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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 27, 2016 10:12:11 GMT -5
"What, me?" I said in disbelief. That couldn't be right, I said to myself. I had only come home a little while ago, and had hardly seen anyone.
"How could you say it was me?" I said in shock. "The only things I have done since coming back are wander the streets and live here" I told him. I knew there was something I had to do to convince him, so I went to the chalkboard.
"Look, remember what you told me the other day about means motive and opportunity? I had none of those. I don't own a knife like the one used to kill manning, so I didn't have the means, we're not in the same circle and I don' have a mutual friend, so there's no opportunity, and he didn't owe me money, do anything bad enough for me to warrant revenge or steal love from me, so I had no motive. How could you say I'm the murderer?" I finished; now I wasn't so sure if I could trust him anymore.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Mar 27, 2016 13:30:47 GMT -5
"Ah," said Gunnarson, "let us take it up in order: "Means: You say that you didn't own a knife like the one that killed Dr. Manning. And I say that you are right! You didn't own the knife. Dr. Manning owned the knife! "Motive: I was looking through Dr. Manning's past, and found that he once worked as a teacher in a medical school. One of his students was you. So I have no doubt that you went to his house to catch up on old times, and while you were there, killed him." "But why?" I asked. "Because he wronged you once. I do not know why he did, but he did, and you never forgave him. So, as he was sitting down, you took up a knife and stabbed him in the shoulder, in a certain way you learned in medical school. "Finally, opportunity: Reading through your manuscript brought me to realize that instead of going to your house, you went to his. There was enough time to kill him, and his body wasn't found until later, by which time, you had already come here. "That in and of itself was a coincidence. You did not intend to live with a detective. "Now, this itself is not what made me come to the conclusion that you did it. Reading the manuscript is what made me realize that you did it. "There were two reasons: Firstly, the escargot and the merlot. Both are French, and you have been in France for some time. You had developed a taste for both, and Dr. Manning liked it as well. That's why you ate it there. "Secondly: you had been talking about certain things of Dr. Manning that only someone who knew him would say." "Like what?" "For instance, you said that I said that he was well on his feet. When I thought back, I couldn't remember myself thinking that - until I remembered that you had said it previously." I sat there, not moving. Finally, I slumped forward and put my head in my hands. "You're right," I said. "I did do it."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 27, 2016 15:17:39 GMT -5
"Ah ha!" Gunnarson stated triumphantly. "Now that the truth is out, you might as well tell me everything." Gunnarson said.
"Well, it was back when I was a student and he had blackmailed me to... Maybe we should go our separate ways" I said as I stood up to get my stuff. I had just gotten the last of my things when Gunnarson stood behind me as I went to exit.
"I'm afraid I can't let you leave" he said as he began reaching into his shirt... Where I saw the handle of a revolver. Horrified, I struck him across the head with my bag, giving me a few seconds to bolt out the door and down the hall.
*BANG!!!
*BANG!!!
Two shots rang out and struck the wall as I continued fleeing. "Get back here! Gunnarson always gets his man!" He screamed as he bolted after me, a third shot ringing out. Without even thinking, I went for the nearby window, and jumped out to the street below. I was stunned for a moment as a fourth shot nearly grazed me.
"You cannot get away!!" Gunnarson screamed as he aimed from the window. I took off and ran, hearing shots five and six hit the pavement as I bolted down the street and around the corner. In the distance, I could hear Gunnarson screaming for me to come back and "face what's coming" but I knew I couldn't go back. I took off and bolted, trying to put as much distance between me and him.
Several hours later, I had made my way to Euston train station. At a phone booth I managed to get in touch with my brother's wife, who was thrilled to hear that I was home.
"Roger is still in the navy, but we made our way to Glasgow a few months ago and have been here since."
"Listen, my house was bombed, and I've got no where to go..."
"Of course. We'll be expecting you." She said as we hung up.
