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Malcolm Bradley

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Suspect

Straight from the blue.  Unexpected visit
from the C.I.D.  May we come in?
It’s just routine.  In connection
with this teenage girl.  You live alone then,
evidently.  Did you know her?

You realise you were seen that night,
the night that girl was raped and killed.
We have a witness, recognised your face.
Out of work now, are you?  What do you do
all day?  Go for walks, and read, I see.

I think you knew her.  Where did you say
you were that night, at home?
Watching television?  Reading, ah, I see.
And what about the landlord, did you
see him?  Or the girls next door?

We’ve had a word with them.  They say
you’re rather private in your ways.
They say you’re on the quiet side, you know
the sort of thing I mean.  It’s just routine.
Still, I think you knew her all the same.

We’ve some photos of her body in the car
outside.  Want to see them?  Calm down,
old son, you’re all on edge.  Like I said,
it’s just routine.  May we take
those boots of yours in for a check?

It would help us to eliminate your name
from our enquiries.  We can drop them off
tomorrow, only don’t wait in, we’ll
leave them in the hall.  Wouldn’t want
to inconvenience you at all.

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