Suicides where always a pain for Detective Malny. Always ugly. Always depressing, although he never let that show.
This one especially.
Robin Williams.
One of the most famous comics ever.
The guy who always made people laugh.
Found hanging by a belt. By his own hands.
He was met at the house by Detective Tromsa, one of the first ones on the scene, someone he had worked with often before.
“Hello. It looks like we got a big one today.”
“Yeah, we sure do. Robin Williams. It’s pretty obvious he killed himself.”
Malny backed up and looked over the house. “Of all people.”
“Yeah, said Tromsa. “You wouldn’t expect it from him.”
“You never know.” said Malny. ‘Sometimes these people have things going on that no one realizes. No evidence of foul play?”
“None. It is pretty obvious that it is simply a suicide.”
“Any note or anything?
‘No, just his cell phone.”
“Anything on it?”
“Haven’t looked yet.”
“Let’s check that out.” (They talk as Tromsa investigates the phone messages.) I was never a big fan of his, but he seemed like a decent guy.’
“Yeah. But he got into the typical Hollywood cocaine crap. That could have something to do with it. It looks like he went into rehab a month ago. His wife also said he has been diagnosed with Parkinsons.”
“Ooh. That will do it. That’s that same thing that Micheal J. Fox has, isn’t it?”
“I believe so.” said Tromsa. “That would be enough to send anyone over the edge.” He scans the telephone as he talks. “I’ve seen a couple films of his that were good. Good Will Hunting was great. Not his typical role. He had to play it pretty straight. La Cage Aux Folles was a hoot. He played this gay cabaret owner with Gene Hackman as his straight brother in law.”
“Ha! That must have made for some fireworks!”
“Yeah! And the weird part of it was Williams wasn’t his usual manic self. He was more subdued!”
“You are kidding? Playing a gay guy?”
“Yup, playing a gay guy. You would think he would go all out on that one.”
“I liked a couple of his too.” admitted Malny. “Good Morning Vietnam was good. Then he did a weird one called What Dreams May Come where he dies and goes to heaven…”
“Oh yeah! And he meets Cuba Gooding there who is his guide. That was a trippy one. Incredible scenery of heaven. He finds out his wife has gotten depressed and killed herself and he searches for her.”
‘Yeah, that was a wild movie. The special effects were unbelievable.”
“I really liked that one. It was beautifully made……..” Tromsa trails off, looking at the phone. “That is strange.”
“What is it?”
“There is a message here from Williams himself it looks like.’
“A phone message?”
“No, a text message.”
“What is so strange about that?”
“The time of his death was around midnight. This message is from 4 AM.”
“What? Are you sure it is from Williams himself?”
“That or from someone using his phone.”
“What does it say?”
Lines deepen on Tromsas face. “What Dreams May Come is true!’
“That;s bizarre! And it has Williams own number attached to it?”
It sure looks that way.” said Tromsa.
“Let me see.” he takes the phone. “Someone must be making a joke.”
“Who would have known about his death?”
“Wait a minute! There is a message coming through right now!”
“A text?”
“Yes.”
“What does it say”
Malny is silent as he reads the message. Finally, in a hushed voice he says “What Dreams May Come is real. I can see it now for myself. I apologize for leaving the mess.”
Tromsa gazes down at the phone in his hand. “What number is on display?”
“Williams own.” says Malny breathlessly.
The men both fall silent as they stare down at the phone. Finally Malny says something. “Unlisted number?”
‘Yes.”
“No one outside the family and his assistant know about his death?”
“Yes.”
Malny looks at Tromsa. ‘I don’t think I am going to report this.”
“Good idea.” replies Tromsa.
Both of the men, each of them well seasoned LA cops, turn to go about their work, both a bit paler than usual, both with unvoiceable questions coming to the forefront of their thoughts.