The Midnight Murders

. 2 .

The light clunked back on, and George found himself facing two police officers, one with a gun pointed at his chest.

"Now, I don't want any funny business," the one with the gun said, "so why don't you put that letter opener down and we can talk this out?"

George stooped, placing the letter opener on the floor and straightening up again, hands raised above his head.

"Now listen here," said the other officer, speaking with a tone of authority. "We have firm grounds to arrest you on suspicion of breaking and entering, do you know that this is a privately owned property? How did you get in? "

"The door.. Over there... " George gestured behind him with a hand, still above his head.

"Right." The officer replied. "The door to the maintenance room that was locked from the inside."

"Ah, um, you see... Must have- must have been open a smidge." George suggested helpfully.

"A likely story, " the police officer looked him up and down. "Well I'm sure, were we to go and investigate, we would find evidence to support a break in, but as it so happens, and luckily for you I might add, that's not why we're here."

"Oh? " George asked hopefully.

"Recently, we have been receiving several calls at midnight, always from the same person, and always declaring a murder."

George said nothing, but just listened.

"A murder which they immediately admit to. Each and every time."

George nodded slowly, frowning.

"Now we understand that you are a private detective." The officer continued.

"Ah." George said, realising where he was going.

"We need you, the police needs you, and as much as I wouldnt like to admit it, the city needs you." The one with the gun added.

"Well, ah, you see, actually I'm quite busy, I already have a case in fact."

"Snooping around storage facilities?" The first officer asked.

"No, I um...actually I'm looking for someones cat." George explained, sheepishly.

The officer seemed to try very hard to stifle a laugh.

"A cat??" He asked. "A private detective, private eyes for hire, out looking for a cat?"

George said nothing, and eyed the floor, examining a stain on the concrete.

"So." The officer said. "What's it going to be? Will you take the case, and we leave now, and you report back to us, or will you not, and we can all take a walk over there to evaluate the evidence for a breaking and entering case?"

George's gaze on the ground intensified, scrutinizing a water leak to one side.

"Well?" The officer with the gun spoke up.

"Fine." George said finally. "I'll take the case."