|
|
Post by Eyes on Jul 6, 2017 1:06:33 GMT -5
Literary Mosaic 12:
The Singular Case of the Woman with the Red Jewels
OR
LM Gets A Female DetectiveMarlena Gent sat down at her desk and inhaled.
She breathed in the air of her newly furnished office. She had saved up for a good number of years to buy this room, and she was proud of herself. Outside, the sign said, "Marlena Gent - Consulting Detective". She smiled. Her hopes and dreams were finally coming to fruition.
She suddenly thought of her father. Chief Inspector Gent, one of the top dogs of Scotland Yard. She sneered. Her father was most annoyed at her for choosing this path in life. Female detectives? Unheard of! Couldn't she settle down with a nice man and have kids and be a normal young woman like everyone else?
But no, she told him. Becoming a detective was her dream. A dream which she intended to fulfill. Detection ran in the family. Didn't her father of all people know that, dammit?
Well, she was here. Officially here. A private detective just setting up shop.
Now she just had to wait for someone to come along.
No one came for the first few hours. She drank some coffee, looked over the office, and groaned. Maybe no one was interested.
But Marlena had always been a lucky girl, and luck was with her on this occasion.
Around 11:34 AM, a woman entered the office. Marlena jumped up to greet her and extended her hand.
"Hi there, Marlena Gent at your service, private investigator is the business, you need sleuthing, you'll get it! (For a very small fee of course!)"
"Oh why thank you deary," said the woman. She seemed to be in her 50s, Marlena guessed. She was small, a spinster kind of type.
"Have a seat," said Ms. Detective Gent. "Now, what might be your problem?"
"Well now," began the woman, "the long and short of it is, someone's stolen my jewels."
"Ah, jewels. What kind?"
"Red ones."
"Rubies?"
"No, not rubies. I just cannot for the life of me recall what they were. I know for a fact they were not rubies, but it's another kind of jewel which I know not of, a rarer one that I inherited from my mother who died recently. I was going to get them inspected to find out what they were, but blast it all deary, someone's stolen them."
"Might I have a name please?"
"Mary Murples."
"Well now Miss Murples, this seems an interesting sort of case. Can you give me the details please?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Toz76 on Jul 6, 2017 1:12:24 GMT -5
"Well, the jewels were about two inches long, and shaped like-"
"No, about the case!"
"Oh, yes, yes. Well..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Eyes on Jul 6, 2017 1:36:04 GMT -5
"...it might be a good idea to come down to my house so that you can see everything in person. I live quite near here in a town called Rivers St. Ives, about a ten minute's drive."
"Works for me," said Marlena. "I'll just get my hat."
Upon arrival at Miss Murples's house, which, by the way, was a small one, though it did have two floors and was perfect in every sense of the word ("I like to keep things looking nice," Miss Murples explained), the two ladies walked inside where Marlena hung up her hat and was then promptly whisked away to Miss Murples's bedroom.
"It was in this drawer," she explained. "I had it kept right there, in a box. When I opened the box this morning, I found it empty."
Marlena had, as a side remark, taken out a notepad and starting writing down the facts.
"I feel that it must have happened last night between 6 o'clock and 10. I had some guests over for dinner and I can't imagine anyone breaking into the house and stealing it while I was asleep nor someone stealing them beforehand because I had just put them away beforehand."
"I see. Who was at this party by the way?"
"Well that's see... there was the Vicar, Rev. Simon Goodrop, then Mary Jane Andrews, the church organist, Wilma Kneeterson, one of the Sunday school teachers, Isaac North, the choir leader, James Hamond, the associate pastor, and my nephew, Gerald Knots."
"I see. So this was a church gathering, I take it?"
"Well yes and no. These were all members of the church but it was a purely friendly gathering."
"I see. Well, I think I'll look around here a bit."
Miss Murples went downstairs and Marlena dusted for prints (she had, after a long hard search, acquired a kit for it), but the only prints she found were Miss Murples's (she verified this with the good lady).
Nothing seemed abnormal in any way possible, so Marlena decided to investigate those who were at the 'party'.
At least, that's what she intended on doing, but as she was saying goodbye to Miss Murples, the good lady starting chatting with Marlena, Marlena started chatting with her, chatting turned into tea time, tea time turned into supper, and it was about 10:30 before she actually made it out of the house. Any plans to check into the others were scrapped now, and she decided to get a good night's sleep and start in earnest on the morrow.
Next morning, Marlena woke up and yawned. After making some coffee, she retrieved the morning paper from the front door and started reading.
She didn't get far though. A snappy headline like "WOMAN BRUTALLY MURDERED WITH A HATCHET IN RIVERS ST. IVES" and the name "Miss Murple" made her jump into the air and hurl an explicit at herself. Dropping the coffee, she ran out, jumped in her car, and drove to the scene of the crime.
|
|
|
|
Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 6, 2017 1:55:43 GMT -5
She approached the house and tried to go inside... but was stopped in her tracks by the officers outside.
