Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999): Season 2, Episode 8 - Necessary Evil - full transcript
Quark is on Bajor negotiating with a woman, Pallra. She wants him to retrieve a strongbox from the station, hidden behind a panel in the chemist's room. A man is secretly listening to their conversation. With the help of Rom Quark has no problem finding the box, but can't resist his curiosity and opens it. He finds a list of Bajoran names. Before he is able to copy it, he gets shot by the man, who steals the list. While Dr. Bashir tries to save Quark's life, Odo questions Rom. He tells about the chemist's room and Odo is immediately reminded of a murder case several years ago. He was forced by Gul Dukat to investigate the murder of the owner of a shop, Vaatrick. His wife Pallra accused a mistress of the murder.
l didn't kill him, you know.
A lot of people believed it was me.
That shape-shifter thought so.
- But he was wrong.
- lt was a long time ago.
Say what you will about Cardassians.
They could keep the power on.
- Would you like more ice?
- l'm fine.
You were always very kind.
You made life a little easier.
l ran a black market.
Never thought of myself as kind.
There was always extra ginger tea
for me, wasn't there?
You didn't call me to Bajor
to talk about tea.
No.
- l need a favour.
- For old times' sake?
- l'm still as kind as ever.
- l can pay you.
My husband had a strongbox in
our shop on the station. Bring it to me.
- What's in it?
- Nothing anyone would value.
- Except you.
- Sentimental reasons.
Why not take a sentimental journey
back to the station?
l couldn't stand being in the shop
where my husband was murdered.
Maybe you'd rather not let Odo
see you there.
l'm sure he's forgotten
all about that by now.
Can you neutralise
the security system?
lt's behind the panelled wall
on the left as you enter.
Four panels in, five up.
Four in, five up.
l can pay you five bars of latinum.
- Five?
- And, as always, my...
...personal gratitude.
A day, maybe two.
Commence station security log.
Stardate 47282.5.
At the request of Commander Sisko,
l will be recording a daily log
of law enforcement affairs.
The reason for this exercise
is beyond my comprehension.
Humans have a compulsion to keep
records and lists and files.
So many that they have to invent ways
to store them microscopically,
otherwise their records would overrun
all known civilisation.
My very adequate memory
not being good enough for Starfleet,
l am pleased to put my voice
to this official record of this day:
Everything's under control.
End log.
When we get to the entrance,
stay flat against the wall.
l can release the lockseal
in 25 seconds.
But somebody will see us.
Let me do it.
You? We'd be at it all night.
All night?
No, only about ten seconds.
How would you release
a pulsatel lockseal in ten seconds?
You have one on the storeroom door.
lf you forget to leave me the desealer,
l have to open the storeroom.
- Without my knowledge?
- To serve a customer's needs.
- ln ten seconds?
- You forget fairly often.
We'll see how you handle
the desealing rod.
l have my own.
Nog made it for me.
The boy's always been clever
with his hands.
Time this, brother.
You'll be very proud.
There. You see?
Thief! Don't deny it.
You've been stealing from me.
Tomorrow morning l'm changing
my entire lock system.
Four in...five up.
Here. lt's behind this one.
Watch the Promenade
while l burn off the panel.
The glare could attract attention.
l have a better idea.
l brought along a small vial
of magnasite drops.
- What are magnasite drops?
- They eat through duranium.
One on each corner
and the panel will fall off.
ln the Gamma Quadrant
we did very good business.
l had to keep your profits safe,
but you had the key to the vault.
You got into my vault with that?
l burned off your floor plates,
but l replaced them
out of my own salary.
- Should l take it out?
- Don't touch it!
Don't you touch anything ever again.
- Just a piece of paper?
- A treasure map, perhaps?
- What does it mean?
- l have no idea.
Eight names, all of them Bajoran.
l want to get a picture of this list.
Get me an imager.
You can't be in here.
We're closed.
Well, if you really want a drink...
She sent you, didn't she?
She knew you couldn't resist
opening it.
Sorry.
Yeah. Me, too.
Brother!
Brother? Brother?
Help! Somebody help!
My brother's been killed!
10 cc of cortolin!
l want an anti-grav lift!
What kind of weapon?
l am waiting for an answer!
My best guess is a compressed
tetryon beam weapon.
That's consistent with what l'm seeing.
- Doctor?
- Thoracic cavity rupture.
Extensive neural trauma.
Now!
Rom says it was a robbery.
He doesn't know if anything was taken.
Security's stopping everyone, but
the assailant may already be on a ship.
Delay all outgoing vessels
as long as you can.
We've got to get him to the surgery.
He's dying, isn't he?
What will l do if my brother dies?
You'll have a lot to do
once this place is yours.
But if he dies... Mine?
''Wives serve, brothers inherit.''
Rule of Acquisition number 139.
- l hadn't thought of that.
- Really?
l had.
lt's a solid motive for murder.
Yes, actually. l have heard of a few
untimely deaths that seemed...
You're not suggesting that l...
l've had my eye on you, Rom.
You're not as stupid as you look.
l am too! l would never...
- lt's his own brother.
- Stay out of this, Commander.
The Ferengi would sell their own flesh
and blood for a Cardassian groat.
He's a family friend.
His son is close to my boy.
You can tell his son that dad's
going to prison on Meldrar l.
- 200 degrees in the shade.
- l didn't! lt's not true!
Oh! lrony of ironies.
l finally get the bar and l'm falsely
accused of my brother's murder.
