Source...
The assumption of guilt spread rapidly throughout the parking lot. In the flurry of panic, Daniel ended the life of his best friend, Benji. All in attendance whispered while pointing in his direction as the authorities apprehended, shackled, then led him toward their police vehicle.
Once the chaos subsided, partygoers returned inside. They sipped cocktails and discussed the episode while flashing lights rotated and music played loudly. Each patron wondered what could have provoked Daniel to end the life of his best friend they'd witnessed patronizing the club together over the years. The bartender, who'd profusely denied any knowledge of the underlying cause of the incident to the authorities, chimed in at each booth, listening acutely to ensure no one contradicted him.
At the police station, Daniel stood and banged his head several times against the wall, refusing to sit quietly and explain. Horrified, he listened to the recording on the mobile phone laying on the table playing repeatedly his voice from earlier in the evening.
As the alcohol drained from his system, a realization overcame him that he was in serious trouble. It didn't take much to finally catapult him over the edge upon learning he was the primary suspect. And the clue fell into the hands of the police by none other than his best friend.
By then, Daniel realized he couldn't escape the truth. He returned to the table and sat quietly, listening to his voice that didn't reflect his personality.
Perhaps it was the five margaritas; or perhaps the blurred images on the wall circling overhead; or perhaps the exotic music playing in the background. The warm feeling of a body close to his brought back memories. Shameful and pleasurable feelings that crossed blurred lines mixed where he couldn't decipher dreams from reality.
Meanwhile, the two detectives watched as Daniel agonized over the loss of Benji. They exchanged glances and instinctively knew he remembered the events of that night. Flashes and snippets of phrases waffled in and out, but Daniel said nothing, just held his head in his hands.
At a minimum, four people who mingled in the nightclub booth next to his and Benji's overheard the conversation that escalated into an argument to the point that blood shot from Benji's eyes as he rose, threw a napkin on the table spilling his drink, then stormed away.
Daniel then rose quickly and followed Benji outside. The well-lit strip center parking lot allowed him to quickly catch up with Benji, grab his right shoulder, then swing him around. Immediately, Benji knocked Daniel's hand away. He'd had enough. "You're such an easy target, man. Gullible as hell allowing that woman to play you like that."*
He just doesn't want me to be happy, Daniel surmised. His voice crackled as he hissed, "are you calling me weak minded? What others think don't bother me."
Benji couldn't hold back. He had to tell Daniel the latest gossip that further damaged his character. He hated to hear his friend being categorized in that manner. "If the current female relationship fits, you should be worried! Again. Gullible as hell. Your reputation is on the line. You know word is spreading of your new name, Captain SaveAHo," Benji sneered.
Benji couldn't stop himself. He blurted, not knowing where the strength to continue rose from.
"If I personally didn't know how smart you actually were, I'd nominate you for first place in the annual award for idiots. She's playing you like a yo-yo. and you're too stupid to realize it. I'm about to give up on our friendship, else people will pin that title on me too. If you don't care, I can't change that. But I'm not about to be Co-Captain SaveAHo. I've a job and a decent woman who has been nagging me for years to distance myself from you." Benji wasn't too intoxicated to sigh deeply in stressing his point.
Instantly without thinking, Daniel pulled out a weapon and pointed directly at Benji. He had no intention on harming his best friend, but he'd also had enough of Benji questioning his decisions and choices of female companions.
Knowing Daniel was harmless, Benji turned and walked away, leaving him with a pitiful look in his eyes.
A commotion in the distance interrupted Daniel as he peered through the fog at a group of men approaching from the far end of the parking lot. He hurriedly tucked his weapon back into his pocket as he searched the parking lot for Benji.
The moonlit night dimmed, then fell blank as Daniel recalled falling to the pavement.
Now: Part 2:
The two detectives interrogating Daniel already knew the case would be difficult the moment they responded to the call. Some type of dispute between two men that resulted in one of them dead. The crime scene was one of several Friday night specials they'd heard on dispatch. Just their luck the disturbance in their vicinity involved an intoxicated murderer who couldn't remember that he killed someone. Or so he claimed. Detectives Anson and Hughes arrived on the scene and quickly gathered a few details. Not much leads when no witnesses came forth to assist in sorting out the actual event on a night when the club in the strip center was teaming with partygoers entering and exiting the parking lot.
They took turns entering, then leaving the police station's interrogation room. After the last entrance, the tall, slim, clean shaven officer with a ruddy complexion and sandy hair referred to simply as "Anson" noticed Daniel shivering. Lead Detective Anson's friendly gesture of offering him a cup of coffee immediately turned hostile as he repeated the question he'd already asked several times.
"And the last you spoke to your friend was exactly what day and time?" Anson took a sip of his own coffee, then casually glanced at his watch.
