The Detective

  An untimely death pushed a witty middle aged man into becoming a detective. After aimlessly slumbering through life witty and observant, this quiet loner was given the job, by one who knew the family well enough to vouch for him. It would take a odd case quickly solved, to push him to stardom.
     Being in a family of educators, has its privileges and problems. Detective Shaw knew this very well. The son of regiment teachers, both father and mother, gave him his edge. And with observation and wit, his life was destine to greatness, of this everyone was sure. But life has but one guarantee, death, and it was none partial to any and all, and without delinquency or hesitancy. Detective Shaw would have hauled death to court if he could, that day when it claimed the life of mom and dad through a freak accident.  Mom tripped over a bucket in the hall and dad tried to catch her from the sure fall. Being of age himself, and not being as agile as younger days, saw both of them fall three flights of steps. Mom to her death, dad several days later.
     Aimlessly wondering how could life be so cruel, and how could a single bucket bring so much pain. Manson Shaw was more angry then sad, more aloft then lonely. So much so then when he entered the coffee shop to sit and take his usual, he did not notice the smile from a family friend. Even in a Policeman uniform, Mr. Bright gave no notice to Manson he was even in the shop, let alone looking to talk with him. Hi Manson! somewhat interrupted, Manson looked up, briefly and then again to take full gaze at a familiar face. The two men greeted each other, and before long they were eating almost like they use to, with Mom and Dad at their home.
     How are things with you Manson? Was a question no one could ask him quite like a Policeman, nor one wait for the answer like them. Before Manson could answer well enough for his own liking, Policeman Bright told him he would like to put his name in for a job as a detective. It was true you had to be a policeman usually before being hired in such a post, but Manson knew people and the question came with its own rewards if he said yes. While Manson was smiling at the thought, Bright spun a wive reminders concerning wit and observational skills that even the Police-force knew would be a welcome addition to their ranks. And almost without further thought or coaxing, yes was given, and both man dug in deeper to their meal with new vigor.
     Observant Manson, began to clear out the old house he shared with his Mom and Dad, and came to the bucket that caused the accident that claimed both parents in part. How it was still there was a mystery, and his ability to remove it more a mystery as he left it right where it had always been up to now. Walking down three flights of steps, the memories that flooded his mind, gave chase to the new ones that begged to be born with the new post he had accepted. After clearing out all that was his, the house became almost an empty shell, for the other family members had already taken out what they wanted and shared with others what was not his. 
     Not even a few months on the job, and before his feet could get wet right, a news bulletin came over the air waves of an escape convict. He had been given 4 life sentences, for 5 murders, and was on death's row for one. This escape prisoner was out for blood. He was schedule to be put to death, and he was going to take someone with him, and he had the perfect person in mind. The mother of the children he had killed, she being the one who got away, gave him a right-away to her door and life. No sooner had the news reached Detective Shaw, an elderly gentleman approached him, and asked to speak in private. Sir, he said in a trembling voice, can you help me? Shaw was not sure what the man was asking, but the room because ominous as tears began to roll down the old man's face. I lost all my grandchildren, and now it looks like i will lose my only child next. Right there and then, the wit of Detective Shaw kicked in as he put two and two together, and before the man broke down completely, Detective Shaw gave the man his assurance that whatever the problem he was having he would help no matter what.
     Witty and observant was all this man needed to calm down enough, to both speak his mind, and state his desires clearly. Taking out a piece of paper, Shaw began to write, who, what when and where, how long and then WHY. For the first time this elderly gentle broke a smile, for he knew that night he would sleep whereas, nothing and no one other could bring him this kind of resolve this kind of peace. As the man left the office of Detective Shaw, the amount of information that was taken and written down, put a giant leap in the old man's step, and so much the more when he heard Detective Shaw call out in the office for this and that, the old man forgot to mention. Now a new set of tears began to trace old ones, this time for joy instead of sadness, for he knew he would be able to say within himself, he did his best for his only daughter.
     Quiet and resourceful, Detective Shaw head that the criminal was last seen in his old area. Knowing the area as well as he did, there would be but few places for hiding and one would be the old house that housed him and his parents. But that was a huge 3 story house and many places inside one could find to hide, and that's even if he was in there. Shaw gave a radio call for back up, but because he was new to the job, only few responded manly because it was an upscale neighborhood and none felt that this type criminal would chance getting caught. As Detective Shaw eased through the neighborhood, his car seemed to be distracted by his mom and dad's home, a little from memories, a little from fear, a little from duty. All of a sudden, he heard what sounded like a bucket, and smiled and made a call over the air. This time almost the whole force showed up, and Detective Shaw told them the criminal was on the third floor, and what would be the best approach to apprehend him. The apprehension went so well, that even the escape convict was dumbfounded. Carried away in handcuffs, dazed and very confused, the officers looked at one another and at Detective Shaw with questions of their own as they one by one drove away. To himself, he asked, how can one bucket cause so much damage and bring so much good, at the same time.