Stretching the Truth

Granny sits in the back of a police car, terrified, unsure of what'll happen next. Her hands are cuffed so tight that they're pinching her frail skin. Tears stream down her wrinkled face as the horrid event replays in her mind. Why didn't he just leave me alone, why? All I wanted to do was have a peaceful day feeding the ducks and he had to go and spoil it. Oh, why didn't I just walk away, why? I should've known better than to beat him in broad daylight. Now, because of my lapse in judgment, I may have to spend the rest of my life in jail. Oh, what was I thinking, what? She sobs. She looks up to see two officers talking to her victim in front of the car. A male officer glares at her and then turns away. I bet he's feeding them a bunch of hogwash. Well, I'll have my own story to tell. Yeah, that's what I'll do, I'll give them the most heartbreaking version I can think of. Make him look bad. The car door opens; Granny looks over at the female officer beside her. It's just who I was hoping for. She smiles to herself.

"I've heard his side of the story, now I want to hear yours," the cop says as she takes a notebook from her pocket.

Sniffling, Granny wipes her face on her sleeve and begins. "He asks me for some money. I told him I didn't have any, which I really don't otherwise I would've given it to him. I'm a Christian lady, who helps others when she can." She looks towards the sky and adds, "it's what God would want me to do."

The officer glances up from her paper. "What happened next?"

"I mentioned several places where he could go for help. He became belligerent, said a few things A Christian woman shouldn't hear let alone repeat."

" Go on."

"I said I couldn't help him and tried to walk away. He said I better give him some money or else. This terrified me to no end. I'm still shaken by it, see." Granny lifts her trembling hands.

The officer looks up again. "So what happened next?"

"I scream for help. He yells at me, tells me to shut my mouth. I keep screaming, hoping someone will save me. He throws down his bottle and charges towards me." Granny starts to cry. "I didn't want to hurt him, honest. But all I could think about is how my dear sweet friend was beaten and raped just last week. I…I was so afraid I'd be next."

"What did you do?"

I moved out of the way and he fell down. I tried to leave, He grabs my leg and tries to pull me down," she bawls. She blows her nose then says, "I'm usually not such a crybaby but this has been so upsetting."

"So you hit him with your cane because?"

"I was trying to protect myself." She wipes her face on her sleeve then continues. "All I wanted to do was feed the ducks." She glances towards the pond. "Oh, why couldn't he just leave me alone, why?" She cries. "Please, officer, please, you have to believe me. I didn't want to hurt him, but I didn't know what else to do."

"I'll be right back." She reaches for the door.

Sniffling, Granny quickly adds. "Please tell him God loves him and that I'll pray that he finds the help he needs."

"I'll see what my partner wants to do." She closes the door.

That went better than I expected. Granny thinks, watching the officers exchange heated words. A third officer points towards the top of a lamp post. What's he pointing at? She sees a camera midway up the wood. Good thing I didn't elaborate too much.

A little while later, the car door opens again.

"The surveillance tape corroborates what you told me," the female officer states.

"So I'm free to go?"

"Yes, ma'am." She reaches for Granny's cuffs.

Granny glances over to see the drunk being escorted across the lot. "What's going to happen to him?"

"He's headed to the station." the officer notices her coworker running towards her.

Running towards her, the officer's co-worker yells, "Stop, don't release her yet. The captain wants to talk to her before she goes."

Grabbing her chest, Granny doubles over in pain. "Nitro, I need my Nitro, they're in my side pocket," she gasps.

The officer reaches in and pulls out a small brown bottle. "These?"

Granny nods. "Put one under my tongue."

The officer does as she's told. "Better?"

"No, that's worse, much worse. My heart can't take all this..." Granny falls sideways in the seat.

***

Walking into the ICU waiting room, Marge pauses at the door. This brings back a lot of bad memories. She recalls all the times she visited her husband here before he passed. I hope George doesn't die on me too. Taking a breath, she walks to their phone. "Yes, I'm here to see George Patrick... Is he alright? I don't understand…"Ok, I'll wait for you by the door."

A nurse walks into the lobby a few seconds later and glances around.

Marge darts towards her. "I'm the one asking about George Patrick."

The nurse takes Marg's cold, bony hands in hers. She pats it then says, "I'm afraid Mr. Patrick didn't make it, ma'am."

Marge glances solemnly towards the floor; a tear slips down her cheek.

"Are you a relative?"

"No, I'm just a friend, we go to church together."

"Do you know how we can reach his family?"

"He doesn't have any. it's their loss that caused him to drink. My friend and I were trying to help him get through it, but I guess we failed." She sniffles.

"Your friend said the same thing, but you have to understand what happened to him isn't your fault. That unless he wants to change, there's nothing you can do."

"I've been told that before. Wait, did you just say my friend was here?"

"Yes, she came in about an hour ago."

I wonder why Matelda didn't mention her visit to me.

"I'm truly sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, Hon." Turning, Marge walks out the door.

***

Seeing his detectives working at their desks, Joe walks toward them. "How's it going, guys?"

"Not well, I'm afraid, boss. George died a couple of hours ago and that's just the beginning of our problems." Frustrated, Jerry tosses his glasses on his desk.

"Did he say anything about his attack?"

"No, sir, the nurse said she tried to ask him about it, but all he kept saying is Granny."

"It's highly unlikely that our killer is a grandma

"I bet he saw his Granny on the other side," Rachel says.

"That's possible, I suppose. What about our suspects?"

Jeff glances up from his desk. "They all have airtight alibis for the time of the murder."

"How about the victim's exes?"

"Two of them have alibis and the third is out of the country. He has been since their divorce."

"He didn't make a quick trip back to the states?"

"Not that I can find, sir. I did get a list of possible suspects from their exes." Lifting up a piece of paper he continues. "I'm going through them now."

"What about their finances?"

"I didn't find any red flags, boss and I'm almost finished with their histories. As far as I can tell they're just three working-class citizens struggling to get by."

Joe scratches his head. "Are there any connections?"

"The only common ground I've found so far is that they've all worked at Tysons, but most of Berryville's residents have." The work is grueling, but the pay is nice.

Joe laughs. "You're probably right about that. Is there any forensics?"

"It's all in this box." Jerry smiles as he taps on the small wooden container.

Why would Sharon put it in there? A snake pops out when Joe opens the crate. Screaming, he flings the lid across the room, smacking a coworker in the head.

The officer springs from his seat. He loses his footing and falls back in his chair. His butt catches the edge. He and the chair plop to the floor.

"Two for the price of one." Jerry laughs.

"Oh, you'll get yours, Jerry; you can count on that, right Steve?"

Steve glares at Jerry as he gets off the floor. "Damn skippy he will."

Their captain walks out of his office. "What's going on out here and why is my rubber snake on the floor?"

"Jerry is up to his old pranks again, Sir." Joe picks up the toy and hands it to him.

"Didn't you learn your lesson the last time, Jerry?"

"Joe won't get the best of me again, sir."

"That's what you think." Joe smiles.

"Leave me out of it this time."

"Yes, Captain," they say in unison. An ornery smile creeps across their faces as the two mischievous fellows glance toward Rachel.