Short story: The man who wasn’t there

It was another quiet morning at Oscar O’Neill’s practice when Oscar got a call from Detective Inspector Luke Stott. ‘Oscar,’ he said, ‘I’ve got a job for you. A young woman’s been attacked and a pair of glasses has been found at the scene. I’d like you to see if they belong to our prime suspect.’ ‘You’re in luck,’ Oscar replied, ‘I think I might be able to get away this afternoon.’

When Oscar got to the station, Stott filled him in with the rest of the story. A 25-year-old woman walking home from the pub had been grabbed from behind by a man. There was a brief scuffle before the assailant ran off, leaving behind a pair of spectacles. A man matching his description was picked up by a street camera getting into a car, the number plate was traced and 35-year-old Richard Jackson was arrested at his home. ‘Jackson, however, insists that the glasses aren’t his,’ Stott explained.