A Death in the Family

Chapter iv

It was late as the two women travelled to Suri's dojo, when Michelle's phone beeped. "Ma'am, Major Jennings has the reports from the crime scene and the hotel room ready. He has forwarded them to me."

"Excellent. Do you feel like burning the midnight oil? We can have dinner delivered."

"Yes ma'am; that would be fine."

Michelle guided the un-marked government glider to the former martial-arts school which now served as Suri's office and residence. The front of the building held her modest living quarters, while the dojo was an independent structure in back that was surrounded with a meticulously maintained Japanese garden and a redwood privacy fence. Michelle ordered a light dinner of chicken and rice, which gave Suri the chance to meditate while the order was delivered.

"Soup's on," Michelle called as she brought the tray of steaming rich and chicken to Suri.

"Thank you, Michelle. Have you reviewed the data?"

"I gave it the once over. The DNA from the hotel..."

"Belonged to either a transient or a deceased person," Suri interjected.

Michelle glanced up from the pad. "Yes. It belonged to an elderly man whose chronic alcoholism forced him to live on the streets. He was found dead in a shelter just four days ago."

"And the 7mm bullet that killed Frederick did not match the ballistics of the gun we tested today," Suri replied, sitting with her eyes closed; only moving to retrieve the occasional bite of chicken or rice with her chopsticks.

Michelle's brow furrowed as she compared the two tests side by side on the pad. "No ma'am, they do not."

"Do not be discouraged, my friend. Tomorrow, we go higher. Since I do not know Princess Sarah very well, I'll need you to make us an appointment."

"The Princess? Won't that raise eyebrows?"

Suri opened one eye. "We are investigating a murder. Until I begin to narrow down my list, every person on this planet or in orbit is a suspect."

"I am only concerned of the blowback by questioning a member of the royal family..."

Suri smiled. "I will be tactful."

Michelle released a single, sarcastic laugh/snort.

Suri's smile widened. "Trust me."

***

The earliest appointment Michelle could arrange with the grieving Princess was a 3:30pm tea. So she spent the morning and early afternoon running errands and catching up on paperwork. When she arrived at the dojo at 2:45, Suri was sitting in her usual spot; wearing the same kimono from the night before. "Please tell me you slept."

"I do not require much sleep. But yes, I went to bed at 1:45 and awoke at precisely 5 am."

"Good. Our appointment is a 3:30 tea time with the Princess."

"Splendid. Oh, and Michelle?" Suri said, rising. "I am going to change now."

Michelle smiled. "I'll meet you in the glider."

The pair arrived at Princess Sarah's apartment, in the palace-owned block about a kilometer from Parliament. Suri relinquished her sword to the palace guard and left Michelle in the foyer, and then was led under guard to Sarah's personal apartment. A maid poured tea as the two women sat down to talk.

"Princess Sarah, allow me to start by offering my condolences on the loss of your brother," Suri said, drawing from emotions she was unaccustomed to using around people she didn't know well.

"Thank you, Suri. I'm glad you are handling this; our mothers were always such close friends. I just don't understand why anyone would want to murder Fredrick. I mean, yes; he had his problems... But murder? Why?" She said as the tears welled up in her eyes.

"That is what I intend to discover. Did he ever say anything to you about being scared for his life? Did he ever indicate that he had seriously upset a drug dealer, or perhaps some woman's husband?"

"No, no; he always walked around like he was untouchable or invincible. He assumed he was above reproach, and feared no man."

Siri nodded. "I see. What about conversations with your mother? Did she reveal anything?"

Sarah sighed. "No, mummy is just concerned about the throne. I think that is the only way she knows how to deal with Frederick's murder..." She began crying harder.

Suri touched her shoulder. "It is ok, please continue; what else did your mother say?"

Sarah took a few moments to regain her composure. "She said I have to prepare to become Queen. I had never even dreamed that this would be something I would have to consider; it was always supposed to be Frederick!" Her tears now came harder than ever.

The older maid rushed over to console the sobbing Princess. "Madame Knight! Or whatever your title is. You are upsetting the Princess. Will your incessant questioning end soon?" She said sternly.

"My apologies, my good woman; I have all I that need. I will take my leave now." She bowed and turned to leave.

Suri met Michelle downstairs, and the pair left the apartment block and headed to the glider. After sever moments of silence, Michelle's curiosity got the better of her.

"Did you learn anything?" She asked.

Suri continued to stare into space; her hands folded in her lap as usual. "When is the funeral?" She asked after several moments.

"Friday. It is to be broadcast on every media outlet. What does that have to do with the investigation?"

Suri's expression never changed. "I need for you to call a special session of the Royal Court, at my request. The mandatory attendees are General Hammond, Major Jennings, Princess Sarah, and the Queen herself. The Grand Court Minister himself will need to oversee, and it is to be a closed hearing. No media, and all in attendance cannot discuss it. Allow a week for traditional mourning. In the memo, please announce that I will present my case, and make my accusations."

The recorder on Michelle's pad caught everything. "Yes, ma'am, I will see to it as soon as I get back to my office."

Suri suddenly turned to her and put placed her hand on Michelle's arm as a thoughtful expression crossed her face. "Thank you, Michelle. After you confirm the date, I will be incommunicado until the hearing. Please take some time off and get some rest."

"Ma'am? Is there anything..."

Suri's emotion drained from her face and she faced forward again. "You have your orders, Ms. McAllister."

Michelle looked at her with concern. "Yes, Knight Inspector."