Game Set in Murders

A Match in Play

The ground was coated in a blanket of freshly fallen snow. "Villainous, this cold is," Eckard complained and brushed the last of the precipitation from his dirty blonde head. The three detectives made way through the night in the outskirts of Oxford, to the latest scene of a murder.

Walter Hersch always was three paces ahead of Eckard and Louis-Philippe. He was the adult out of them, and enjoyed acting as a leader of sorts. He was the first to be recognised because of this. Famous in the area, one might say, but he didn't let it rush to his head. Walter was a tall, 45 year old man with short, dark hair and soft brown eyes, and kept his facial hair short and neat. No matter the occasion, he was always seen wearing his brown coat and brown top hat.

Eckard Bowne was a man of many talents, especially known for his accuracy with any kind of gun. He preferred the common Flintlock Pistol. Eckard is the detective who brings justice - the arresting, or death if the villain resists. He believes in chaos and order, and what comes around comes back around, and wants to be the one to deliver. Eckard has the build of a man with normal exercise. He takes pride in his long blonde hair running just passed his ears, and wields a pair of menacing green eyes. Never will you see a strand of hair on his face.

Louis-Philippe Le Guern was born in the heart of Paris, but moved to England after a group of men tried to kill him. Still, he doesn't allow any trouble to ruin his joy. He always sees the bright side of everything and wears a constant smile to show. When verbally attacked, he responds with humor and sarcasm. Louis has a weakness: women. He'll do anything for a night with one. And with his good looks, he's pretty successful with such. This ladiesman wears his light blonde hair short and lures a girl in with sweet blue eyes. He wears a thin mustache. On every outfit, he always has a splash of purple on.

"Complaining won't make the ice melt," Walter irritably replied through cigar-filled teeth. "Sodium acetate will. Like it burned through the last victim we saw. I hate the cold!" Eckard wrapped his own arms around himself as Walter exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Get over it. We have a job to do."

"Right," Eckard began. "Who died and how did he or she die?" He spoke of the murder casually. The three saw plenty of death in their line of work - brutal ones at that. They were the best at crime solving, always assigned the most gruesome and unfathomable of cases.

Walter took the Cigar out to explain. "Brewer informed me that this latest cause of death was drowning. Margaret Farley is the name of the body we'll be seeing shortly." He puffed another smoke.

"Honestly, old fart, I don't understand why you call Morris by his last name. It sounds weird," Eckard whined. "Because he is our commanding officer, twit. And a good man." Walter blew a cloud of smoke in Eckard's direction. Louis added to the reasoning with, "He gives us our paychecks as well... and with a sister like that, anyone deserves a bit of respect." After a slight chuckle from Louis, Eckard snapped. "All you need for satisfaction is women and money, I swear."

Louis wrapped his arm around Eckard, and gave him a peck on the cheek, much to his dismay. "You love me still, my darling!"

"I'd love to strangle you, that's true."

"Sounds erotic."

"You think everything is erotic."

"You make me this way, Eckard,  you sly bastard."

"Won't you ever quit?"

"I'm no quitter. I love when you play hard to get."

"Do shut up, Louis. You drive me mad."

"That's sweet of you. I may blush."

"I'd like enough blood rushing to your head for your life to end."