“Why would I be upset receiving information about who tampered with food?” Doesn’t her concern focus on her Goddess?

“Because, Ma’am,” said Tiera so softly I could barely hear her words, “we believe you are our Goddess of Intelligence reincarnated on Earth.”

Goddess of Intelligence? How am I going to handle this situation? “I am a little upset you didn’t tell me about this incident when we spoke earlier. Can you explain why you withheld this information?” I needed to tread carefully.

“I was told the human I saw in the kitchen is your assistant. I believed you would be upset discovering this about someone close to you. And I thought you might already have the information.”

“Making assumptions is very dangerous. However, I am glad you told Detective Cost. It is of great benefit to me.” I thought for a moment. “Does every Itlan believe I am your reincarnated Goddess of Intelligence?”

“Yes, we do.” I had a hard time catching her eye.

“Even your ambassador?” I asked.

“Yes.”

Oh, Takka. You have a lot of explaining to do. “Thank you for your information, Tiera. You have been very helpful in my search for the truth,” I said.

Tiera jolted backwards. “Are you also the Goddess of Truth on Earth?”

“Certainly not. However, it is my job to find the truth. Thank you again. You may leave now.” After I shook her hand, Tiera had the strangest look on her face.

“I’m not sure Tiera will ever wash that hand again,” said Harrison, while we watched her walk away.

“Don’t you dare tell anyone about this part of our interview.” How would I ever live this down?

“Of course not, Madam Goddess.” Harrison had a wide smile on his face—something missing for the last couple of days.

I glared at Harrison for his Madam Goddess comment. “It looks like we’ve found our poisoner, and most likely our murderer.” My chest tightened, and my blood pressure rose.

“I’m afraid so. How do you want to handle the situation?” Harrison’s smile had disappeared.

“Call Brian and ask him to meet me at the office. Tell him I want to discuss one of his reports. And call Dino. He can watch from the observation room in the interrogation lounge. And also call Inspector Hayden. And get Jack.” My head hurt.

“I’ll make the calls right away. Are you going back to the office?”

“Momentarily. Let me have your pictures. I really need another confirmation from Tiera, to ease my mind.”

Harrison took off to make his calls while I found Tiera. Tiera had no hesitation picking Brian’s photo out of the stack. I knew I’d been avoiding coming to the same conclusion Harrison had. Why would Brian do these things? Past murders we’d worked on swirled through my thoughts.

Shortly, Dino, Jack, Harrison and I stood in the observation room looking at Brian sitting at the interview table. Harrison had not been able to locate Inspector Hayden.

Ignoring Brian’s questions, Harrison had simply left him alone in the interrogation room.

“Before we get started, I have a question. Jack, did you talk to the Rheinon and Bremen security chiefs that met with Skitem-Carry?”

“I tried, but neither one of them has returned my calls, nor have I seen them around the bowling alleys.”

“So you think they’re avoiding you?”

“It does seem that way,” said Jack.

Looking at Dino, I said, “Can you help us make contact with Noor E Know?”

“I will do my best.”

Looking through the mirror I said, “Dino, this interview would be uncomfortable for me, so I’m letting my master interrogators, Harrison and Jack, talk to Brian.”

“I do not imagine any one of you want to have this task. Perhaps I should talk to him?” offered Dino.

“That won’t work. We need to have a police officer interview him and, besides, I don’t think he would say anything to you.” I sighed. “Guys, you’d better get started. Our problem’s not going to go away by stalling.”

Harrison reluctantly left the observation lounge, while Jack appeared eager to get started.

After Harrison gave Brian his Charter warning, my partner said, “What the hell am I doing here? Have you guys lost your minds?”

“Stop yelling. My mind is intact, but I don’t know about yours. Why did you poison the food at Starlight last night? Did you lose your mind?” said Jack.

“I know nothing about that,” said Brian.

“Well, we do. We have a witness who saw you sprinkle something on food items before they were served to the aliens. What do you have to say about that?” Jack stood and towered over Brian as he spoke his words.

A sheen of sweat appeared on Brian’s face. “A witness?”

“Yes, one of the cooks in the kitchen,” said Harrison.

All of us saw Brian hesitate. His obvious guilt should have helped me come to grips with the situation, but my mind still refused to believe.

“Why did you poison the Tristorians?” reiterated Jack.

Brian pushed his hair out of his face. “A Bremen asked me to. They want the Tristorians incapacitated for the final.”

“Do you always do unethical things because someone asks you to?” said Jack.

“Of course not.” Brian rubbed his forehead.

Out of the blue, Jack asked, “Did you send in the false alarm about Revolutions?”

“Yes.” Brian clenched his hands.

I had no idea where Jack had come up with that question. “So Sarge could get another concussion and possibly die?” asked Harrison.

Harrison’s concern touched me. He was a great detective and friend. But then I’d thought Brian also was. My emotions were conflicted.

“I didn’t know what they were going to do,” said Brian, not making eye contact.

“Why would you do things like this?” Genuinely upset, Harrison floundered.

