Late Night Murder

We sit next to each other on the train, still pretending to be strangers. Casting dark clouds near it, the setting sun paints the sky of pink, purple, and orange. I sit on the plush red seat and lean on the cold window. Eyes droop … sun gone… I jolt awake. I check my watch. 7:03. Rain pours like little cannon balls, hitting the train with much impact. Great. Six to seven hours left for Maine. I look to my right inside the dimly lit train compartment. To my disappointment he is still up. Chris and I used to be two peas in a pod. So close we considered each other brothers. Until two weeks ago. It was just another adjunct to the case. Unnecessary. We were pertinacious to our own opinions. Fighting over who was right and wrong. We ended up losing the case. We were both suspended for a month. Anger reflected in his eyes. Both of our badges were taken away. I start saying Hello when a scream gets everyone’s attention. A lady in the back faints off her seat as she sees the dead body in behind her. It was a man in his mid 30’s with a suit and a suitcase. Phone in my hands I dial 911. No service. I immediately get up to take a closer look. Dark red blood oozes out of his mouth as if he were throwing up. I check for signs of wounds. Nothing. Poisoned. By whom? I check again. This time marks around the neck are visible. The killer must have an aptitude for killing because by the looks of it, this person failed choking his victim so has chosen another way of killing. When I go back to my seat Chris looks at me. He asks what was it? A dead body. Any evidence? Very few, the man was poisoned. Need help with the case? Nope. A tight feeling forms in my throat. I can sense the passengers’ fear. I fear too. An hour later another scream. Another body. More blood. Everyone stay calm! I exclaim, don’t panic this is being worked out. Immediately I scan the faces for any sign of satisfaction. I see a couple of faces that might match the killer's profile. Especially in the back. White male. Late 20’s. Simple T-shirt and jeans. There is something about his expression that piques my suspicion. Seeing me, he flees. I chase him. I catch him contemplating whether to jump off the train or not. Giving me a look of defeat he lets me handcuff him to a railing without commotion. I take the bag from under his seat and give them to Chris. I told you I could solve the case. Well done he replies. He asks for two glasses of champagne. A strange feeling nags at my stomach but I ignore it. We cheer and drink. I open the bag. Money. Stacks. No trace of poison. I look at Chris he replies with a smile. He says too bad, you were wrong, if only we both had enough time to make it to Maine alive. And we fall.

~ Kevin C.