Crime Scene

Detective Gina Walder stood in the doorway of the apartment taking a mental snapshot of the living room. An overturned chair. Magazines and knick knacks, were scattered on the floor, along with an HP laptop, probably from the coffee table. One couch cushion askew and a bright green throw pillow tossed haphazardly to one side. The Price is Right was screaming from the television.

Her experience told her the scene was staged.

Her partner had a different thought. “Looks like the perp was searching for something.” They stepped further into the room, careful to not disturb anything. The crime scene geeks were already busy taking pictures and cataloging evidence.

“I don’t think so, Charlie, its pretty neat for a ransack. The shelves are all intact. None of the books or Cd’s are out of place. Her purse is emptied, but cash and cards are still there.”

“Nah. He just ran outta time before bing surprised by the vic.” Gina shook her head. Charlie was a nice guy, but he didn’t always put forth a lot of effort during investigations. Just a quick look was enough for him. “Besides, Gina, the kitchen is where the action took place, come on.”

The kitchen was definitely where the action was. Breakfast dishes had been swept from the table. Soggy cereal was topped with blood spatter. A puddle of coffee was mingling with red from the head wounds suffered by the once pretty blond lying on the floor.

“There was no surprise, the vic was already here,” Gina said, “whoever it was, was after her.”

Charlie shrugged, “we’ll have to wait for the ME before we can move her, but I’d say the COD was blunt force trauma to the head. What d’ya think Gina?”

Gina looked at what was left of the woman’s face. “What do I think? I think this is a crime of passion. Overkill for sure. The perp was pissed off at this woman.” She turned to Charlie, “that’s what I think.”

“Or just robbery gone bad. The living room’s a mess, remember.”

“That room was set-up. And if it was robbery, why not steal the TV, laptop, or at least her credit cards?”

“Neighbors say she was a nice quiet type. No male visitors. Home at a reasonable time in the evening. Everyone liked her.” Charlie spied a glint around the woman’s neck. “Some bling here, Gina.” He gently lifted a pendant with his pen. A golden heart with a single diamond.

“She had a man in her life then. Women don’t often buy that kind of thing for themselves.” Gina unconsciously touched the pendant she wore.

Charlie switched gears, “anyway, the guy across the hall is a maybe. About her age, I’d guess. Maybe he was more interested in her than she was in him.”

“Possible. Check him for priors. Ask him downtown for more info, then push him to see how well he knew her. Or wanted to know her. I’ll go see her employer and talk to her co-workers. See what they have to say.” Gina made her way to the entry door. She’d wait for the forensics team to tell her more.

Charlie watched Gina leave. Before he got away himself, one of the crime geeks brought him the vics cell phone is a clear evidence bag.

“Your body just got a text, detective.”

Charlie held the bag up, he had his perp. The message was on the screen.

She knows

Write a piece in which your character catches that dramatic break in the case and is on the verge of putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. Help us solve a classic “who-dunnit” but don’t tell us who it is! Let’s see if we can guess for ourselves in your comments!  (yes, I failed.  But I tried!)