Skies Over Tomorrow: Constellation (12 page)

Felix moved a hand, his fingers performing a short number on the interactive display to save the print analysis to the scanner. While waiting, he moved to open a drawer at the left of the station and took out a small, squared empty case and labeled it. When the internal micro memory disk received its copy of information, it was ejected, to which Felix placed it in the case; and encased, he slid it to an inside coat pocket. He then disconnected the forensic device and put it away. Just as he shut down the terminal and stood, Doctor Rolinski came in.

“You had me fooled for a minute, Mr. Ilom,” he said, handing the agent back the vials of dirt. “I mean you said you had a break in the case, so I was looking for something more than what you gave me.”

“What did it turn out to be?”

“Simply,” said the doctor, holding out a flash drive between his thumb and forefinger, also encased and labeled. “Sand.”

“Where from?” Felix took the MMC.

“Earth. The analysis on that will show you that it's from the northern part of the continent of Africa. How did you acquire a sample of sand from Earth?”

“My investigation has been deemed supernova, but thanks for your help. Is this the only copy?”

“Yes, given that the analysis was done as favor,” he said, “in return for the many exquisite meals your wife has prepared for the missus and I, of course.”

“Of course.” Felix smiled, slipping the coin to the same inside coat pocket.

“Did you have any success with the prints?”

“Yes, I did, and that's also classified, courtesy of Commander Wilkes. Oh, and speaking of favors, I only came to check on some prints for an old case.”

“Yes, yes, I understand. Well, let me know if I can be of any more help with your
old
investigation.”

“Thanks, Doctor Rolinski. Bye.”

The two shook hands, after which Felix left the forensic lab, said good-bye to the receptionist, and exited out into the main corridor. He went back around the angular bends of the floor to the elevators and pressed the down button. He waited a minute or so before the lift to his left stopped and opened its doors.

“Second floor,” he said, as he joined two other passengers.

The computer-operated ride registered the request and said, “Elevator 01 will stop on level two.”

Felix looked at his watch: 16:26.

“Level three,” the elevator said as it slowed to a stop and opened its doors. The man nearest the doors exited, and then the lift enclosed its remaining occupants and resumed its descent. Seconds passed before the elevator slowed again. “Level two,” it said, coming to a stop. Its doors opened, and Felix stepped off and headed off to his left.

Entering the open work area of his department to see associates were busy, yet quiet, Felix walked to a desk four spaces down and across from his workstation, and was quick to activate the virtual desktop at it, using Agent Jenkins' ID card. From his inside coat pocket, he took out the micro memory disks with the earth and forensic print analytics, and resting the coins next to the terminal, searched the work area for a new MMC. From a cabinet in which a number of them were stored, he pulled one out and proceeded to use the computer to duplicate the evaluations onto one flash drive. While the CPU copied the sand determination first, from a penholder, Felix took a felt-tip and transcribed the wording Dr. Rolinski used to mark the case of the original across the label of the case for the copy. The computer beeped and released a coin. Felix took it, placed it back in its case, and then retrieved the second coin from its case, inserted it and instructed the computer to repeat the process. While it worked, he added another title to the label of the case in waiting.

It was not long before a beep sounded again, and the CPU released the original copy of the print analysis. Felix took and placed that flash drive back into its jacket, and then taking up the coin from Dr. Rolinski, he slid both into his right outside coat pocket.

Next, Felix took out his truth-stick, twisted it to expose its jack and linked it with the computer, and typed on the virtual keyboard. The recorder became active, and as it compressed and transferred to the new, working micro memory coin McBride's statement from the storage facility and the conversations from her living quarters, he scripted a third title on the new casing. When the forwarding of sound bytes completed, Felix unhooked the voice-recorder and put it away. He then retrieved and tended to the last copied coin, the master copy. That went under his coat to an inside pocket. Finished with the terminal, he purged its recent actions and shut it down, after which he pulled from under his coat a handkerchief and wiped down those things he touched in the work area, including the badge of the dead agent, which he left in the main drawer.

