
"Thank you. That'll be all. We'll be back if we need anything else."
Once they were away from the cottage, Andi spoke.
"In spite of how nasty the Duchess is, I don't see her as the type who'd open Fuzzy's head with a vibro blade if he interrupted her sleep. And if she had it in for him for political or business reasons, she has enough money to hire a pro."
"How do you know she has money?" Gigi asked.
"What do you know about the Duchy of Hermes?"
"Just that I want to stay well away from their duchess."
"Hermes was in the right place at the right time. It's right at the juncture of the Europa Cluster, the Latin Expanse and the Arabic Zone. All sorts of trade routes go right past there. Even those that are a bit away find it makes economic sense to go by way of Hermes. All that trade brings in a lot of money. The Duchess isn't an absolute ruler, Hermes has a parliament, but she does have some power. And money."
"What are we going to do now?" Gigi asked.
"Next on our list are three extraterrestrials. I think we should knock off for the day and get ready for dinner. Tonight is Mexican night at the restaurant and I'm in the mood for some nachos with everything."
"And a margarita?" Gigi asked.
"Perhaps more than one."
They went back to their cottage and changed into more formal clothing, then headed for the restaurant. The nachos were very good as were the margaritas. Then they saw someone they hadn't expected.
"It looks like Irina got away from the Dragon Lady." Gigi said.
"You shouldn't call her that."
"Why not? Her name is Irina."
Andi did no more than raise an eyebrow.
Irina seemed to be having a good time. Everyone seemed to like her, and she was asked to dance by a dozen different men. One, a sailor from the resort's boats, seemed to have attracted her attention. The two retreated to the bar and were talking with their heads very close together.
"Wait a minute." Andi said. "I think he just dropped something in her drink."
Andi and Gigi got up just and Irina and the man slipped out a side door. Once they had pushed their way through the crowd in the bar, Andi and Gigi had lost sight of the two.
"I'll bet he's taking her to that grove of trees. No one can see them." Gigi said.
Sure enough, they found the man holding Irina up against a tree as he kissed her and fondled her boobs and her butt.
"Let me get your clothes off, bitch, and we'll have some fun. At least I will." He muttered.
"Let her go. I saw you drop something in her drink. She's obviously not capable of giving consent."
"Who the hell are you to tell me what to do, bitch. And I didn't put a damned thing in her drink. If she's on anything, she did it to herself. Drugs are legal here, you know."
"I'm Detective Andi Carson and this is my partner, Gigi. Now, get lost, asshole."
The man stepped back.
"Okay, bitch. You and your skinny pal are going to be next."
He swung at Andi. She blocked his punch, stepped into him and hit him in the nose, then kicked his knee.
"You bish! You brote my node." He yelled. He tried to take a step forward, screamed and collapsed.
"You broke my knee."
"No, I didn't kick you that hard. It's just dislocated."
The noise had attracted a crowd, including several waiters who had flashlights.
"I'll sue you. You haven't got anything on me." He yelled.
"Detective, check his right inside jacket pocket." This was Tolan. Andi could see he had his knife out.
She reached into his jacket.
"Well, well. Some TNQ. A very expensive date rape drug. You're under arrest for assault on Irina here." She rolled him over, which brought a scream and handcuffed his hands behind his back.
"You three." She pointed at three waiters. "Take him to Dr. Josh. We'll see what Trelawney wants to do with him."
"We don't know where Dr. Josh is."
"Then find him."
She grabbed Irina who was still leaning against the tree.
"Come on, Irina. We'll take you home."
"No."
TBC