Case #31: Voice

[19centconstable]

Detective Hoffman: I'm going to be your warden!

[George sounds quite pleased.]

...

I'm going to wait to read your file until after I've eaten, if that's alright.

Er. Did anyone else happen to speak to someone who knew me over the weekend? I spoke to a very nice dog...

Comments

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Candles might be dangerous, but I'm certain there are places you could plant flowers in someone's honor. I would speak to the garden staff.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

...You would?

[Hoffman sits up a little at that] I'd take care of them. Nice little rock or something with them.

...What do you think?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Of course. You could speak to them with me, or even on your own if you'd like. I couldn't see them refusing such a request.

You could even engrave something on the rock as well.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

I don't like to ask the admiral for things. [Hoffman paused] but as long as we're sure that he'll be there I could ask him for a rock, or a plaque.

Everyone deserves a tombstone.





When I think of how many people I denied that....

[Hoffman looks vaguely sick for a moment. He puts his hands on his knees and stares down at the carpet]

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

You feel badly?

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[Hoffman squeezes his hands together]

...I'm just...


I miss them.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[George pats him very carefully on the shoulder.]

I'm sure that you do.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[Hoffman doesn't flinch away from the touch. Then squeezes his eyes tight.]

...I'll get the stone from the admiral and you get flowers.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Of course. Any sort in particular?

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

....I don't know flowers..

[Hoffman stands up and begins to pace] Roses? Daisy? What's that little fat fluffy one. Mumbles-somethings.

[Mums Hoffman. Mums.]

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Chrysanthemum.

...

All of my aunts were named for flowers.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

..Really?

[Hoffman stops pacing to stare at him, hands on the side. He smiles, amused.]

You have an aunt named Chrysanthemum?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do.

Also any other flower you can think of.]

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

That's kind of sweet.

Angelina was named after an Angel- [obviously Hoffman, Jesus] I don't think they ever considered flowers.

[He straightens] How about one kind of flower for each one of your aunts?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

That would be all of the flowers that there are, though.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

How many aunts do you have?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Many.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

...Roses, lilies and those mum-things.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[George rises to his feet.]

Excellent choices.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[Hoffman twitches. He's looking toward the closet and all of his photo books]

...You're a good guy George.