Drag Shergi Mystery 04 - Excerpt

The changes in technology never fail to amaze me. One such one was the advent of the television. From one place the scene could be broadcasted to another, via the use of electromagnetic signals. Once in the other place it is translated into a picture on a box. I was not well off enough to afford one of my own. At times I was able to watch them from a store window though. Only three channels were available so far: news, weather, and a variety show.

Even though I should watch the news more, I found myself attracted to the weather channel most of the time. What bothered me the most about it was a shift of attention away from one of the reporters. Even though she was making the report, the others completely ignored her. A new man joined the woman, but only he was referred to by the reporters.

Curious, I made my way from the storefront to the studio where the broadcasts came from. It was rather easy to find in the business district, as it was the tallest building, the spiral structure breaking above the skyline into the bare sky. There were security guards around the entrances. One was the usual, and though having more wasn’t completely unusual, having three at a door was. I stopped at the street across from the building. It didn’t seem that I would be able to walk right in. I hadn’t expected to, but still this was more of a hindrance than I’d expected. There was a little café behind me. I glanced back then sat in one of the chairs.

It was a few minutes before a person slid between the officers. The woman glanced up and down the street; once it was clear she hurried over the crosswalk. While she walked the brown hair that was braided down her back swung back and forth like a pendulum. She had tan skin with gold eyes. She tucked the longer bangs behind one ear.

The unconscious gesture brought a smile to my lips. I couldn’t help it; the little duck of the head followed by the hair play was cute. I pushed back the smile and lifted my hand as she came close.

She blinked at me then bobbed her head in a slight gesture of acknowledgement. Then she went into the café to order. Since it was a nice day, she made her way back out after she’d gotten a sandwich and soda.

With her return, I straightened in my seat. I gestured to the seat across from me. “Please, I’m not using the table, just the chair.”

She looked at me with a questioning gaze, but sat. “Thanks, it’s hard to get a table at this time.”

“Yeah, I figured. Oh, I’m Drag Shergi.”

“I’m Dolise Hesutu.”

“I noticed you came out of the station; do you work there?”

“Yes,” she replied. She picked up a quarter of her sandwich. As she nibbled, I noticed it was made of turkey. Upon closer inspection of her I noticed she was about twenty-five years old and five foot ten inches in height.

“I haven’t noticed so many guards around before. Did something happen?”

The woman paused in her eating. She shifted in her chair. Her eyes lowered while she set her sandwich down. One hand went to play with the top button of her blue dress shirt. Her other hand rubbed on the thigh of her tan pants. Her navy blue shoes swayed while she kicked her feet. “Yes, something awful.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” I said in a hurry. The way she acted made me feel bad that I’d asked.

“It’s alright. The weather girl was murdered a few days ago.”

That shocked me. I’d seen the live broadcasts; the weathergirl was in them. I knew that wasn’t a trick. The technology couldn’t do anything except transmit what was there. She was dead, yet she was there… it must have been a ghost. This reminded me of a few other times; I had to investigate. I replied, “I’m sorry, miss.”

She shook her head. “There’s nothing that can be done. We’re still working while the police are investigating.”

“Maybe I could help?”

“You? Who are you?”

I chuckled faintly. “I’m a private detective. Sometimes people talk to those who just seem normal opposed to those who are the police.”

She slowly lifted her eyes. I could see the sheen of tears. She ran the back of her hands over her eyes to wipe them away. “I can see how that would be true. I-I can’t promise you anything. You’re a stranger and the police don’t want them inside.”

“I won’t push,” I said with a gentle smile. I stood from my seat. I continued to look down at her while I started to walk away. “I’ll be back tomorrow. If you want to talk with me again then do so. If not, it’s no worry. I hope you have better days.”

She bobbed her head slightly. The woman picked up her drink and took a small sip. With a small smile, she waved her other hand. “Thanks, goodbye.”

I waved again while I walked away from the café. Down the street to the corner I went. Just after I circled around the side, I paused. My head peeked around while I watched the woman finish her meal then return to the building. It seemed the guards knew her on sight. Either that, or the uniform of the workers in the news station was enough. There were so many uniforms though that I doubted it was the latter.  

For now I’d have to take a different direction. From the street of the news station, I walked to the street of the library. It was quickly becoming the best place to get information from. Due to the recent timeline, I didn’t have to bother with the microfiche machines. I walked over to the newspaper racks and sorted through them. I went back over the last week to glean as much information as was available so far. I couldn’t go to the police just yet. It was too early; I knew I’d be chased away. The news was easier picked up in the newspapers, as some of them liked to take subtle snipes at each other through reporting on the actions there. Television was a completely different medium however; there was no way to catch any unscripted actions unless it was done live.

Deaths: Jeschi Eben, age 20, died today. Police are unsure whether the fall down the stairs caused it or if something more sinister did. The memorial for the local weather reporter will be held at Covenant Chapel at the end of the week. She was bright and cheerful, even when it rained. We hope it’s sunny wherever she is now.

Well that was a little more than I knew before: now I knew the full name of the weather woman, as well as where she died. At least, I thought that it was where she died, since that’s where it was reported. I flicked through more newspapers in search of further information. At this time, however, there was nothing more.

With a sigh, I put away the newspaper. At this early stage, there could be a wealth of information, but separating fact from fiction would be incredibly difficult without being close to the source. I had to get back to the news station then perhaps inject myself into the investigation. Figuring out how to do it successfully would be the hardest part.

I walked out from the library into the street again. From that building, I wandered along the sidewalk to the tallest structure in the business district. The police were still a constant presence holding steady outside of the entrance. I’d have to either find another way in, or get one of them to let me in. I was not unknown to the police, since I used to be an officer of the law. Differing opinions and some personal drama ended up with me being kicked out; I started up my private detective agency then. Now, I was twenty-seven – still young, but I’d seen a lot of things so far.