Murder on the Orion Express, the chapter after the previous

Two suspects left. This passenger who looks like a pile of rags and hasn't moved since I have been on board the ship and Jan. I doubted that Jan was guilty, but I have tasked myself with finding who that killer is and therefore I must question Jan as well. Call it duty or whatever, but it must be done. Oh yes, and time is running out.

Jan is still in the cockpit and is researching the passengers and so I made my way to the creature. "Mind if I ask you a few questions?"

The rags shifted and moved. A head appeared, then shoulders, arms, and hands took shape.

"What do you want, Earthman?" it asked.

"As you must know," I stated. "Lucky Pierre was murdered when this ship jumped to hyperspace. I am currently investigating everyone on board to find who perpetrated this crime. It's your turn. It says here that you are Gollux?"

"Gollux of Gollus," it answered. "And why would I kill that artiste? I am merely traveling to Orion and wish to be left alone, Earthman."

"Of course," I acknowledged. "Though you must understand why I am doing this."

"Yes," it replied. "Such a tragedy. I suppose that because I was onboard that I am now a suspect."

"Well, everyone's a suspect," I replied flatly.

"Even you?" it asked.

"Well, I know that I didn't do it," I replied.

"Neither did Gollux of Gollus."

I got all the information from him that I needed at the time. I made my way back towards the cockpit, weaving around the Von Ryans, Jeeves, and Donald Chump. Now I'm going to have to talk to Jan.

"This is interesting," Jan said as I walked into the cockpit. "Look at this."

I read the screen that she had pulled up. Apparently, the unlucky Lucky Pierre found a long lost brother about six months ago after years of searching. Evidently, his masterpiece on Orion involved their reunion. Also according to this article, Pierre was heavily in debt and he was hoping to cash in big with his master work.

I tabbed to the next screen. Donald Chump (real name Frondal Niptu) was actually going to Orion to shepherd the merge of Astro Telecomm & Telephonics with Orionbell. The deal to combine these two commuations giants is indeed worth billions.

The Von Ryans are also listed on the Orion by Orionwest website. They are one of hundreds of musical acts heading there to perform.

Gollux of Gollus was a bit of a mystery himself. His race, though very intelligent and space-faring, generally sticks to themselves. Golluns are not a violent race, but they are fairly xenophobic, so not a lot is actually known about them.

"This helps a lot, thanks," I said to Jan. "So tell me, why are you heading to Orion?"

"My ship, the Pegasus Elite, is getting some work done," she answered. "I'm having some of the systems upgraded-- hey! Why are you asking me this?"

"I'm just asking," I answered. "You know I have to. Have you ever had any contact with Pierre before?"

"I have seen his work in shows before," she replied. "But I've never met him before in my life. So are you going to question yourself next?"

"I know that I didn't do it."

"And I know that I didn't," her pouty lips cracked into a smile.

"Well, I guess that leaves just them," I chuckled and waved out to the passenger's cabin. "How much longer until we exit hyperspace?"

"Forty minutes," she said after looking at the instruments.

"I'm a lot closer to finding the killer," I said grimly. "But it's going to be close."