Celestial Mystery

“Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say,” I thought aloud. Seeing the security footage of Helmsman McDowell’s fate by airlock made me question this.

“Well, what do you think detective?” Captain Reyes towered behind me. I rewound the camera to the first time stamp I noted down. The video waited patiently to be played. On screen, a man wearing an engineering jumper and chemical mask held McDowell by her scalp at the airlock threshold. “I think you need to lock this ship down immediately.”

“I can’t do that. It’ll cause a panic on board. Besides corporate will have my head if I do,” she said. I pointed at the view screen.

“Then hopefully he’s satisfied with killing McDowell. Otherwise, more bodies will turn up before we reach port.” Reyes sat her coffee on the table and paced the low-lit security office.

I threw on my jacket and made for the door. “You have a security detail on aboard Captain Reyes. I don’t think I’m the man you need.” My hand hit the controls and the steel airtight door shot open.

“Detective Kent, my security detail is incapable of handling this.” I turned on her almost unable to contain my anger.

“I don’t care about your company’s bottom line especially if lives are at stake. So, if I’m going to help, we’ll do it my way.” Reyes looked back to the view screen.

“Fine. What do you need?” I closed the door and walked back to my seat.

“I’m assuming that you already tracked our suspect’s movements before and after the attack. What happened?” I leaned forward in my seat and set my watch to record every word and later compare it to the tape.

“He came from the engineering locker room during shift change.” Before I could speak, she continued. “I know what you’re thinking. No, it should not be that difficult to identify him in that case, but there are three hundred people that move through that locker room at shift change. Company policy doesn’t allow for cameras inside either.”

I looked down to my wrist to make sure that every word changed into text for later use. “And after the attack?”

“After he killed my helmsman, he returned to the locker room and stayed there until the next shift change.” I held up hand to interject. “You’re sure that he didn’t leave before then.”

“If I, wasn’t he would be in the brig, and you and I would have never met.” A knock came at the door. Then the steel door shot open.

“Ma’am it’s almost time for the dress dinner,” the gruff security officer said. He wore the traditional uniform of the Celestial white pants, and jacket with blue stripes down his sleeves. “A few minutes Bal, we are almost finished. Right detective?”

I stood after making sure the conversation saved on my watch. “Yes, I think we are for now. Captain, would you mind if I had access to your camera records?” She stood as well and walked to Bal. “Of course, detective and please ask me or Commander Bal here if you need any more assistance.” That large man stared me up and down with one of the deepest frowns I’ve seen. “Thank you, I will.”

Now to gather my thoughts. I tapped a button on my watch and waved it over the security terminal.

“Full camera access granted,” the monotone terminal said. Just that quickly, I have the eyes of the Celestial.

Families enjoyed the simulated beaches, young couples dinned at exclusive restaurants, and somewhere on this cruise liner is a killer.

Or the man I’ll frame as the killer anyway.