Chapter 2: An Abattoir

 In chapter two, we are introduced to the crime scene through the eyes of Lieutenant Ray Grandisha.  The police were called by Jules and Liz Pranet, Sue's brother and sister-in-law, and the couple the Donases we're supposed to have met for dinner that evening.   As Ray Grandisha takes in the crime scene, he runs into John Lupico, the coroner.  It is clear that Ray Grandisha believes that something very unusual and very sinister took place here .

Many Cones is a podcast novel based on true crime. The murders inspiring this crime fiction took place 30 miles from Chicago in Northwest Indiana, and captivated the area from the initial brutal crime scene all the way through and beyond discovery of a shockingly bizarre motive. 

The apartment resembled an abattoir. Lieutenant Ray Grandisha had to pause as he stood in the midst of the carnage. Twenty-five years of witnessing cruelty never sufficed to prepare him for the bad ones. 

The Sheriff’s department had received a call at 10:57 P.M. A man by the name of Jules Pranet. He and his wife were supposed to meet their brother and sister-in-law for dinner at a popular restaurant on the outskirts of town. They waited for an hour. Jules and his wife, Liz, didn’t start to worry until that hour had expired. 


Sixty minutes. A few drinks. Told the waiter to come back three times. The third delay repaid with a bit of rudeness. During the wait, Jules and Liz engaged in personal conversation for the first twenty five minutes. The next half hour devoted to jokes about Sue always being late; Jim always yelling at her. The last five minutes arguing about calling the Police and hospitals. 


Finally, Jules and Liz left the table. A difficult walk to the foyer. Two forlorn faces in the midst of merriment. Jules concerned that making contact with those who deal in calamity would somehow confirm the worst. Pause by the pay phone. Head pounding. Walk in. Walk in. Please God, walk in. 


Liz sat next to the phone. “Do you need change?” 


Jules, still stalling, “No, I’ll put everything on the card. I can get the operator and have her call Jim’s number; if there’s no answer she can contact the police; I’ll ask her to stay on and call the hospital next.”


Liz, looking up at him; “Okay. Well?” 


Jules jumps, “Alright.  Fuck.” 


No answer at Jim’s. No calls, accident reports, or any other type of bad news according to the police. No emergencies or ambulance runs, according to the hospital. 


Jules, feeling a touch relieved, sat next to Liz. “What now?” 


Liz slouched; “Let’s wait.” 


Jim, with the retort, “For what? They’re not coming. It’s almost an hour and a half...” 


The discussion was broken up by the rude waiter. He handed Jules a bill for four drinks; an uncivil smirk on his face. As Jules passed cash to him, he made a point of saying he wanted change. The waiter returned in five minutes; silver and green on a tray. Jules took it all. The waiter remained for ten seconds and then huffed off. 


Jules continued, “We have to go their apartment. We’ll drive the route they would have taken.” 


Liz said, “Okay.” 

The trip took thirty minutes. No accidents, no cars on the shoulder or off the road. No couples walking. Nothing out of place.