The fluorescent lights of the police precinct hummed, casting a sterile glow over Lineup Room B. Against the height chart stood three suspects, shifting uncomfortably on four legs each.
On the left was Jake, an off white, Labrador mix who looked like he was wearing mismatched winter earmuffs due to his black ears. In the middle stood Cooper, a snow-white lab mix, whose pitch-black ears hung down like heavy velvet drapes. On the right was Max, a Dalmatian mix whose chaotic scattering of black spots made him look like a walking inkblot test.
Behind the two-way mirror, Detective Higgins cleared his throat and adjusted his microphone. "Alright, Ms. Gable. Take your time. Look closely. Which one of these ruffians infiltrated your kitchen and systematically devoured an entire triple-chocolate fudge cake off the counter?"
Ms. Gable, a sharp-eyed woman in a knitted sweater, pressed her face against the glass.
The suspects tried to act naturally.
"It’s hard to tell," Ms. Gable muttered into the microphone. "The thief was a blur of monochrome chaos. I just remember a striking contrast of black and white."
"Wait a minute," Ms. Gable said, squinting. "The culprit had a distinct marking on his head. Or was it his body?"
Detective Higgins pressed the button. "Officer Martinez, please have the suspects turn to the left."
Officer Martinez, holding three leashes, sighed and blew a dog whistle. The trio rotated.
"Oh, it's no use!" Ms. Gable cried out. "They all look like a crossword puzzle came to life! How can I possibly choose?"
Just then, Detective Higgins noticed something on Max’s face, a slight smudge. and zoomed the security camera on Suspect Number One.
Standard procedure dictated that all suspects be searched prior to entering the lineup, but the precinct was understaffed. Right there, clinging to the edge of Max’s white chin, was a single, undeniable smear of chocolate frosting.
Sensing the sudden shift in the room's energy, Max looked directly at the two-way mirror. He gave a slow, deliberate blink, and then, with absolute confidence, reached out his pink tongue and licked the evidence clean off his face.
Detective Higgins said “Due to no visible evidence, all three of you are free to go.Officer Martinez, please escort the suspects to the doggy door in the jail and as the three passed through the swinging door, the last that was seen of the three suspects, Cooper and Jake were busy sniffing Max’s face.
