HAZEL CARTBELL’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,

The killer was creeping, as quiet as a mouse.

With a gun in his hand and his eyes on the prize,

Who he was after, I could only surmise.

The killer moved quickly, he searched for his goal,

The house was as dark as Victor Kendall’s black soul.

I inched my way slowly, to keep him in sight,

But he stayed in the shadows, as dark as the night.

I grew cold and tired, my brain started to roam,

And I thought of the townsfolk, all warm in their home.

I pictured Mama Bella in her restaurant,

Waiting on her customers to see what they want.

And then in a twinkling, my thoughts started to drift,

To my brother, Sebastian, who always seemed miffed.

Two years my junior, he still acted like a child,

I try not to judge him, without getting riled.

Or the chief’s son, Robbie, a student in college,

He’s studying hard to expand his knowledge.

He’s got a crush on our pretty dispatcher,

Robbie won’t give up hope, thinking he’ll catch her.

Sister Marie Catherine, the old-school nun,

So strict and somber, does she ever have fun?

I can visualize Sister, praying in church,

Then I heard a loud noise and my heart gave a lurch.

There out on the street, a car rolled to a stop,

And Donovan emerged, our new rookie cop.

With a huff and a puff, he raced up beside me.

Did the recruit think I would need him to guide me?

The heavens released a fresh dusting of snow,

The rookie grew restless, but we had to keep low.

I kept my eyes peeled and let my grip loosen,

A wonderful sight, here comes Chief Rasmussen.

My heart filled with joy as I watched him draw near,

Would the chief never notice me, was my worst fear.

He strode to the door and called in a firm voice,

Come out with your hands up, you don’t have a choice.

I watched him with pride, this man was my hero,

Just like Poirot and that Wolfe they called Nero.

As the bad guy obeyed and marched onto the porch,

I knew as long as I lived, I would carry this torch!

In honor of my short story Who Murdered...? series