Case File 7 - The One With All The Elephants Part 4 of 4

The Conclusion

If you just joined in, jump back here for part 1.

Fifteen minutes later, I stood outside the big top tent and cocked my head. The crisp red and white fabric seemed out of place in the decommissioned docking bay. We weren’t in Docking Bay 34 where the action was still going on. This was Docking Bay 11, now disabled until retrofitted. In the meantime, the space was being put to use as an entertainment centre.

“I was hoping to come check this place out,” said Ned. “I hear their robotics are great.”

“Hmmm.” I scratched my cheek. Chief Thumbold seemed convinced the escaped elephants were here, but I remained sceptical. “I guess we’d better check the place out.”

“Note, there are no communication hubs rated for an AI of my stature within.” Susan sounded particularly put out by the low-tech tent. 

I sighed. Had I thought about it, I could’ve brought a portable augmenter for Susan’s code. 

“We’ll do our best to stay out of trouble.” Ned tapped his ancient body cam. “And I still have this on for the record.” 

“Susan, keep watch on the entrances. Ned, you’re with me.”

Without waiting for Ned’s response, I headed towards the main entrance with the rest of the crowd. Crossing the tent’s threshold deposited us into a different world, almost as though we’d gone back in time, long before the station, before the generation ships and back to old Earth. 

Overly cheery music played—the kind that would be stuck in my head for weeks. Above, the tent rose up, the fabric glowing from the lights on the other side. With each step, my feet stuck slightly to the floor, suggesting spilled sugary drinks and a lack of cleaner bots—the circus owner must take their low-tech entertainment seriously. 

Ned grinned, a smile so wide it almost spit his face. “This is better than I expected.”

Children giggled and enjoyed fluffy masses of cotton candy and bags of popcorn. Some led floating balloons in a menagerie of different shapes—amongst the lions, unicorns, and whales, I even spotted several elephants. My boys would’ve loved coming here back when they were still kids.

I surveyed our surroundings, glad for my excess height. “Chief said elephants were spotted by the peanut roastery.” 

The entrance to the main performance area opened up straight ahead. Laughter radiated out as though a clown act was in progress inside. I shuddered and headed towards the concession stands.

“Where’s the peanut roaster?” I asked the pimple faced young man behind the counter.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he pointed to another opening in the tent wall. Ned and I went through.

Inside, an old-fashioned saloon opened up—well, a replica of one. Families sat at old west style wagon wheel tables sipping fizzy drinks and opening peanuts. Discarded shells littered the floor.

“I see no elephant’s here,” said Ned. “But I’d sure like a bag of those peanuts.”

“Let’s check in back.” I headed past the bar through to where I assumed the kitchen should be. A crash sounded and we ran in as the cooks ran out.

Two paces into the kitchen I stopped. Pam Long stood in the middle. The wizened old lady looked at me and smiled.

“Ah, dearie, you’ve caught up to me.” 

Behind her were five little elephants gathered around a bowl of peanuts.

“I could’ve sworn there were more,” said Ned in a low tone as he stared at the elephants.

“Susan, call in pest control,” I said.

“Remember, you won’t raise Susan in here.” Ned gestured at the fabric walls and rustic decorations. “This place is old school.”

I groaned. 

Pam took a step towards me. “Please don’t harm them, dearie.” She pointed at the elephants. “I promise I’ll get them off station today.”

“They are unauthorized mammals,” I said. “The rulebook says they have to be destroyed.”

One of the elephants raised its head and looked at me. It wrinkled its face as it raised a trunk out to Pam. Pam walked over and patted it on the head.

“My dear, you see they’re harmless,” Pam said.

I frowned. The beasts were much cuter than I’d expected. They couldn’t stay on the station, but they didn’t deserve to die. I looked to Ned, but the coward said nothing.

“You need to get them off this station right away. And use the back door, away from station security cams.” I let out a long exhale. If Thumbold caught even a hint I’d let the elephants go, being stuck with Ned as my partner would be the least of my worries.

“Thank you, detective.” Pam turned and pushed her way through the elephants to their snack bowl. She picked it up and left through the back door. Making the cutest little grunts, the herd of elephants followed her.

“Good call,” said Ned. He put his hands on his hips and looked up at me. “I’m hungry, let’s go grab something to eat. I know a great taco joint.”

I stared down at him. Maybe Ned wouldn’t be a bad partner after all. “Why not.”

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Any interest in more Case Files? I have several more in the works (and I’ll be putting Case File #8 up shortly).