"I've told you several times that the last I saw of Benji he left me standing right over there." Daniel pointed to a location on the photo in front of him outlining the parking lot.
"His frame of mind?" The shorter, stout detective whom Anson referred to as Hughes broke in, then shot Daniel an insouciant smile.
"Pissed off at me, but alive as I already explained." Despite being warmed by the hot liquid, Daniel plopped the cup down, spilling coffee near Benji's dead body in the photo.
Detective Anson's attitude immediately turned antagonistic. He sucked in a heavy breath, then shook his head.
Daniel sensed the change, but it didn't matter. I'm innocent, he reasoned. I just don't remember. I couldn't have killed my best friend, he replayed in his mind as the room grew smaller and more chilly. And I'm not going to confess to something I didn't do. Now calmer, he stared at the black keeper of time secured against the stark, white wall opposite the table.
Daniel then scoured the room searching for cameras and a hidden screen he knew existed from numerous movies and television shows he'd viewed. I must remain calm, he told himself, so attempted to regulate his breathing.
Paying no attention to the detectives, he then repeated the words internally he'd rehearsed recently in front of the mirror before agreeing to meet Antonella in person, his latest friend he'd met online.
Yes, we can hang out occasionally. But I want to get something straight with you and tell you upfront so there won't be any misunderstanding later. I may look like an easy target, but I'm not desperate for companionship. I'm my own man. No one controls me. If you're looking for an easy target, you've got the wrong fella.
Daniel hadn't actually spoken those words yet to Antonella. Their date was set for the following weekend. The reason he and Benji met at the bar was to discuss his latest romantic interest and show him a photo. As a friend, his opinion he respected.
That was, until he told Benji about Antonella. Benji only agreed to meet him at the bar that Friday night to learn the details of how Daniel and the woman met and his intentions. Benji had no inkling that it would be his last day on this earth.
Daniel didn't realize how long he'd dwelt in the cavern of his own mind until Anson cleared his his throat, nudged him on the shoulder, then snapped his fingers in his face.
"Light's on, but nobody's home. OK, buddy, if that's how you're gonna play it, let's go over the entire evening again. Detective Hughes loosened his tie before pacing the room.
"Anson, we're gonna need a whole pot."
It was already well past midnight. Detective Anson looked as fresh as if he'd just stepped out of the shower and reported for work. But his tone and grilling tactic was anything but new. He was seasoned at interrogating.
The combination of Daniel crossing his arms, as if forming a shield around his pounding chest, while frowning presented Anson with the opening he'd been waiting for.
"Now tell us about the women you've been involved with in the past or recently. If You didn't kill your friend, did they have any reason to?" Anson's rapid sequence of questions only served to push Daniel further down into the chair.
Hughes recorded the names of the females Daniel mentioned and their contact information.
A name Daniel uttered shocked the detectives as they exchanged glances, though the exchange fell on non-observing eyes. "Bingo" was the word the detectives wanted to exclaim, but refrained. Hughes quickly interrupted Daniel and gathered more information on the female's name both detectives recognized.
Still, Daniel remained clueless.
Anson, who'd been standing near the opposite wall, rushed over to Daniel and grabbed his arm. “You incompetent idiot!” He slammed Daniel's fist on the table on top of Benii's photo.
“You can't even tell when you're being played, let alone cover up a murder after luring him to the parking lot where you'd have a better chance to do that female's dirty work under cover of darkness." Anson ignored Hughes's attempt to gain his attention.
Hughes stared at Anson and Daniel, then quietly interjected.
"You have no idea the trouble you're gotten yourself into just because of your lust for women. You're the easiest mark they don't have to look hard to find."
Now Daniel's nose flared. He balled his fist and attempted to rise from the table, but Hughes pushed him back in his seat. Seething, he retorted hotly, "I Did Not murder my friend! I just want to get out of here."
Anson shouted. "Too late. You should have thought of that before you decided to eliminate your friend." He paused, then continued. "What? Was he competition for the women's attention? Did they weight their options, and found him a more profitable mark? Or did the people you work for decided he was a liability to their operations?"
What operations? What nonsense are you concocting. Look, I agreed to speak with you. No more. I want an attorney."
"It's your right," Hughes stated.
Instantly, a sudden knock interrupted Hughes. He immediately strode over to the door as if expecting the visitor.
Both men nodded their heads as though in agreement after a brief exchange. Hughes pushed his hair back from his forehead, then rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes closed as if the information he received derailed his advantage over the interrogation. He jerked his head around and gave his partner a disappointing gesture.
"Mr. Hudson, you can leave. But don't take any unscheduled vacations for now. We'll be in touch," Anson informed Daniel.
