Part 2, written by @svashta
Part 3 written by @svashta, and Part 3 written by @braveheart29
Part 4, written by @braveheart29
Part 5, written by @svashta
Part 6, written by @braveheart29
Part 7, written by @svashta
Part 8, written by @braveheart
Part 9, written by @svashta
Part 10, written by @braveheart29
And before you is part 11, written by @svashta
knock knock knock
“Jim Smith, open up! It’s the police! We know you’re in there! We saw shadows moving inside the house when we pulled over!”
The door didn’t move, but police officers heard footsteps from inside the house coming closer.
“Open up, Jim! We just want to talk!”
The peephole closed and the footsteps began to make their way away from the door.
“Last warning! We’re tearing this door down in 10 seconds! We have a warrant!”
“Oh come on, what is all this about? Are the animal rights activists complaining again or what? I told you at least 10 times before, I don’t do anything illegal and all the slaughtering is done in correspondence to the state’s laws!” Jim yelled from inside the house, but didn’t walk any closer to the door.
“We’re not here for your cows, Jim. Open up, let’s have a word.”
“What’s all this about then?”
“Open the door or we’re coming in.”
Jim finally admitted defeat and unlocked the door. The police officers pinned him to the wall, checked him for any weapons he might have had, took his gun and put him in handcuffs.
“I thought you said we were just going to talk?” Asked Jim angrily.
“We are. But down at the station.”
They drove off to the police station with the two police cars and upon their arrival stuffed Jim into one of those interrogation rooms.
“Do you know why you’re here, Jim?” Asked the police officer sitting opposed to Jim Smith.
“No idea. I thought it must be something with my cows, but now I think it’s some misunderstanding,” Jim remained calm and tried to act unknowing.
“Allow me to rephrase that. Were you at John Svashta’s farm yesterday?”
Jim thought for a second and weighed out his options. He knew he needed a fake story and he needed it fast. He had to come up with something plausible.
“I was, yes. I thought it was him who stole four of my cows so I decided to pay him a visit. He assured me it wasn’t him so I left. John and I go years back. We don’t particularly like each other, but I believe the man when he tells me something. Why, has anything happened to John?”
“We believe you found out he stole four of your cows and shot him with your shotgun. There were your cows in his barn and when you found out you couldn’t control yourself and fired.”
“That son of a… He stole my cows!?” Jim tried his best to act surprised, but the cop saw right through him.
“We have a witness from the crime scene who saw you leave John’s farm after the gunshot, Jim. There’s no point in lying to us.”
“He got what he deserved. No one steals from me and walks unpunished. And he threw cow sh#t on my car. He more than deserved it. How is the bastard doing anyway?”
“He’s currently recovering at the hospital, but in stable condition. You should’ve called us and we would handle the situation. It does appear he stole your cows, but he remains innocent until proven guil-…”
“There are my cows in his barn god damn it! Is that not proof enough?!” Jim got restless and started yelling at the officer.
“Calm down, Jim. We are investigating the incident. John is claiming he didn’t steal any cows from you and that three of his cows were stolen as well. There might be a third person that is playing games with the two of you.”
“Good thing the bastard’s not dead then, eh? Don’t know how he survived a shot straight into his chest from 3 feet, but hey, no murder charges for me. I’ll bail myself out and walk out of here a free man. Third person trying to pay games with us, HAH! It’s all John, you hear me? It’s all John. That miserable twat just hates my guts. He can’t stand it that I’m successful and he’s on the edge of bankruptcy. So can I go now?”
“You knowingly shot a man with the intention of murder, Jim. You’re facing six to twelve months of prison minimum.”
“Oh come on,” Jim checked the badge on the left side of the officer’s torso; “Charles. How about $50.000 in cash? It’s an offer you can’t refuse.”
Charles looked Jim straight in the eyes and extended his arm toward Jim for a handshake.
“Pleasure doing business with you. I’ll collect the money tomorrow at noon.”
“Sounds about right. And while you’re at it, scratch all of this out of your record. Oh and, one last thing, keep me updated on John and the cow theft. If it really wasn’t him, I want to know who it was.”
Charles nodded and opened the door for Jim who walked out of the Police station a free man, just as he had foreseen.
The countryside police was corrupt all the way. They were lacking funds which resulted in lower salaries and made them very susceptible to bribing. Jim knew that and took advantage of the situation. He knew he could’ve even gotten away with murder had John Svashta passed away. Perhaps $50.000 wouldn’t have done it then, and he would’ve had to pay $100.000, but nevertheless, he knew he would remain a free, innocent citizen.
in the comments below leave me a clue,
an idea for a story you'd love to read,
a journey to the unknown my keyboard will lead.
20
- #21 - The red star
- #22 - A terminally ill child wishes to meet a villain
- #23 - School trip
- #24 - Rebellious talking food
- #25 - Long-distance Relationship