The body

Telephones rang wildly

“911, what’s your emergency?” An operator questioned. 

“T-there’s a body..” a woman cried over the phone.

 The operator began typing on her computer, “What’s your location and is the body deceased?”

 The lady over the phone began to panic, “H-he is, we’re at the old farmhouse off Maulburry.” She cried.

 She typed faster, clicks and clacks echoed. “What’s your name and relation to the deceased?” The operator asked.

 “My names Marry. I’m just his neighbor, I was checking in on Mr. Bradley because his sheep got out again.” Marry responded.

 “Ok ma’am I’ve got units heading to your location, they should be there soon.” The operator said.

Marry began to cry, “Thank you..” 

Minutes later.

Sirens grew louder as squad cars approached, on arrival nothing looked out of the ordinary, a normal farm house, nothing broken, nothing out of place. The two cars parked in front of the house but only two officers from one car stepped out. 

Marry was pacing on the patio with tears rolling down her cheeks. The broad shouldered officer walked up to her, followed by a stocky man, “Hello ma’am my name is officer Stanley, this is my Partner officer Wilson.” The broad shouldered man greeted, 

“I’m Marry.. Mr. Bradley is inside..” she cried. The three walked inside past the living room and into the kitchen, there he was. Mr. Bradley’s body lying on his stomach on the floor near the refrigerator. 

“Jesus Christ.” Stanley said as he shielded his nose from the putrid smell. Flies buzzed around the body, “Did he live alone?” Wilson asked.

 Marry nodded, “His wife passed away about four years ago, ever since it’s just been him and his farm.” Marry explained. 

Stanley flipped the body over, “What the?” A giant hole was in his stomach. Marry gagged, she ran outside and threw up. “Go check on her.” Stanley ordered. 

“Hey Nelson, John, get over here.” Stanley said over the radio. 

The two other officers got out their car and headed inside past Marry and Wilson.

“No blood.” Stanley explained.

 “Sir?” John questioned.

“The body, its bloods been drained.” Stanley said. “Let’s get him out of here.” Stanley added.

 “Should we search for the killer?” Nelson asked. 

“Go around and look for any clues, I doubt we’ll find the killer, seems like Mr. Bradley’s been gone for at least a few weeks.” Stanley said. 

Stanley radioed headquarters, “Send an ambulance, body is confirmed deceased.”

Minutes later.

Sirens blared as the ambulance arrived, paramedics rushed in and placed Mr. Bradley in body bag and took him out on a stretcher. 

“Any idea what happened to him?” Wilson asked. 

“No idea, it’s up to forensics.” Stanley replied. 

“What about him?” Wilson suggested.

 “I said it’s up to forensics, HE isn’t needed.” Stanley said stern. 

“I’m just saying, he’s solved harder cases.” Wilson pushed.

 “If we can’t find any evidence and forensics can’t figure it out then maybe we’ll go to Snyder. But until then don’t mention him again.” Stanley ordered.

Back at the police station, Hours after the body was brought back. Stanley walked into the case room.

“So anything?” Stanley asked.

“Negative, nothings been spotted at the house.” An officer said. 

Stanley was annoyed, “And with the body?” 

“The autopsy finished, cause of death seems to be he was crushed to death.” The officer explained.

 “How is that possible? He had a hole in his stomach and they’re saying he was crushed?” Stanley argued.

 “His organs were destroyed, like they were squeezed.” The officer replied. 

“And about the lack of blood?” Stanley asked, not wanting to admit they might need his help.

 “Well that’s unknown, however they found black slime in the body.” The officer said.

 Stanley walked out in frustration, “Get the chief on the line.” He said to the nearest dispatch. She immediately began dialing. Stanley took the phone from her forcefully, “Call Snyder.”

The hum of industrial lights and vending machines rang through the empty hallway. 

“Ahh, what to get?” Snyder sighed, observing his options.

He entered the money and pushed the buttons “Cola sounds good.” 

The vending machine buzzed then read,

“Option not available.” 

Snyder looked saddened, “Fine green tea it is.” He pushed the button. The vending machines hummed loudly then dropped the tea with loud clunks.