Staring mindlessly as though paralyzed, Daniel rose from the chair. Hughes beckoned to the officer present to escort Daniel to the waiting room.
Outside, Daniel slumped on the hard bench. He didn't remember how long he sat there crying, squeezing Benji's photo with tears smearing the area where dried blood already left an impression.
Why can't I remember? Daniel lamented silently several times.
That night at home, Daniel gulped another shot of whiskey to replace the disgusting coffee from the police station.
He fell asleep several times, then finally woke in a panic, sweating. A flash ran across his face outlining a figure kneeling over him and a quick brush against his arm that sent chills throughout his body.
[to be continued]
For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the @daily.prompt's publishing of 9 april 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2701: annual award for idiots.
! [An Innocent Man Part 2]
Un hombre inocente Parte 2
Source...Los dos detectives que interrogaban a Daniel ya sabían que el caso sería difícil desde el momento en que acudieron a la llamada. Algún tipo de disputa entre dos hombres que acabó con uno de ellos muerto. La escena del crimen era una de las varias especiales del viernes por la noche que habían oído en la central. Para su mala suerte, el altercado en las inmediaciones implicaba a un asesino ebrio que no recordaba haber matado a nadie. O eso decía. Los detectives Anson y Hughes llegaron al lugar y rápidamente recopilaron algunos detalles. No hubo muchas pistas cuando no aparecieron testigos que ayudaran a esclarecer el suceso real en una noche en la que el club del Strip Center estaba repleto de fiesteros que entraban y salían del aparcamiento.
Se turnaron para entrar y luego salir de la sala de interrogatorios de la comisaría. Tras la última entrada, el agente alto, delgado, bien afeitado, de tez rubicunda y pelo arenoso, al que se referían simplemente como «Anson», notó que Daniel temblaba. El gesto amistoso del detective jefe Anson de ofrecerle una taza de café se tornó inmediatamente hostil al repetir la pregunta que ya le había formulado varias veces.
«¿Y la última vez que habló con su amigo fue exactamente qué día y a qué hora?». Anson tomó un sorbo de su propio café y luego miró despreocupadamente su reloj.
"Ya te he dicho varias veces que la última vez que vi a Benji me dejó plantado justo ahí » Daniel señaló un lugar en la foto que tenía delante y que delimitaba el aparcamiento.
"¿Su estado de ánimo?» El detective más bajo y corpulento, al que Anson se refería como Hughes, intervino y le dirigió a Daniel una sonrisa despreocupada.
«Cabreado conmigo, pero vivo, como ya he explicado « A pesar de estar caliente por el líquido caliente, Daniel dejó caer la taza, derramando el café cerca del cadáver de Benji en la foto.
La actitud del detective Anson se tornó inmediatamente antagónica. Respiró hondo y sacudió la cabeza.
Daniel percibió el cambio, pero no le importó. Soy inocente, razonó. Simplemente no lo recuerdo. No pude haber matado a mi mejor amigo, repitió en su mente mientras la habitación se hacía más pequeña y más fría. Y no voy a confesar algo que no hice. Ya más calmado, miró fijamente el guardián negro del tiempo fijado contra la pared blanca y descarnada frente a la mesa.
Daniel recorrió entonces la habitación en busca de cámaras y de una pantalla oculta que sabía que existía por las numerosas películas y programas de televisión que había visto. Debo mantener la calma, se dijo, e intentó regular la respiración.
Sin prestar atención a los detectives, repitió entonces las palabras que había ensayado internamente hacía poco frente al espejo antes de quedar en persona con Antonella, su última amiga que había conocido por internet.
*Sí, podemos quedar de vez en cuando. Pero quiero aclararte algo y decírtelo por adelantado para que luego no haya malentendidos. Puedo parecer un blanco fácil, pero no estoy desesperado por compañía. Soy mi propio hombre. Nadie me controla. Si buscas un blanco fácil, te has equivocado de tipo.
Daniel aún no le había dicho esas palabras a Antonella. Su cita estaba fijada para el fin de semana siguiente. La razón por la que él y Benji se reunieron en el bar fue para hablar de su último interés romántico y mostrarle una foto. Como amigo, respetaba su opinión.
Eso fue, hasta que le contó a Benji sobre Antonella. Benji sólo accedió a reunirse con él en el bar ese viernes por la noche para conocer los detalles de cómo Daniel y la mujer se conocieron y sus intenciones. Benji no tenía ni idea de que sería su último día en esta tierra.
Daniel no se dio cuenta de cuánto tiempo había permanecido en la caverna de su propia mente hasta que Anson carraspeó, le dio un codazo en el hombro y luego le chasqueó los dedos en la cara.
