Page 195 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Investigating the Mystery of the Talking Plant
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just can’t see how you expect it all to function correctly. Oh, I hope
nobody blames me far—why, the Tzigian room is closed! Is that to
show respect for Bulakko?”
“Yes and no,” said Lugo. Let’s not discuss it until we’re with the
PKU investigator, if you don’t mind.”
She fell silent, and followed him meekly into the PKU wing. They
found Kaga in the com room staring intently at a library ComSet. He
turned and faced them with a grave expression on his face.
“Miss Woswoot,” he said, “my name is Captain Kaga. It is my duty
to ascertain the facts relating to the death of Bulakko, emissary of
Tzigi. Can you tell me exactly where you were from 1900 last evening
to 0600 this morning?”
“Why, yes, of course. I mean, I’ll do anything I can to help.” She
was a short young Pontengan in a patchwork pastel pantsuit. Her
fingers twisted together nervously as she spoke. Lugo offered her a
chair and she continued.
“I did so want to be useful at the opening. I think I arrived here
about half an hour before the doors opened—I wanted to be sure the
caterers were set up properly,-and that the emissaries knew what to do.
I was constantly moving around the exhibition area last night, Captain;
I can’t tell you exactly where I was at what time.”
“That’s all right,” said Captain Kaga. “Now, what about after the
affair was over?”
“Well, everything had quieted down sometime after 2200. By then I
was on duty, so I only saw staff or aliens as they passed by my desk.
By midnight everyone had settled down and I didn’t have much to do
the rest of the shift but sit there and scan through old videozines.”
“Miss Woswoot,” said Captain Kaga sternly, “you are not telling me
the truth. Where were you and Mr. Farnitt hiding last night between
midnight and 0200?”
The woman gasped and jerked her hand up to her mouth. Then she
blushed and began to blink rapidly.
“Why, why,” she stammered. “How do you—I mean, what do you
mean by that? Me—and Mr. Farnitt!”
“Come, come, Miss Woswoot,” said Kaga, with a trace of
annoyance. “You’d better be honest with your answers here. Bulakko
was murdered last night around 0200. Yes, murdered! We have a
witness who swears you were not at your post at that time. And Mr.

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