This is the Spacestastic Mysteries Podcast. We are continuing science fiction, mystery author Annagail Lynes’ first novel in the science fictions series Jaguar and Peacock Series, Who Killed Ben?

Federal Agent and seasoned SpaceVessel Commander, Jessa Strazzer, emerges from the wreckage of a devastating accident that claimed the life of her beloved husband, Ben. Returning to her duties with a heavy heart, she grapples with grief and unanswered questions, determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that shattered her world.

As Jessa sifts through the remnants of her past life, she stumbles upon a mysterious box of items left behind by Ben. Within its depths lies a chilling revelation: the accident that claimed Ben's life was no mere mishap, but a deliberate act of sabotage.

This is Episode 5 – Was There A Moment? If you have not subscribed, hit the bell to be notified of new episodes.

Transcript: https://annagaillynes803633422.wordpress.com/2024/06/15/who-killed-ben-episode-5-was-there-a-moment/

If you sign up for updates at https://tinyurl.com/lcsnovel, you will receive a free digital copy of Annagail's novel, The Last Chance Station, which is set in the same universe as The Jaguar and Peacock Series, but which follows the cases Colonel Alexandra Madrid solves with her partner, Tony Ashton, on a SpaceBase on the edge of space explored by the Freedom Alliance.

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We ate in silence for the next few minutes.

"How are you handling all this stuff with Ben?" Nate picked up the pitcher of lemonade, pouring some into his glass.

"I'm fine." I handed my glass out to him. My hand--visibly trembled.

"No, you are definitely shaken." He filled my glass, then replaced the pitcher. He stared at me a moment before he added, "I don't remember the last time I saw your hand shake like that." His eyes narrowed in concern.

"You can be in trouble anywhere in the universe, and I would know it," I began, loading a forkful of spaghetti into my mouth. After I chewed it thoroughly, I continued, "Why didn't I have that same sense about my husband? Why didn't I know he was in trouble?" I picked up another forkful of spaghetti.

He scrutinized me for a moment before saying anything, sipping his lemonade. "He didn't give you any clues when you saw him before the accident?"

"He was very upset when I arrived home. He had an altercation with his partner earlier in the day, which led him to believe that she was working for the Crimson Fleet." I raised my hand to glance at the wedding ring Ben bought me. I couldn't seem to bring myself to remove it. For me, slipping off my wedding ring symbolized the death of my marriage to Ben. I quickly hid my hand under the table.Then I lowered my voice and confided, "I called Morgan Kramer, our agent in the Crimson Fleet Underground. I showed her the picture of Ben's partner. Kramer told me that three years ago, the Crimson Fleet started paying Austin for Freedom Alliance information."

A comfortable silence ensued for a few minutes as we worked on our spaghetti. Nate was the first to break the silence by asking, "How did Ben react to that?"

"How do you think he reacted? He was furious." I put my glass of lemonade to my lips, then set the glass down. "I only saw him that angry once before...when my father..." I reached behind my hair to finger the long scar on the side of my neck for the second time today. I kept the scar hidden. Every time I caught a glimpse of it, my stomach threatened to turn over. Not because of the abuse but because I didn't stop it. I let that man intimidate me, cut me down with his words and hurt me with his fists and knives.

"The Washington was a vessel similar to this one. At least three-hundred people should have been on board," Nate noted, giving me a look of uneasy puzzlement. "Three-hundred people can't just disappear. Maybe the Crimson Fleet took them as prisoners."

"Perhaps," I consented, steepled my fingers and leaned back in my chair. "But the Crimson Fleet's philosophy is the survival of the fittest," I went on, trying to explain my position. "So if the Washington had been in a battle. One that crippled them. Don't you think that the Crimson Fleet would have left the injured and dead crew members?"

"And if the Washington was badly injured, there must have been casualties." He folded his hands behind his head, narrowing his eyes speculatively. "If that's the case, where are they?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know." I intertwined my fingers and rested them on my lap. "I do think, however, that we should go through the remaining logs before jumping to any conclusions."

Nate slowly nodded his head. "Ben could have already found the bodies," Nate concluded, giving me a leisurely once-over. "In any case, it's going to be a long night."