James Collins, Man Of Mystery

Written for Genre Stretch on Stringing Words - genre: Mystery

Inspector James Collins circled the room
With sure measured paces he examined the gloom
Each piece of evidence the man did spy
No fleeting clue would escape his eye

Through the door to the hall was a grievous sight
And he fought for control with all of his might
Many a pretender was trying his luck
And he watched with relish as they came unstuck

Save one true nemesis, Miss Edith DeVernt
She solved crimes by wit, he used what was learnt
This investigation didn't need her kind
Flaunting around with her over-hyped mind

She would not defeat him, of this he was sure
His skills as detective would crown him victor
He examined the crime scene with fresh vigour and zeal
He was close to the truth he could practically feel

And suddenly he found it! Tucked right under the body
Where the unfortunate fellow had spilled his hot toddy
The minute final clue in the puzzle they face
He called them together and cut to the chase

"The murder was you!" he proclaimed with great gusto
And pointed his finger at poor Philip Pusto
"With a blow to the head, just above the nose.
The blood on the carpet shows how this story goes!"

The room fell to silence. Philip said "that's not right.
I killed him with poison. We two did not fight."
And Robert, who'd said the body was realistically seen
Ran from the room, a most dreadful shade of green

Then Hattie said softly, "But there shouldn't be blood"
And Mikey, her boyfriend, shakily stood
Moving to "the body" he touched the man's head
But Chris was regrettably, quite, quite dead

Then some young men panicked, and young ladies screamed
And many rued bitterly the evening had been themed
And by the time the police had arrived
Many a tall story had thus been contrived

The investigations then, began for real
And someone complained this had never been the deal
And with his fingertips inked, and his head full of strife
James Collins swore off "Mystery" parties for life!