gaslight (8) in Gaslight

Murdoch always kept his cruiser immaculate. There were no empty coffee cups or half eaten snacks lying around. Kate found this obsessive behavior a great source of entertainment for her while riding around the city.

Kate hopped in the passenger seat and immediately put her boots up on the dashboard. Murdoch shook his head and knew Kate was just trying to piss him off. He always hoped if he didn’t respond eventually Kate would tire of her immature behavior. She seemed determined to play the clown.

“Hey Chazzie, how bouts we stop for some breakfast at the drive through? Feeling a little faint here.”

Murdoch laughed and said,

“There is no way I am giving you shit to eat in this car miss piggy. I’d smell your debris for a month. Someone should check up your skirt to make sure you really are a woman. I have never met a female who had so many bad habits I thought were attributed to the male of the species.”

Kate forced out a fart and mimicked a southern belle accent saying,,

Why sir, whatever do you mean?

Murdoch busted out a sincere laugh and said,

“You slay me Becker, absolutely slay me. “

Kate put her feet down and asked,

“So what about this witness? Name? Did Mellon say she had anything worthy or are we just chasing our tails.”

“We chase everything right now Becker. We got shit and we need to start somewhere. Looking at dead bodies does us no good without somewhere to go. The usual look at the family and boyfriend shit isn’t panning out. Somers is the witness’s name. First name Lydia.“

Kate nodded and replied,

“Female eh? Hope she isn’t too spooked about the whole murder thing. Maybe I should be the one to interview her and not the big brawny badass detective getting all up in her grill.”

“You’re bullshitting me right? I’m the bad-ass detective here? Have you seen your personnel file lately?”

Kate laughed and said,

“Lies and fabrications I say! Here I am, one of the city’s finest. Wanna see my shiny badge?”

Murdoch decided ignored Kate and went back to attending to his driving. The roads were surprisingly clear of traffic and day pleasant and sunny. Kate knew she was being ignored and decided to give Murdoch a break. Eventually they came to the address and Murdoch eased into a parking spot right across from the brownstone.

Murdoch ignored the suggestion that Kate do the interview alone and got out of the car. Kate followed along with no protest and they both walked to the steps leading to the entryway.

“After you Sherlock. Show the little lady how it’s done. “

Murdoch gave Kate a wink and said,

“Learn from the master, learn from the master. “

Kate stepped out of the doorway and leaned her back against the exterior wall out of the view of the peep hole. The interior door cracked open and Murdoch flashed his badge and said,

Morning Maam. Charles Murdoch of the city’s detective bureau. We had an officer here earlier talking about the killing that happened on the block. He indicated you might have witnessed something the night of incident.”

Lydia eyed the badge from the crack in the door opening and seemed satisfied of Murdoch’s credentials. She opened the door and said,

“Come in Detective.”

Somers was a petite woman who was barely over five feet in height and a hundred pounds soaking wet. She gave Kate a good look as she appeared in the door. Kate followed Murdoch onto the landing of the main floor. Murdoch waived his arm toward Kate and said,

“This is my partner Detective Becker Miz Somers.”

Kate gave Somers a nod but didn’t say a word. Murdoch continued to lead the questioning.

“Miz Somers, Officer Mellon reported you may have seen a couple of individuals out front the night of the murder which coincides with the time frame we have regarding this investigation. Could you tell us about it again?”

Well, there is nothing much to tell other than I really don’t sleep very well and was up late that night. I noticed two women out front over by the street lamp. It was really nothing more than a glance. They were younger. Late twenties or so and one had dark hair and the other a blonde. They might have been smoking or something.

Murdoch had retrieved his beaten up notepad and a pen and was scribbling away while Lydia was giving Kate a look. Murdoch continued,

“Anything more you can give us? Did they seem to be getting along? More detail regarding a description?

Lydia continued to look at Kate and replied,

“Actually, the blonde looked a lot like your partner here. Blonde, fit, about the same size and weight. The dark haired chick a little more plump but it’s hard cuz she was all in dark clothes. Dark night you know.”

But you didn’t see anything violent or arguing, anything like that?

Lydia continued to look at Kate and answer Murdoch. She seemed distracted.

“Nope, nothing like that” she said barely above a whisper.

Murdoch sensed something odd about the interview as Somers seemed focused on Kate instead of him.

“Detective Becker, is there anything I missed here. You have any question for Miz Somers?

Kate remained focused on Lydia as she answered Murdoch.

“Nothing here detective. Maybe give her a card if she remembers anything. Here’s one of mine.

Kate handed Lydia her card and said,

“Call for any reason at all Miss Somers. We look forward to anything else you might have to offer. We fear there is a very dangerous person walking about.”

Lydia nodded at Kate and said.

“I fear the very same thing.”

Last updated April 02, 2015