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From the Files of Merrick Dylan: Space Detective
Tonight’s Episode: The Case of the Black Shoe
Act 2

We went to an all night Chinese and blues joint not to far from my office. Miss Missy had some of the best Chinese food and live blues music in the New Kansas City metro area. Missy’s was the kind of place where bluesmen, private dicks and aspiring crime novelists hung out. The music was good and the food was better.

Miss West made small talk as we ate. As we talked we got to know each other just a little, but she was now a client and I needed to keep things professional.

–Tell me about who is trying to kill you, Miss West.” I said as I opened another bottle of beer.

–It’s complicated,” she replied. –But I will explain as best I can. You see, Mister Dylan, my father is Professor James Magnus West. He is working closely with Dr. Carol Marcus and some key people at the Daystrom Institute on an incredible new technology program called Genesis.

Genesis in theory will allow the Federation to launch a probe into a small moon, and turn it into a vibrant thriving planet fit for colonization or other purposes. Genesis is terra-forming, but on a much bigger scale.”

–Sounds interesting, where do you fit in to all this,” I asked as I opened another beer.

–I work for my father as a research assistant. My father came up with the formula to make Dr Marcus’ device talk with the software that Daystrom is developing to make the whole concept work. Without the formula, the project is just a grand idea. We are also working with the Starfleet Corps of Engineers to find suitable test locations. Starfleet is also providing security for us.”

–If Starfleet is your security, why do you need me?”

–Because, Mister Dylan,” Miss West offered. –Some one on our team went rogue, leaked some key elements of the project to some very bad people, and some of our team members have been killed. I’ve noticed Klingons shadowing me lately and I have a gut feeling they are going to try something to use me to get to my father.”

–There are others interested in this technology and may have other ideas in mind for it?”

–That’s right. While the concept is to use Genesis to create life from lifelessness, if the device was targeted on a planet where life currently exists, it would be destroyed in favor of the new development. Imagine the Klingons using Genesis to make planets for bases and resources to build fleets of ship. Genesis has that kind of power too, if misused.”

–How far along is this gig?”

–We have a long way to go, we are running full simulations with great results, but Starfleet R&D has found us a little hunk of rock in deep space we can try Genesis on. We are about a year out from that first test.”
–And you want me to keep the Klingons off your back until you can get the formula to your father.”

–How did you know I was transporting it?”

–I am a detective, Miss West. Ten years on the streets in this town and you start to figure stuff out.”

Miss Missy came by to collect our plates and the check. She was tall, thin and attractive with exotic Asian feature that would want to make your preacher kick out a stained glassed window. Missy was also an excellent chef. I pulled my thin wallet out of my jacket pocket to pay Missy for the food and the beers. She took my hand and gently pushed it away.

–You keep your money, Rick,” Missy told me. –It’s on me tonight. How was everything?”

–Excellent as always, Miss Missy.”

Miss Missy smiled as she took our dishes and went about her business. I finished my beer and enjoyed Miss West’s company a few more minutes. I tried to think about how I was going to help the lovely Miss West though her situation.

–Thank you for dinner,” said Miss West. –Would you mind driving me back to my apartment? I took the bus to your office.”

A twenty minute drive across town and we were there. Miss West’s bungalow was cute, and fit her well. As we pulling up, we noticed some unusual activity. Miss West pointed out a car in front of her bungalow that she had not seen before. Lights were on and we could see movement inside. It all added up to one thing…trouble.

I advised Miss West that we should wait it out. No sense in going in there and risk both of getting beat to a pulp, or worse. The uninvited guests did not stay long. About five minutes later, three figures ran out of the house and into the waiting car. They drive off into the in a quite a hurry.

I pulled my car up closer to Miss West’s residence. I told her to wait for me until I could make sure her house was safe and there were no remaining threats. A quick walk though of the small house and it was secure. I motioned for Miss west to join me.

When Miss West came inside, her house had been gone over pretty good. Things were broken, pictures were smashed, clothes, drawers and papers where everywhere. It looked as if a small tornado had entered Miss West’s house. Miss West stood there looking at the wreck. She shook her head in disbelief, but had an idea this kind of thing was going to happen.

–I know this looks bad, Miss West,” I said. –But the thing is we now have some evidence.”

–Now what do we do,” she asked.


–I am going to go to work. I could use a hot cup of Joe, if you don’t mind.”

–Sure. I could too. I will go put some on. Should I call this in? It was a break in after all.”

–Not just yet, darling. I need to look the scene over carefully before the cops get here and contaminate the evidence.”

Miss West smiled as she left room. Having her make coffee would give her something to do and keep her occupied. While Miss West was getting coffee, I started photographing the scene and looking for clues. I didn’t find much so I took my search outside. I didn’t find much out there either. Returning inside there was the aroma of fresh coffee and cinnamon.

–Coffee is ready, Mister Dylan,” said Miss West from the kitchen. –I have it out to you in a minute.”

There may have been something I missed. Carefully looking around the small foyer, there it was. A boot print mashed into the carpet. I took a photo of the print, and a small black speck of something. It looked like dirt, but it was in fact a small chunk of rubber. Perhaps off the sole of one of the invaders boots.

Miss West returned with a tray of coffee and cinnamon Danish. I helped her clear a spot on her couch so we could sit. The coffee was good, and cinnamon Danish was a nice sugary boost. After some small talk and a smoke it was time to get back to it.

–What is your shoe size, Miss West,” I asked.

–I run a bout an eight, why do you ask,” she replied as she sipped her coffee.

–I found a footprint mashed into the carpet but the door. It’s probably too big to be yours. Do happen to have a pair of boots, military or workman type?”

–I have a closet full of shoes, which now seems to be all over the living room, but no military boots to speak of.”

I got up and grabbed a nearby bag. I began to pick up some random clothes and shoes and under things, placing them in the bag. I finished the coffee.

–Are we going somewhere, Mister Dylan,” asked Miss West.
–You can’t stay here. The people who did this didn’t find what they were looking for. They may come back and you do not want to be here when they do,” I responded as a took another Danish.

Miss West was taking things I out of the bag that I had put in…a mismatched shoe, a teddy, a skirt and replaced them with articles of cloths she could wear for the next couple days. I took one more look around the joint.

–May I ask where we are going?” Miss West threw a few more items into her bag.

–My place.”


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