Inspector Frank Simon ate aspirin like it was candy. He was getting one of his nasty headaches. The body was removed, the yellow tape was put up, and the quarters were sealed.
Zoe couldn’t stop thinking about the two glasses. Were there any prints or DNA? Where was the bottle? There wasn’t one at the scene. The killer took the bottle and the weapon and left saliva? Not likely.
Chapter 3
John Smith took out the bundle he’d been carrying under his jacket and unrolled it on the table in the dim light. He was in a room in the bowels of the dome, surrounded by nothing but mechanics, pipes, and valves. The air reeked of rust and dirt. John was sweating, with a layer of red dust caked on his face. The bundle contained a sharp knife and a flask of whiskey. The knife had sticky, half-dried blood on it. He cleaned the knife with the care of a precious treasure. And it was valuable; it had intricate carvings on the handle and a large ruby embedded in it as well. The sort of knife you use in ancient sacrificial rituals. John showed no emotion as he worked to clean it. Then he carefully placed it into a velvet-lined wooden case with carvings. And into an empty vent near the ceiling. John suited up and disappeared back into the night, riding an old ATV that had been used a lot, carrying heavy construction supplies between the South Side and the North of Mars.
Diane LaStrange was found in the shower at the aquatic complex of HD5 with her throat slit the next day. She was another wealthy benefactor of Gallery21. The news reached Zoe and Gregorio at the Gallery. It was the same sector where Mr. Moritz lived. Just two weeks from his death. Zoe and Gregorio rushed to the scene. Inspector Frank Simon was there already with his Security 1 Nano Robots, collecting some red wet dirt from the floor of the shower.
“You two can go back now; there is nothing to see here for you,” the inspector said.
“I know Diane. She is a patron of the Gallery,” said Zoe.
“I think you and I need to have a conversation. Meet me back at PD3 at 1300.”
Zoe was now obligated to go down to the station to answer questions. She wanted answers as well. Was this killer connected to the Gallery in any way?
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