As a friend, if you know anything
that might be helpful,
you should tell us.
lt was a list. The man who shot
my brother stole a list.
- What kind of list?
- Of names.
Eight Bajoran names.
lt was in this box we...found.
- Found?
- ln a manner of speaking.
You...
My brother was hired by someone
on Bajor to retrieve it.
He didn't tell me who.
l tried so hard to earn Quark's trust.
- Now l can never earn his trust.
- Just his share of the profits.
All l know is that the box had been
hidden years ago.
- How many years ago?
- l'm not sure.
When the Cardassians were here.
The ship's store was the chemist shop.
- The chemist shop?
- That's right.
Here? This is where you found the box?
Behind a duranium wall panel.
l'll show you which one.
Do you want me to open it?
l can do it in ten seconds.
- You asked to see me?
- Yes, please come in.
l'm Gul Dukat.
We've met before.
- Have we?
- l wouldn't expect you to remember.
l was a guest at the reception
at the Bajoran Centre for Science.
lt must have been two years ago.
When the Cardassian High Command
was invited to...view me.
- You were very amusing.
- Was l?
You did a Cardassian neck trick.
Brought the house down.
The scientist who worked with me
thought you'd find it entertaining.
He made me practise for weeks
on the Cardassian neck trick.
Gul Hadar couldn't stop talking
about it.
He wanted you to entertain the troops.
l, on the other hand, began to wonder
if you couldn't provide
a more valuable service
for the Cardassian empire.
l've stayed informed about you, Odo.
Ever since you walked out
on your Bajoran keepers.
l could learn more
outside a laboratory.
You've become quite the student
of humanoid nature, haven't you?
- What is it you need, Gul Dukat?
- Have you ever seen a dead man?
Yes. ln your mines.
Oh, those are casualties.
This...
...is murder. l've decided
you're going to investigate it.
Me? Why me?
l'm no investigator.
But l suspect you'd make a good one,
shape-shifting your way into places
the rest of us can't go.
l have no intention
of being a Cardassian agent.
Not an agent.
An investigator.
There's a difference?
We can't have these Bajorans
murdering each other, can we?
l'm talking about order here, justice.
There's little justice
in your occupation of Bajor.
Don't push me, Odo.
My superiors would have me
solve this murder
by rounding up ten Bajorans at random
and executing them.
l'm hoping you'll give me
a better alternative.
These Bajorans won't talk to us,
but they seem to trust you.
You used to sort out petty disputes
concerning food, blankets.
- They come to you.
- l'm considered a neutral observer.
Of course. You're not one of them.
For that you should be thankful.
So...
here's one more petty dispute.
Only this time,
l'm bringing it to you.
Find the murderer.
Are there any witnesses?
l'm sorry to keep you waiting,
Mrs Vaatrik.
Odo will be investigating
your husband's death.
Perhaps you two
already know each other.
- Have you been into the shop?
- No, l don't use chemicals.
l've assigned this space to you.
We'll get you anything you need.
Madam, my sympathies.
Good hunting.
- l'm sorry for your loss.
- Thank you.
Do you have any idea
who might have done this?
- l have a very good idea.
- You do?
- May l be honest with you?
- That might be helpful.
My husband was having an affair.
A girl showed up on the station
a couple of weeks ago.
He became infatuated with her.
- Why are men like that?
- Believe me, l have no idea.
We had two wonderful years together
until she arrived. And now...
- You loved him very much?
- Of course.
Then perhaps you could explain
something?
Mr Vaatrik died two hours ago.
You haven't shed a tear.
- What makes you think...?
- l'm an observer, Mrs Vaatrik.
When a humanoid cries,
the epidermis swells noticeably.
Your epidermis is perfectly normal.
- l've been too angry to cry.
- Of course.
You were about to accuse this other
woman of the murder, l believe?
He confessed his indiscretion to me,
but said it was over.
And she killed him in a jealous rage.
Do you know her name?
No, but l can point her out to you.
Move along. Step back from the gate.
Attention. All bio-organic materials
must be disposed of
according to regulations.
When was the last time you saw
Mr Vaatrik alive?
At dinner. He went back to the shop
to do some work afterwards.
You don't live in community quarters.
We were assigned a private room.
At least we had a little privacy.
There. That's her.
Odo. We haven't picked up anyone.
l can't hold up traffic any longer.
l'm sure he disposed of the weapon
before he left.
l heard about the list Quark got.
Rom said it was hidden there
during the occupation.
l wonder if it has something
to do with Vaatrik?
l've been wondering the same thing.
Security log, stardate 47284.1.
ln this job,
there is no unfinished business.
This assault on Quark
reopens a five-year-old murder case
that l've never,
not for a moment, closed.
Patience is a lost virtue to most.
To me, an ally.
l barely saw it.
l don't remember any of the names.
All right.
Let's just relax for a moment.
- l should get back to my bar.
- He's not dead yet, Rom.
He's not being kept alive artificially,
is he? He wouldn't want that.
No, he's clinging to life all on his own.
- Typical.
- All right, let's try again.
Close your eyes.
Take a deep breath.
Clear your mind of everything in it,
if there's anything there.
Breathe.
Breathe.
- Now, what do you see?
- The bar.
- Yes?
- With my name on it.
The past, Rom, not the future.
The box opens.
There's a piece of paper inside it.
- Yes, l see it.
