by J. B. Tilton email:
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 1 episode "Déjà vu All Over Again" and the premier of season 2 episode "Witch Trial".)
An investigator from the Internal Affairs Division of the San Francisco Police Department shows up at the manor investigating Andy's death.
ONE
Prue picked up her briefcase and retrieved her keys from the entryway table. Her heart really wasn't into going to work just now. Andy's death was still too fresh in her mind. But life didn't stop just because someone you cared about died. And Mr. Buckland, although sympathetic, hadn't known Andy. Not like Prue had known him.
She knew she would eventually come to terms with Andy's death. At least they had been able to vanquish the warlock that had killed him. It was some comfort, although it did little to ease the ache Prue felt. Especially knowing that it had been because of her and her sisters that Andy had died. Sighing, she walked over and opened the front door to head for her car.
As she opened the door, she came face to face with a man standing on the front porch. He had his hand raised in a fist as if he was just about to knock on the door. He wore a dark gray suit and black shoes. Prue judged he was about forty years of age. His black hair was neatly trimmed over his ears.
"Can I help you?" Prue asked.
"I hope so," said the man. "I'm looking for a Prudence Halliwell. I understand she lives here."
"That's me," said Prue. "And I go by Prue, not Prudence. Look, if you're selling something, we aren't interested. I'm late and I have to get going."
"I'm not selling anything, Miss Halliwell," said the man, reaching into his inside coat pocket and removing a wallet. He opened it to show Prue a badge and police identification card. "I'm Inspector Montgomery Todd of the San Francisco Police Department. I'd like to ask you a few question regarding the death of Inspector Andy Trudeau if I may."
"I already told the investigating officers everything I know," said Prue, wincing slightly at the mention of Andy's name.
"I know," said Todd. "I read the report. I'm just here for a few follow up questions. Just routine. It won't take long, I promise."
"Well," said Prue, "I guess so. I'm not sure what else I can tell you though. Let's go into the living room."
Inside the manor the man looked around. Prue remembered that Andy used to do that whenever they had gone somewhere he'd never been before. Probably a normal reaction from a policeman, she thought.
"You have a nice home," said Todd as they took seats on the sofa.
"Thanks," Prue replied. "It's been in our family for years."
"Now," Todd said, pulling a notebook out of his pocket, "according to the police report, you said that Inspector Trudeau had given you a ride home on the day he died."
"Yes," lied Prue. "When we got here, the front door was ajar. Andy, that is, Inspector Trudeau, told me to wait outside while he checked it out."
"Andy is fine," said Todd smiling. "I understand the two of you had been friends for a long time."
"Yes," said Prue. "We grew up together."
"I'm sorry to have to put you through this," said Todd. "It's just to take care of some loose ends in the report. I hope you understand."
"I guess so," Prue said. "What do you want to know?"
"Well," said Todd, referring back to his notebook, "you said that Inspector Trudeau had been in the house only a minute or two when you heard a crashing sound. You rushed in to see what was going on and found him in the living room, lying on the floor."
"Yes," Prue continued to lie. "All I saw was a figure darting out the back toward the kitchen. By the time I was able to follow him, he was gone. I didn't get a look at him, as I told the investigating officers."
"Yes," said Todd. "You said that nothing had been taken from the house."
"No, nothing at all," Prue said. "I guess we interrupted whoever it was before they could get anything. When we surprised him, I guess it scared him off."
"You seem certain it was a man," interjected Todd.
"Well," said Prue, "he must have picked Andy up and thrown him. That's all I can figure out. It would take someone very strong to do that and I don't know any women that strong. Besides, the figure I saw looked like a man."
"I thought you said you didn't get a look at him?" questioned Todd.
"Only for a second," Prue lied. "Just as he ran into the kitchen."
"I see," Todd said. "Well, I guess that's about it then. Again, I'm sorry to have bothered you at a time like this."
"I understand," Prue said. "You need all the information you can get if you're going to catch whomever did it."
"Yes," Todd said. "I'll see myself out. Thank you for your time, Miss Halliwell."
After Inspector Todd had left, Prue again retrieved her briefcase and keys. She hurriedly locked the front door and headed for her car. As she headed to Bucklands, Todd sat down the street watching her drive away. In the seat next to him sat an open file folder.
"Very good story, Miss Halliwell," he said out loud to himself. "You said all the right things. And you actually kept your story straight. But then I imagine you've had a lot of practice at it."
Smiling to himself he started his car and headed back to the police station.