“You solved the asylum problem, or the group of diplomats did?” Were the Itlans with the Venice ancestral home being allowed to stay?

“My solution was adopted by everyone involved.”

Was Dino boasting?

“Spill the beans,” I said.

From the look on Dino’s face, translation of the expression proved difficult.

“Dino, spill the beans means tell me what happened. Spill the information.”

“Ah, yes. My proposal involved having the requestors apply for work on Earth—apparently it is called a work visa. That way, the subject of changing nationality can be avoided. Although, we must think of a better term than nationality.”

“You have indeed found a creative way to solve the problem. However, in the near future, the issue will probably surface again.”

“I agree, but we have given the various worlds time to discuss and implement a global, I mean intergalactic, policy,” said Dino.

“Before Earth joined the BRITE Alliance, did anyone try to change their residency?” I asked.

“No. This is the first time. So no policies were in place to deal with the situation.”

I found it hard to believe this request had never happened before. Why would Earth attract aliens? I guessed the current answer had to do with Itlans finding their birthplace in Venice, which still seemed off-the-wall to me.

“Yes. Something new like…”

Dr. Kyne Barb interrupted our conversation. “Detective Sergeant Dominion, we have had a call from Revolutions. There is some kind of medical emergency and they want our help with the ambulance there. May we have permission to leave Starlight?”

“Go ahead. But call me as soon as you have some in- formation. Keep your com on, so I can call if we need you back here.”

Leaving Starlight without an extended ambulance left me uncomfortable. At least Revolutions and the regular medical responders were close.

Dr. Barb strode off.

“I wonder what this emergency is all about,” I said.

“Probably nothing serious. There are a lot of nervous people since the murders, and caution seems appropriate,” said Dino.

Without speaking we continued to watch the bowlers. I had a lot to think about, and the bowling action had heated up.

Shortly, Harrison joined us. “Sarge, I heard about the attack. How are you feeling?”

“Just a massive headache.” Although, it had eased a little thanks to some magic pills.

“How are you going to find out who did this to you?” asked Harrison.

“Jack and the doctors scoured the back of my head and my clothes for clues, and Jack is investigating around Starlight. He’s also going to interview the staff who were in this morning, to see if anyone noticed anything out of place.”

“That’s good.” Harrison sighed. “Sarge, I would like permission to search Brian’s clothes. My suspicions haven’t abated.”

“I’m afraid we can’t do that. We don’t have enough evidence for a search warrant.”

“What do you think about asking Brian for permission to search his clothing?” said Harrison.

“You would be giving away your opinion regarding his involvement. Do you want to do that? You work together, and it would likely cause bad feelings between the two of you.”

“The situation is tricky, I agree. However, we need to eliminate Brian as a suspect. That’ll be my approach. Since he was in the washroom, his presence needs to be explained. That’s my excuse for asking questions.”

“Not bad.” Better Harrison than me. “Let me know what happens.”

After Harrison left, Dino said, “This is an awkward situation.”

“Yes, it is. Brian is my partner, and I can’t believe he would be involved in a murder.”

“I am sure he was not. This is an unfortunate coincidence in timing.”

We were silent for a few moments. “Dino, whatever happened to those two Itlans, of different clans, wanting to mate?”

“They were convinced their choice was in error.” Dino clutched his neck.

“Is that fair? They’re in love.” Although, come to think of it, when was love ever fair?

“Aliens view relationships differently than you do. For example, since Rheinon shed their skin every five cycles it also affects, shall we say, our hormones. New relationships are formed after every shedding. The Itlans, being of two different clans, will probably not come into contact again since their clans are segregated into different cities. The only reason they had noticed each other was because of the bowling competition.”

I suspected Dino of blurring the details for my benefit. The uniqueness of the situation seemed overplayed.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t judge other species. But I still find this strange behavior.”

Dino nodded, although I don’t know exactly what he nodded about. I had a sudden thought. “Are either one of these Itlans part of the group that thinks Venice is their home.”

“No.”

My com rang. I’d received a text message from Jack. “Meet me at the back of Starlight.”