- Quark unfolds it.
There's a list of Bajoran names.
The one at the top catches your eye.
- And the first letter is...
- ''C''. lt's a ''C''!
And the next letter is? Skip to the last
letter in the name, Rom.
- lt's an ''O''!
- Starts with ''C'', ends with ''O''.
- There's a mark in the name.
- An apostrophe.
- Ches'so!
- You're sure?
- Maybe.
- Maybe?
lt's something like Ches'so.
l think.
Call me if you remember
something else.
Anything?
- Ches'so.
- Might be the first name on the list.
Remember anyone from those days
on the station with that name?
No, but l wasn't here very long.
- So l recall.
- We never talked about it.
- We never had to.
- l would have been executed.
You were innocent
of the crime l was investigating.
- That wouldn't have mattered.
- lt mattered to me.
Do you mind if l join you?
A pretty girl like you
shouldn't be eating alone.
l don't do whatever it is you want.
No, you misunderstand.
l'm sorry.
l can see how you could.
- Let me start over.
- Are you a security officer?
- How did you know that?
- You are, aren't you?
- Unofficially, l suppose.
- What's that supposed to mean?
Gul Dukat asked me
to investigate the murder
of a Bajoran man named Vaatrik.
l understand you knew him.
- Who says l did?
- His widow.
- l suppose she told you l killed him.
- Did you?
No.
On the contrary,
you were in love with him.
- No.
- But he was in love with you?
No.
- Not much of a romance.
- lt wasn't a romance.
- Why did he tell his wife it was?
- Ask him.
lf you were having an affair,
l'll find out about it.
l've been here for two weeks.
l met the man right after l arrived.
He had Pyrellian ginger tea.
l don't know how he got it,
but l happen to like ginger tea.
We became friends.
Maybe he was attracted to me.
lt never went anywhere.
Why do you think Dukat
wanted you on this investigation?
- l'm sure he had a reason.
- Why not his own people?
No Bajoran would talk to them.
That never stopped
the Cardassians before.
They have ways
of getting their information.
Something to think about.
Where were you last night?
l was at the bar. The Ferengi are
allowed to hire Bajorans for dog work.
- lt's better than the mines.
- You haven't been in the mines.
Your hands.
You're not bad at this.
My last job was at a replicator plant
on Bajor.
You can't quit those jobs.
What happened?
l hit a supervisor...
...for trying what l thought
you were trying a few minutes ago.
l appreciate your restraint this time.
You're not leaving the station?
lf l were, would you have
the Cardassians stop me?
Yes.
Then l'm not planning on leaving
the station soon.
Let me tell you something.
Unofficially or not, you're working
for the Cardassians.
You'll have to choose
whose side you're on.
- l don't choose sides.
- Everyone has to choose sides.
What are you talking about?
- You knew nothing about a list?
- Nothing.
Why would your husband have hidden
a list of Bajoran names?
l can't imagine.
Are you sure it was his?
Maybe the Cardassians put it there
before they left.
Someone on Bajor told Quark
where to find it.
l wish l could help.
l like that little Ferengi.
Don't write his eulogy yet.
l thought you said...
- The Federation doctor saved his life.
- Good for him.
Does the name Ches'so
mean anything to you?
l don't think so.
Who is it?
Just someone l'd like to talk to.
Thank you for seeing me.
lf this has anything to do with my
husband's murder, l want to be of help.
There was one other thing.
Your power was recently terminated
for lack of payment.
That's right.
Yet you transferred funds
to the power company this morning.
l don't appreciate you
looking into my private affairs.
Just part of a routine investigation.
Where did you get the money?
A loan from a friend.
Of course.
And your friend's name?
This has nothing to do
with your investigation.
Then you won't mind giving me
the name.
l'm sorry. My friend is married.
l won't drag him into this.
Security log, supplemental.
The Ferengi holds on to life
like it's gold-pressed latinum.
Maybe he doesn't want his brother
to get the bar...
...or maybe he knows
he's the only witness l have.
The next few hours will tell the story.
We've done everything we can.
l'll keep you updated.
Good news and bad news.
l found our Ches'so.
- Who is he?
- A Bajoran mining engineer.
- Very active in charity work.
- What makes you think it's him?
Some connections from my past
suggested he might be.
The bad news is he's dead.
Drowned in a pond
on his property last night.
l'm responsible.
l mentioned the name Ches'so
to the Vaatrik woman.
lf she recognised it as Ches'sarro and
thought that he might lead us to her...
- Security to the infirmary.
- Acknowledged.
Major, advise the medical examiner
that l want an autopsy on Ches'sarro.
His death is to be treated
as a homicide.
l'll need the communication records
for the Vaatrik home.
Have the bank keep a supervisor
on duty.
- l'll need bank records, as well.
- Whose?
l don't know yet.
l want round-the-clock armed security
on Quark. No visitors.
Stop by one of the holosuites.
Two programmes for the price of one.
l'm looking for the proprietor
of this establishment.
- Does he owe you money?
- No.
- Are you here to arrest him?
- No.
Then you've found him.
Quark, at your service.
First drink on the house.
An old Cardassian tradition.
l don't drink.
- A soft drink, then.
- l don't drink.
That's why we don't see you
around here much.
l'd like to ask you a few questions
about the death of the Bajoran chemist.
You're the shape-shifter.
You're the one working for Dukat.
l'm not working for Dukat.
l'm just trying to solve a murder.
