Alibi

Aunt Janice looked up at the inspector. She said, 'Sineas could never harm anyone in that way.'

'And your sister? Your statement at the station in Breechwood, Janice, eleven years ago. You said she had moods. Violent moods. Maybe this is an example.'

'My mother is not a killer,' Sineas muttered.

'You said something, kid?' asked Deputy James.

Sineas looked at the two officers in turn. He felt a bit of anger towards James because he thought someone of his own colour would at least try to show him some compassion. 'I said my mother is not a killer,' he said again with a little more boldness to his tone.

'All the evidence disagrees, Sineas,' said the inspector.

He answered, 'You laid the evidence against us, Charles. You had your turn to accuse us but you gave us the floor so let me speak.'

The inspector raised his hands apologetically, grinning. 'Be my guest.'

Sineas rubbed his hands nervously. He said, 'At school, you told us that whoever murdered Justin brought his severed body parts back to the bus stop, right?'

The inspector nodded.

'Justin Foyer was probably about a hundred-and-eighty to two hundred pounds, approximately. Chop him up and you would be successful in reducing the weight by fifteen to twenty pounds. Easier to move, but not that easy. And as you can see for yourselves, officers, I don't look like the kind of person who can move that kind of weight.'

'Except if you had help,' James pointed out.

Sineas nodded in agreement, 'Yes, except if I had help. When Justin went missing, my mother was still in Breechwood and I'm sure if you check her records, they'll verify that fact. That right there immediately rules my mother out as an accomplice. Which leaves my aunt. It would make one wonder though, especially a jury, how an aunt and her eighteen year old nephew could cut up a body, and need I remind you sirs that cutting a human body into six perfect pieces is probably no joke. That's a task that could take hours in time. Time that would definitely allow a witness to pass by and observe what was happening, take his time in calling the police and the end result would be us being thrown into jail. Furthermore, having minced up that body, I'm convinced, Charles that that kind of work could leave the body fatigued. And when one is exhausted, bloody and cautiously looking over his or her shoulder, don't you think mistakes are inevitable? Fingerprints, blood, DNA, hair…? Okay…let's move on to the disappearance of Miss Bale…'

The inspector's face had completely changed. He was starting to look very pale.

'When did you say Miss Bale disappeared?' Sineas asked.

A tiny droplet trickled down the side of the inspector's head. 'Uh…It's…' he rubbed his chin. He looked over to his deputy for backup.

James looked to the floor.

'Friday night…the sixth of this month,' Inspector Charles answered.

'And that same night, I arrived home from school at 4:45 P.M. My aunt was here, ready to go out for a jog. She returned from her run at 6 P.M. Three hours later, which is 9 P.M., we were watching a movie, Crane Warship, just like we told you earlier. At 10:37 P.M., I was in bed. Clarissa Sherman called me at exactly 11 P.M to tell me that Justin's body, or more accurately, pieces of it, had been recovered, courtesy of the News Bulletin. And now, Charles, you're thinking, "How do we know you were in bed?" Good, let me answer that for you. Just after Clarissa's call, I went to open the window a little wider because it was getting hotter in my room. I looked outside my window and I saw our neighbour, Mr Pierce, chasing a stray dog from his backyard. The dog was of no distinct specific breed. My guess is that it was a cross between an Alsatian and a Labrador. The dog was black…had a certain limp. Mr. Pierce was wearing a beach shirt, khaki shorts and orange flip-flops. Mr. Pierce may not be well acquainted with us, Charles, but I strongly doubt that he's a binge drinker. Ask him about his actions and whereabouts that night.' He paused, now looking at the two policemen.

The inspector was scratching the back of his head, staring at Aunt Janice's feet. Deputy James was also staring at her feet. Maybe there was something fascinating about her feet.

Sineas said, 'I'm not a lawyer or a judge, Charles, but I'm sure your "evidence" will get thrown out of court before it makes it past the door.'

The silence that followed was unbearable. The inspector and James would give each other sideways looks then turn back to the floor. Finally, Inspector Charles stood up. He placed his hat back on top of his head. He cleared his throat. 'I think we can all agree that it's been a long day. My deputy and I might or will come again when new evidence surfaces.' He nodded at James and the two began marching out.