A Novel Murder - Episode 5

The patron

I held the phone to the dead man’s face. The facial recognition software recognized him despite his unseeing eyes, and the phone unlocked. Bob grunted with approval. “Macabre but effective.”

I looked at Bob. “Macabre? What are you - Vincent Price?” I scrolled the the missed calls. Several were from Malcolm.

“Shall I?”

Bob nodded.

I tapped on Malcolm’s name and heard the phone ring tone. A man’s voice answered. Instead of hello, he led with, “Where the hell have you been?”

I introduced myself and explained the circumstance of my calling on Stephen’s phone, and that we were at his apartment. Malcolm asked, “Is Steve ok?” I suggested that we visit him. “I can come to you,” Malcolm replied. “It’s my apartment - I’m renting it to Steve.”

Bob and I met Malcolm outside. We broke the news to him about Stephen’s death, but didn’t provide any detail. He seemed deeply saddened but also did not appear surprised. He looked at the door of the apartment.

“Can I go in? I’d like to retrieve some things.”

“I’m afraid you can’t. It’s an active crime scene.

He stood in the morning sun staring at the doorway, his expression blank. Then, without prompting, he spoke.