A Novel Murder

Novel Murder by Jim Liston

A Novel Murder

“I’m going to murder her today,” I heard him say, “She’s been tied up in the basement for three days; it’s time to end it.” 

I couldn’t believe that someone was talking on the phone so casually about murder. 

“No, I haven’t decided how yet, I’m going to do that now.”

When he exited the bus, I decided to follow him.  Maybe I can find a way to stop his horrible plan.  I studied him carefully so that I’d be able to give the police an accurate description.  He appeared to be in his mid-50’s, grey hair, casually dressed in jeans and a blue sweatshirt, nothing extraordinary about him at all.

He walked into a pawnshop and I stood outside, looking through the window.  The clerk took a large machete out of the display case and handed it to him.  Watching him swinging the deadly weapon through the air, I could just imagine the poor woman he was going to murder, by chopping her head off!  He handed the machete back, apparently unsatisfied, and continued looking around the shop.  He methodically checked an assortment of items: an ax, a sledgehammer, and a large pry bar, swinging them through the air, seemingly testing their weight.  Next, he stood in front of a cabinet filled with knives, having the clerk hand him several of them.  I watched in horror as he jabbed and sliced the invisible murder victim in front of him. 

While watching the scene before me, I thought of my options.  I knew that I would need more proof before the police would be able to help, but I decided to call them anyway.

“Sirri, call the police,” I said nervously, as I watched the man who was now looking at guns.

“Calling police,” she responded.  I detected a note of concern in her voice and probably shouldn’t have been surprised when she asked, “Is everything all right, Stud?”

“Yes Sirri, I’m fine.”  The advances they were making with the voice recognition program were amazing.

“Twenty-third Precinct,” said the bored voice of the desk sergeant.

“Yes, I would like to report a potential murder,” I said, and realizing how that sounded, I added, “you know, it’s going to happen.”

“I don’t understand,” the sergeant replied, seemingly less bored, “are you planning to murder someone?”

“No, there’s a man in the pawn shop, testing weapons.  I heard him talking on the phone, he has someone tied up in his basement, and he’s going to kill her.”

“Oh, I see, and what is the address of this future murder scene?” he asked, obviously amused by my call.

“I don’t know the address yet,” I said sarcastically.  “I’ll do your job for you and keep following him.”

“Sir, I don’t recommend that you follow…,” I heard him say before I quickly disconnected the call.

The man was leaving the pawnshop and I was relieved to see that he hadn’t purchased anything.  I tried to appear focused on the display in the window, but I needn’t have bothered.  He was apparently deep in thought, and didn’t notice me as he walked by.  I continued following him, and I could hear bits and pieces of his one sided conversation as he talked to himself.

“Her screams are muffled by the gag…  The terror in her eyes is sexually arousing…  Bathed in blood…”

What kind of monster is this?  I became more determined to stop this murder of the poor woman gagged and tied in his basement.  After walking several blocks, he arrived at his destination.  I watched as he entered a small nondescript house, and noting the address, I again called the police.

“Sirri, call the police.”

“Again?  Stud, you’re really starting to worry me,” my overprotective companion replied.

“Twenty-third Precinct,” said the familiar voice.

“I’ve got an address now,” I said quickly, “2210 Elm, send someone right away.”

“Oh, it’s you again.  Sir, we need more evidence that a crime is being committed than just hearing a phone conversation.  I recommend that you stop following this man and come down to the percent and file a report.”

“File a report?”  I screamed into the phone.  “Don’t you understand?  He’s about to commit a murder!”

“Sir, don’t hang up…”

“Damn police,” I muttered, placing the phone in my pocket as I made my way to the back of the house.

Looking through the kitchen window, I caught a glimpse of the killer as he headed down the basement stairs.  I had to act quickly; he could be preparing to murder her at this very moment!  I went to the back door, found it unlocked, and without any hesitation, entered the killer’s home.  Grabbing a large knife that was sitting on the counter, I made my way to the basement door.  I stood there for a moment, at the top of the stairs, and listened.  I couldn’t hear anything, so I slowly made my way down the wooden basement stairs as quietly as possible. 

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I looked around the nicely finished basement.  I heard an evil laugh, coming from behind a closed door at the far end of the room. 

Standing near the door, I heard the killer say, “It’s time for you to get what you deserve, you no good, cheating…”

Imagining the scene of a woman bound and gagged, about to be brutally murdered, I burst through the door, brandishing the knife and screaming, “Not if I can help it!”

To say that the man was surprised would be an understatement.  He literally fell to the floor screaming, while trying to get up from behind the desk where he had been sitting, working on his novel.

About the author

JimsGotWeb

I write short stories, love to travel, install auto glass, and collect Beatles memorabilia.

Posted on by JimsGotWeb in short stories

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