Temporary insanity - a short story by Giantbear

                                            

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Susan was terribly upset when she drove into the driveway with her brand new car. She couldn't believe what Peter had done this time and it was going to take a lot of explaining to get out of this one. She was tired of being treated like this, and just because they had money, didn't mean that she could be bought every time he stepped over the line. This time he had gone too far. 

She sat in the car for a few minutes and then after taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and climbed out. She decided to get rid of the stress and cook dinner. Peter usually loved chicken but she only had a turkey in the freezer.  Perhaps he wouldn't care.  

Just as she was about to start cooking, she heard a car in the driveway. She left everything and walked to the front door to greet him when he came in.  

"I have to stop doing this..we're not living in the fifties anymore."

Peter looked shocked to see her there, and put down his briefcase in the corner.  He nodded to her as he walked in. He looked a bit uncomfortable, but she didn't say a word to make him feel even more uncomfortable than he already was. 

"Can I pour you a drink?" she heard herself asking. 

"Don't bother, I can pour my own." 

She took a seat while he was pouring himself a whiskey. He didn't offer her anything. 

"Are we going out tonight?" she asked as if nothing was bothering her. 

"If you are too tired, I can cook for you."

"Sit down Susan I need to talk to you." Peter walked and stood in front of the window. He turned his back to her because he didn't want to look her in the eyes when he told her. 

She listened while he spoke, and every single word stabbed her deeper and deeper in her heart. 

He turned to pour himself a stiff drink and continued talking. Somewhere between his one way conversation Susan's mind switched off.  She stood up and walked to the kitchen. She opened the freezer and grabbed the turkey. It was heavy but she managed to hold it.  

Peter was still talking when she got back, and he didn't even suspect it, when she hit him on the back of his head. She watched as he fell down on the floor.  She grabbed a pillow and fell on her knees to hit him again, this time making sure that he would never stand up again. 

She grabbed her phone, but decided against phoning anyone. Instead she grabbed her car keys and walked to her car as if nothing was wrong. She drove straight to the grocery store and bought all of Peter's favorite foods.  She was going to make those special potatoes that he loved so much. 

"Good day Mrs. Steiner, how are you today?" 

"I'm fine thank you John, I'm off to cook some dinner for my loving husband. I'm going to cook him all his favorite dishes."

"You are a fine lady Mrs. Steiner, your husband should thank God every day for a wonderful wife like you."

Susan smiled at him. "I will make sure he does."

Twenty minutes later the turkey was in the oven and all the vegetables were cooking on the stove. 

She poured herself a drink and after taking a few sips, she took the phone and dialed 911. 

"Please someone, I need help.  I found my husband laying on the floor when I came home.  I don't think he is breathing.  Please send someone quickly."

Within an hour there was a crowd of people inside the house.  You could smell the delicious turkey cooking in the oven from a mile away.   

"Mrs Steiner, I know this is difficult but could you tell me what happened exactly?" a detective asked. 

Susan told him that she was busy cooking for Peter when she realized that she needed some vegetables. She left everything and drove to the store to buy what she needed. When she arrived home she went straight to the kitchen to continue her cooking, and after everything was on the stove, she went to pour Peter a drink because she knew he would be home any minute. It was then that she saw him there on the floor. 

"It looks like he was hit by a blunt object, but there is no sign of any murder weapon in the house."

Both of them smelled the turkey burning and Susan rushed to switch off the oven. 

"I'm sorry detective it must be the shock. I forgot to turn off the oven. It's getting late. Could I offer you and your friends some turkey sandwiches. All this food is going to go to waste now."

"Well we are still going to be here for a while. That would be lovely thank you, and Mrs. Steiner....I'm sorry for your loss."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she turned around to go to the kitchen. 

"Detective would you mind to help with the carving of the turkey please."

Detective Sanchez nodded and entered the kitchen to help her. 

He helped her cut up the turkey and within half an hour there was nothing left on the plate. 

"This is going to be a difficult case to solve and the biggest issue is the murder weapon.  If we could only find the murder weapon...."  one of the detectives said.