A scream. A single scream. That was the only sound emitting from E’s apartment that Wednesday afternoon. It wasn’t a normal scream, though; it was a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the small room. What E walked in on was not the greatest sights. THEY had just walked in on THEIR ___ lying on the floor. It wasn’t like they had just collapsed - oh no, it was more than that. Blood was still pouring out of THEIR head, as THEY lie there, dead; a gun in THEIR hand. This couldn’t be! E picked up the gun, wondering where THEY got it from, shocked. Thinking back to earlier, she dropped the gun in utter shock, as the realization hit that THEIR ___ was dead. X was fine this morning, and somehow this happened in the 7 hours they were apart. The scream got some attention from the neighbors, which caused more of a scene than intended. A few people from all around the apartments wandered over; one getting their phone out to call the paramedics. Not that they could do anything to save X now. Unfortunately, one of the neighbors; an elderly man, didn’t take the scene too kindly. A person standing over a dead body, with a gun on the floor next to them. The police had to be called.
“So, tell me again what happened?” Officer P asked E a few hours later, in the local station.
“I keep telling you. I walked in from work, and saw X lying on the ground, dead. Please can you tell me what I’m even doing here, or why the police are involved.”
“Unfortunately, this is serious police business, and cannot discuss it. So, why were there reports of a gun on the ground next to you?”
“I… I panicked. I picked it up, shocked that X even had one. Please, you seriously can’t think that I murdered X!” E cried.
“Person standing over their dead ___. Gun laying on the floor next to them; looks fishy if you ask me.”
“Okay, explain this. Why would I scream? Why is it that the only attention that gets to the apartment is when I scream? If X had shot themselves, then surely there would be some attention, but there wasn’t, so X clearly used something to silence it. And why would I shoot THEM with the door open? Why would I shoot THEM at all?”
“Well, the scream could’ve been an act, to make it look like you didn’t do it, and to act shocked. You could’ve dropped the gun, and screamed to make it look like you just walked in on it. As for the silence of the gun, a silencer could’ve been used. Although there would still be some noise, it would make it less like a gunshot, and more like something outside the building falling over, or crashing.” Officer P stated. “As for the door open, again, like the scream. An act. And as for why you shot THEM, you probably had a motive.”
“I actually can’t believe that you think I shot X. And for the silencer, isn’t the purpose of it to make the gun silent?”
“You should know.”
“You really think I shot my own ___?”
“The scene looked suspicious. We’re only doing out jobs. I’m sorry but this is now a murder investigation.”
“Murder? X shot THEMSELVES. I promise you I had only come home from work when I saw THEM lying on the ground, with the gun in THEIR hand.”
“Well, I will ask the paramedic crew where the gun was when they got there. I will investigate this and find out the truth. In the meantime, you’re going to spend some time here -”
“What, no you can’t do this!” E screamed.
“And I will search your apartment, and ask witnesses.” Officer P continued, as if E hadn’t spoken. “This is a serious murder investigation, and if you did do it, I’m not risking you being free. If you did do it, you’re going away for a long time.” Officer P finished, before standing up, and opening the door. He stepped out, before walking down the corridor to his colleagues. “THEY’RE not taking it very well in there.”
“I figured not. I hope you decided to arrest THEM.”
“No, I said THEY will be spending time in here for a while. Should I arrest THEM?”
“Well, if THEY did murder the victim, then it’s best to arrest them, and put THEM away before they can even get free. It’s okay to have THEM stay in here for a few days, but we hold these cells for people who will get bailed out, or until we know the full story.” Officer P’s ___ said.
“We don’t know the full story, though.”
“Officer P, you will arrest THEM, and then you will go out and investigate. If it all comes clean for E, then we will set THEM free. It’s as a precaution. If THEY did do it, we will have a word with THEM, and arrange a date where THEY will appear I court.”
“Yes, ___” Officer P commented. He then turned away, before walking back to where E was. Walking in, Officer P saw E in the exact same spot as he’d left THEM. “E, I am arresting you on suspicion of murder of X. You do not have to say anything, but if you do, it may be used as evidence in court.”
“You are joking? You’re arresting me?”
“Yes. Now, follow me, and we will put you in a cell. As I said, if you are innocent -”
“Which I am.”
“If you are innocent, you will be set free, and record clean. If you are found guilty, you will be up in court to get your sentencing.” Officer P stated, before taking E into a prison cell. “You will stay here until further notice.” Officer P finished, before walking away.