"This is a crime scene ma'am, you cannot enter" the officer declared.
"I'm a private investigator, please let me in!" She declared.
"No, I am not under any sort of circumstances to let civilians in" the officer stated.
"What's going on?" A voice said as it walked to the entrance.
"This lady says she's a private investigator and is trying to enter the crime scene" the officer said.
"Another one?! Damn it, as if that Swede wasn't giving us enough issues" the detective grumbled.
"What?" Marlena asked
"Nothing you need to worry about. Anyway, this is a crime scene, officers and detectives only" the detective declared.
"You got to be kidding me..." Marlena said.
"Sorry ma'am, but its the law" the detective explained
|
|
|
|
Post by Eyes on Jul 6, 2017 1:58:10 GMT -5
"My father is Police Commissioner Gent, if that helps sway opinion."
"Your father is Gent?"
"Yes, I'm Marlena Gent."
|
|
|
|
Post by Tug on Jul 6, 2017 11:32:11 GMT -5
"Doesn't matter... Officer get this woman out of here!'
"You heard the Detective Girlie... SCRAM!"
Marlena was then thrown into trash cans nearby....
"What a great first case this is turning out to be..."
|
|
|
|
Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 6, 2017 12:42:40 GMT -5
Detective Paulson, in charge of the case from Scotland Yard's perspective, subsequently gave Comissioner Gent a phone call
"Hello, Comissioner Gent? Yes, it's Paulson from homicide... your daughter seems to be trying to get onto the crime scene, and Constable Jervis just threw her into some trash cans. Yes, yes, I will send him to you later, but what should I do about your daughter?" Paulson asked
|
|
|
|
Post by Eyes on Jul 6, 2017 22:55:32 GMT -5
Gent sighed. "That daughter of mine needs to know her place like all other civilians," he said. "No, she may not go in."
Meanwhile, Marlena had lifted herself from the trash and was now pondering in what to do next.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toz76 on Jul 6, 2017 23:42:10 GMT -5
She decided the best bet was to interview the suspects.
Reverend Goodrop was first on her list. When she knocked his door, she was met by a frenzied, wild-eyed man in his underwear.
"Ah, young lady. I'm afraid I'm not quite decent, as you can see. Could you come back later?"
"I'm afraid it's urgent. This is about the late Mary Murples."
"The late... God rest her gentle soul. Give me ten minutes and we can talk."
Ten minutes later, he return, wearing a woolen sweater and seeming much more at ease. The two went into his home, and Marlena sank into a hairy orange sofa and introduced herself as Goodrop prepared some tea.
"This is tragic news you bring, madam Gent. Mary was a god-fearing woman and a close friend. How did she die?"
"It was in the paper. She was killed. They found a bloodied hatchet near the crime scene, but there are no suspects."
"God preserve us. Mary was a kind soul. Who would do such a thing?"
"The day before her death, she came to me. She wanted my service as a private investigator. A set of jewels she inherited from her mother had vanished and she suspected she had been robbed at a party she had attended recently."
"Ah, those jewels. She showed them off at dinner. She was quite proud of them, actually. I do not know what became of them after the party."
"I see. I have a list of the other party guests. Did any of them seem to be acting suspicious or especially interested in the jewels?"
"Now you mention it, Mrs Andrews has been acting strange lately, but that may be because her brother Ronald Wright died recently. And Mr North was also quite on edge that night, but he's still mourning his close friend Franklin Orwell... God has taken a lot of good people this year."
Marlena nodded, scrawled down some notes, and said her goodbyes. Goodrop seemed on edge, but as far as she could tell, he was telling the truth about not knowing. It was on to the next suspect.
|
|
|
|
Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 7, 2017 0:41:32 GMT -5
About two miles down the road, she came to the home of Mary Jane Andrews, and soon found herself sitting scross from the church organist and her husband, Walter.
"...and she was found dead this morning. The police aren't entirely sure what happened, but from what I can conclude this murder may be connected to the theft of the jewels" Marlena explained.
"She was such a friendly woman; I can't imagine anyone doing such an atrocious deed to her!" Mrs Andrews said.
"You will have to excuse her; she's been through a lot this year, having lost her brother to that awful One-Eyed Jack" Mr Andrews said.
"Well, if it is any consolation, Jack was killed himself afterwards, so justice was served.
"Was it? Ever since Jack died, twice a week both we and Ronald's family get harassed" Mr Andrews said.
"By who?" Marlena asked
"Jack's brother, Howard. Trying to take over his brother's business, but he doesn't have Jack's manpower or resources. I tell you though, he is persistent- he feels he can take over the loan shark trade to himself with the Dirty Four gone" Andrews explained.
