Ben C. O. Grimm

I didn't kill her. I swear to God. I know you found me here with the knife in my hand. I know I'm covered in blood. I can see where your suspicions come from. But I didn't do it. Why do you ask me where I've been? Out. I've been out. Somewhere. No, I don't remember where exactly. Nothing much happened. I strolled. I don't know when I came back to the house. All I know is that I'm here, covered in blood and holding a knife. And you're talking to me. I can see what you're thinking. We go back a long way. I know that look. There's no reason for you to distrust me. Really there isn't. I'm just a victim of circumstance. No, I'm not drunk. Smell my breath, look at my face. Look how my eyes focus. Ask me anything, and I'll give you the answer. No, dammit! I didn't kill her! Ask me something else. Let me prove to you that my mind is in perfect condition. Yeah, I remember Paris. 1992. You see? Nothing wrong with me. It is of no consequence that I'm holding a bloody knife. Could have happened to anyone, but it just happens to be me this time. Where are you going? Stay away from the phone, you hear? We can work this out. Well, maybe you can work it out. All I know is that I'm here, on my knees, next to a lifeless body. It doesn't mean anything, does it? No, we can do without the law. Never mind the paramedics. She's dead, see? Just as long as it's clear to you that I'm not involved in all of this. I'm just an innocent bystander, who happens to be holding a knife. I must have pulled it out. I guess she was still alive at the time. A ruptured jugular. I'm covered in blood. It makes perfect sense. No, can't think of any enemies. What do you mean 'no broken glass, the door's still intact?'. Where are you going? What's in the bedroom? You look pale. Okay, I'll have a look. No, don't be afraid. I'll leave the knife on the floor. I'm not a violent person, you know that. I just pulled the knife out. I didn't stick it in. Yes, I can see that the bed's a mess. Blood on the wall. A ruptured jugular will do that, you know? Yes, she's naked. I know I'm naked. I was getting ready to go to bed. And then you came in. I know you found me in the living room. What do you take me for? I know damn well where I was. No, I didn't drag her from the bedroom to the living room. I found her here. And I pulled the knife out just before you came in. I swear. Why would I kill her in the bedroom and drag her to the living room? What's what? Scratch marks, I guess. I don't know where I got them. Maybe I'm allergic to detergents. I've had an itch all day long. No, don't touch the phone! I told you once before. We can sort this out. All we need to do is think rationally. After we've figured out what happened, we will call the cops. They have a tough enough job. Let's not waste their time. Why are you so silent? Go sit somewhere. Don't just lie there. It's bad enough as it is with her lying here. Get up. Look out for that phone cord. How did you manage to put that around your neck? This is not the moment for horsing around with the phone. Get up. Think with me. No? God. What a lousy day this has been.

© Ben C. O. Grimm