Absence Of Evidence

by M.C. Tuggle

About the Author: M.C. Tuggle is a writer living and working in Charlotte, NC. His fantasy, science fiction, and literary short stories have been featured in several publications, including Metaphorosis, Kzine, and Mystery Weekly. The Novel Fox released the paperback version of his novella Aztec Midnight in March, 2016.

Excerpt

The burly outline of Officer Jerry Simms filled my office doorway. “Treka? We’re here.”

A young man in a puffy green parka trudged in front of Simms, eyes fixed on the floor.

Simms took a deep breath. “Treka, this is Ron Washburn, the son of Davis Washburn. He’s the only surviving kin. Ron, this is Mrs. Treka Dunn. She’s the medical examiner investigating your father’s death.”

“Hello, Ron. Have a seat.”

Without looking at me, he said, “Which one?”

“You can take the chair closest to you.”

He did as he was told.

Simms took the other chair. “Ron, you can ask Mrs. Dunn any questions about your father’s case. But she makes the final decision.”

Ron looked up at me. “I know who killed my dad. It was Les Ingalls.”

Simms had told me about Ron on the phone, how we’d have to explain everything to him. Ron Washburn was autistic, twenty-four, with a pleasant, expressive face. Hazel eyes, now bloodshot. Sandy hair, cut short, with a stubborn tuft sticking out over one ear. When he spoke, he worked his jaw in exaggerated movements, uttering each word with awkward precision. He wore a military-style parka with a fur lining around the neck, just the thing for a nasty January in northern Missouri.

I said, “Ron, we don’t believe anyone killed your father. From all indications, it was a heart attack.”

He shook his head so violently I thought he’d hurt himself.

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