[Brian Allgar]

Guantamano Noir

Detective Harry W. Bush (he was always having to correct people who confused him with the fictional detective Harry Bosch) looked long and hard at the body. The bulging eyes, the blue of asphyxia, the soaking wet hair, were strong indications that the man had been the victim of a Guantamano ‘waterboarding’ that had gone too far.

A guard appeared from the corridor. ‘Waddaya doing here?’ he asked. Bush sighed. ‘Obviously, I’m investigating the crime scene. This man appears to have been tortured to death.’

The guard looked confused. ‘Crime scene? No, this ain’t it. It’s down the hall - the General’s favorite coffee mug has been stolen, and he wants a full enquiry leading to an arrest.’

Now it was Bush’s turn to feel perplexed. ‘Then who -?’

The guard looked at the body. ‘Oh, him?’ He winked at Bush. ‘Let’s just say he gave his all for the Patriot Act.’