No, l've heard about you.
You do some Cardassian neck trick.
Am l right?
- Not any more.
- That could go over big here.
l'm checking on the alibi
of a young Bajoran woman.
Red hair, named Kira Nerys.
She says she was here last night.
- She wanted a job.
- How long was she here?
- Long enough.
- Long enough for what?
You know.
No, l don't.
Why don't you tell me?
She was showing me her...
...initiative.
- ls that a sexual reference?
- These jobs are hard to come by.
Her credentials were very impressive.
- Listen, what's the problem?
- The problem is you're lying.
l want the truth or l'll turn you over
to Dukat and he can get it.
l didn't realise
we were dealing with a murder.
She didn't pay me enough for that.
She paid you for an alibi?
How will Gul Dukat react
when l tell him about that?
lt'll cost me a case
of Cardassian ale.
Two cases at the very least.
A broken alibi? ls there someone
you want me to arrest?
- Not yet.
- Soon. l need a name.
You'll get your name
when l'm certain it's the right name.
Listen to the way
he speaks to me, Quark.
You're not afraid of anyone, are you,
shape-shifter? Not even me.
l was right about you.
You are the man for this job.
l feel you and l have got off
to a bad start here.
Let me make it up to you.
You need anything?
A little ginger tea?
No, you don't drink.
Chocolate?
Maybe companionship?
You look like you lost
your best friend.
- ls Quark...?
- Quark is stable.
- What's this?
- The list.
l assembled it from the Vaatrik
woman's records.
She's been talking to these people,
which she had never done
until two days ago.
When the list was stolen.
Every one of them has transferred
100,000 Bajoran litas
into her bank account.
Blackmail?
What did they have to hide?
That they'd come out of the occupation
with that kind of money.
- They worked with the Cardassians?
- Selling out their own world for a profit.
Collaborators.
Not even a Ferengi would do that.
lt explains a lot of things.
- Can you charge her?
- Not yet.
l'll ask the Bajoran authorities
to transport her here for questioning.
Nobody ever had to teach me
the justice trick.
That's something l've always known,
a racial memory from my species.
lt's the only clue l have to
what kind of people they are.
Are these thoughts appropriate
for a Starfleet log? l don't care.
There's no room in justice
for loyalty or friendship or love.
Justice, as the humans like to say,
is blind.
l used to believe that.
l'm not sure l can any more.
Yes, l lied about my alibi.
That doesn't make me a killer.
Where were you
when he was murdered?
Asleep, alone.
No one saw you
in the community quarters?
l wasn't there.
l've found a small corner...
- You're lying.
- l...
Don't bother.
Your whole face changes.
l should have seen it before.
You don't lie well.
Thanks.
Why don't you start telling the truth?
Whose side are you going to be on?
- l'm not going to play your game.
- You'll have to choose.
That's why l was given this job,
why you come to me with problems.
l'm the outsider.
All l'm interested in is justice.
lf you're innocent, you'll go free.
lf not, l'll turn you over to Cardassian
authorities. That's the only choice.
l didn't kill him.
When he was killed,
l was on level 21.
21? Ore processing?
Check the Cardassian security logs.
You'll see a breach on 21last night.
l'm in the Bajoran underground.
l came here to commit acts of sabotage
against the Cardassians.
The ore processor was damaged
by a sub-nucleonic device
at 25:00 hours last night.
lt'll be out of operation for two weeks.
Give the mine workers a little time off
at least.
l'll describe the device l used
if you still don't believe me.
That's why you needed an alibi.
lf you tell the Cardassians the truth,
none of this will matter.
l'll be executed for the sabotage.
They hang rebels.
- ls this her?
- l told you when l have the...
ls this her?
No. You can go.
lf you're lying, shape-shifter...
lf you know so much about me,
Gul Dukat, you know l don't lie.
l am convinced
that she did not kill Vaatrik.
- ls it too late for visitors?
- No visitors permitted.
Perhaps you could put these in water?
Odo to Bashir.
Report to the infirmary immediately.
lt's over, Rom. You're a hero.
- l am?
- You saved your brother's life.
l've never seen him before in my life.
Your communication records indicate
that you made calls to his home.
You also transferred money
into his account two days ago.
- l want to confer with my advocate.
- l'll make the arrangements.
Meantime, the two of you can introduce
yourselves to one another.
l don't care what you think you know,
you will never be able to prove
that l killed my husband
because l didn't.
l know.
When did you realise?
lt occurred to me when you got
the name Ches'sarro so quickly.
Your underground friends
must have suspected him
of being a collaborator.
Once l knew the names
were a list of collaborators,
the murder of Vaatrik made sense
for the first time.
He must have been a collaborator, too.
He had the money for ginger tea.
He had the private quarters.
l never had a motive
for his murder until now.
He kept his wife in relative luxury.
She surely wouldn't have killed him.
So who would kill
a Cardassian collaborator?
Someone in the Bajoran underground.
A colleague of mine was given the job
of sabotaging the ore processor.
- Vaatrik was my responsibility.
- You were here to execute him.
l was here to find the list, the names
of the Bajorans selling us out.
Vaatrik was their direct link to Dukat.
That must have been
why Dukat chose me to investigate.
He had to stay far away
from this incident
so as not to endanger
his Bajoran sympathisers.
Obviously, l never found the list.
But that's what l was looking for
when Vaatrik walked in on me.
- l didn't have a choice.
