October Flasher - Dead Letter Department by Jack

Detective Hoskins stared through the one-way into the interrogation room. Inside a disheveled man in an orange prison uniform was talking, and talking freely. He had refused a lawyer, a cops dream, he had something on his mind and the cops were dying to find out what.
“Three more letters came back this week all marked return to sender,” the man said in a sad a solemn tone. "I can’t understand it everyone has turned against me. My world has turned upside down.
The interrogator, fellow detective Mark Johansen feigned empathy, an old cop trick to put suspects at ease. “These people just don’t realize how much they mean to you, do they?”
“They’re my family.” the man replied. How could they not know how much they matter to me. My own children won’t answer my letters. I know I did wrong, I admit it. I killed that bank guard. It was me or him, but it was me that caused the situation and now I’ll be paying for it for the rest of my life. Still, people that used to care about me, family, friends, even my wife and kids won’t even talk to me.”
The skinny balding, Johansen swivelled the industrial green office chair and tried his best to appear perplexed. “Finally he replied, “Mr. Laboski, have you ever asked them to forgive you?”
“Yes, yes, a thousand times, but I don’t even know if they’ve read any of my letters.”
“I don’t mean forgive you for killing the bank guard.. I mean for any other things you may have done that may possibly have caused them to act like this.
Inside the observation room Detective Hoskins stepped back and muttered to himself. “That’s it Mark, he’s getting ready to spill.”
A blank look came over the suspects eyes and tears began to stream down his cheeks.
Johansen pursued, “What’s the matter Joe? Are you thinking of something you need to be forgiven for?
“No, that’s just it. I love my wife and kids and they love me. I live for them. I taught my youngest boy to play baseball and now he’s turning pro. He just signed a contract with the Mets. My daughter is entering MIT next year and it was to come up with the money for her tuition that I tried to pull off that bank heist in the first place. I’m just a truck driver but I earned pretty good money by busting my ass. Trouble was I busted my back too and after I couldn’t sit long hours driving anymore I lost my job.” With that Joe Laboski’s head fell to the desk top and he began to sob.
Johansen leaned in patted him on the back and offered, “they’re all just ungrateful Joe they don’t understand you. Why don’t you tell me why they won’t speak to you?”
Joe raised his head and wiped snot and tears from his face with his sleeve. I don’t know, I tell you. I treat my wife Mary, like a queen. I love her more than anything in this world. I’ll do anything for her and she knows it. All these years I’ve stood by her, watched her blossom from a young lady into a dynamic and inspired leader of the community. I supported her fully when she decided to go back to college and get her degree. When she decided to pursue a career in community service instead of one that would put food on the table I supported that to. I want her to be happy and to follow her dreams whatever the cost.
Inside the observation room Detective Hoskins was growing restless. It was time to put the hammer down. This was going no-where. He decided it was time for the bad-cop. He abruptly entered the interrogation room and slammed his palms down on the desk.
“O.K. Laboski, you’re not fooling anybody. Where are the bodies?”
“What bodies.” Laboski answered.
“The bodies of your wife and kids you murdering scumbag. We know you killed them all, now just make it easy on yourself and tell us what you did with them.”
Laboski stared at the detective wide eyed. “That’s not true. My family is just fine. My sons getting ready to....”
Hanson interrupted, “your son was ten years old Laboski. How the hell does a ten year old kid sign with the Mets? Your daughter just entered First grade and your wife dropped out of college when she married you. You want to know why these letters keep coming back? Because they’re dead that’s why and you murdered them. Now where did you hide their bodies?”
Alarmed and frightened Laboski stood and shouted. “No! That’s not possible, I love them. I’ve spent my entire life raising those kids.”
Exasperated Detective Hoskins grabbed a manilla envelope, fished out a wallet and tossed it in front of Laboski. “Open it up.” he demanded.
Joe opened the wallet and stared. How did you get this he asked?
“Out of your pants joe. It’s your drivers licence, recognize it?
Yes, but it’s from years ago, when I lived in Ohio. I must have been in my twenties when this was taken.
“You are in your twenties Joe and this is Ohio. That picture was taken two years ago. Now come back to us and tell us where you hid the bodies.