At a Lakeside… Very early morning, it is hardly light. There is a car near a lake, two bodies lying next to it.
Inspector: (Climbing out of his car) That is certainly a long and winding road to get here. What do we have, Sergeant Piobar?
Sergeant: This couple was found by a local resident about an hour ago on his morning walk.
Inspector: Who is the local?
Sergeant: This gent here, (motions a man over) who calls himself Sir Paul.
Inspector: Good Morning, Good Morning, Sir Paul, sorry to meet you under such circumstance. Did you know the couple?
Sir Paul: Unfortunately, I do. The man is named Desmond, and that is his wife, Molly. The Jones family.
Sergeant: Sir Paul says that Mr. Jones there worked in the local Marketplace.
Inspector: I see, and what about the wife?
Sir Paul: She was a singer in a band. That’s how I met them. I was also in a band, once.
Sergeant: Would you have an address for them, Sir Paul?
Sir Paul: Over on Penny Lane. Can’t miss it, it’s the one after 909, and there is a large garden for their kids to play in.
Inspector: Do they come here often, or is it unusual to discover them here?
Sir Paul: Molly, er, Mrs. Jones, was here a few days ago. I came out by the lake, and I saw her standing there.
Inspector: Was she troubled?
Sir Paul: She seemed exhausted. She told me: “Paul, I’m so tired.” But she did not say of what. I told her, if you’ve got trouble, or just need help, I would do what I could. But she just said, “That means a lot, Paul, but I’m fine.” So, I left her. But I should have known better.
Sergeant: Did she happen to mention that she’s leaving home? Perhaps there was some other guy?
Sir Paul: No, there was nothing shaking on that. Don’t get me wrong, she had the devil in her heart at times, but she would not have left Desmond.
Inspector: Sir Paul, you said there were children?
Sir Paul: Yes. Well, I mean, they are grown now. The boy works the barrow in the marketplace, and the girl is down in Liverpool auditioning for a place in a band of her own.
Sergeant: Have they been notified?
Sir Paul: No. Shall I call them?
Inspector: Sir Paul, we’d rather you left that to myself and my Sergeant.
Sir Paul: All right. I gave Sergeant Piobar my contact information if you need anything else.
Inspector: We would request that you make a formal statement of your findings at the station, Sir Paul, and an accounting of your whereabouts last night, and possibly, the night before.
Sir Paul: Certainly. Shall I meet you there after tea? Let’s say half-five, then?
Sergeant: That will be fine, thank you, Sir Paul.
Sir Paul turns to leave, the Inspector stops him.
Inspector: Wait, Sir Paul, one moment, please. Is that strawberries I smell?
Sir Paul: It is. I have a field of them, just through that wood there.
Inspector: It’s a very strong scent, that field must be large.
Sir Paul: Yes, in fact, as you stand there looking over it, it seems to go on forever.
Inspector: One more thing, please. That painting over there on the rock. Does it say “Lucy” in blue paint?
Sir Paul: Yes. An old friend. (He looks up, reflectively) She’s gone on now. Up there.
Inspector: Oh, I see. Sorry for your losses, Sir Paul.
Sergeant: Sir Paul, my constable notes that there is a yellow object sunken in the lake? Are you aware of it?
Sir Paul: (Smiles) Yes. That’s an old submarine. There was a commune of sorts around this lake once, back in the 60’s. The silly beggars thought they would live in the bloody thing. Then, it sunk one September in the rain.
Sergeant: After it sunk, there was no effort to remove it?
Sir Paul: No, we just decided to let it be.
Inspector: And that old cottage there on the other side of the lake? Does anyone live there?
Sir Paul: Not anymore. An old companion lived there once. We called him Flattop.
Sergeant: Because of a military style haircut?
Sir Paul: (Chuckles) Actually, no. Do you want to know a secret? — His hair was extremely long. Down around his knees, covered his face, you could hardly see the man. Odd duck, that one. Been gone a while, though. Passed away sitting in his armchair.
Inspector: Thank You again, Sir Paul, we will see you after tea.
Sir Paul: (Looks at watch.) Oh, yes, I do have to get back, anyway. Will you let me know what’s gone on here?
Inspector: Yes, Sir Paul, I am sure we can work it out. (Waves him off)
(To the Sergeant) It doesn’t look like it was a robbery gone bad.
Sergeant: No? What makes you arrive there, Inspector?
Inspector: Take a look at the woman and tell me what you see. Seriously, you have got to think for yourself.
Sergeant: The ring that Mrs. Jones wears, sir. It’s got to be more than 10 carats.
The Inspector squats down and peers at the ring. I’d say closer to 20, Sergeant Piobar. In the meantime, let’s let the coroner’s staff do their job. I see Doctor Robert is here already. Good timing, too, because here comes the sun. (He looks around.) Sergeant, where is your motor?
Sergeant: It’s in the shop. I had to take a taxi here. They are fixing a hole in the tyre.
Inspector: Well, that’s all right. You can drive my car.
submitted by /u/CpnLouie
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