Page 121 - Labelle Gramercy, Detective

Airtight

She was unimpressed by my hint. This was not a woman to be
cozied up to in a sisterly way and gotten to commiserate and
compromise. I know people and I had her sized up right away.
Nothing to do but go along with her for now. She had, in fact, tuned
out my last remarks and was writing in a small notebook she had
taken out of her jacket pocket. I had thought those pockets were
purely ornamental.
“That’s fine, Miss Day. Now, we will need to perform a few
investigative procedures in order to resolve the question of how Dr.
Reath met her end. This will involve searching the premises,
including the dome, and interviewing everyone who had contact with
the deceased. It will go much easier and faster if you will act as my
liaison here. Is that feasible?”
“I think so. Let me consult with Mr. Schmarker. He has the final
say-so.” I buzzed Ben’s office, and got no reply. “I guess he’s not
available.”
When I looked up, Lt. Gramercy was on her feet, looking out the
window. “Isn’t that your boss?”
I joined her. A man had just exited the Ecodome’s airlock; I could
see the flashing light indicating repressurization of the chamber. He
was coming toward the building. It was Ben.
“I think I’ll start with him,” said the policewoman.

<< 2 >>

We intercepted Ben downstairs in the hallway connecting the
lobby to the laboratories and the conference room where the
Ecodome crew was either deeply in mourning or enjoying hot coffee
and doughnuts—I didn’t know which, but I knew it wouldn’t be long
before I found out. I noticed a uniformed police officer standing near
the front desk. Lt. Gramercy did not travel alone.
“Oh, Ben,” I called, trying to give him some sort of high sign.
“Someone’s here whom you ought to meet.”
“Eh? Ah, Kelly. Well, I really must be—” Then he saw the badge
and stopped short. He looked like he had aged ten years since that
chilling message from Waldo.
“Mr. Schmarker, I am Lt. Gramercy. The police are going to have
to conduct an investigation into Dr. Reath’s death: the causes were

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