Earth's Last Angel (25 page)

‘What do you mean, at risk? What's going on?'

‘Davis, was spiked with a powerful laxative, Helena. Deliberately.'

‘Who? Why?'

‘We don't know why yet, but it looks like Enzot is at the bottom of it.'

‘Oh my…what is he still doing on the loose? You could make a civil arrest.'

‘Well, I did say, we think it might have been him. But we don't have proof yet.

‘So, you're just going to let a maniac roam around free on this vessel.' Helena's voice begins to rise and Kenny shuts the door. ‘Helena,' he says sternly, ‘you must keep quiet. Davis's safety, and the safety of all of us is at stake here.'

‘You mean more are involved?'

‘Possibly, well, it's more probable they are.'

Helena sits down and looks at Davis, still asleep. George hopes he remains asleep during takeoff but Davis stirs slightly, so it doesn't look promising.

‘Why didn't you tell me this before?' she asks Kenny.

‘We weren't sure if you were involved.'

Helena looks hurt. ‘Kenny, how could I be involved? You know how much I love Davis.'

‘I know now, but I wasn't sure of anything at that time.'

‘None of us were,' George adds.

‘But now that we do, and now that you know, our aim is to get back to the Sobek safely, whatever that takes. OK?'

Helena looks from Kenny to George. ‘OK,' she agrees.

Kenny takes some capsules from the pink packet. ‘Meanwhile, we'll see if this helps Davis.'

Helena smiles. Probably her first smile for quite a while, ‘She is quite attractive when she smiles,' George thinks. He knows Helena had never married, and at a party once, after a few drinks, had declared that she is in her forties and would never marry.

He hadn't noticed the engagement ring on her finger before. How things change, he thinks. No one had the slightest inkling, the romance between her and Davis was going on long before this journey.

Drummer has to restrain himself from looking back at Davis, strapped into the stretcher on the flight deck. The few times he does, his glance is met with a hateful glare from Helena. He's had seen enough anyway. The hooks in the wall used to secure the stretcher allow for varying levels of recline. Davis has his head elevated just enough to prevent him choking, though the capsules appear to have settled him a little and he rests comfortably. Drummer smiles. No one mentioned the capsules but he knew they must have found them. He congratulates himself for having the foresight to know that sooner or later they would need more towels for Davis. He knows Enzot would have something to say about it, but even though he fears his reaction, he fears the penalty that comes with Davis's death even more. Enzot is sitting in the co-pilots seat next to Chaze. Drummer had been there, but not for long. He had been about to argue for the position but Enzot's knowing glance said it all. Drummer had retreated to a seat close by.

‘Hey, since when have drillers been taking the seats of co-pilots?' Kenny protests.

‘Since there wasn't a co-pilot to sit there,' replies Ben, smoothly. ‘We were going to suggest Helena sit there but I'm sure she is too occupied at present.'

Drummer looks back, expecting an argument over that comment, but there is silence. It seems as if Helena is about to say something but Kenny gives her a look Drummer can't read, a warning perhaps. Drummer leans back into his seat as the automated countdown began. It's all working out perfectly.

With PV 013 now space borne, Kenny and George, unhook Davis's stretcher from the wall, and Kenny wheels him back to his quarters, followed by Helena and Bekky. He and George had decided to keep an eye on what was happening on the flight deck, with George agreeing to take first watch.

Kenny contacts Denise when he returns to his quarters, leaving Bekky and Helena with Davis. Kenny is relieved when Denise appears on monitor, he is beginning to feel the strain of the others looking to him for answers and guidance, and needs to hear her reassuring voice.

‘So, how is everything? Davis? You and Bekky?'

‘We're fine. Davis, I don't know about. We found capsules and they helped but I don't know how much damage has been done to him internally.'

‘Don't worry, Kenny, love. He'll be in the medical center soon and you and Bekky will be safe. That's all I'm worried about. The safety of you and Bekky.' Her face softened. ‘You're precious to me, you know.'

Kenny smiles, ‘Likewise.'

‘By the way, did you manage to get that cup back to your quarters?'

Kenny thumps his head with his hand. ‘Oh, I forgot to tell you, Enzot found it and lasered it clean.'

‘Oh no, does he know, that you know?'

