"Well, I Sure Had to Shoot Someone"

"Killer's Masquerade."
By Robert Sheckley (1928-2005).
First appearance: Collier's Weekly, December 6, 1952.
Short short short story (1 page).
Online at SFF Audio HERE (PDF) and at UNZ HERE.

"Neither man looked especially like a cop, or like a killer."

Noises downstairs draw Walter Jallin from his comfortably warm bed and into a desperate situation that will end with one man dead on the floor, one standing powerless with an empty gun, and one still very much alive—with a loaded gun . . .

Resource:
- Our latest contact with Robert Sheckley isn't so far away (HERE).

The bottom line:
   Cruel with guilt, and daring with despair,
   The midnight murderer bursts the faithless bar;
   Invades the sacred hour of silent rest,
   And plants, unseen, a dagger in your breast.
      — Samuel Johnson