It seemed like everyone I knew had gathered at The Peak. The restaurant had set out buffet tables groaning with food for five different species. I’d never seen anything like it.

We each gathered a plateful of food and wandered about. Nobody seemed to want to sit down, especially today’s bowlers. Still revved from the day’s excitement, we needed to talk, and to anyone who would listen.

Harrison and Jack caught up with me.

“Sarge, we need to tell you a few things,” said Harrison.

“About what?”

“We took your advice this morning and instituted a search before the spectators were allowed in,” said Jack. “We discovered a bomb in one of those Rheinon bags.”

“That was a good catch, guys. Who had the bomb?”

“It was Neer E Know, the Rheinon security chief,” said Jack.

“Really?” He’d been on my radar for several reasons, but I knew how this was going to affect Dino. “I need to find Dino.” I started looking around The Peak.

“Don’t worry about it. The ambassador has taken care of the situation,” said Harrison.

“Well, I still want to talk to him about it. Neer E Know is his son.”

“His son?” said Harrison.

“Yes. So I really need to talk to him.” I shook my head. “Especially considering intergalactic politics.”

Both Harrison’s and Jack’s mouths hung open. For once, they had nothing to say. Although I suspected that would change as soon as the data percolated for a bit.

I glanced at the two of them. “So you withheld this drama from me all day, did you?”

“We didn’t want to distract you during your bowling competition,” said Harrison.

They had a valid point.

“Good decision, thanks. Now, let me go talk to Dino.”

“Sure, but come back and tell us about your day.” They both had grins on their faces as I left them to search out Dino. I found him talking to Takka and a couple other diplomats. “Ambassador, may I speak with you for a moment?”

Dino took his leave, and joined me.

“I need to talk to you about what happened today with your son,” I said. “And about other incidents during the competition.” I started to feel cranky after uttering these statements. Had Dino been holding out on me?

For the first time, I saw Dino’s hands shake. “Detective Sergeant, I must apologize on behalf of my son, and Rheine. Neer E Know made decisions that were clearly wrong and illegal, and he will be dealt with severely. Please accept my apologies.”

I nodded. “Of course. However, I do have some questions. Will he face any consequences, as a result of his actions?”

“Neer will be taken back to Rheine to face our legal re- view. Actually, he will face the BRITE Alliance legal organization, but I will tell you about that group later.”

“Did the security chief conspire with Brian regarding the murder?”

“I do not know. We have much information we need to seek out and expose. I will keep in touch and let you know of everything that transpires.”

“I would appreciate that, Ambassador. I have much to understand and reconcile before I can let go of my unhappiness and disappointment in Brian.”

Dino bowed to me and walked away. I knew he was up- set about his son, so I let him go and re-joined Harrison and Jack.

Jack said, “Now tell us about today—from your point of view, of course.”

And that’s what I proceeded to do. Eventually, their eyes began to glaze over, but by that time, Dino asked everyone to find a place to sit. He had announcements.

“On behalf of the IBC, I am empowered to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation during the bowling competition. We all know it was difficult to find peace during the murders and poisonings. This has been a successful competition, and we hope for many more to come.” Dino held his hands above his head and did a kind of clap, so we all followed suit. It must have been an interesting sight—I hoped someone took pictures.

When Dino lowered his hands, we all did the same. “And since we all need symbols, I would like to present each member of the winning Tristorian team a trophy commemorating this day—the first time five species have competed against one another in bowling.”

When called by name, each of my teammates and I happily trooped up to Dino at the podium to take our bows.

Ambassador Rare delighted in presenting the trophies, and he made quite a show of it.

After my team returned to their seats, he said, “On behalf of the Alliance, I have another announcement. As some of you may know, the BRITE Alliance governs many things, and has many official groups for doing so. When it comes to policing, we have the BRITE Police Commission. The Police Commission is, of course, made up of citizens from each world.”

Dino paused, and a complete silence descended upon the room.

“Today, the BPC would like to offer Detective Sergeant Tarine Dominion the first human place on the Police Commission. Tari did an excellent job during the current crisis, and the BPC would be delighted if she would accept. Detective Sergeant, please join me.”

Dino waved an appendage at me, and I walked up to him. He whispered in my ear, and I smiled broadly before announcing, “I would be delighted to join the BRITE Police Commission.” Applause erupted across the room and lasted long enough to bring heat to my cheeks.

Dino had to finally clear his throat to quiet the crowd. “Since policewomen can never have enough shoes—I mean badges—please let me present you, Detective Sergeant Tarine Dominion, with your official BPC badge.” Dino pinned it on my vest. “It looks good on you,” he said with a smile. In a whisper at my ear, he added, “I have no idea what shoes are or what Tracy meant by not having too many, but this is quite an honor for you, and I am pleased you accepted it.”

“Thank you, Dino.” I knew I was beaming down at him like a neon light.

He then turned to the room and said, “Let me present the newest member of the BPC—Detective Sergeant Tarine Dominion.”

The room once again rang with cheers and applause. I figured the congratulations would be from the humans, my Itlan fans, and the Tristorians, but I stood corrected. Everyone in the room seemed happy for me, and tears threatened my composure.

I gave Dino an air kiss and bowed to the audience. Then I walked back to my table.

“A promotion, Sarge?” said Harrison.

“I haven’t a clue. Am I going to be a representative on Earth, or am I going to be traveling around? Dino?” Dino had escorted me back to my table and sat down at my elbow.

“There was a reason I asked if you liked to travel. We will discuss a number of things in the morning. Just enjoy your evening; it has been an eventful day.”

I looked at Inspector Hayden, who sat at our table. “Did you know about this?”

“I only found out this morning. It was decided nothing should be said until after the competition.”

I couldn’t argue with their reasoning. “What does this mean for me and the RCMP?”

“I don’t know. I guess everything will be revealed by Ambassador Rare in the morning.”

The congratulations flowed from everyone in the room. The Itlans gave another present to the Goddess of Intelligence, and the Tristorians presented me with a vest—apparently one that signified winning an upper level tournament. I really liked their vests; they were welcome additions to my wardrobe.

“You look exhausted,” said my mother, when we found a quiet moment.

“It’s been an eventful day—in more ways than one.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Let’s go home. You need some rest.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I surprised myself by being even that coherent. My emotions were numb.

I gathered up my things and said goodbye to Dino.

“Detective Sergeant, you deserve everything that has transpired for you today. We will talk in the morning.” This time he gave me a pat on the shoulder before leaving me in the care of Jack and my mother.

Moments later, I stood outside The Peak and marveled at the view. Mom had gone off to find my vehicle, leaving Jack and me alone.

“A momentous day,” he said.

“You have no idea.”

“Since I will no longer be with the Burnaby RCMP, I would like to ask you something.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“As soon as you have a free moment, how about we have dinner together?”

I took a step back, startled by his question. But, after a moment’s thought, I realized the idea tantalized me. “Sounds like a plan,” I told him, a smile stretching across my face.

Who knows, I thought, what the future might bring?

THE END