Kenny nods. ‘The mongrel gave me such a smug smile.'

Denise's eyes widen. ‘So, it was Enzot. I thought so.'

‘We can't be sure, Denise. George said that when he went for the stretcher, Drummer was acting really strange and asking whether Davis was going to die or not.'

Denise thinks for a moment, predicting Drummer is too stupid to organize something like that, and that he's more likely to be a pawn. ‘It's time to check up on this Enzot,' she says, almost to herself. ‘Kenny, you take care, and give my love to that sweetheart of yours. I'm going to do some digging.'

Kenny's sorry to see the monitor go blank. His quarters suddenly seem empty, and he feels a sense of foreboding, sending a chill through him. He leaves to see Bekky.

Tom answers Denise's call to the Sobek. She doesn't feel she knows him well enough to tell him all her fears, but there is no choice. As she pours out the details of the events on PV 013, he listens carefully without interruption. Denise begins to think that perhaps he is the right person to speak to after all. When she's finished, he looks at her a moment without a word, then smiles. ‘Don't worry, Denise. Leave it with me. I'll check it out and get back to you.'

She is so relieved, her face glows with her own smile. ‘Thank you, Tom. I really appreciate that.'

After they end their call, Denise sits for a minute thinking. But what can they do about it now? Sure, they could arrest Enzot and Drummer when they return but Kenny and Bekky wouldn't be safe until they were back on the Sobek. She is beginning to wish she had spoken to someone before. Perhaps someone could have gone there with another vessel and had their co-pilot fly it instead. No, that wouldn't have worked, she thinks. She hears the familiar sound of the crew entering the dock on PV 005 and realizes just how preoccupied she is with Kenny and PV 013. She goes out to greet her crew.

After their meeting, once everyone but Dave dispersed Denise felt herself sway. Dave steadies her. ‘Denise, what's wrong? You haven't been quite right for a couple of days now.' He gives her a kindly smile. ‘You know, an old codger like me is pretty good to confide in.'

Denise laughs but it is a shaky laugh. ‘Oh, Dave, I'm just so scared for Kenny and Bekky.

They've got a killer on the loose.' She hadn't meant to blurt it out like that, and instantly regrets startling Dave.

‘A what?'

Denise nods and tells him the full story. It's different from telling Tom, more cathartic, a release of the built up tension that had been with her for weeks. She tells him everything.

He stares at her and shakes his head. ‘And you kept all this to yourself. Denise? What do you think friends are for? Plus, no one has killed anyone yet!'

Denise looks at him with tears in her eyes. ‘I'm sorry, Dave. I'm just used to dealing with stuff myself.'

He pats her shoulder. ‘Well, there's no point in thinking the worst, is there? They are on their way back to the Sobek. There's nowhere for Enzot or Drummer to run to, and Kenny and Bekky are on guard so they can protect themselves.'

‘Yes,' says Denise, doubtfully, ‘but Ben and Chaze are backing up Enzot and Drummer.'

Dave is thoughtful. ‘Sounds like they might be planning a mutiny.'

‘A mutiny.' Denise is shocked. She hadn't thought of that. Of course, it explained Ben asking about the larger asteroids in the hot zone.'

‘Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you,' Dave said.

‘I've got to warn Kenny,' she says, panic creeping in to her voice. ‘Oh no, that's not good at all! I have to tell the captain.'

‘Denise, don't panic. You call Kenny, and I'll call the Captain.'

She smiles tightly. ‘Thanks, friend.' Dave surprises her with a sprightly sprint toward the flight deck. She, too, races away but to her quarters, puffing as she turns on the monitor. But Kenny isn't in his quarters. ‘Damn,' she mutters. She checks the registry for Davis's number and calls it. Helena, looking worn and tired, appears at the monitor. ‘Helena, tell Kenny they are planning a mutiny!'

Helena gasps. She turns as Kenny enters the room. ‘It's a mutiny, Kenny.'

Kenny sits down at the monitor. ‘Are you sure?'

‘No, but Dave said that everything you've said points to it.'

‘Dave knows? I thought you weren't going to tell anyone.'

She ignores his rebuke. ‘Tom knows, too, and he's checking Enzot's records.'