Nonchalant, Felix left the desk of Agent Jenkins, putting away the handkerchief, and went to his supervisor's glass office. He saw Wilkes talking to the com-link, and he knocked on the door. The GDI director motioned him to wait. After the private conversation concluded, Wilkes greeted Felix at the door, inviting him in to have a seat.

“Well, Ilom, how goes everything?” he said. Wilkes took his seat behind his desk and leaned back.

“It's just going, sir, especially since you made my case—”

“Really, Ilom? Have you ever quelled your tenacity because of me?”

Felix smiled. “Truthfully,” he said, “I didn't put a lot effort into trying to find anything after our talk. I just assumed it would be as clean as the previous four incidents, which is an accurate assessment given my initial forensic survey—before I called you.” He noted the relief that fell on the director's face.

“Hey, listen, about our talk,” said Wilkes. “I apologize for snapping at you, but the High Council has pressured me to have this resolved—and quickly.”

“No, don't apologize, I understand. The lack of evidence is frustrating. Believe me, no one is as aggravated as me because I'm out there giving it my all to break this case, and I've nothing to show for it.”

“You're being too hard on yourself.”

“I think if this goes unsolved, it was a good decision on your part to make it supernova. Just let it burn out.”

“Yes, I think that if we can't solve it now, then perhaps in the near future we might get lucky and catch a break,” Wilkes said, “but that doesn't get me off the hook with the High Council. Fortunately, I was able to pacify them with the possibility that class B humans are behind this. They are aware that even we have difficulties in subduing those abominations.”

“Perhaps that'll provide us a solution to the two problems.”

“Let's hope so.”

They looked at each other, as Felix sat with crossed legs, his arms resting over the arms of the chair. It was then he affirmed his distrust of Commander Wilkes; his instincts convinced him that his supervisor was one of conspirators. “Well, on that note then,” he said, “I'd like to take some time off. Take a little vacation with my wife.”

“Yes, of course,” said Wilkes. “You've earned it. Where are you planning to go?”

“Since my wife is from Earth, we thought—”

“Say no more, I understand. It should prove to be a unique experience for you. This will be your first visit to Earth, is that correct?”

“Yes, it will. I'm looking forward to it.”

“I'm sure you are.” Wilkes leaned forward, and paused. He then said, “Well, I've some more work to look over.”

“Of course,” Felix said, standing. “I'll see you when I return.”

“I'll have a new assignment waiting for you then.”

“Good.”

“Enjoy yourself.”

“Yes, sir. I will.”

Felix left his director's office and went to his desk to secure it. He looked at his watch: 16:52. He thought of how long he might be gone, as he sat, looking at the people in his office. Despite the number of well-known faces that were about him, he felt alone. The feelings of loneliness worsened even further with thoughts that he might not see Hoku for quite some time—perhaps not ever again. Shaking off the ill feelings, he stood and left the office. He took the elevator down to the parking garage, got in his transport, and drove back to the Velvet.

Felix's entry into his favorite lounge was familiar, except after his ingression this time, he looked straight to the table at which he left McBride; she was gone, and then he saw his wife standing at the bar, looking at him. The look of urgency on his face was as familiar to her. He went to Hoku, taking her by the arm just as she was about to walk off with orders of drinks, and said, “Where is she?”

“In the restroom. Relax. I've been keeping my eye on her.”

Felix released Hoku and looked apologetic.

“Let me get these drinks to my customers, and then we can talk.”

Taking a seat at the bar, his witness soon appeared from the restroom and, not seeing him, made her way back to their table in the shadows and sat. Before rejoining the private, the detective waited on his wife to finish delivering the rounds of drinks, after which she returned to the bar and stood next to him. “So, what's going on?” she said.

“Where's my Spruce single?”

“It's waiting over there with Shaunya.”

“Glad you made her acquaintance,” he said, focused on the kitchen.