His message seemed a bit cryptic but perhaps he’d found some clues. I said to Dino, “I’ll be back in a moment.”

The quickest way proved to be through the kitchen, according to my mental map, and there I found Jack talking to a cook.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” Annoyance showed on his face. “I’m investigating your attack, as we discussed.”

“But why did you text me to meet you behind the building?”

After I uttered those words, we both came to the same conclusion, I’d been set up.

“Okay, how’re we going to handle this?” asked Jack.

“They’re probably expecting me to come out the back door of the kitchen, as I previously did. So let’s go out the front and around the side.”

“Together,” said Jack, with a frown on his face.

I nodded. I didn’t need another headache.

We passed Brian, at the front desk, and let him know what we were up to.

With our senses heightened, Jack and I traversed the length of the building. We saw no person and only a car using the back exit. We checked around the back wall and the entrance to the kitchen, but nothing seemed out of place.

“It looks like the perpetrators were told to disappear,” said Jack. “I bet they were in that car.”

“You could be right.” My thoughts flooded with possibilities.

“We told Brian what we were doing,” said Jack.

“Yes, but anyone in the bowling alley could have noticed us leaving. Or it could have been a prank text to occupy me while something happened inside the alley.”

The only thing Jack said was, “We’ll need to check that out. Don’t go anywhere alone.”

Although I bristled at his remark, I knew he was correct.

I joined Dino inside and looked around the bowling alley. I had started to have a grasp of alien body language, and I noticed tensions ran high. The scoreboard confirmed my impressions. The three-way race squeezed closer than ever, with the humans and Itlans bringing up the rear.

Dr. Barb interrupted my reverie. Surprised he’d returned so soon, I gave him my full attention.

“Detective, I have some unsettling news. There was no medical crisis at Revolutions. In fact, there was no crisis at all. We could find no one that would admit to calling us. I do not know what to make of it.” He put his hands behind his back.

“No one had any idea what was going on?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“Probably just a prankster then. Thankfully, your services weren’t needed here while you were gone. I’ll look into the situation. If I find out anything, I’ll let you know.”

Dr. Barb walked away to join his ambulance crew.

“Ma’am, is that what you really think?” asked Dino.

“I sincerely hope it was a prankster. The alternative frightens me.” Personally, I leaned towards the notion of getting the medical staff out-of-the-way and then give Tari another concussion. Not a happy thought.

The cheers echoing through the bowling alley made me look at the scoreboard. Tristor and Bremen had indeed placed in the top two spots.

“Dino, too bad your team didn’t place. The Rheinon are a close third, though.”

“We shall do it again in three cycles. And, talking to the bowlers, they have told me of all they have learned from the humans.”

“Learned from us?” How could that be? We were the new kids on the block.

“Yes. Your techniques have given them ideas on how to improve their own. Even though humans did not place in the top three, the Rheinon bowlers are very excited about trying out their new theories. And, I believe, you will be getting some new groupies, as you call them.”

Great. Dino appeared amused by the prospect. I had other ideas about my situation.

“Since tomorrow is a rest day for the bowlers, let’s go out and have dinner,” I said.

“I thought Starlight was offering dinner?”

“That may be, but I need a break from bowling alleys.” I needed to clear my head.

“Let me make a call,” said Dino.

While I waited for Dino’s curious call to finish, I conferred with Harrison.

“Although Brian offered up his clothes for analysis, nothing was found. The clothes were remarkably free from dirt. It was like they’d been cleaned,” said Harrison.

“You’re being a little one-sided. Perhaps Brian didn’t kill Skitem-Carry.”

“I apologize. You’re correct. I guess it is back to the evidence boxes for me.”

“How about the STEP analysis?” I asked.

“It’s so tricky. Just when I think I’ve found a pattern, it all falls apart.”

“I know what you mean. Isn’t technology wonderful? I’m going to take a look too, later tonight. Right now I need a break.”

Looking at Harrison, I said, “Get a meal. Starlight is offering a free feed.” Harrison needed some sustenance to perk him up. Another half-wave and he took off for the restaurant.

