The Bucket Murder

"Evening," Detective Mike Halloran said, showing his badge to the Patrolman guarding the entrance.

"Four people in a law office, one dead, three suspects,"  his partner Alva Phillips said.  "The vic is Janet Bland, 27, recent grad, competitive as a junior member here at this criminal defense firm.  She's where found, in a meeting room."

"Suspect one is Donna Samuels, defendant in an embezzlement case," Alva continued.  "The second is Tim Roberts, another junior member."

"Number three is Jack, 'Smiley', Johnson, accused of beating a guy to death in a bar because the victim cheered for the wrong football team.  A beauty of a guy."

"Each is secured in a separate office," Alva concluded, sipping on a carton of milk.  A common occurrence with his ulcer.

"What do we have?" Mike asked as he and Alva looked at the body.

"Skull smashed in with a heavy bucket," Alva answered.  "It came from the cleaning closet.  No prints.  Good luck with the three."

"I came to meet Janet," Donna answered Mike.  Donna's eyes were red.  She'd been crying.

"Yes, Johnson's my client," Roberts said, smiling like a used car salesman.  "I'm beginning to wonder about him."

"Roberts promised to get me off," was Smiley Johnson's answer.  No crying from that one.

"I've got an idea," Mike told Alva.  "Time for a second round."

"I can't swing this," Donna said, fumbling with the bucket.

"I'm not touching that thing," said Roberts, backing away from the bucket.

"Sure, here it is back," Johnson laughed.  He'd caught the bucket in one hand and tossed it back.

"OK, Alva, ready for the arrest?" asked Mike. 

Alva wasn't sure.  How about you dear reader?

"Roberts," Mike stated.  "He tried to misdirect us, recognized the bucket, and would have known it was in the closet."