The Murder

A long day, as Sunday always seemed, was coming to an end. BA and Liz were preparing for bed, when a call came. A glance at his watch, which read 10:30 brought disgust. "Who could it be at this hour? Couldn’t I pretend we aren't home and let the answering machine pick up?"

His fingers drummed irritably on the phone before he answered with no friendliness. “Yes.”

The voice on the other end he didn’t recognize. "Somethin’ awful happened to Sally. Better git over there quick," and hung up.

BA slammed the phone back into the charger.

"What?"

"The person said something bad occurred at Sally's, and I should hurry. I hope one of those—those malfunctions she’s always helping didn’t hurt her. You know how she is. Everyone’s tried to warn her, but she won't listen."

Liz pulled off her nightgown and grabbed her clothes.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Why, I'm going with you of course. Without you if you don't hurry."

A shirt slipped over his head, BA quickly put on his sweats and headed out the door. Not heading for the car, he figured running the three blocks would be faster. When they arrived, police cars surrounded the place. An officer recognized the couple and motioned to come upstairs. In the apartment the crime scene people were already at work doing their thing.

At the bedroom door BA stopped Liz. "Might be better if you stayed out."

"Nonsense, if you remember, this won’t be the first murdered person I've seen. I assume that's why all these cops are here."

The body lay on the bed and a knife protruded from the solar plexus. The Medical Examiner spoke through clenched teeth, though he tried to be dispassionate.

"Whoever murdered her understood how. The blade was inserted just below the stern...

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... Besides, she is happier now than she could ever be here on earth. We're the ones feeling pain. In God’s house is where she always wanted to be.

“An examination from her new perspective, and we’d be rejoicing, not

moping around. If looking down at us now, she’d say ‘What’s the matter with you two. Why don’t you start practicing what you preach?’ Now, come on and I'll race you home." Without another word she started to run. It took BA a second to react, and then he chased her. At virtually the same time they reached the back porch. After unlocking the door he picked her up and carried her through.

On the kitchen floor he set her down, held her in his arms, and kissed her. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For helping me keep my head on straight. The change you instigated in my attitude about physical death to the glory of Sally’s spiritual awakening.”