by Simon Wright

Created on: April 19, 2008   Last Updated: June 13, 2009

When evil comes out to play:

An owl hooted high above in a tree and a full moon shone down, casting shadows on everything. Horace sat on the park bench and sipped from a bottle concealed within a brown bag. His toes poked through the front of his shabby shoes and he wished that the night was less cold or that he was somewhere warmer. There was always the bonfire but the youngsters had teased him and said they'd throw him on it. Miserable little sods they'd pay for their meanness! With his one good arm, he lifted the bottle to his lips and took another sip.

Meanwhile, not too far away, thirteen year old Megan was annoyed. It was bad enough that she'd been forced to chaperon "the brats" for their round of trick or treating. Worse was the fact that she'd been complimented on her witch's costume when she hadn't even bothered with an outfit - it was time she reflected for a serious shopping spree! Worst of all, though, was discovering that her precious bike had been chucked on the fire that the neighborhood's goons had set up. It was completely ruined and she had no doubt who had orchestrated this act of vandalism. She'd call the police and see how funny Shelly and her dimwit boyape would find that? First, though, she needed to get the brats back as it was well past their bedtime.

Officer Jim Bruce regarded the corpse. Forensics would have to be called in to check for fingerprints and other clever stuff like that. He set about making sure the crime scene was undisturbed and, to that end, got the new recruit to mark it off with flourescent yellow tape. He was sure it was a crime scene due to the bloodied hammer lying next to the boy.

When the forensics team arrived, Bruce briefed them and then left them to do their job. Next, he rounded up Officer Hernandez (the new recruit) and went knocking on doors. It wasn't too difficult to figure out who the bonfire ringleader had been, so they started with the O'Brady family.

"My son, James, is a good boy" said Mrs O'Brady, protectively pulling a sullen youth to her ample bosom.

"That's as maybe" replied Bruce carefully, "but we've got reports he was involved in that bonfire and the dirt on his face sure looks like it confirms it."

"'Only a bit of harmless fun' responded Mrs O'Brady.

"The dead boy's family might disagree" commented Officer Gabriella Hernandez. Mrs O'Brady fell silent. Word of the death had spread quickly.

"We need to ask some questions" interjected Bruce. "Normal procedure, you understand" he added

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