Hmm, the detectives in this town have a real ‘time’ of it with this case..

I like the story — the grandfather paradox told from a new perspective. The drama/suspense/pace are good.

You’ve bent the challenge requirements quite a bit, by just running with the idea of company-owned time machines and ignoring everything else. I don’t necessarily mind, but I’ll have to take it into account when choosing a winner. Be assured I’ll also take into account all the things you’ve done well.

Oh, and comma before officer. (And after it, too, in the second instance.) :-)

From a creative POV, here’s my interpretation of your character’s death. I think the universe killed him (via certain quantum mechanisms) to prevent the paradox, since his intention was to kill his grandfather. In that case, the line about his grandfather is not actually about the grandfather’s non-existence as we assume, but rather, very likely something that explains why he wanted to kill his grandfather in the first place.

Making me think is certainly a point in your favour.

[Updated}

Damn It! Now I want to know what a time machine key looks like!

[This will work for me.](http://i.imgur.com/9j5ud5n)

I think I got it, though I think some quotation marks might have helped the read. Definitely a novel take or point of view for the action.

Elsha, Will the case be solved? – Only ‘time’ will tell. (Sorry couldn’t resist.)

Okay, I made room for the commas, Z. Thanks for noticing.

Cool key, 32. I was hoping to present a somewhat ‘steampunk-ish’ backdrop in this one.

Doc, I made room for the quotation marks too. Although I hate how “all dialogue” looks. :)

Thanks, all!