"La luz está encendida, pero no hay nadie en casa. Vale, colega, si vas a jugar así, repasemos toda la noche otra vez. El detective Hughes se aflojó la corbata antes de pasearse por la habitación.
"Anson, vamos a necesitar una olla entera.»
Ya era más de medianoche. El detective Anson parecía tan fresco como si acabara de salir de la ducha y se hubiera presentado a trabajar. Pero su tono y su táctica de interrogatorio eran cualquier cosa menos nuevos. Estaba curtido en interrogatorios.
La combinación de Daniel cruzado de brazos, como formando un escudo alrededor de su pecho palpitante, mientras fruncía el ceño le presentó a Anson la oportunidad que había estado esperando.
"Ahora háblanos de las mujeres con las que te has relacionado en el pasado o recientemente. Si no mataste a tu amigo, ¿tenían alguna razón para hacerlo?». La rápida secuencia de preguntas de Anson sólo sirvió para hundir más a Daniel en la silla.
Hughes anotó los nombres de las mujeres que Daniel mencionó y su información de contacto.
Un nombre que pronunció Daniel conmocionó a los detectives mientras intercambiaban miradas, aunque el intercambio recayó en ojos no observadores. «Bingo» fue la palabra que los detectives quisieron exclamar, pero se abstuvieron. Hughes interrumpió rápidamente a Daniel y recabó más información sobre el nombre de la mujer que ambos detectives reconocieron.
Aún así, Daniel seguía sin tener ni idea.
Anson, que había estado de pie cerca de la pared opuesta, corrió hacia Daniel y le agarró del brazo. «¡Idiota incompetente!» Golpeó con el puño a Daniel contra la mesa, encima de la foto de Benii.
«Ni siquiera sabes distinguir cuándo te la están jugando, y mucho menos encubrir un asesinato después de atraerlo hasta el aparcamiento, donde tendrías más posibilidades de hacer el trabajo sucio de esa hembra al amparo de la oscuridad». Anson ignoró el intento de Hughes de llamar su atención.
Hughes miró fijamente a Anson y a Daniel, y luego intervino en voz baja.
"No tienes ni idea de los problemas en los que te has metido sólo por tu lujuria por las mujeres. Eres el blanco más fácil que no tienen que buscar mucho para encontrar».
Ahora la nariz de Daniel se encendió. Cerró el puño e intentó levantarse de la mesa, pero Hughes lo empujó hacia su asiento. Hirviente, replicó acaloradamente: *"¡Yo no he matado a mi amigo! Sólo quiero salir de aquí».
Anson gritó. «Demasiado tarde. Deberías haberlo pensado antes de decidir eliminar a tu amigo». Hizo una pausa y luego continuó. «¿Qué? ¿Era competencia para la atención de las mujeres? ¿Sopesaron sus opciones y le encontraron a él un objetivo más rentable? ¿O la gente para la que trabajas decidió que era un lastre para sus operaciones?»
¿Qué operaciones? Qué tonterías estás inventando. Mira, accedí a hablar contigo. Nada más. Quiero un abogado.»
«Está en su derecho», declaró Hughes.
Instantáneamente, un golpe repentino interrumpió a Hughes. Inmediatamente se acercó a la puerta como si esperara al visitante.
Ambos hombres asintieron con la cabeza como si estuvieran de acuerdo tras un breve intercambio. Hughes se apartó el pelo de la frente y se frotó la nuca. Sus ojos se cerraron como si la información que recibía desbaratara su ventaja sobre el interrogatorio. Sacudió la cabeza y le hizo a su compañero un gesto de decepción.
"Señor Hudson, puede irse. Pero no tome vacaciones no programadas por ahora. Estaremos en contacto», informó Anson a Daniel.
Mirando sin sentido, como paralizado, Daniel se levantó de la silla. Hughes hizo una seña al oficial presente para que acompañara a Daniel a la sala de espera.
Fuera, Daniel se desplomó en el duro banco. No recordaba cuánto tiempo estuvo allí sentado llorando, apretando la foto de Benji con las lágrimas manchando la zona donde la sangre seca ya había dejado huella.
¿Por qué no puedo recordar? se lamentó Daniel en silencio varias veces.
Esa noche, en casa, Daniel engulló otro trago de whisky para sustituir el asqueroso café de la comisaría.
Se durmió varias veces y finalmente se despertó sobresaltado, sudando. Un destello le recorrió la cara dibujando una figura arrodillada sobre él y un rápido roce en el brazo que le produjo escalofríos por todo el cuerpo.
[continuará]
Para mi tema, me inspiré y utilicé la publicación de @daily.prompt de 9 april 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2701: annual award for idiots.
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.
Si se incluye traducción, utilizo DeepL para ayudar a mis lectores.
Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.