Some time later, I had got a train ticket and was on a train to Glasgow. As we made our way down the line, I caught a glimpse of Gunnarson, standing outside the inn talking to some officers, including Gent most likely. I saw them, but they didn't see me. I decided to keep my head down and stay quiet. Once we were outside the city, I closed my eyes and settled in for a nap. Dr Manning's deed to me was unforgivable, but I could put it all behind me now. I settled in for a nap and prepared to enjoy the trip.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Mar 27, 2016 15:34:16 GMT -5
Okay..... I did not see that coming. Now that I've finished reading through Hartley's manuscript, I realize that he intended to get this published with his name cleared, and mine blemished. I am glad I have found it in time. You might not believe me, but this is what really happened: "Would you like to explain it?" I asked. "Might as well," said Hartley. "You see, there was a girl in the school who I fell for. Unfortunately, she became deathly ill. When she was sent to the hospital, Dr. Manning was the doctor who took care of her. Unfortunately, she still died, and I've no doubt that he killed her purposely." I rose. "You must have been quite mistaken. Anyways, I shall now-" "Don't move!" said Hartley, pulling out a gun. I stood still as he ran out of the room. I would have told the police next morning, however, the paper made me change my mind. "SECOND MURDER IN LONDON IN TWO DAYS! JAMES HARTLEY DEAD!" I have no doubt that Hartley took his own life, but only after finishing the manuscript.... but with an alternate ending. And so came the end of the sad state of affairs of Dr. Mannings murder. ~ADOLF GUNNARSON~
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 27, 2016 15:42:12 GMT -5
And that was something I didn't see coming, lol.
Got to admit, this story was quite fun to write; so do we start a new one or is this the end?
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Mar 27, 2016 15:49:57 GMT -5
Yeah, it was great. We can do another one too, just open up a new thread for it. (I'll let you do it, since I opened this one.)
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 27, 2016 15:56:33 GMT -5
Actually, I don't mind if you set it up; I need to do something now anyway.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Mar 27, 2016 16:02:17 GMT -5
Alright, give me a few minutes, and it'll be up.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Mar 27, 2016 16:11:57 GMT -5
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 2, 2016 17:48:49 GMT -5
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Second Edition
Well, after all these years, it is about time that I come clean. I published this manuscript to get some money in my pocket after coming back from the war. And I had to invent an ending in order to make it more interesting. Because what really happened... was rather uninteresting, and somewhat embarrassing.
......
Gunnarson had just gotten back from visiting the other two doctors, and was explaining to me what he had found out.
"So do you know who killed him?" I asked.
"Yes... after looking at the evidence... it doesn't make any sense" he said to me.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, Dr. Piorier was the one who had the meal with Manning that night, but he recalls nothing of his death. But he did say you came to visit as well..." Gunnarson said.
"What? Are you saying that it looks like..." I asked.
"Yes. Crazy as it sounds; but it looks like you are the murderer" he said calmly.
"What?! Impossible, I don't even know Dr. Manning! I only knew him by face, not personally!" I said.
"Did you go to medical school?" Gunnarson asked.
"No! Once the war broke out I was drafted, and did not come home to civilian life until two days ago!" I said.
"I don't believe you" Gunnarson said. I pulled out my gun and pointed it at him. "Well... how do I know you're not trying to frame me!" I said.
Gunnarson thought it over. "Look, something does not feel right about this case. You should leave, for your own good." Gunnarson explained.
"Ok" I said, and left to get my things. But what happened next was rather... embarrassing for the both of us.
"thanks for everything Gunnarson. You're rather polite... for a Swede" I said as I opened the door.
"For a Swede?" Gunnarson said, confused. "For a Swede!? What does that mean!?" He said, offended.
"N-No! What I mean is..." But he had already pulled out his revolver. He started shooting at me as I ran down the hall. Three shots in the hallway, before I leaped out the window and ran off, three more shots following.
After that; I ended up getting a train in Euston to Glasgow, where I spent the next several months with my brother's family.
I hope you will forgive my bending of the truth... especially my friend Adolf Gunnarson.
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