Fracturing

First, may everyone have a happy and safe Halloween. May everyone of all ages find joys in the day. After finishing Weighing Paths and Repercussions, I let my imagination go wild with the last story for October, a mystery. Despite Halloween looming over me, I steered this who done it away from the supernatural, and instead steered into Perry Mason for inspiration. When I look back on the time I spent with my father, some of the more memorable times, we didn’t share a single word, though I have plenty of those memories. Rather, sometimes, sitting together and enjoying a good story does more for a relationship than any words are capable of doing. So, when I found out that Paramount+ has all of Perry Mason available to stream, I started binging the show.

Besides giving me plenty of opportunity to study some decent mysteries, it also reminds me of the times I’d watch this very show with my dad, both at my childhood home or at his apartment toward the end. Despite seeing several of these episodes with my dad, I don’t remember each one, though when one of them plays across my screen, my lips quiver into a smile of the memory.

Hop onto your favorite couch cushion and follow me as Kyle Rickman uncovers the truth in his latest investigation.

Having been called to assist the police by the proprietor, Kyle interviews the witnesses to uncover who committed the murder…

Kyle sauntered through the lodge, ignoring the suspects encircled by the police as he tapped his notebook against his thigh. When he reached the rear of the building, he opened his book and thumbed through the pages to read the last entry. A snap rebounded through the lodge as he reached out and traced the cracks running down the wall.

An officer stepped beside the investigator and tapped his shoulder. “Mr. Rickman, these people are eager to leave. Don’t you think we can release the witnesses since we’ve collected their statements?”

With a tight smile, Kyle shook his head and turned to face the officer. He flashed the lanky detective a false grin as he thumped the officer’s chest. “Gerald, is it common for the police to release a murderer once they’re in custody?”

The officer batted the investigator’s hand as he loomed over him. “It’s Detective Shaw.”

“I’m sorry Detective.” Kyle stepped away, raising a hand in the air while he pressed his notebook to his chest. “However, I’d never allow the guilty party to escape custody. But I guess that’s why I never made it onto the force. Those pesky principals of mine.”

With a snarl, Gerald’s finger twitch back and forth. “Despite the owner asking you to come and confirm what we found, your shenanigans won’t work this time. The witnesses all corroborate each other. The murderer hopped into a running car and fled as soon as he shot the victim from outside the lodge.”