Always Check the Brakes

Constable Mitchum appeared at the scene a little over 3am. He’s not really a constable, but he calls himself one. Two officers, Frank and Dennis, were taking pictures, carefully arranging themselves in the best possible angle. A small trail of blood sputters across the living room floor adjacent to the officers’ positions and visible to the arriving Mitchum. He walks gangly, cautious of his movements and unwavering curiosity.

“What happened here?”, he asks in a smooth-radio tone voice to the nearby technicians collecting samples.

“We’re not sure yet. Neighbors heard a lot of screaming and thrashing. There’s blood all around but no body. The department is contacting the residents.”

“Could be a quarrel. Or a break in. Maybe a little bit of both”, Mitchum answered.

“Not so sure about that Mitch. There no sign of forced entry, and the bath-”

“Ever thought about the window Dennis?”

“No, they’re tapped shut. Where you should be looking is-”

“Maybe it was a gas leak.”

“God damn it, there he goes again”, Frank mutters to Dennis.

“I understand the need for due process, but this is an open and shut case gentlemen. Now, where’s the bedroom?”