Paper Cut: The Office Murder Mystery - Chapter 2

Dwight let himself into the office early for his usual work day preparations. His eyes were puffy and his clothes not quite as wrinkle-free as normal. He let out a large yawn. The first sign to Dwight that something was wrong was the foul odor. He lifted his head up and sniffed the air. There was a slight fecal smell mixed with a strong iron-like scent. It was not a strong odor, but Dwight had always prided himself on his exceptional senses, and he knew something smelled wrong.

He walked over to his desk and placed his briefcase down. Dwight turned and walked to the break room, looking around the area for clues to the smell. When he opened the break room door, the stench wafted out in a huge, pungent mass of stink. He automatically covered his nose and held back a gag. He reached over with his free hand and turned on the light. The florescent lights flickered on.

Dwight was stunned to see saw a pair of denim clad legs sticking out between the tables. But the sight that made Dwight suddenly lose some of his control was the walls. There were streams of blood covering parts of the walls and drenching the vending machines. It was like someone had taken a can of red pain and thrown it Jackson Pollack-like in a grotesque visceral painting. The combination of the smell and the sight of so much blood made Dwight’s stomach churn. He braced himself and walked slowly to the body to identify who it was. He barely reached the table and he stretched up and bent to see the face that belonged to the legs.

Dwight recognized Roy Anderson immediately. When he caught sight of the scissors sticking out of Roy’s neck, Dwight lost all of his control. He reached over and grabbed a garbage can, hurling his morning Egg McMuffin and Orange Juice into the plastic bin. He stayed bent over for a second before he could stand. Then Dwight came to his senses enough to know that he was standing in the middle of a crime scene. He let go of the garbage can and back tracked to the door to let himself out. After closing the door, Dwight ran over to his desk and dialed 911.
“911, how can I help you?” Answered a female voice.

“I…My name is Dwight K. Shrute! I work at Dunder Mifflin.” Dwight said quickly, “There’s a body. Roy…Roy Anderson, a former employee is lying dead on the floor!”

“Sir, calm down. I will send a vehicle to your address at once.” The woman replied. “Are you safe? Is anyone else hurt? Is there a perpetrator on the premises?”

Dwight looked around the office, suddenly fearful of what else could be happening. He saw the broken lock box on Angela’s desk.

“I think I’m the only one here. There’s a lock box that appears to have been broken into. What do you want me to do?” Dwight asked. His face was pale and he felt dizzy.

“If there is no one else there, then leave the room and wait at the entrance for the police to arrive. Do not let anyone else enter the premises. Do you need to stay on the line with me?” The operator asked.

“No, I’m on the office phone.” Dwight said, wanting to get out of the room. “I’ll wait outside for the proper authorities.”

Dwight hung up the phone and retrieved his briefcase, knowing that it was not part of the original crime scene. As he went to the entrance, he felt for his cell phone to call Michael. When he reached the door, Michael was on the other side just starting to reach for the door knob. Dwight freaked out and let out a little small girlish scream. Michael jumped back in alarm.

“Jeez!” Michael yelled, “What is wrong with you?”

“Michael, Michael you can’t go in there!” Dwight stammered, feeling his heart racing. “Roy’s dead!”

“What?” Michael looked confused. “Dwight you look terrible! What are you talking about?”

“Roy is dead, stabbed on the floor in the break room!” Dwight answered and tried to close the door behind him. Michael dropped his briefcase on the floor and a hand shot up to his mouth. He thought for a moment.

“You’re kidding me.” Michael suddenly said and smiled, “I bet Jim is pulling some prank on you. You are such an easy mark!”

Michael pushed by Dwight and went into the office. Dwight waited for a second and a loud shriek was heard from the office. Michael came running out and slammed the door behind him. His face was pale and the crotch of his trousers was wet.

“Oh my God!” Michael yelped, “Call 911!”

“I did. They’re on their way.” Dwight said, he clumsily and tried to put the key in the lock.
“What are you doing, locking the door?” Michael asked.

“No one is in there!” Dwight said faintly.

“Dwight, there is a body in there!” Michael snapped, “How are they going to get in?”

“Oh right.” Dwight said and put the key in his pocket. They heard the squawk of a police radio and saw two Lackawanna County Policemen coming out of the elevator. The police approached them.

“You call about a body?” The tall, mustached one asked.

“Yes, there is a former employee, Roy Anderson, dead on the break room floor.” Dwight said.

“He has a big pair of scissors sticking out if his neck!” Michael added and gave a shiver. He could feel the moisture on the front of his pants starting to cool and give him a chill.

“Are you the only one’s here?” The cop asked.

“Yes, none of the other employees have arrived yet.” Dwight said. Michael wondered to himself if he had a pair of extra jeans in his car trunk.

“Can you both wait out front and stop the other employees from entering the building?” The shorter, baby-faced cop asked.

“Sure thing. Of course, Officer.” Dwight said professionally and he led Michael to the elevator. Michael shook his leg out and attempted to hide the wet stain in his pants. They got in the elevator and started to descend.

“Oh my god!” Michael said quickly, “I got to call corporate! What do you think happened?”

“I have no idea!” Dwight replied, “It would help if I were still with the sheriff’s department.”
They walked to the glass entrance and stood outside. Oscar and Kevin pulled in at the same time. They exited their cars and walked over.

“What are you doing out here?” Kevin asked. “Michael, why are your pant’s wet?”

“There has been an act of homicide in our office.” Dwight answered. “The authorities are in there now. We have to stay out here.”

“Roy’s got a pair of scissors sticking out of his neck!” Michael said loudly, “Dead, blood everywhere, someone vomited in the garbage!”

“Jesus!” Oscar said and crossed himself. Kevin, shocked, sat on a small bench near the entrance.

“Roy…Pam’s Roy?” Kevin inquired.

As if using her name was an introduction, Pam’s car arrived. The men watched nervously as she parked and walked towards the small group. At the same time the mustached police officer came out of the entrance.

“Sirs, and Ma’am,” The cop said and nodded to Pam. “We are going to need you to stay in the parking lot and not leave just yet. My partner is upstairs and securing the scene. If any other employees arrive. Can you have them stay here? We will need to ask some questions. Just go over there, out of the entrance way and some more police will be here soon to help.”

Pam looked at Michael, then Oscar. She felt a sense of dread growing in her heart.

“What’s going on?” Pam asked.

For a second, all four men stared at Pam sorrowfully. She saw their expressions and panic started to fill her. Michael suddenly looked everywhere but at Pam. Dwight looked at the ground. Kevin just kept shaking his head. Oscar walked over and placed an arm on her shoulder. He looked at her and tried to form the words.

“Pam…someone…has been killed in the office.” Oscar said slowly. “It was someone close to you?”

“Jim…” Pam felt her blood run cold and she turned pale. She shrieked, “Not Jim!”