“This thing is falling apart slowly” he laughed. “Story of my life.” 

He looked at himself in the reflection of the vending machines. A wiry man with tired eyes, one red and the other yellow, and his scruffy beard. He let out a low sigh.

His pocket vibrated.

Buzz, Buzzzzz. 

“Who’s calling at this hour?” Snyder sighed. “This is Snyder.” He said unenthusiastically. 

Over the phone, “Detective Snyder, your helps been requested for this case.” 

“Chief Mills, can’t this wait? I’m so tired.” Snyder spouted. 

“You know we wouldn’t call unless we needed you.” Chief Mills said. 

Snyder laughed.

“How flattering, you only feel the need to talk to me when the case is run dry?” He laughed. “How longs the case been cold for?” Snyder added.

Chief mills voice became dreadful, “The case only came up a few hours ago, they’re already stumped.”

Snyder couldn’t contain his laughter. 

“You think this is funny Detective?” Chief Mills barked.

Snyder wiped the tear from his eye as he reclaimed his emotions, “Oh no sir, not at all. I’ll be there in twenty.” Snyder said before hanging up. 

Twenty minutes later.

Snyder entered the station and all eyes turned to him. Snyder looked around at everyone and gave a snarky response, “Can I help you?”

A slim, petite man walked up to him. “Detective Snyder, please follow me.” 

Snyder smiled, “Carter? They got you on this case?”

“Y-yea?” Carter said nervously.

“A sweet innocent thing like you shouldn’t be handling bodies.” Snyder said with a smile.

Carter was stunned, “Please sir just follow me.” 

Carter lead Snyder to the case room.

“Ahh, Detective Snyder.” Officer Stanley said.

“Little Stanley how are you?” Snyder replied.

Stanley let out a low growl, clearly agitated.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop that awhile ago?” He barked.

Snyder laughed at how quick he got angry, then abruptly stopped.

“So what am I looking at.” Snyder said suddenly rather coldly.

Stanley slid the files over to Snyder, “This is what we have.” 

[case No. 458]

Snyder went through the documents one by one reading every detail several times. 

“What’s with the autopsy report?” Snyder questioned.

“I’m not sure I follow.” Stanley replied.

Snyder grabbed his scruffy chin, “Carter I can tell this will be a long night, grab us a coffee. You know how I like it.” He ordered.

Carter hesitated, “Uh, yes sir.” 

Snyder set the documents down, and looked at Stanley. “Crushed? From the inside?”

“Stanley how long have we known each other?” Snyder asked aggressively.

“Uhh, abou-“.

“Show me the body, then bring me to the scene” Snyder interrupted.

“Hey don’t start that with me, I’m just as confused as you are. You think they didn’t do a good job finding evidence? Well I was there and I didn’t see anything either.” Stanley argued.

Snyder thought for a second before speaking, “You’re absolutely correct, I don’t think your men did a good job.” 

Carter walked in with three coffees, he quickly felt the tension.

Snyder grabbed his coffee and walked out the room. 

“Where are you going?” Stanley followed. 

Snyder sipped his coffee as he quickly walked. “To the body.” 

Stanley stayed close behind, “You can’t go in there, you don’t have the authorization.” 

Snyder laughed, “And what are you gonna do about it? Stop me?” He snarked as he barged in the room.

Snyder set his coffee down on a near by desk, grabbed gloves and put them on.

“Snyder seriously.” Stanley barked.

Snyder began doing his own “autopsy”.

He touched the hole in Mr. Bradley’s stomach, he rubbed the lining.

Carter looked mortified, “What is he doing..” 

“Snyder, what do you expect to find that the professionals didn’t?” Stanley questioned. 

Snyder rubbed his fingers together, “This goo, what is it?” 

Stanley hesitated, “We don’t know, it’s unknown material.” 

Snyder smiled remembering something.

“And just when I thought my record would stay blemished forever..” Snyder muttered under his breath.

“Detective, shouldn’t we be going to the scene.” Carter asked. 

Snyder snapped back to the present, “Right, let’s go.” He took the gloves off, grabbed his coffee and walked out. 

Snyder had a confident grin.

“Detective Lee Snyder always catches his prey.”