Kenny is shaking his head. ‘But how can they think they will get away with mutiny?'

The monitor suddenly blanks out. ‘What the…?' Kenny tries reconnecting but there is nothing. He looks at Helena and shakes his head.

She pushes him out of the way. ‘Here let me have a look.'

After a half an hour of checking the wiring, Helena stands wearily. ‘I don't know how that could be. There's no signal at all.'

Kenny sees the fear in her eyes. ‘I'll get George to stay with Bekky and Davis and I'll go with you while you check my monitor and yours.'

She nods and Kenny dashes off to the flight deck. As he enters, he sees George standing over Ben. George's voice holds a controlled fury.

‘Call them back and change direction,' He demands.

Ben puts up his hands. ‘It's out of my hands, now mate. Talk to Enzot over there.'

George reaches Enzot in a few steps and grabs him around his throat.

Kenny fears he was going to snap his neck. ‘George, don't.'

George releases him and Enzot grins. ‘He's right. I have control of the vessel along with my trusted crew here.' He covers Drummer, Chaze and Ben with a broad sweep of his hand. ‘There's nothing you can do.'

Kenny stands between George and Enzot. ‘What's happening, George?' Kenny knows it has to be serious for George to lose control.

‘These idiots have just told the captain they are going to find ice on a larger asteroid, and then they cut him off.'

Kenny faces Enzot. ‘Well, that's stupid. What do you hope to prove by that? You'll be arrested when you return.'

‘Nah, they'll forget about it when we present them with enough ice to build the city they want. We'll hold the prize. If you lot would stop being so stupid, you will too.'

Kenny glares at him. ‘There is no way that I would want to be involved with murder.'

Enzot laughs. ‘What are you talking about? No one's murdering anyone.'

‘So, you're going to take Davis back first?'

‘Of course not. Do you think we're crazy? They would arrest us and send out a different crew. Probably replace you too, just in case you had something to do with it.'

Kenny had been about to tell them, the people mattered already knew everything but stopped himself. He looks at George and shakes his head. ‘Might as well go and check on Davis now,' he tells him.

George is puzzled for a moment, then Kenny sees George understands. ‘Yeah, Bekky and Helena probably need a break.'

‘Got to run back to poor little Davis,' Enzot giggles sarcastically, as they leave.

Davis is vomiting again when Kenny and George arrive at his quarters. Bekky, holding the bucket for him, looks up at Kenny, a sense of hopelessness in her eyes. When Davis finishes vomiting, he slumps down again, clutching his stomach, sweat dripping from him. Bekky washes her hands in the bathroom then follows Kenny out while George stays with Davis.

What happened?' she asks.

‘Our cowboy crew have knocked out communications and are heading for a larger asteroid.'

‘But that's crazy. All the larger asteroids are in the hot zone. We can't go in there.'

‘We have no choice now.'

Helena comes into the room rubbing her head. ‘I have gone through everything with that monitor. I think I'll have to check the rest to get a better idea of what the problem is.'

She stops, seeing the grave expressions on Kenny and Bekky's faces. ‘What now? she looks toward Davis's room then moves to go in, but Kenny stops her. ‘Helena. It's OK. It's not him.'

She lets out deep sigh. ‘Oh that is such a relief. From your faces, you'd think he had just died.' she searches their faces. ‘No-one has yet, have they?' then she sees George. ‘OK what's going on, George?' she asks him

‘The rest of them have taken control of the vessel, Helena. They knocked out the communications.'

‘But, why? They have to take Davis back.' She looks thoughtful. ‘They're not taking him back, are they?'

George shakes his head. ‘They're taking the vessel to a larger asteroid.'

‘Outside the quad?'

Kenny answers her first. ‘Yes, but Denise knows what's going on,' he reminds her, ‘and she told Tom, so they'll help us.'

Kenny knows it is false hope, but it's better to have that than no hope at all, especially for Helena. She accepts his reassurances, retreating to Davis's bedside.

‘There's really nothing they can do, is there?' asks Bekky.

‘No, I'm afraid not. They would never risk the safety of another crew to retrieve us from a hot zone, and someone here has enough knowledge of the communications system to disable it so that even Helena can't fix it. My guess is, they have damaged the system.'