Let's See What Develops

Let’s See What Develops

“Earth to Ron. You didn’t even hear me come in did you? I have been watching you standing there starring at that photograph and shaking your head. Anything I can help with to put you in touch with today’s world?”

“Sorry Derrick, I was literally lost in space. Can you remember where we were last night when I took this photo?”

“You realise it is a photograph of a dark night taken on a very dark night. I may as well be looking at a blackboard.”

“Yes that’s the one, where were we? I do not actually remember taking it. It could be  important.”

“A pitch black photo obviously taken with your thumb over the lens is important? Seriously?”

“It may turn out to be extremely important. I must have deliberately taken it however I cannot for the life of me recall why I did so. If it was when we heard the screams from the group we thought were party goers it could well be what the police are looking for. I have been racking my brain trying to remember just where we were.”

“The police are looking for a photo of a dark night? Is there a reward? I have dozens.”

“Don’t be stupid. I’m trying to remember if it relates time wise to the screams we heard.”

“Oh so it’s actually a photo of a scream the police are looking for? How that makes sense I have no idea and I don’t believe your exceptional photo of black will get them any closer to achieving that wonderful feat. I think you may be confusing it with the famous painting called The Scream. I don’t recall reading about anyone actually being able to take a photo of a scream though. How did you manage it?”

“Oh shut the fuck up Derrick. Be serious. If I took the photo near the park where we heard someone screaming it could show evidence of who was in the park at that time. There was a murder in a riverside park last night. We went down to the riverside at some stage, that much I do recall, but there are several parks in the area and I cannot remember what time it was we were there, or which park.”

“I remember you babbling on about having trouble trying to take a photo in the dark. I also remember how many drinks we had, which is why went to the park to clear our heads. Neither of us was capable of driving, or taking photos of any consequence as it turns out. How could a black photograph of darkness assist the police?”

“What if they have the technology to be able to show who is in the photograph even though it was dark? It could be the person they want to ‘assist them with their inquiries’.”

“I am probably stating the obvious, but from what I can see, if you have caught anyone of interest in your photograph, it is a dark skinned person. That should make it easier for the police to track the miscreant. While it does cut out a lot of the population unfortunately it puts me right in the frame. I am the right colour and I was in the park around the time you took the photograph.”

“You are starting to annoy me Derrick. Just for once try to be serious and look at something without trying to inject your less than funny humour. With all the modern day technology, who is to say any photo cannot be changed to show figures hidden in a dark image? I am saying there may well be a possibility of an image of a possible killer buried behind the dark exterior of my photograph. I’m going to the police.”

“Whoa. Take a chill pill Ron. Think this through. Just for starters going to the police might put us in the vicinity at the time a crime is being committed. We were more than a tad under the weather so it could be suggested our memory of what happened is blurred. You do not have any evidence your photograph is related in any way to the crime. Until you have more information about the time and place you should stay away from getting involved.”

“Derrick Waterson all over. Your only thought is about yourself. You have no idea how much the police appreciate public assistance do you? We were in the same area a crime was committed last night, we may have seen something that could help. In this case I have a photograph of the area near where someone screamed. It may be totally innocent but on the other side of the coin it may be the clue the police are hoping for. I am going to the police Derrick. It is up to you if you come with me.”

“Jesus wept. After you go there the police will want to speak to me anyway. I do not really have a choice. Anyway when they laugh at your photograph it may teach you a lesson about getting involved with the police.”

At the Police Station.

“Good morning officer, my name is Ron Ward. I have some information about last night’s murder in the riverside park.”

“And what sort of information would that be Sir?

“I have a photograph of a person of interest.”

“Watch a lot of Police shows on TV do you Sir? Can I see the photograph?”

“Certainly, that is why I am here.”

“I hope this is not the photograph you claim is of a person of interest, it is black.”

“Yes that is the problem. You will have to look deeper into the image.”

“I think this is well above my ranking to deal with Mr Ward. I will get one of the Detectives  to speak to you.”

“Sorry to have to get you to handle this Inspector but Mr Ward here has brought in a photo he claims could be an image of a person of interest in the park killing.”

“Watches a lot of Police shows on TV does he? Is this the photo?”

“Unfortunately yes Inspector.”

“It’s black Sergeant.”

“Yes Sir it is. It did not escape my notice.”

“Mr Ward, tell me this is not the photograph you claim could be of interest, it is totally black.”

“Well Inspector it is. I took it last night, I am a bit hazy on time but it was at one of the riverside parks. We heard a scream so I took a photo, just in case.”

“Of what?”

“Of what?”

“Yes that was my question Mr Ward. Just in case of what?”

“Oh I see. In case something may have happened to cause someone to scream.”

“That is normally the case. People do not take to screaming in public for no reason is my experience.”

“Yes. I agree, so it may be I captured an image of a person of interest.”

“Mr Ward, will you do me a favour?”

“Certainly, anything to help the police.”

“You can stop using that person of interest phrase and show me a photograph I can use.”

“Of course. Sorry my first time in a police station, I am a bit nervous.”

“Not unusual for most people if they have something to concern themselves with. Is your friend nervous or unconcerned, he is very quiet?”

“Derrick? Well he was concerned before we came, you know not wanting to get involved sort of thing. He thought the photograph is a bit dark to be useful.”

“An understatement of monumental proportions Mr Ward, it is a bit more than dark, it is pitch black. You cannot see anything unless it is a photo of a dark skinned person’s body.”

“That is why Derrick was nervous before we came. As you can see he is dark skinned.”

“We do see people of that persuasion quite frequently. Some actually work for our Department. What we don’t see very often, in fact never before in my experience Mr Ward, is a member of the public bringing a photograph of a person’s scream as a piece of evidence in a murder case. Well done you. We do know who probably screamed, what we don’t know is who caused the person to scream. Do you by any chance have information in that regard?”

“Using the photograph. If you have the technology to delve past the blackness then underneath could be that person of interest you are looking for.”

“I did ask you to stop using that phrase Mr Ward. Any thoughts on how we delve into the photograph?”

“No.”

“Precisely the answer I expected. Leave the photo with me and we will see what we can do. We will keep you informed on any developments.”

“Sort of see what develops eh Detective. Years ago you had to have all photos developed.”

“Good bye Mr Ward. Please take your friend with you.”