- l misjudged you, Major.
You were a better liar
than l gave you credit for.
You were working for the Cardassians.
l haven't been for more than a year.
You've had that time to tell me the truth.
l tried to tell you the truth 100 times.
What you think of me...
...matters a lot.
l was afraid...
That it might affect our friendship?
Maybe it doesn't have to.
Will you ever be able to trust me
the same way again?
A lot of people believed it was me.
That shape-shifter thought so.
- But he was wrong.
- lt was a long time ago.
Say what you will about Cardassians.
They could keep the power on.
- Would you like more ice?
- l'm fine.
You were always very kind.
You made life a little easier.
l ran a black market.
Never thought of myself as kind.
There was always extra ginger tea
for me, wasn't there?
You didn't call me to Bajor
to talk about tea.
No.
- l need a favour.
- For old times' sake?
- l'm still as kind as ever.
- l can pay you.
My husband had a strongbox in
our shop on the station. Bring it to me.
- What's in it?
- Nothing anyone would value.
- Except you.
- Sentimental reasons.
Why not take a sentimental journey
back to the station?
l couldn't stand being in the shop
where my husband was murdered.
Maybe you'd rather not let Odo
see you there.
l'm sure he's forgotten
all about that by now.
Can you neutralise
the security system?
lt's behind the panelled wall
on the left as you enter.
Four panels in, five up.
Four in, five up.
l can pay you five bars of latinum.
- Five?
- And, as always, my...
...personal gratitude.
A day, maybe two.
Commence station security log.
Stardate 47282.5.
At the request of Commander Sisko,
l will be recording a daily log
of law enforcement affairs.
The reason for this exercise
is beyond my comprehension.
Humans have a compulsion to keep
records and lists and files.
So many that they have to invent ways
to store them microscopically,
otherwise their records would overrun
all known civilisation.
My very adequate memory
not being good enough for Starfleet,
l am pleased to put my voice
to this official record of this day:
Everything's under control.
End log.
When we get to the entrance,
stay flat against the wall.
l can release the lockseal
in 25 seconds.
But somebody will see us.
Let me do it.
You? We'd be at it all night.
All night?
No, only about ten seconds.
How would you release
a pulsatel lockseal in ten seconds?
You have one on the storeroom door.
lf you forget to leave me the desealer,
l have to open the storeroom.
- Without my knowledge?
- To serve a customer's needs.
- ln ten seconds?
- You forget fairly often.
We'll see how you handle
the desealing rod.
l have my own.
Nog made it for me.
The boy's always been clever
with his hands.
Time this, brother.
You'll be very proud.
There. You see?
Thief! Don't deny it.
You've been stealing from me.
Tomorrow morning l'm changing
my entire lock system.
Four in...five up.
Here. lt's behind this one.
Watch the Promenade
while l burn off the panel.
The glare could attract attention.
l have a better idea.
l brought along a small vial
of magnasite drops.
- What are magnasite drops?
- They eat through duranium.
One on each corner
and the panel will fall off.
ln the Gamma Quadrant
we did very good business.
l had to keep your profits safe,
but you had the key to the vault.
You got into my vault with that?
l burned off your floor plates,
but l replaced them
out of my own salary.
- Should l take it out?
- Don't touch it!
Don't you touch anything ever again.
- Just a piece of paper?
- A treasure map, perhaps?
- What does it mean?
- l have no idea.
Eight names, all of them Bajoran.
l want to get a picture of this list.
Get me an imager.
You can't be in here.
We're closed.
Well, if you really want a drink...
She sent you, didn't she?
She knew you couldn't resist
opening it.
Sorry.
Yeah. Me, too.
Brother!
Brother? Brother?
Help! Somebody help!
My brother's been killed!
10 cc of cortolin!
l want an anti-grav lift!
What kind of weapon?
l am waiting for an answer!
My best guess is a compressed
tetryon beam weapon.
That's consistent with what l'm seeing.
- Doctor?
- Thoracic cavity rupture.
Extensive neural trauma.
Now!
Rom says it was a robbery.
He doesn't know if anything was taken.
Security's stopping everyone, but
the assailant may already be on a ship.
Delay all outgoing vessels
as long as you can.
We've got to get him to the surgery.
He's dying, isn't he?
What will l do if my brother dies?
You'll have a lot to do
once this place is yours.
But if he dies... Mine?
''Wives serve, brothers inherit.''
Rule of Acquisition number 139.
- l hadn't thought of that.
- Really?
l had.
lt's a solid motive for murder.
Yes, actually. l have heard of a few
untimely deaths that seemed...
You're not suggesting that l...
l've had my eye on you, Rom.
You're not as stupid as you look.
l am too! l would never...
- lt's his own brother.
- Stay out of this, Commander.
The Ferengi would sell their own flesh
and blood for a Cardassian groat.
He's a family friend.
His son is close to my boy.
You can tell his son that dad's
going to prison on Meldrar l.
- 200 degrees in the shade.
- l didn't! lt's not true!
Oh! lrony of ironies.
l finally get the bar and l'm falsely
accused of my brother's murder.
As a friend, if you know anything
that might be helpful,
you should tell us.
lt was a list. The man who shot
my brother stole a list.
- What kind of list?
- Of names.
Eight Bajoran names.
lt was in this box we...found.
- Found?
- ln a manner of speaking.
You...
My brother was hired by someone
on Bajor to retrieve it.