Although the evidence on Brian remained flimsy, I was uneasy.

“Ma’am, I have arranged a meal at the Rheinon embassy. It will be a change of pace for both of us. I have not spent much time there recently,” said Dino.

“I’m looking forward to that. Are we going now? I’m hungry.”

“Is it possible for your mother to join us? She is a delightful person. I would love to have a lengthy chat with her.”

“Just let me make a call.”

After confirming her availability, I ran home and picked her up.

“This is wonderful,” Mom said. “I did want to spend more time with Ambassador Rare. Rheine is such an advanced world.”

Advanced? “What do you mean?”

“You really must study their history, dear. Rheine has been first in many areas in the BRITE Alliance.”

“You’re right. I have neglected quizzing Dino about Rheine. Perhaps tonight is a good time.”

We took a cab over to Dino’s accommodation at the Rheinon Embassy. An entire floor in one of our local hotels served as the embassy in its entirety. This particular hotel had done extensive renovations and had equipped separate floors for the comfort of each of the alien races.

“Welcome Commissioner Dominion,” said Dino, when we arrived.

“That’s actually Retired Assistant Commissioner, as you know. So, please call me Tracy.” My mother lightened her retort with a smile.

“I will do that if you will call me Dino.” Dino bounced on his toes.

My mother regally nodded her head. She had all the moves.

“Before we sit, I wondered if you would perhaps talk with our chef. He needs to know if you have any dietary restrictions.”

The Rheinon chef—both delighted and apprehensive to meet us—chatted for a bit. Since neither of us had any food allergies, we made his life easier.

The hotel had been clever and converted one of the suites into a living/dining room with attached kitchen.

The three of us settled into the lounging area and received a glass of wine—at least Mom and I did—Dino drank something Rheinon.

“Dino, can you tell us a little about your history? I’ve been researching, but there are gaps in what knowledge is available on Earth,” said my mother. “In particular, I’m interested in your family structure.”

Mom could certainly zoom into the interesting subjects—at least by my interpretation of the look on Dino’s face.

“This is a subject not usually revealed to outsiders. However, since Earth has joined the BRITE Alliance, it is natural I have this conversation with you. What do you want to know?” Sometimes Dino uttered strange expressions. I blamed part of it on the universal translator.

“Start with the basics. What is the Rheinon family structure like? Tell us about your children and your schools,” said Tracy.

A noise escaped from Dino’s throat and I saw his hands twitch. I suspected he forced himself not to rub them together, as I had often seen him do.

“It is difficult to know where to begin.” Dino paused.

“Anywhere is fine. We’ll interrupt if we get confused,” I said.

Dino gathered his thoughts. “The underlying structure of our society is based on families. We generally have large family units. The first, and most compelling, reason is based on the fact we go into a coma and shed our entire skin approximately every five cycles.”

“How does this affect you?” asked my mother, always to the point.

“Unfortunately, our hormones—both male and female—become confused, altered I guess you could say. As a result, we no longer have any interest in our current partner.”

I never would have guessed how bizarre my thoughts became.

“How does this affect the children?” Mom asked softly.

“Our children still know their parents, obviously, but it disrupts the family dynamics.”

“This is very sad,” I said. Every five years?

“That is not the way to look at it. It is the way it is.” said my pragmatic mother.

Dino nodded.

“Does the father leave the family home?” I asked, “Or the mother?”

“Not necessarily either one. The mother may find a new partner and have him join the household. Her previous spouse would most likely remain in the household—perhaps until he found someone new. Then they may either join the current household or join hers or start a new one. The possibilities are endless. And this is why I say family groups are often large.”

“Have you had a population explosion?” I asked.

“No. Because everyone is on a different shedding cycle, it is not easy to find a partner.”

“Your reproductive system, shall we say society, certainly ensures a diverse population—genetically speaking,” I said.

“Yes, it does. Now tell me about humans,” said Dino.

The conversation continued and, before we knew it, the evening had ended.

A lovely, and lively, time was had by all.

For once, I had a relaxed and comfortable night—until my com wouldn’t stop ringing around six the next morning.