Sunday morning

Staring at the body, with the layer of congealed blood around it, Detective Lucy Maitland watched the officers placing their tape around it. Trying to work the scene, dinner had been disturbed and there was shattered glass around her and one champagne flute.  Lucy suspected that she was looking at the murder weapon.

She loved her job but always felt weak around blood. Surveying the scene, it was time for her and Billy to leave and start their investigation.

Two days earlier

Drinking her morning Nescafe, she felt it’s comforting warmth on her tongue. It had been a long night and now she had woken to a late morning. Sat in just her knickers and Nick’s favourite shirt, she could still smell his scent. For once in her life things had been going well. Together just three months, but she was already thinking of their children.

Julie knew that she always wanted too move to fast, but wow Nick was just perfect. Her mother had told her not to meet someone on a dating app, he could be a weirdo. This man was perfect, wealthy, handsome, and respectful. She knew she wanted him in her life. Was she weak? No, she just knew what she wanted.

She had always imagined her wedding. A long flowing white dress, two horses and a carriage and her Prince Charming waiting for her at the end of the aisle. Nick was perfect, or so she thought.

Lucas

Lucas was Nick’s mate. They had met at school, been together through GCSEs, A levels and had kept in touch through university. Nick was a Maths teacher and he was an engineer, both successful careers. However, Lucas had a temper, one that even Nick couldn’t calm, and it was this that led to the fateful events later.

It was after a quiet day spent drinking beer together that Nick admitted his feelings for Julie. She was more than a fling. She was more than all the others he had been with. He was fearful, needing advice on how to play this. They had only been together three months and things had got serious fast.

Lucas sat shocked, he didn’t want to lose his friend. Nick didn’t know him as well as he thought.  If he had he might have not confided in him.

Saturday evening

Nick arrived at Julie’s with an expensive bottle of wine and plans for a nice romantic evening, The familiar butterflies of excitement filled him. Tonight, was different though, looking around, he sensed that he was being followed. Dismissing it as paranoia he rang her bell.

Greeted by Julie in a tight black dress he knew how lucky he was. Her blonde hair sat on her shoulders and as he lent in to kiss her, he could smell rose petals. Putting his arms around her, they melted in each other’s arms.

“I’ve done pasta for dinner, that okay?” Nick felt his stomach rumble, he loved pasta.
“I’ve bought wine.”

It wasn’t long till they were sat comfortable, eating dinner. Life was good and they were happy. Neither expecting what would happen next.

Lucy

Investigating the crime, Detective Lucy Maitland and Sergeant Billy Watkins knew the killer was often someone the victim knew.

Nick Garland sat nervously watching them drinking his tea. He loved Julie, he wouldn’t hurt her but he knew who did. Scared like a rabbit in headlights he kept replaying the nights events.

As he told Julie for the first time that he loved her,there was a loud crash at the door. He had gone to check who it was and had been surprised to see Lucas standing there.

“You gonna invite me in?” he hadn’t waited to be invited, but had pushed passed him. Strolling into the dining room, he picked up a champagne flute and necked the wine.
“So, you’re the bitch that means more to Nick than me”
Julie sat stunned, the room started to spin, what was happening?
“Nick errr who’s this”
“This is Lucas and he’s leaving”
“No, I’m not” he sneered, “the one leaving is Julie.”

“it’s her house. Luc you’re scaring me, what’s happening.”
“Get over there” pointing behind him he motioned Nick away.
“I’m going nowhere.”

Lucas glared at him while Julie sat motionless in her chair, an easy target. As Lucas smashed the champagne flute onto the table, they both jumped, it was seconds later that he put the remains into Julie’s neck, leaving her motionless, with blood pouring out. It was only now, Nick realised that Lucas was wearing gloves and he was the only witness, there was no evidence.

Lucas had betrayed his trust.  He thought they were friends, but friends don’t usually murder the one the other loves.  He watched stunned as the murderer ran out the door.

Phoning 999 he was terrified, only a miracle would save her.

Questions

Now in the presence of the detective he started to cry. This was too much, he needed to help them, but would they really believe him. He had no choice, he hadn’t killed her, he loved her. Lucy took notes and radioed through for records to be checked on Mr Lucas Brittain. It wasn’t long before her mobile rang and she left the room. Left in awkward silence he offered the Sergeant more tea.

A few minutes later he was relieved as the detective came back and informed him that they were continuing their investigations.  To stay away from Lucas Brittain, and not to leave the country.

An arrest

“So, what have you been told?”
“It appears Bill, that Mr Brittain has form. He has already been done for GBH and he was suspected of murder before, but there was no evidence. This time motive here was jealousy. We just need to question the neighbours. I’m hoping that he was seen which will corroborate Nick Garlands story. There might also be other connections to the other murder”.   She had a nasty thought, “we’ve possibly got an innocent man in prison right now.”

It was a few hours later that they had the evidence they needed, as his blood stained gloves were found lazily dumped in his wheelie bin.  Finally they were able to arrest Lucas Brittain for his crimes. Lucy was certain that he was going down for a long time especially if they could also link him to the previous crime.

Nick

Sat on his settee, reading the newspaper and drinking tea, he wished he had beer in the house. Getting drunk seemed like a good plan, however that wouldn’t bring Julie back. Shocked at Lucas and everything that had happened, he had known he was unstable but murder he would’nt have suspected.

The champagne flute was part of their romantic evening , instead it has become a murder weapon. He knew he would be reliving it for a long time, like a nightmare on repeat. Their life was meant to be together not ruined by a madman, like Lucas Brittain.

Written for Blog battle – Flute

For more see, My life and my family folklore