“Do you have what I left under your pillow?”

“Yes.”

“Good, here's something more.”

Hoku watched Felix reach under his coat, into an inside pocket, and pull out a micro memory disk; he set the plastic squared, encased master MMC on the bar countertop. His hand then pushed it over to her, and she reached and took hold of the coin with a fist, to hide and take it off the bar.

“Keep that with the other coin and item.”

“Felix, how much trouble are you in?” The worry was visible on Hoku's face.

“Don't know, but if I'm not already in over my head, then I will be soon enough,” he said. “Your cousin, on Earth, what's-his-name?”

“Kiyoshi.”

“I'm going to need his help,” he said. “You'll have to go back to Earth, too. It'll be safer for you there.”

“What have you gotten involved with?”

“When your curiosity gets the best of you and you playback those coins, you'll find out. Of course, I'm hoping you'll be able to just sit on them.”

“Then why don't you tell me what is going on?” she said. “I'm thinking it must be pretty serious judging by the wound to Shaunya's back.”

Felix looked at his wife.

“I had to take her to the back and stitch and redress it,” she said. “I had to let her borrow a shirt, too.”

Felix looked to McBride and saw that she was in fact wearing a different shirt for the third time. “I wish I could tell you what's going on,” he said, swiveling back to face his wife, “but I don't want you caught up in this anymore than you already are, because of me. I need you to leave Mars, the same way you import some of your goods from Earth, understand?”

Hoku nodded, and then said, “I can call in a favor to do that.”

“OK. And I'll also need your ID, to do a digital swap with hers, to get her off planet. May I use it?”

“Sure, I'll be right back.” Hoku stepped off and walked around to the back of the bar and vanished. As soon as she popped back up, she returned to the front of the bar and again stood close to Felix. “Here,” she said, slipping her identity into a pocket under his coat.

“Thanks. You'll need to leave Mars no later than tomorrow morning; I'll see you on Earth, OK?”

Hoku nodded again. Then she said, “We'll be waiting for you on Earth.”

Felix looked at her with a curious look, not sure if she was referring to Kiyoshi.

“I'm pregnant with your son.”

Felix, wide-eyed, was dumbfounded.

“I stopped by the sanatorium on my way here,” she said.

“It's a boy?”

“Yes,” she said, and took his hand to her abdomen.

“That's great. I'm happy to hear we're having a son.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I was hoping it would be a boy.”

The ambivalent emotions on Hoku's face were plenty, as her eyes swelled with tears.

“I want us to be together,” said Felix.

Hoku blinked, and tears rolled down over her cheeks.

“I have to—”

“I understand,” she said. “Do what you must.”

Felix took Hoku's hand and kissed it. They looked at each other as he stood and wiped a tear from her face. They then embraced; the hug seemed an eternity, each holding the other tight, and when Felix whispered into Hoku's ear, she tightened her hold around him, prompting him to rub her back and soothe her.

Like so many of her customers trying to hold onto her for as long as possible, Hoku held onto her husband for as long as she could. After a while, Felix released her and walked away, slipping his hand from her grasp.

The GDI agent walked over to his witness, and picking up his Spruce single from the table, he drank it in three gulps. “Are you ready?” he said, setting down the empty glass.

“Yeah,” said McBride as she stood. “She's going to miss you.” They both watched Hoku walk off, wiping her face.

“I'll miss them, too.”

“Them?”

“She's pregnant,” Felix said, and then he walked off.

McBride trailed him, and together they exited the Red Velvet Dust. As they walked to his UT, Felix accounted for his forensic spectacles, the truth-stick, and the vials of dirt, as well as the two micro memory disks in his right outside coat pocket, which he moved to the inside coat pocket.

“Detective Ilom,” McBride said, as they reached the transport, “how do you plan to get us to Earth?”

“I am GDI, remember?” he said with a slight smile, and they boarded the UT. “You'll be posing as my wife, until we get to Phobos. Once there, we'll use a GDI runabout.”