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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 11, 2017 0:11:43 GMT -5
Second Edition Update:
It has been a while since the initial release of this book. I can no longer hide my guilt, I must come clean. This case was no dream. There really was a major Cronwall and there was a murder. Gunnarson insisted that I say that this case was a dream because he was rather... embarrassed to say the least, by his conduct here. The ending involving Cricket was the product of a dream though; but that was the only aspect. I was searching for inspiration to use this story in a way that would enthrall the readers and look past what happened. But I cannot hide it anymore. Though Cricket was no killer, and Picard's ex-wife did not show up, someone did murder the major. Here, ladies and gentlemen, is what actually happened:
......
"Gunnarson, we don't need considerations we want the truth," said Walton.
"I know and if you wouldn't interrupt you'd get it. Now then, ahem, consider this- his lighter was broken, but who is to say that he didn't have matches with him" he explained.
"Me" Picard said, taking the matchbook. "As you can see... it is unused" and low and behold, not one match was missing. "And for the record; I was wearing my GREEN shirt the day the major was killed; the ripped shirt was... ahem, when I tripped looking at the crime scene earlier today; I changed when we returned to the resort" he admitted.
Gunnarson kept a straight face, trying to hide embarrassment. But Walton would have none of it. "Gunnarson, you've gone too far this time. That little stunt of yours can be considered falsifying evidence. Not to mention you've accused three people in the last half hour and can't keep a coherent train of thought flowing- stop reconsidering suspects after they have been logically eliminated! Actually, even better- Adolf Gunnarson, as an officer of the law, I forbid you from contributing to this case further- one more word out of you and I will arrest you for those charges and the earlier ones" Walton stated.
"But I..."
"Not another word!" Walton warned, forcing Gunnarson to remain silent. Walton then looked towards Hardstuckle, who decided it was best to just move on, lest the confrontation explode. "Now then, where were we, detective Hardstuckle?" Walton asked.
"We had it narrowed down to Mrs. Hartley and Mr. Cronwall" Hardstuckle began.
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Post by Toz76 on Jul 14, 2017 23:42:55 GMT -5
"Have we? Because a very obvious point has just occurred to me. Thus far, we have assumed that only three people had both cigarettes and knives, meaning they are the prime suspect. But it is possible, nay likely, that the murderer lied to avoid incriminating themselves. So really, anyone could he guilty. And since everyone has changed their clothes, we have no way of knowing what everyone really was carrying. However, that doesn't matter, because I already know who did it."
"I told you to be quiet, Gunnarson!" Walton snapped.
"He has a point though." Hardstuckle pointed out. "I say we hear him out."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 15, 2017 0:04:28 GMT -5
Walton, thinking it over, sighed. "Gunnarson... you have ONE chance. But I swear if this is based on a hunch and not on evidence- I will have you in the back seat of my car before the sun sets" Walton warned.
"Very well. The first thing I need to ask- who here had knives? Is it true that the Gotharts and the elder women did not have them?" Gunnarson said.
"Well, Hardstuckle informed me of a search that had taken place when the police showed up the day of the murder... and the only knives found were the ones belonging to the Hartleys, Picard and Mr. Cronwall" Walton informed.
"Ok, so we've eliminated the ladies and the Gotharts for the fourth time; where exactly is this going?" Mr. Cronwall asked, now himself doubting Gunnarson.
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Post by Toz76 on Jul 16, 2017 23:02:30 GMT -5
"So that leaves the same few suspects, right? Wrong. It leaves out the most important suspect. The man who had both a knife and cigarettes, and had a motive, and ample oppurtunity."
"Who?"
"The Major."
"What?"
"Think about it. He was in the middle of the cavern. He was alone. There was no evidence of anyone approaching him. The angle of the cut was strange, as if he'd been cut from below- or as if he'd cut it himself."
"But why would he kill himself?"
"I know why." The major's nephew stepped up.
"Ever since the death of a close friend of his, Dr. James Walker, the Major has been very depressed. I didn't realize it was this bad, though."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 16, 2017 23:35:04 GMT -5
(I knew the alternate ending was the canon one)
"But... what does Dr Walker's death have to do with the Major?" Detective Hardstuckle asked.
"The major, Dr. Walker and a Colonel Thomas Brooks all formed a strong professional relationship in the service, which became a personal relationship after the war. The Major had been traumatized by events during the final months of the war, and Walker was the only one who was able to calm his nerves. Walker offered to work on something to help him get over the trauma, but it was never finished. Colonel Brooks tried to help him, but he just didn't have the same touch Walker had; neither did Hamilton. So I... I guess this was to him, the only way out" the nephew concluded.
"So a suicide then? The circumstances seem plausible, but can it be proven?" Walton pointed out.
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Post by Toz76 on Jul 16, 2017 23:51:28 GMT -5
"Of course it can." Cricket stepped forward. "That note I accidentally dropped into the fireplace? I can't be certain, but looking back it had the words "suicide note" written on it. At the time I thought it was Mrs Gothart's, but now I think it was the major's handwriting."
"Why didn't you mention this before?"
