Another day, another sensless murder. Shit, when will this end?
I joined homicide fourteen years ago. I never imagined the amount of cases would increase so much yearly. My cell phone rings at all hours of the day. On a dinner date with my girlfriend. On the shitter reading a Steven King novel. At my son’s eleventh birthday celebration. During triathlon training. I suppose there is never a good time for a murder.
Today a shooting interrupts my church service. Nothing like my phone vibrating when in line for communion. Is this a good time to say “Holy” crap”? I slowly step out of line, do my best sign of the cross facing the altar then exit the church. Out the door I go into a beautiful sunny day. A day that others will enjoy. A day I will see yet another dead body. Probably someone far too young to be laying face down on a sidewalk or in an abandoned home infested with needles. I won’t see a beautiful day for a week or so when I able to purge yet another unsitely scene from my mind. I hate my job! I love my job. It’s all I know how to do.
I arrive at the scene and meet with the officer in charge.
“Detective Marshal, I am Officer Brently,” he says.
“Nice to meet you Brently, what do we have.”
“Fifteen year old shot his dad. Mother was out drinking. He’s an only child,” he explains matter of factly.
As always I am baffled by society . Senseless. It is all senseless. It’s like the old west. Everyone enforces their own law. Why do I do this? Fifteen years old. I don’t know his story but I am sure it isn’t a pleasant one.
“Where is the suspect?”
“In my car.”
“Did he say anything that I should know about before I start my investigation?”
“All he said was he deserved it. Aint it a bitch.”
In homicide it sure is.
This is fiction. Written for Trifecta Writing Challenge Week Sixty-One
This week’s word is:
BITCH (noun)
- Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.
- You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.
- The word itself needs to be included in your response.
- You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above.
- Only one entry per writer.
- Trifecta is open to everyone. Please join us.

Wow, intense. I like.
TY.
Police and detectives work in a field that is usually never a happy one. Well done.
I would think there is a love/hate feeling about the job. Not one for me, that I know. Thanks for the compliment and for taking time out your day for reading my story.
Some jobs by their very nature just aren’t nine to five! What a thing to be summoned from your family for.
Those jobs are definetly not nine to five. Tough indeed.
Good writing, in the sense of how you were able to convey the toll the job takes on the Officer’s life as the murders pile up. I tip my hat sincerely and appreciatively to all men and women who dedicate their lives to going into situations that I seek to avoid. You did a great job this week! Thanks.
Thanks for the nice words…I definetly appreciate it. I am glad I conveyed what they might go threw behind the scenes.
This is really good! I wanted to read more.
TY Deana. Glad you like it. However, c’est tout!
There is far too much senseless killing around. To be forced to deal with it on a daily basis has to be depressing to say the least…
OH I can’t imagine how depressing it must be. I would think I would be numb. So sad.
Great piece, very intense! I like how you added the little bit of “it’s a bright and sunny day out… too bad I won’t get to enjoy it… again!”
It was a nice contrast to what was going on under the bright skies!
Thanks for the compliment. I am sure they miss plenty sunny days! TY
Very realistic!
TY..glad you felt that way Sandra!
An interesting read in more ways than one-giving an insight about how Cops work & forcing us to think why crime is increasing day by day-loved it:-)
I learned some of this from The First 48. I am glad you enjoyed it. TY
I’m sure police officers see a lot of “bitchy” situations.
Very “bitchy” I am sure. Glad that is not my line of work!
sounds like the start of a page turner!
That’s nice of you to say. But for me…this is it.
Great story-wish there was more!
It’s sad that this is so commonplace in real life–I just saw headlines about another kid-turned-killer that happened over the weekend…too depressing to even open & read the article
TY for your compliment. I never watch the news.
I love how you contrast the wonderful places he’s leaving with the terrible places he’s arriving. Well done!
Awe Thanks! It is such a sharp contrast between their two realities.
Great start to a crime novel (:
That does sound like a bitch. Also sounds a bit familiar to this social worker.
Social work, another occupation that leaves the beauty of family and dives into a darker part of society.
definitely pulls you in – want to read more.
Awe TY
Nice use of imagery to bring out the personality of the character for the reader – getting the call during communion. Nice
Thanks for the compliment. I am sure you get that call while doing most anything!
Love the writing style – It really suits the hardened homicide detective MC
Oh TY. I appreciate you saying that you like my style. I guess I never thought about having a style.