He didn't tell me who.
l tried so hard to earn Quark's trust.
- Now l can never earn his trust.
- Just his share of the profits.
All l know is that the box had been
hidden years ago.
- How many years ago?
- l'm not sure.
When the Cardassians were here.
The ship's store was the chemist shop.
- The chemist shop?
- That's right.
Here? This is where you found the box?
Behind a duranium wall panel.
l'll show you which one.
Do you want me to open it?
l can do it in ten seconds.
- You asked to see me?
- Yes, please come in.
l'm Gul Dukat.
We've met before.
- Have we?
- l wouldn't expect you to remember.
l was a guest at the reception
at the Bajoran Centre for Science.
lt must have been two years ago.
When the Cardassian High Command
was invited to...view me.
- You were very amusing.
- Was l?
You did a Cardassian neck trick.
Brought the house down.
The scientist who worked with me
thought you'd find it entertaining.
He made me practise for weeks
on the Cardassian neck trick.
Gul Hadar couldn't stop talking
about it.
He wanted you to entertain the troops.
l, on the other hand, began to wonder
if you couldn't provide
a more valuable service
for the Cardassian empire.
l've stayed informed about you, Odo.
Ever since you walked out
on your Bajoran keepers.
l could learn more
outside a laboratory.
You've become quite the student
of humanoid nature, haven't you?
- What is it you need, Gul Dukat?
- Have you ever seen a dead man?
Yes. ln your mines.
Oh, those are casualties.
This...
...is murder. l've decided
you're going to investigate it.
Me? Why me?
l'm no investigator.
But l suspect you'd make a good one,
shape-shifting your way into places
the rest of us can't go.
l have no intention
of being a Cardassian agent.
Not an agent.
An investigator.
There's a difference?
We can't have these Bajorans
murdering each other, can we?
l'm talking about order here, justice.
There's little justice
in your occupation of Bajor.
Don't push me, Odo.
My superiors would have me
solve this murder
by rounding up ten Bajorans at random
and executing them.
l'm hoping you'll give me
a better alternative.
These Bajorans won't talk to us,
but they seem to trust you.
You used to sort out petty disputes
concerning food, blankets.
- They come to you.
- l'm considered a neutral observer.
Of course. You're not one of them.
For that you should be thankful.
So...
here's one more petty dispute.
Only this time,
l'm bringing it to you.
Find the murderer.
Are there any witnesses?
l'm sorry to keep you waiting,
Mrs Vaatrik.
Odo will be investigating
your husband's death.
Perhaps you two
already know each other.
- Have you been into the shop?
- No, l don't use chemicals.
l've assigned this space to you.
We'll get you anything you need.
Madam, my sympathies.
Good hunting.
- l'm sorry for your loss.
- Thank you.
Do you have any idea
who might have done this?
- l have a very good idea.
- You do?
- May l be honest with you?
- That might be helpful.
My husband was having an affair.
A girl showed up on the station
a couple of weeks ago.
He became infatuated with her.
- Why are men like that?
- Believe me, l have no idea.
We had two wonderful years together
until she arrived. And now...
- You loved him very much?
- Of course.
Then perhaps you could explain
something?
Mr Vaatrik died two hours ago.
You haven't shed a tear.
- What makes you think...?
- l'm an observer, Mrs Vaatrik.
When a humanoid cries,
the epidermis swells noticeably.
Your epidermis is perfectly normal.
- l've been too angry to cry.
- Of course.
You were about to accuse this other
woman of the murder, l believe?
He confessed his indiscretion to me,
but said it was over.
And she killed him in a jealous rage.
Do you know her name?
No, but l can point her out to you.
Move along. Step back from the gate.
Attention. All bio-organic materials
must be disposed of
according to regulations.
When was the last time you saw
Mr Vaatrik alive?
At dinner. He went back to the shop
to do some work afterwards.
You don't live in community quarters.
We were assigned a private room.
At least we had a little privacy.
There. That's her.
Odo. We haven't picked up anyone.
l can't hold up traffic any longer.
l'm sure he disposed of the weapon
before he left.
l heard about the list Quark got.
Rom said it was hidden there
during the occupation.
l wonder if it has something
to do with Vaatrik?
l've been wondering the same thing.
Security log, stardate 47284.1.
ln this job,
there is no unfinished business.
This assault on Quark
reopens a five-year-old murder case
that l've never,
not for a moment, closed.
Patience is a lost virtue to most.
To me, an ally.
l barely saw it.
l don't remember any of the names.
All right.
Let's just relax for a moment.
- l should get back to my bar.
- He's not dead yet, Rom.
He's not being kept alive artificially,
is he? He wouldn't want that.
No, he's clinging to life all on his own.
- Typical.
- All right, let's try again.
Close your eyes.
Take a deep breath.
Clear your mind of everything in it,
if there's anything there.
Breathe.
Breathe.
- Now, what do you see?
- The bar.
- Yes?
- With my name on it.
The past, Rom, not the future.
The box opens.
There's a piece of paper inside it.
- Yes, l see it.
- Quark unfolds it.
There's a list of Bajoran names.
The one at the top catches your eye.
- And the first letter is...
- ''C''. lt's a ''C''!
And the next letter is? Skip to the last
letter in the name, Rom.
- lt's an ''O''!
- Starts with ''C'', ends with ''O''.
- There's a mark in the name.
- An apostrophe.
- Ches'so!
- You're sure?
