Murder at the Pizza Place (Short story)

Murder at the Pizza Place

Ah! I shut off my alarm that jolted me from my peaceful sleep. I sighed deeply. Another amazing day, I sure cant wait for work again. I grabbed my uniform from off my dresser and began changing. I grabbed my orange baseball cap and nametag, as well as my apron before making my way to the driveway. I hopped in my car and drove off to work.

ANOTHER RED LIGHT! I screamed at no-one in particular, Italys traffic has been rough ever since I moved here. I really need to get a new job, Tonys Pizzeria is just too far away, I know Dyna is wanting to leave so Ill talk to her when I get to work. If Im lucky we can both help each other land another job, even luckier if we can get a job at the same place since were on good terms. Finally.. I turned off the radio, locked the car doors, and walked inside.

Tonys Pizzeria was filled with police when I arrived. It was strange to see so many people in such a small restaurant. I rushed over to Tina to try to figure out what was going on. Oh good morning Mike. I nodded, Yeah good morning, what the hell is going on why is the place flooded with police? Tinas gaze fell to the ground. Well, we all just got to work.. Jill and I were catching up from last nights party with Tony and everyone but Dom came into the break room panicked. I was nodding throughout her retelling of todays events. Jill like Gilbaneezer Jill? She nodded, Shes always preferred to go by Jill you know that. She flashed a small smile before continuing. Anyways, Dom came in and told us that Dyna was found dead in the kitchen.

Dynas dead..? No, that cant be right. Shes the glue that holds this place together. I turned around without making eye contact with Tina. Sorry I need to go talk to Dom. I made my way into the breakroom expecting to see Dom but the only person in there was my manager, Tony, I noticed him reading a book.

What are you reading, boss? Tony put the book back on the table. To Kill a Mockingbird. A bit morbidly ironic. I couldnt see Tonys gaze. So Tina wasnt lying then.. Tony coughed, Yeah, theres obviously no work today. I might be closing shop for the week at least, if not more, I dont know how public theyre going with this. Dom walked into the room. Hey Mike, you already heard about it? I nodded silently while Dom took their seat. Dom faced towards Tony, Harper Lee? Tony nodded. Dom looked satisfied and turned their attention to me. The police are suspecting that the culprit is one of the people who worked here last night.

I grabbed the chair adjacent to Tony and continued the conversation. So it was me, you, Tony, Jill, Tina.. and Dyna Tony continued, Im expecting that the police are going to interrogate us, itd be smarter for us to try to prove our innocence now and not worry about it. Unless you want to get interrogated. Not particularly, no. Dom nodded in agreement with my sentiment. I decided to walk away from the breakroom and back into the lobby. I found Jill waiting near the backside of the establishment around the restrooms. She was shaking from head to toe.

369, 370, 371, 372 I shook my head and made my way to her. You okay? She slowly made eye contact with me. 373 hey I scratched the back of my head. What are you doing? She flashed a shy smile. Counting.. My therapist said it helps in stressful situations. I nodded understandingly. Are you waiting for Tina or something?

Yeah shes been in the bathroom ever since you went into the break room, Im assuming she just wanted to tell you about Dyna first. I tilted my head. Yeah I guess so. We stood in silence for a few minutes. I decided my presence might lighten her anxiety a little. In a few minutes Tina came out of the restroom. Now that she was here and Dyna was no longer alone I decided to go over to the kitchen.

I began thinking to myself. If the culprit is one of the people on last nights shift I need to think about anything suspicious. If I remember correctly Tina and I left first, and Jill left soon after. Dom and Dyna were still in the building talking to Tony, so logically the most suspicious would be Tony and Dom. I dont know who left next.