Key to his Disgrace

The ribbon on the typewriter was wearing really thin
The crumpled paper growing to slowly fill the bin
He had to file these papers in time to make the case
If he failed at this juncture he was facing more disgrace.
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The details were aberrant and hard to put to type
This was fresh now in his memory so caustic maw and ripe
The bourbon glass was lifted without thought then to his lips
As he pondered his reflexions he took deep and longer sips.
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He had handled many cases on his years back on the force
Though this was now more personal since his  recent harsh divorce
He had been employed to guard her from a clear and present threat
Felt guilty that he failed her, now burdened with the debt.
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For months malicious phone calls, poisoned threatening notes
That undermined her confidence with evil demeaning quotes
He'd used up all his contacts to try reveal the source
Though all the efforts failed him despite of huge resource.
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He lifted up the packet drew cigarette of his choice
As he took the first cool drag of it was reminded of her voice
He thought the house was secure, had checked all windows doors
From deep within the basement to all the attic floors.
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He had posted men to watch the house all angles that he thought
These were trusted men he'd used before, all men that he had taught
The grounds he thought then covered from driveway through to back
Though with a known family member their diligence was slack.
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He'd gone to make both coffee and left her all alone
Then as he made his way back to the room, he heard a guttural groan
The coffees now discarded hit sharply to the floor
As he found his way back to her, the ex husband ran for the door .
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There was no chance to catch him as he had to tend her needs
He knelt beside her body as the carpet soaked her bleeds
He could see there was no chance for her the injuries so severe
In those desperate moments his failings all too clear.

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He then changed the final paper and continued  still to type
He could sense the mornings papers could imagine all their hype
In retrospect then obvious to see danger close at hand
Though in his mind he never saw the husband in the defendants stand.
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Tomorrow he must face the court explain his failings there
How he could so badly fail someone entrusted to his care
She lay there in the mortuary for any soul to see
Because he failed to check the obvious there was a spare house key