Reviews (16)  |  Table of Contents   |  [Report This]  |  Printer Chapter or Story
- Text Size +

From the Files of Merrick Dylan: Space Detective

Tonight’s Episode: The Case of the Black Shoe

Act Six

It was later in the evening. I had to make a quick stop by the office. I still had Miss West with me. We had spent the day together. I didn’t see anyone shadowing us or anything unusual. But the night was just getting started. We stepped off the elevator walking toward my office.

–Mister Dylan, I need to use the little girls’ room,” said Miss West.

–End of the hall to the right,” I replied. –Do you need me to wait for you?”

–Thanks, but I will be okay.”

–You know Miss West, every time a client tells me they are gonna be okay, that’s when the trouble starts.”

–Let me show you something, Mister Dylan.”

I followed Miss West to a nearby bench. She put her foot on the bench and hiked up her skirt a little bit. From her garter and a small pouch, she pulled a small type one hand phaser.

–Say hello to my little friend,” said Miss West in a mock Cuban accent.

This gal seemed to think of everything. She had the legs but she also had the brains. She probably got her smarts from her father. Miss West holstered her weapon smiled and continued on to the ladies room. I got out my keys to my office, but the door was opened slightly. I entered cautiously and flicked on the lights.

There were files, papers, books and a lot of damage much like we say at Miss West’s house the other night. The other thing I noticed that was hard to miss was the acrid stench of the Klingon cigars these men were smoking. It also appeared they were enjoying the bottle of scotch Miss West brought in.

At my desk I found a Klingon sitting behind it. He was flanked by two other Klingons. They looked like brown Mongolian devils in grey shark skin suits. I looked around my train wreck of an office. It was the third time this month goons had trashed it. It reminded me how I needed to get better locks.

–Good evening. Mister Dylan,” said the Klingon behind the desk. –I am Johnny Kongo, and these are my boys. Say hello, boys.”

–Hello boys,” the other two Klingons said.

–Mister Dylan, where are my manners,” Johnny Kongo said. –Gentlemen, we are guests on this man’s planet. Give him the standard Klingon greeting.”

The two Klingons approached me. The next thing I felt was a fist in my gut followed by the crack of a shoe against my jaw. Johnny Kongo got up and walked around my desk. The two Klingons picked me up and hurled me through the air. I landed square on the desk which collapsed. Hurt and disoriented, Johnny Kongo reached into my jacket and took my black type two phaser.

He whacked me in the forehead with it. Johnny Kongo shot the window out, then threw the phaser out the window to the street below.

–All right, Mister Dylan,” said Johnny Kongo. –Where’s that pretty little dame you are working for? My employer wants something she has. Tell me where she is and where the item is and we will go easy on her.”

I rubbed my chin. –Go to hell, Johhny. And if any harm comes to my client, things will get very bad for you and your boys here.”

That response earned me a punch in the face from Johnny Kongo himself. Damn, Klingons hit hard.

–Listen to me, Mister Dylan,” said Johnny Kongo. –I am a tough guy, but I am fair. I am fair. I am giving you til sundown tomorrow to come up with the girl and what she is carrying. If you do not come trough let’s just say enjoy what a short life you will have after that. Think about it. All right boys, Mister Dylan has had enough for one night. Let’s blow this joint.”

One of Johnny’s goons whacked me on head their way out. Miss West was coming out of the ladies room when she saw the three Klingons bolt out of my office. She ducked back in until they were in the elevator. Miss West ran down the hall into my office. She found me on heap on the floor. Miss West quickly knelt at my side.

–Oh my Lord, Mister Dylan,” Miss West said. –Are you okay?”
–I’m peachy,” I replied. –Listen, you can call me Rick. What are you doing?”

–I’m checking for any broken bones.” Miss West was touch me as if she were a paramedic. –I am taking nursing classes.”

–Nursing classes at the Art College?”

–No…look be quiet and let me look at you. Your hand…its bleeding.”

Miss West took a scarf from her bag and fashioned a tunicate from it, wrapping it tightly around my hand. Miss West continued her improvised exam of me. She didn’t find anything majorly wrong, but knew I was going to be hurting for a while. Miss West helped me up. I could walk on my own, but Miss West helped me.

–Let’s get you back to the apartment so I can fix you up,” said Miss West.


You must login (register) to review.