- Maybe.
- Maybe?
lt's something like Ches'so.
l think.
Call me if you remember
something else.
Anything?
- Ches'so.
- Might be the first name on the list.
Remember anyone from those days
on the station with that name?
No, but l wasn't here very long.
- So l recall.
- We never talked about it.
- We never had to.
- l would have been executed.
You were innocent
of the crime l was investigating.
- That wouldn't have mattered.
- lt mattered to me.
Do you mind if l join you?
A pretty girl like you
shouldn't be eating alone.
l don't do whatever it is you want.
No, you misunderstand.
l'm sorry.
l can see how you could.
- Let me start over.
- Are you a security officer?
- How did you know that?
- You are, aren't you?
- Unofficially, l suppose.
- What's that supposed to mean?
Gul Dukat asked me
to investigate the murder
of a Bajoran man named Vaatrik.
l understand you knew him.
- Who says l did?
- His widow.
- l suppose she told you l killed him.
- Did you?
No.
On the contrary,
you were in love with him.
- No.
- But he was in love with you?
No.
- Not much of a romance.
- lt wasn't a romance.
- Why did he tell his wife it was?
- Ask him.
lf you were having an affair,
l'll find out about it.
l've been here for two weeks.
l met the man right after l arrived.
He had Pyrellian ginger tea.
l don't know how he got it,
but l happen to like ginger tea.
We became friends.
Maybe he was attracted to me.
lt never went anywhere.
Why do you think Dukat
wanted you on this investigation?
- l'm sure he had a reason.
- Why not his own people?
No Bajoran would talk to them.
That never stopped
the Cardassians before.
They have ways
of getting their information.
Something to think about.
Where were you last night?
l was at the bar. The Ferengi are
allowed to hire Bajorans for dog work.
- lt's better than the mines.
- You haven't been in the mines.
Your hands.
You're not bad at this.
My last job was at a replicator plant
on Bajor.
You can't quit those jobs.
What happened?
l hit a supervisor...
...for trying what l thought
you were trying a few minutes ago.
l appreciate your restraint this time.
You're not leaving the station?
lf l were, would you have
the Cardassians stop me?
Yes.
Then l'm not planning on leaving
the station soon.
Let me tell you something.
Unofficially or not, you're working
for the Cardassians.
You'll have to choose
whose side you're on.
- l don't choose sides.
- Everyone has to choose sides.
What are you talking about?
- You knew nothing about a list?
- Nothing.
Why would your husband have hidden
a list of Bajoran names?
l can't imagine.
Are you sure it was his?
Maybe the Cardassians put it there
before they left.
Someone on Bajor told Quark
where to find it.
l wish l could help.
l like that little Ferengi.
Don't write his eulogy yet.
l thought you said...
- The Federation doctor saved his life.
- Good for him.
Does the name Ches'so
mean anything to you?
l don't think so.
Who is it?
Just someone l'd like to talk to.
Thank you for seeing me.
lf this has anything to do with my
husband's murder, l want to be of help.
There was one other thing.
Your power was recently terminated
for lack of payment.
That's right.
Yet you transferred funds
to the power company this morning.
l don't appreciate you
looking into my private affairs.
Just part of a routine investigation.
Where did you get the money?
A loan from a friend.
Of course.
And your friend's name?
This has nothing to do
with your investigation.
Then you won't mind giving me
the name.
l'm sorry. My friend is married.
l won't drag him into this.
Security log, supplemental.
The Ferengi holds on to life
like it's gold-pressed latinum.
Maybe he doesn't want his brother
to get the bar...
...or maybe he knows
he's the only witness l have.
The next few hours will tell the story.
We've done everything we can.
l'll keep you updated.
Good news and bad news.
l found our Ches'so.
- Who is he?
- A Bajoran mining engineer.
- Very active in charity work.
- What makes you think it's him?
Some connections from my past
suggested he might be.
The bad news is he's dead.
Drowned in a pond
on his property last night.
l'm responsible.
l mentioned the name Ches'so
to the Vaatrik woman.
lf she recognised it as Ches'sarro and
thought that he might lead us to her...
- Security to the infirmary.
- Acknowledged.
Major, advise the medical examiner
that l want an autopsy on Ches'sarro.
His death is to be treated
as a homicide.
l'll need the communication records
for the Vaatrik home.
Have the bank keep a supervisor
on duty.
- l'll need bank records, as well.
- Whose?
l don't know yet.
l want round-the-clock armed security
on Quark. No visitors.
Stop by one of the holosuites.
Two programmes for the price of one.
l'm looking for the proprietor
of this establishment.
- Does he owe you money?
- No.
- Are you here to arrest him?
- No.
Then you've found him.
Quark, at your service.
First drink on the house.
An old Cardassian tradition.
l don't drink.
- A soft drink, then.
- l don't drink.
That's why we don't see you
around here much.
l'd like to ask you a few questions
about the death of the Bajoran chemist.
You're the shape-shifter.
You're the one working for Dukat.
l'm not working for Dukat.
l'm just trying to solve a murder.
No, l've heard about you.
You do some Cardassian neck trick.
Am l right?
- Not any more.
- That could go over big here.
l'm checking on the alibi
of a young Bajoran woman.
Red hair, named Kira Nerys.
She says she was here last night.
- She wanted a job.
- How long was she here?
- Long enough.
- Long enough for what?
You know.
No, l don't.
Why don't you tell me?
