1
2
3
It was a hot summer’s day. The kind where you didn’t even want to inhale because it felt like you were smoking a cigarette made of dust. Yeah, it was going to be a bad one, especially when she walked into my office. 4
The nameplate on my door read “Doc, Private Investigator.” I used to work for the city as their medical examiner. The nickname kind of stuck. 5
Her name was Hubbard, O.M. Hubbard. She said she liked using initials instead of her real name. Said it made her feel young. If you ask me, it would take a lot more than that.6
“You have to help me! I went to my cupboard safe, and it was empty!” She sat there, head buried in her hands, weeping. I handed her a tissue and opened a bottle of scotch. She said, “I’m sorry, I don’t drink.” 7
I laughed. “It ain’t for you sister.” I took a long pull, capped it and placed it back in the drawer. It didn’t beat the heat, but anything that wet the whistle was good enough for me. “This is a job for local flatfoots, not a Private Dick.” I said.8
“Doc, you don’t understand. In the safe was a priceless painting. It was the Get Her Dog a Bone by none other than Mary-Mary Quitecontrary. I don’t want some donut eating beat-cop working this. I want the best.” She said, eyes gushing9
"Poor dame," I thought to myself. I handed her another tissue, got her address and told her I’d be there in the morning. 10
The next day, I drove to the address. It was a big house. Bigger than the one that looked like a shoe, next door. “Rich people.” I muttered, shaking my head. I walked up and knocked on the door. Ms Hubbard answered.11
She showed me in and I made mental notes of the surroundings. It seemed nice and tidy, yet I had a feeling something wasn’t quite right. I looked around for clues and noticed something. There were dark brown stains on the curtains. The kind of stains after blood dries.12
We went into the kitchen, and I opened the cupboard safe. Just as she said, it was as empty as a pack of smokes after an AA meeting. I turned and said, “What do you want me to do ma’am?” 13
“Just find my painting!” She exclaimed.14
Usually, I’m all for this kind of cakewalk job. But I had a gut feeling something else was going on here. And like a good gumshoe, I always go with my gut. “So, what’d you do with your ex-husband Ms Hubbard?” I asked. 15
“How did you know I used to be married?” she said with shock in her voice. “I mean, what ever are you talking about?” trying to cover up. 16
“I like to check clients before I take jobs and found out that you were once married to Hickory Dickory, the richest man in town. He hasn’t been seen or heard from in weeks.” I told her.17
Ms Hubbard looked flustered, and began weeping. “I didn’t know what else to do. I had no choice but to shoot him. He was crazy. He accused me of stealing his designs on new clocks he was working on. He was going to kill me.”18
I looked at her and smiled. “Of course you had no choice Ms Hubbard. Just because you made a large deposit into your account last week that you got from a competitor of your ex-husband’s……… No, that’s absurd.” I said with cynicism. “So, let me guess. You’re the soul beneficiary of your ex-husband’s clock business, right? You stand to inherit all of it, and sell it to the highest bidder. Am I getting warm?”19
A crooked smile appeared. “You’ll never prove it. It’s circumstantial evidence. Your word against mine.” The waterworks dried up just as quickly as they started. 20
“Don’t be too sure Ms Hubbard. Let me introduce you to a good friend of mine, Sergeant B.B. Wolf who was standing outside listening this whole time." He cuffed her and she looked at me. “How did you put this all together so quickly?”21
“Because it’s my job sister.” I replied, tipping my hat to her. I walked out the front door and stood there as they drove off. “Case closed on the disappearance of Hickery Dickery, Doc.” I said to myself. “If she only knew I was already working that case. Now, let’s see if I can’t find that painting.”22
Hear it here23
24
Voice of O.M. Hubbard - None other than galfalfa25
26
Adding your comment:
You deserve a huge applause from me for this masterpiece of story, and allthough I have to sacrefice some of my own points, it is well worth it! Congratulations on the Silver trophy for you got for this poem, it was well deserved. 
Sorry, I had to play it again. I am sure that had you added the audio before the contest closed, you would have won gold with more than a horse head! Thanks for sharing this with us all, John!
B.B. Wolf seems to be one very popular storybook rhyme character. He must be one very busy fellow. I love the creativity I see at work here. The story flowed well and made perfect sense to me. Thank you for entering the contest and good luck. 
Please tell me! 