"Well, I was a prime suspect, I was worried you wouldn't believe me. Ask Mrs Gothart. She can back me up."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 17, 2017 0:08:30 GMT -5
"Wait a minute... you said earlier the note was Mrs Gothart's because it spoke of her pregnancy and never wanting to marry Mr Gothart- so what is the truth?" Detective Walton pointed out.
(If we just account for that, we can go down this route)
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Post by Toz76 on Jul 17, 2017 0:18:27 GMT -5
Cricket blushed. "That wasn't in the note... she told me that in secret earlier. I just assumed..."
***
Loyal readers, you are no doubt wondering why I lied to you. The reason is simple. As you know, everything in my novels is 100% true to the best of my ability. But suicide is a very difficult subject. I worried it would dishonor the major's memory to publish the story truthfully. But my mind was changed by two close friends of the Major, Colonel Brooks and Seargent Hamilton. They came by my home one afternoon as Cricket and I were sitting down to tea.
"How can I help you gentlemen?" I asked.
"You can help us by telling the truth about Major Cronwall." Hamilton said.
I explained my reasoning, but then Brooks said something that changed my life:
"The truth is more interesting than any story. You can make a sensational tale, but the truth is what people want, and it's the truth you must provide."
So I give you my solemn pledge. I, James Hartley, will tell the whole truth, to the best of my ability, in all future novels. There will be no more second editions, no alternate endings, just plain and simple truth.
And here's the truth about how Cricket reacted to the first ending...
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 17, 2017 23:10:32 GMT -5
Cricket was intrigued by the original ending and... well even though it was inspired by a dream she couldn't help but feel a bit nervous... almost as if she was hiding a dirty secret. Regardless, she did enjoy the ending. Sure, I had trouble talking to her for a while afterwards, but eventually we did come to an understanding and we will ensure that our relationship is based on more than passion.
Though I am sorry to say... the case did not end well for Gunnarson.
......
The suspects were all allowed to go home; but Walton had a few choice words for the Swede before returning to Scotland Yard.
"Adolf Gunnarson... that was some of the WORST detective work I have ever seen! Not only did you change your mind three times on who the murderer was in the course of an hour, you kept ignoring evidence in favor of hunches and reconsidering suspects after they were logically eliminated! What are you trying to pull on me?!" Walton fumed.
"Well, you see, I..."
"You know what, forget it. Gunnarson, I will be telling my colleagues in homicide and in the other departments about this little incident you pulled. And rest assured, they will NOT be happy to hear what the "Great Swedish Detective" accomplished today. Consider yourself very lucky Gunnarson- if this was not a suicide, you'd be accompanying me in the back of my car right now" Walton said as he turned around and left for his car.
"What's going to happen, Gunnarson?" I asked as I walked up to him.
"I don't know Hartley... and something tells me it won't be good" Gunnarson said.
......
"So, we are all agreed then?" Walton asked.
"Yes; Gunnarson has gone too far this time" a fellow detective agreed.
"Then I shall go see Gent now" Walton said as he went to the Commissioner's office.
Gent was hard at work when Detective Walton came into his office. "Commissioner Gent, we need to talk" Walton fumed.
"What's the problem, Walton?" Gent asked.
"I will give you a hint- he's a pain in the neck, he's incompetent and he's Swedish" Walton informed.
"Surely you do not mean Gunnarson..." Gent said, taken aback.
"I do. This last case he was on was an absolute disgrace. He accused three different people in just 30 minutes and he kept jumping around changing his mind on who the killer was, even going so far as to ignore important evidence just to pursue hunches!" Walton declared.
"Now Walton, yes it is true Gunnarson can be rather unorthodox at times, but that doesn't change the fact that he has proven quite useful to solving cases" Gent informed.
"I do not deny that, but this case he went too far! Subverting the law, obstructing justice, FALSIFYING EVIDENCE for Christ's sake! I told the homicide department about this little incident, and I can assure you, none of my colleagues are happy to hear about this" Walton said sternly.
"So what do you want me to do? He doesn't work for Scotland Yard, I cannot boss him around" Gent informed.
"No, but as sworn officers, we do have the authority to keep civilians like him out of crime scenes, which is why come tonight, we are sending Gunnarson this letter" Walton informed. Gent took it and read what was on it.
Adolf Gunnarson,
It has come to our attention that your recent casework involved actions that were legally questionable and subverted the rule of law. Though we will not arrest you this time, considering the extraordinary circumstances, please note that from this point on, the Homicide detectives of Scotland Yard have been made aware of your subversion, and from now on will treat you with greater discretion. Below signed are the detectives who will no longer allow you on crime scenes, and rest assured the other departments will be made aware of your recent actions.
Sincerely,
... and Gent read off the names. "But... but this every homicide detective except Stein, Byrne and Greene" Gent said, shocked.
"We're only doing our duties sir; and that Swede needs to be stopped before he subverts the law further" Walton informed, before taking back the letter and going to mail it to Gunnarson.
"Gunnarson, I know you are no murderer but... what were you thinking this time?" Gent thought before returning to work.
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