Murder in the First Degree

Joseph

I pull up to Triple Threat in my cherry red Dodge Charger, my mind running through all the memories at the little drinkery.
"Wassup Jo.  You good?" Nick the security guard asks in his raspy voice.
"Yeah, I'm alright.  Just coming here to get a drink; hopefully it will keep my mind off of things."  Nick just smiles, and opens the door.  I saunter to the bar, having a feeling of regret for coming.
"Hey Madison," I utter with a sigh "Can I have a glass of Henny?"
"Of course Jo.  I'm so-"
"It's ok, no need to say sorry." I interrupt.  She smiles sympathetically and pulls out a glass and a bottle of Hennessy.  She places it in front of me
"Here you go sweetie." She starts to turn away from me. "Do you want to talk Joseph? I know it's hard but you should know that we are all here for you; me, Nick, everyone."
"The hearing is October 17.  Based on the autopsy, Chase was murdered." 
"Jesus Christ." Madison murmurs.
"Can we get two Margaritas over here Maddy?"
"Be right back." Madison says walking away.  Loud music blasts as I drain most of my glass.  Madison returns.
"Maddy it was horrible to see him. His face was so beat up I mean, I could barely recognize him. He had been stitched up but you could clearly tell whoever did this was a sick person with something against Chase." Madison plops onto her stool shocked, hand over her mouth.  I close my eyes, recalling the sight of his dead body.  The police called me up to the station two days ago to identify him.  I shake my head.
"It's just a matter of who; Chase was a good man with good morals, charming personality.  I just don't understand.". Looking around, watching the many faces laughing and smiling in the little tavern, I swallow the rest of my liquor.  "That's awful.  I remember how Chase's green eyes would sparkle with that smile of his." she sighs.  "He was like a nephew to me."  Wiping away tears, Madison smiles a little.  "Never will I ever forget that smile of his, lit up a room with it.  I'm gonna miss him so much.  Excuse me." she says sniffling, swiftly walking to the bathroom.  My queue to leave. 
"Hey Nick, can you tell Maddy I'm leaving; gotta run some errands."
"Of course."  Nick replies with a good-bye.  Running my hands through my hair, I open my car door, smooth my jeans and breathe out heavily.  I never knew it would be this hard without my bestfriend.