Heart Of A Spider - Season 1 - Episode 6

4 years ago

Heart Of A Spider - Season 1 - Episode 6

“Are you okay?” the driver asked.

“No, I’m not,” croaked the old woman. “Mr. Brown knows I will be coming this morning. He
has yet to answer my persistent knocking. I’m starting to have a panic attack. I’m so worried I’m
beside myself. I know I shouldn’t have, but I’ve looked through the lounge room window. The
room is awash. Clothes, papers, and glass fragments litter the floor. The TV is on its side and is
smashed to pieces. I need the police. I believe Ernest Brown has been murdered.”

“I’m sure there’s no need to panic. I’m Detective Sergeant Alan Kendal. You are?”
“Gladys Waddington. I come here three times each week promptly at 8:00 in the morning. I
have to confess I was ten minutes late this morning. The milkman slept in. I do believe in
punctuality. I’ve been knocking on the front door for ages.”

“I’m sure there’s a simple explanation,” mentioned Kendal.

“How can you be so calm? There’s been a murder.”

“Maybe Mr. Brown went for an early morning walk? I’m sure everything’s fine,” soothed
Kendal.

“I’ve a feeling it’s not.” Gladys pointed at the cars. “I thought I saw Mr. Brown standing in
the driveway right where you parked your car when you arrived.”

Kendal glanced over his shoulder before looking into the woman’s old green eyes. He said
gently. “Other than you, me, my partner Detective Sergeant Claire Ambroso and our rookie friend
there’s no one else here.”

“I’m not senile, Detective. I’m telling you I saw Mr. Brown standing over there in a dull grey
suit.”

Kendal’s eyes narrowed to slits. He’d seen the same figure in his dream.

“Did he speak?”
“No. I could sense he wanted to. Do you believe in ghosts?”

“I know a mind is a powerful tool when under stress.”

“You didn’t answer my question, Detective.”
“I’ve an open mind.”
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
Kendal shrugged.
“Have you seen Mr. Brown?” asked Gladys.
“I’d rather stay neutral in my assumptions.”
“I sense you have.”
“I’ll take a look inside.” Kendal flashed the woman a steady smile before walking to the front
door. Swiveling his head he glanced at his partner. “Are you coming, Sergeant Ambroso?”
“Excuse me, Detective, I don’t mean to stick my nose into where it doesn’t belong, I can’t see how you can enter the house. The front door is locked.”

There was a faint click. Gladys watched the handsome 35-year-old detective reach out his
right hand to turn the doorknob.

The door opened easily.
Kendal stowed his illegal toolkit back in his top pocket. The one his dearly departed friend,
Mike, gave him.

“Constable, stay and console the good lady. Detective Ambroso, let’s go.”
Both detectives strolled into the house. Three feet in they stopped to study a painting of an
unknown artist before moving further into the lounge.

“Mr. Brown, are you awake?” called Claire.
Hearing nothing, the two detectives moved silently about the house. Kitchen, lounge, and the
hallway were in disarray. Papers littered the floor. Cupboard doors were left wide open. Kitchen
draws were tossed; their contents scattered across the floor.

Kendal closed the fridge door before walking down the hall. He stood at the foot of the stairs,
looking up.