She was showing me her...
...initiative.
- ls that a sexual reference?
- These jobs are hard to come by.
Her credentials were very impressive.
- Listen, what's the problem?
- The problem is you're lying.
l want the truth or l'll turn you over
to Dukat and he can get it.
l didn't realise
we were dealing with a murder.
She didn't pay me enough for that.
She paid you for an alibi?
How will Gul Dukat react
when l tell him about that?
lt'll cost me a case
of Cardassian ale.
Two cases at the very least.
A broken alibi? ls there someone
you want me to arrest?
- Not yet.
- Soon. l need a name.
You'll get your name
when l'm certain it's the right name.
Listen to the way
he speaks to me, Quark.
You're not afraid of anyone, are you,
shape-shifter? Not even me.
l was right about you.
You are the man for this job.
l feel you and l have got off
to a bad start here.
Let me make it up to you.
You need anything?
A little ginger tea?
No, you don't drink.
Chocolate?
Maybe companionship?
You look like you lost
your best friend.
- ls Quark...?
- Quark is stable.
- What's this?
- The list.
l assembled it from the Vaatrik
woman's records.
She's been talking to these people,
which she had never done
until two days ago.
When the list was stolen.
Every one of them has transferred
100,000 Bajoran litas
into her bank account.
Blackmail?
What did they have to hide?
That they'd come out of the occupation
with that kind of money.
- They worked with the Cardassians?
- Selling out their own world for a profit.
Collaborators.
Not even a Ferengi would do that.
lt explains a lot of things.
- Can you charge her?
- Not yet.
l'll ask the Bajoran authorities
to transport her here for questioning.
Nobody ever had to teach me
the justice trick.
That's something l've always known,
a racial memory from my species.
lt's the only clue l have to
what kind of people they are.
Are these thoughts appropriate
for a Starfleet log? l don't care.
There's no room in justice
for loyalty or friendship or love.
Justice, as the humans like to say,
is blind.
l used to believe that.
l'm not sure l can any more.
Yes, l lied about my alibi.
That doesn't make me a killer.
Where were you
when he was murdered?
Asleep, alone.
No one saw you
in the community quarters?
l wasn't there.
l've found a small corner...
- You're lying.
- l...
Don't bother.
Your whole face changes.
l should have seen it before.
You don't lie well.
Thanks.
Why don't you start telling the truth?
Whose side are you going to be on?
- l'm not going to play your game.
- You'll have to choose.
That's why l was given this job,
why you come to me with problems.
l'm the outsider.
All l'm interested in is justice.
lf you're innocent, you'll go free.
lf not, l'll turn you over to Cardassian
authorities. That's the only choice.
l didn't kill him.
When he was killed,
l was on level 21.
21? Ore processing?
Check the Cardassian security logs.
You'll see a breach on 21last night.
l'm in the Bajoran underground.
l came here to commit acts of sabotage
against the Cardassians.
The ore processor was damaged
by a sub-nucleonic device
at 25:00 hours last night.
lt'll be out of operation for two weeks.
Give the mine workers a little time off
at least.
l'll describe the device l used
if you still don't believe me.
That's why you needed an alibi.
lf you tell the Cardassians the truth,
none of this will matter.
l'll be executed for the sabotage.
They hang rebels.
- ls this her?
- l told you when l have the...
ls this her?
No. You can go.
lf you're lying, shape-shifter...
lf you know so much about me,
Gul Dukat, you know l don't lie.
l am convinced
that she did not kill Vaatrik.
- ls it too late for visitors?
- No visitors permitted.
Perhaps you could put these in water?
Odo to Bashir.
Report to the infirmary immediately.
lt's over, Rom. You're a hero.
- l am?
- You saved your brother's life.
l've never seen him before in my life.
Your communication records indicate
that you made calls to his home.
You also transferred money
into his account two days ago.
- l want to confer with my advocate.
- l'll make the arrangements.
Meantime, the two of you can introduce
yourselves to one another.
l don't care what you think you know,
you will never be able to prove
that l killed my husband
because l didn't.
l know.
When did you realise?
lt occurred to me when you got
the name Ches'sarro so quickly.
Your underground friends
must have suspected him
of being a collaborator.
Once l knew the names
were a list of collaborators,
the murder of Vaatrik made sense
for the first time.
He must have been a collaborator, too.
He had the money for ginger tea.
He had the private quarters.
l never had a motive
for his murder until now.
He kept his wife in relative luxury.
She surely wouldn't have killed him.
So who would kill
a Cardassian collaborator?
Someone in the Bajoran underground.
A colleague of mine was given the job
of sabotaging the ore processor.
- Vaatrik was my responsibility.
- You were here to execute him.
l was here to find the list, the names
of the Bajorans selling us out.
Vaatrik was their direct link to Dukat.
That must have been
why Dukat chose me to investigate.
He had to stay far away
from this incident
so as not to endanger
his Bajoran sympathisers.
Obviously, l never found the list.
But that's what l was looking for
when Vaatrik walked in on me.
- l didn't have a choice.
- l misjudged you, Major.
You were a better liar
than l gave you credit for.
You were working for the Cardassians.
l haven't been for more than a year.
You've had that time to tell me the truth.
l tried to tell you the truth 100 times.
What you think of me...
...matters a lot.
l was afraid...
That it might affect our friendship?
Maybe it doesn't have to.
Will you ever be able to trust me
the same way again?