like a reasonable assumption.” The chief councilor said.
“So you contend you had no inside source.” The defense attorney pressed.
“Only the screamer.” Matt responded.
“How did you know which crate it was in?”
“I didn't.” Matt continued. “I called in the department and we searched all the cargo.”
“But you directed the team to the exact location that the crate containing the contraband was found did you not.” One of the other councilors spoke out.
“No ma’am. Several officers were on scene and were spread out along the conveyer line while the cargo was offloaded.” Matt offered.
“But in the end it was you who found the contraband.” she continued.
“No ma-am, that honor belongs to Chief Vanderhaar, although I was standing next to him all I found were socks. He was the one who discovered the drugs.”
“Is it possible that a young officer, desperate to get back his former position might have planted the drugs detective?” The woman continued to press.
“With tracking system in the city, not likely.”
“Yet it is strange that you were promoted directly after the encounter.” Her question drew protests from the prosecutors.
“Yes.”
“And you don’t find that suspicious?”
“You'd have to ask the chief.” Matt said. “I do however; have training as a detective from earth. I have skills, such as deductive reasoning that are not emphasized on Sirius. These are useful skills for a detective, so no, having demonstrated that I still possessed those skills, I am not surprised I was placed into a position where the colony can benefit from them.”
“I apologize.” the woman said coldly. “I must have misread the report.”
“Is there anything you'd like to add, Detective Dales?”
“No sir.”
“Very well. You may retire. We'll call you if we have any more questions.”
Technically, he hadn't lied, but he felt guilty as he left the council room. His hands were shaking ever so slightly. He opened his mood pills and took one surreptitiously. Then made his way to the lounge and waited. The chief was out after a short time.
“That was quick.” Matt commented.
“Didn't have much to do, just verify the facts and your account. Don't worry, he's going down. Accusing you was just a desperate attempt to confuse the issue. Nevertheless, suspicions about your hunches, gave them an opening. Let’s not do that again.” The chief didn't bother to sit. “I'm headed back to the office. Don't wait too long. You still have another case which demands immediate attention.”
“I'll be along shortly.” The chief nodded and Matt sat into the couch and slowly breathed until the medications took effect.
Chapter 16
“How was the trial?” Rishards asked.
“You sure walk slowly.” Officer Perry remarked. “The defense accused Dales of planting evidence.”
“They did?” Rishards asked.
“It was desperation. Overall, there were eleven screamers pulled off that ship. Eleven counts of destruction of human life and depraved indifference.” Matt sat at the table. “It was their only shot.”
“They grilled him hard, the judicial council did. What could they do? All the evidence was against the low life drug smuggler.” Perry continued. “He'll never see freedom again.”
“We can only hope.” Matt rubbed his eyes. “Let's get back to this. I haven't had a chance to go over the files, but I had some questions.”
“All I've been doing is reading files.” Rishards said.
“Great.”
“I figure best to take them one at a time. Let’s start with the first case. The chief thought that with your training and since you weren’t around from the beginning, you might have some new insights. You aren’t burdened by earlier theories.”
“Sounds reasonable. So, the first murder. What was the murder weapon?” Matt asked.
“Screw drivers from Kossman’s tool kit.” Perry answered. “I read a bit while waiting to testify.”
“So that leaves us with Kossman as our main suspect. The murder
“So you contend you had no inside source.” The defense attorney pressed.
“Only the screamer.” Matt responded.
“How did you know which crate it was in?”
“I didn't.” Matt continued. “I called in the department and we searched all the cargo.”
“But you directed the team to the exact location that the crate containing the contraband was found did you not.” One of the other councilors spoke out.
“No ma’am. Several officers were on scene and were spread out along the conveyer line while the cargo was offloaded.” Matt offered.
“But in the end it was you who found the contraband.” she continued.
“No ma-am, that honor belongs to Chief Vanderhaar, although I was standing next to him all I found were socks. He was the one who discovered the drugs.”
“Is it possible that a young officer, desperate to get back his former position might have planted the drugs detective?” The woman continued to press.
“With tracking system in the city, not likely.”
“Yet it is strange that you were promoted directly after the encounter.” Her question drew protests from the prosecutors.
“Yes.”
“And you don’t find that suspicious?”
“You'd have to ask the chief.” Matt said. “I do however; have training as a detective from earth. I have skills, such as deductive reasoning that are not emphasized on Sirius. These are useful skills for a detective, so no, having demonstrated that I still possessed those skills, I am not surprised I was placed into a position where the colony can benefit from them.”
“I apologize.” the woman said coldly. “I must have misread the report.”
“Is there anything you'd like to add, Detective Dales?”
“No sir.”
“Very well. You may retire. We'll call you if we have any more questions.”
Technically, he hadn't lied, but he felt guilty as he left the council room. His hands were shaking ever so slightly. He opened his mood pills and took one surreptitiously. Then made his way to the lounge and waited. The chief was out after a short time.
“That was quick.” Matt commented.
“Didn't have much to do, just verify the facts and your account. Don't worry, he's going down. Accusing you was just a desperate attempt to confuse the issue. Nevertheless, suspicions about your hunches, gave them an opening. Let’s not do that again.” The chief didn't bother to sit. “I'm headed back to the office. Don't wait too long. You still have another case which demands immediate attention.”
“I'll be along shortly.” The chief nodded and Matt sat into the couch and slowly breathed until the medications took effect.
Chapter 16
“How was the trial?” Rishards asked.
“You sure walk slowly.” Officer Perry remarked. “The defense accused Dales of planting evidence.”
“They did?” Rishards asked.
“It was desperation. Overall, there were eleven screamers pulled off that ship. Eleven counts of destruction of human life and depraved indifference.” Matt sat at the table. “It was their only shot.”
“They grilled him hard, the judicial council did. What could they do? All the evidence was against the low life drug smuggler.” Perry continued. “He'll never see freedom again.”
“We can only hope.” Matt rubbed his eyes. “Let's get back to this. I haven't had a chance to go over the files, but I had some questions.”
“All I've been doing is reading files.” Rishards said.
“Great.”
“I figure best to take them one at a time. Let’s start with the first case. The chief thought that with your training and since you weren’t around from the beginning, you might have some new insights. You aren’t burdened by earlier theories.”
“Sounds reasonable. So, the first murder. What was the murder weapon?” Matt asked.
“Screw drivers from Kossman’s tool kit.” Perry answered. “I read a bit while waiting to testify.”
“So that leaves us with Kossman as our main suspect. The murder
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