Dead Man’s Alibi

The body lay slumped over the desk, blood dripping onto a half-finished glass of bourbon. Detective Cole Bennett took a deep breath, the familiar scent of gunpowder still lingering in the air.

“Victim’s name is Daniel Reeves,” Officer Harris said, flipping through his notepad. “Forty-two, real estate developer. Shot once in the chest. No sign of forced entry.”

Bennett studied the scene. “Means he knew his killer.”

He walked around the desk, noting the victim’s phone still in his hand. The screen was cracked, but one thing stood out—a missed call.

9:47 PM – Unknown Number.

“Run a trace on this,” Bennett said, handing the phone to Harris.

Just then, the door burst open. A man in a tailored suit stormed in, breathless. “What the hell happened?”

Bennett turned. “And you are?”

The man swallowed hard. “Nick Carter. I’m Daniel’s business partner.”

Bennett eyed him. “And where were you tonight?”

Nick hesitated. “I… was at home.”

Bennett studied his face. “Anyone who can confirm that?”

Nick’s jaw clenched. “No. I was alone.”

Bennett crossed his arms. “You and Daniel have any issues lately?”

Nick exhaled sharply. “Business was tense, sure. But I wouldn’t kill him.”

Harris returned, holding up the phone. “Got a hit on that unknown number. Belongs to Claire Reeves.”

Bennett’s brows lifted. “His wife?”

---

Claire Reeves sat across from him in the interrogation room, her mascara smudged from tears.

“I didn’t kill my husband,” she said, voice shaking.

Bennett leaned forward. “Then why did you call him minutes before he was murdered?”

She wiped her eyes. “Because I was trying to warn him.”

“Warn him about what?”

Claire inhaled sharply. “Nick.”

Bennett’s eyes narrowed. “Go on.”

She gripped the edge of the table. “Daniel was going to cut Nick out of the company. He found out Nick had been stealing money. Millions. He was going to the police tomorrow.”

Bennett exchanged a glance with Harris.

“That true, Nick?” he asked as they hauled him back into the room.

Nick scoffed. “She’s lying.”

Bennett leaned in. “Funny thing. Security cameras caught your car outside Daniel’s office at 9:45 PM.”

Nick’s face paled.

Bennett pressed on. “You went there to stop him, didn’t you? Things got heated, and you shot him.”

Nick shook his head. “No, I—”

Claire’s voice cut through the tension. “Daniel called me before he died, Nick. He said your name.”

Nick’s breath hitched. His hands balled into fists.

Silence.

Then, Bennett saw it—the slight nod, the resignation in Nick’s eyes.

“You have the right to remain silent,” Harris said, snapping the cuffs on.

As Nick was led away, Claire let out a shaky breath.

Bennett sighed. Another case closed.

Some men thought they could cheat and kill their way out of trouble.

Nick Carter had just learned the hard way—dead men always talk.