MADMAN'S DEMISE

Prologue

Monday, March 31th, 1958

The rain shattered against the windows as the last day of March was reaching its very end. I sat on my sofa, filling in my calendar to prepare for the new month. The gramophone was peacefully spinning on low volume behind me, entertaining me with the wonderful tones of Ferlin Husky's "Gone". I hummed along with the song as I wrote on the paper journal placed in my lap.

I arrived home from work about an hour ago, and now I was just enjoying myself with a little after-work to keep everything scheduled and in control.

But my humming instantly stopped as a clear knock was heard on my door, and as I rose from the comforting sofa, I narrowed my eyes, confused about who it could be, knocking on my door at 6 pm on a Monday without previous notice.

A strike of paranoia traced my body, and in instinct, I grabbed the letter opener from the counter in the hallway before I opened the door.

My eyes widened with surprise as I looked at the two uniformed men standing outside my house with stable postures and polite faces.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Frazier." Said the tall man standing in the front.

I swallowed hard, kept my hand hidden behind the door, not wanting them to witness the paper knife still held tightly in my hand.

"Good afternoon, officers."

Suddenly the surprise turned into worry as I realized something must have happened, and I took a tiny, swift step back in defense.

"What brings you here this evening? Is everything alright?"

I tried to sound decent, but my eager concern was taking over me, afraid of what could have happened to somebody I cared for.

The taller man pulled his lips into a smile and nodded gently in assurance.

"Would you mind if we come inside for a moment?" The man inquired, keeping his gentle smile.

"Not at all," I replied with voice filled with concern.

"Did something happen? Is my father okay? What about my little brother?" The crawling worry made me spit out words on impulse, but I had to know that my family was okay.

The good-looking police officer placed a hand on my shoulder as he reached the final step to my doorway, and once again he smiled. Discretely I put down the knife on the counter behind me again as they stepped inside my home.

"Your family is okay, Ms. Frazier." He ensured, and walked with me through the hall and into my living room with the shorter, much more silent officer following behind.

"Thank goodness," I breathed, palming my chest in relief.

"Would you gentlemen like a cup of coffee? Tea?" I offered, now with a rather friendlier voice as I could settle with the fact that my father and brother were alright.

"Thank you." The leading man replied.

I tipped over to the kitchen to start the percolator and bring two cups of coffee to the both policemen now sitting in my living room. I sat down opposed to them both and looked at them with inquiring eyes as I took a sip from my own cup.