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From the Files of Merrick Dylan: Space Detective

Tonight’s Episode: The Case of the Black Shoe

Act Four

It was across the tracks in a seedier part of town. The kind of place the respectable people don’t go, but attracts the degenerates, gambles and drinkers and the local criminal element. I walked into the bar, at which there were a few patrons playing cards and drinking.

Other than that the place was empty. As I stepped up to the bar, a tall Andorian was behind it polishing glasses and giving me a visual bad attitude. I took a seat. The Andorian stared at me like I was not welcome there.I wasn’t.

–Well if it isn’t Merrick Dylan, the Space Detective. You must be the only space detective I know that doesn’t actually work in space. How many times do I have to tell you that we don’t serve your kind here,” said the Andorian bartender and owner of the joint.

I wasn’t. His name was Sheldon. That’s what we called him anyway as his native Andorian name was unpronounceable to Earth men. Sheldon stood there like a tall thin blue berry.

–Humans,” I asked.

–Dicks.”

–Funny, Sheldon. That’s not what your girlfriend said when I was climbing off her the other night.”

–You should try taking that comedy act to Vegas. My girlfriend told me she was rather disappointed with your performance. Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way let me get you a drink. Rizzo, fix Dylan up with a martini. And hold the cyanide this time. What the hell do you want, pink skin?”

–What I always want when I come here for a drink… information.”

–Sorry. I am fresh out tonight. You’ll have to come back later. You are welcome to stay and enjoy your drink. When you are done, get the hell out.”

–Sheldon, you know how this works. You tell me what I want to know and I won’t tell O’Shannigan about that tribble fight club you have here on Thursday nights.”

Sheldon slammed a glass down hard on the bar nearly breaking it.

–You rat bastard son-of-a bitch! You damn well know I don’t engage in tribble fights.”

A man came up to the bar, placing some bills down. –Hey, Shelley, put down 300 on Fuzzy.”

Sheldon gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes. Rizzo set a martini in front of me. Sheldon speared an olive with a toothpick and dropped it into the drink. In case you hadn’t picked up on it, Sheldon doesn’t like me very much. I sipped the martini. It was good. Sheldon was a rat, but he made good drinks.

–Okay, Sheldon let’s try this again,” I said. –I have a new client. Nice girl, cute too. Some guys broke into her house tonight and tore the place up. Why would some one do a thing like that?”

–I wouldn’t know.” Sheldon started to polish the bar top.

–You know everything. So far I have been nice, but quite frankly if I don’t get some answers I am gonna smash you in your damn blue face!”

–Ooooo- yet another empty threat you have yet to act on. All right, I will play just because I want you out of here. Word is a few days ago, three Klingons arrived in town. Rumor has it they are looking for some girl, probably your girl. I don’t know what they are up to, but it’s probably not good.”

–Rizzo, may I see that bottle of green stuff,” I asked.

–Sure thing, Rick,” Rizzo said as he retrieved the exotic looking bottle.

I looked the bottle over, then –accidentally” dropped it. Glass and green liquid covered the floor next to my bar stool. Sheldon looked like he was going to jump over the bar and beat me half to death, and I swear for a moment that blue face of his was turning red.

–That was a very expensive bottle of one hundred and fifty year old Aldeberran Whiskey. I may not be able to get another,” huffed Sheldon.

–Ooops,” I replied. –Is that all ya got Sheldon? Three Klingons in town looking for my client?”

–That’s all you’re going to get tonight. I am afraid I am going to have to ask you to leave. Thanks so much for you business and please do not come back.”

–Have a nice night, blue berry.”

–You too, pink skin.”

I finished my drink and left. Sheldon was not a lot of help, but it was a start and worth a shot. It was now almost 4:00 am and I was wearing down. I had to sleep some time. It did seem like Miss West was in too much trouble yet, but it looked like it could go down that road very fast.

I was barely awake on my way home, but I was thinking about the hard rubber sample I sent to the crime lab for analysis and any potential threats against Miss West. It was time to stop thinking and get some shut eye.


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