Sergeant Neilson

Morning announced itself with a bright beam of light shining through a gap in the curtains right onto Elwood's face. Reluctantly his eyes opened, revealing his bedroom. First he saw the ceiling, made up of hammered copper, with an intricate design of vines flowing from wall to wall. It was old and tarnished, green flecks intertwined with the dull brown color. As he moved his head lazily, a man in uniform came into view. It was a police officer.

Mid twenties to early thirties at the oldest, clothes in pristine condition, uncomfortably so, his badge polished to perfection, black shoes gleaming in the light brought in by the windows, gun holster and belt perfectly level with his waistline, and hat tucked under his arm. It occurred to Elwood, through the fog of sleep still clouding his mind, that the fact a man that he had never seen before was standing in his room without his permission may say something about his personal security.

"May I help you?" Elwood asked.

"Martin Elwood?" Inquired the officer.

"That would be me." Martin replied as he forced himself into a sitting position on the side of the bed,"I ask again, may I help you?"

With a curt nod, the officer said,"I'm Sergeant Patrick Neilson, of the CPD. I came here under the orders of Chief Mackinaw to inform you of another murder that took place at about five o'clock this morning over on Argyle street. I'm to escort you to the scene of the crime so that you can investigate."

Elwood rolled his shoulders as he stood up,"Now this is a surprise. Normally I'm the one that has to go to the station in order to get any information. Glad to see you are finally taking this case seriously enough to bring me to a fresh scene, instead of giving me pictures."

"Sir, we have been taking this seriously since the beginning." The sergeant said indignantly.

"Sure doesn't seem that way." With that, Martin walked over to his closet, grabbed a trench coat along with his clothes for the day, and walked over to the bathroom to change. "Just give me a moment and we can be off."