Brian didn’t answer.

Harrison pounded the table between them. “Why did you do these things?”

“Because they offered me a lot of money,” said Brian.

“I agree we don’t get paid much as Mounties. Police work is historically underpaid. But to jeopardize your partner’s life—what kind of officer are you?” charged Jack.

No one spoke for a few moments.

Seeing Brian’s distress, Harrison went for the kill. “Did you also get money for Skitem-Carry?”

“Yes.” Then Brian’s face revealed shock. “Ah, I mean, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Brian, I just heard you say you received money for killing Skitem-Carry. Do you disagree with my statement? By the way, we have evidence to support your statement,” Jack said. “We’ve got evidence like your hair, the STEP analysis, all sorts of stuff.”

Jack exaggerated to make his point, but Harrison didn’t object.

Brian’s shoulders slumped. “All right. A Rheinon gave me money to kill Skitem-Carry. Although why they wanted an official killed, I don’t know.”

Why is Brian confessing? Why didn’t he just clam up and ask for a lawyer?

“Who is this Rheinon who arranged for the murder of Skitem-Carry?” asked Jack.

“I can’t say,” said Brian.

“You might get some leniency if you tell us,” said Harrison.

“All I’ll say is that you should talk to Ambassador Rare.”

I looked at Dino. “What does Brian mean by that?”

Dino looked quickly away as Harrison continued interrogating my partner.

“You’re a cop, Brian.” He hammered away at the downcast cop. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”

Suddenly Brian leapt up and slammed his palms flat on the table. “We’re having a baby! Babies are expensive! Especially this one.” Then he finally recognized his situation and sat down. Hard. His shoulders slumped and he stared down at his feet. “There’s something wrong with the baby. I can’t even pronounce the name of the disorder, but it’s so rare our medical system here can’t deal with it. We’ll have to go cross country to have the baby and get care for her. That means a lot of medical bills. Bills I can’t afford. I had to do something. Suze is a mess.”

I’d reached my limit. I left Dino and walked into the interrogation room. “It’s going to be very, very difficult for Suze when you’re in jail. Did you ever think about that?” I said, and then I slapped Brian.

“You can’t do that!” he shouted, glaring up at me.

I stared at the red splotch appearing on his cheek. What had I done? I’d never hit anyone before. I couldn’t believe how furious I was. “That was a slap from your ex-partner because she’s feeling sorry for her friend Suze.” I looked at Harrison and Jack. “Get him out of my sight.” They knew what I implied.

I stood motionless while they escorted Brian away to processing. My emotions ran rampant. How could I have been so blind? Who would tell Suze? Would the bowling competition be called off?

And what of Earth’s standing in the BRITE Alliance? Would that be affected too?

* * * *

Speechless for a moment after I’d told him about Brian, Inspector Hayden said, “Tari, I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Brian? Are you absolutely certain?”

“Yes, sir. I’d never have believed it myself if our positions were reversed.” I thought for a moment. “The big question, Thomas, is how does this affect the bowling competition? Are the Bremen out of the competition because of their action? Although, at this moment, we only have Brian’s word for anything. Is the competition still on? If so, when does the final round start?” A million more questions entered my thoughts.

“Oh, goodness. I need to talk to everyone. I’ll get back to you.”

Dazed, I sat at the table until Dino brought me out of my reverie.

“Ma’am, how are you feeling?”

“Like a lost soul. I don’t understand how this could’ve happened. I thought I knew my partner.”

For the first time Dino touched me by putting his hand on my shoulder. “Any being, alien or otherwise, can fool their acquaintances. That is what being a diplomat is all about— trying to read emotions. On the other hand, we try to hide our emotions, so no one can read us.”

“Dino, I’m a police officer. I should be able to read humans, at least.”

“Not when your own emotions are involved. I am sure there were facts or feelings that were annoying you. However, because of your personal involvement you ignored them.”

“You’re right. Harrison caught on before I did. I need to smarten up.”

“Perhaps. Now tell me how you think Harrison and Jack did during the interrogation?”

Dino and I sat in the interrogation room for a long time discussing Harrison and Jack, and our recent investigations.

Inspector Hayden interrupted our discussion. “Some decisions have been made. Since, as far as we know, no bowler was involved in the bribery of Brian, the Intergalactic Bowling Congress has decided not to sanction any bowlers. And no delay is to be allowed. The final round will proceed tomorrow morning.” Thomas smiled. “At least you’ll be able to watch the bowling. All our problems are solved.”

“There’re still a lot of details to be sorted out, and numerous political ramifications, I’m sure. However, you’re correct. I am looking forward to the competition final.”

After I hung up, I noticed Dino on his com.

When he finished listening, he said, “I will see if she is interested.”

Dino put his com in a pocket. “Detective Sergeant Dominion, I have some interesting news.”

“About the bowling tomorrow?”

“You are correct. Because there have been deaths amongst the Tristorians, and some of them are still sick, they need a fourth member for their team tomorrow. They would like you to become an honorary Tristorian and join their team for the final round.”