The Sunday Scaries
Volume 1, Number 34
Microfiction by Pat Harrigan
Content Warning: Language and Horror

The Case of the Extended Family

The detective had gathered them all in his office: the widow, the lover, the estranged daughter, the twin sons, the business partner (now in handcuffs, his embezzlements exposed), the Inspector and the Sergeant. From his desk in the corner, the Man Friday watched them all with eager interest.
          I demand— someone said.
          Pfui! said the detective. You demand nothing. I was invited to investigate this matter and I have done so…
          Here followed one of the detective’s conventional egotistic speeches. When he was finished, the Inspector had grown visibly impatient. Can we get to the point? he asked. Someone in this room is a murderer.
          More than one person, said the detective. Because the alibis before us so completely establish the fact that none of the people in this room could have done it, it must be that at least one person is lying to establish cover for another. What’s more, the timing of the events makes it appear that the killer was in two places at the same time, which is impossible, therefore—
          This is a setup! yelled James, or John.
          You’ve got no proof, yelled John, or James.
          Calm down, sirs, said the detective. I am not accusing you. Or you. All will become clear in a moment.
          The detective nodded toward his assistant, who leaped to his feet. From his coat pocket the assistant withdrew a hand mirror and thrust it in the face of the dead man’s lover.
          She shrieked. Her reflection shrieked and bulged outward. From the mirror, a protoplasmic blob, fleshlike, tentacular, extruded and drooped thickly to the floor. Writhing, it extended upright and solidified until before them stood an exact duplicate of the young woman.
          Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle, said the Sergeant.
          Wait, said the detective, and the assistant repeated the process with the dead man’s wife, daughter, and business partner. Soon the room was crowded with four pairs of identical duplicates, and one pair of genetic twins.
          I hope you brought enough handcuffs, Inspector, said the detective.
          As a group, they all (except the twins) tried to make a break for it, but of course the police were waiting outside. I think you have enough evidence to make a charge of conspiracy, suggested the detective.
          John and James were devastated. She was the best mother a boy could want, said one of them. Always there when we needed her. And sis, I always thought she had the energy of two people. And the others—
          Some men look for lovers who remind them of their wives, mused the assistant.
          Enough of that, said the detective. We must discuss my fee.
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