"My goodness... a motive. Could Mrs Andrews have stolen the jewels to pay off Ronald's debt to get Howard to stop harassing them?" Marlena thought to herself.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eyes on Jul 11, 2017 0:00:02 GMT -5
After thanking the Andrews, Marlena moved on to Wilma Kneeterson, who lived two houses down. Wilma was an old, bent spinster-type with poor eyesight, but with a smile on her face that charmed people rather than reviled them.
"Now jest you come inside, deary!" she said. "Make ye'self at home!"
|
|
|
|
Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 11, 2017 0:17:20 GMT -5
Marlena and Wilma sat in the living room and Marlena, after some small talk, came to the important point. Wilma was surprised by the news.
"Oh dear, what a shame, what a shame. She was such a nice lady too. I can't think of anybody who would want to hurt her" Wilma said.
"Well, is there anything you can tell me?" Marlena asked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eyes on Jul 11, 2017 13:10:59 GMT -5
"Nothing much that would have to do with this case I'm afraid," said Wilma. "Mary was a dear friend of mine, but I couldn't think of anyone who'd want to kill her. Any specific questions you'd want to ask, deary?"
|
|
|
|
Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 11, 2017 14:10:28 GMT -5
"Well, the only one I can think of is were you visiting her the night she was murdered?" Marlena asked.
"I'm afraid not- I left the dinner that night early to go visit my sister because she's... she's not doing so well" Wilma explained.
"I guess that's it then; thank you" Marlena said as she took her leave.
"Ok, Isaac North, James Hammond, Gerald Knots... who next?" She thought; then she had an idea. Going down to the church, just outside the building, she heard faint singing. "Ah; thought so" she said to herself. She went inside, and sure enough, there was Mr North leading the choir, and associate pastor Hamond, who after the singing stopped, consulted North on hymns to use for the next mass.
"Two at once; that will save me some trouble" she thought as she went inside.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eyes on Jul 11, 2017 14:39:00 GMT -5
"Excuse me," she said, walking up to them.
"Yes my dear lady," said North, "what may we help you with?"
|
|
|
|
Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 11, 2017 17:07:23 GMT -5
Marlena basically went through the same routine with them as the previous suspects. Though Hamond was pleasant, North seemed to be rather distracted.
"Please forgive me; ever since I lost my good friend Franklin a while back, and it's still hard to get over" he said.
"All right; I understand" she said. They didn't yield any new information pertaining to the case, but they did each say something interesting.
"The... the church is going through some hard times. We may be tax exempt but we've been having trouble to raise money that doesn't cover the day-to-day expenses. We're trying to come us with the money to renovate the church; we suffered some light bomb damage during the war, but we still haven't found the money to repair the damages" Hamond explained.
"I left the dinner around 9:45 p.m. By then it was only her and the nephew in the house. I...I distinctly remember, I had just heard a loud scream as I reached my car; it had called me from the house. I remembered that she had said something about a rat issue, but I thought nothing of it. I realize now... that may have not been what I thought it was"
"I see. I guess that's all I can ask. Thank you for your time" Marlena said as she left. As she went for the door, suddenly the last person she expected came in. Gerald Knots, the nephew, came into the church in haste. He looked rather nervous.
"Is the pastor in?" Gerald asked.
"Yes, but do you have time for some questions?" Marlena asked.
"I'm afraid not; forgive me, but I must speak to my pastor. I did something terrible lady night, and I must go to confessions" he explained.
"Oh, ok. I won't keep you, sorry to bother you" Marlena said as she left and Ferald approached Hamond; chances were though, Rev. Goodrop was here now.
Marlena, having met all the suspects, subsequently went back to her office. She had much to think about.
"The nephew seemed most suspicious... perhaps I should focus on him for now" she concluded. But what to do?
|
|
|
|
Post by Toz76 on Jul 13, 2017 23:14:05 GMT -5
The simple answer was to speak to the nephew one on one. So she drove to his residence and waited for him on his porch.
|
|
|
|
Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 14, 2017 0:52:36 GMT -5
It was a while before the nephew finally came home. He was surprised to say the least.
"Oh... it's you. Do... do you still want to ask me questions?" The nephew asked.
"Yes, I do. I'm investigating the murder of your aunt" Marlena explained.
"I see. Well, I... I don't know if there is much I can help you with. I mean, I was the last to leave that night and I didn't see anything" the nephew explained. But to Marlena, the moment he said that, she knew something was off, thinking back to what Mr. North had said.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toz76 on Jul 14, 2017 22:59:25 GMT -5
"Mr North said he heard a scream as he left."
"Oh, that? She was, er, laughing. I told a joke and she was in hysterics. I suppose it could have sounded like screaming from outside."
Marlena narrowed her eyes. "You're lying."
"Okay, okay, fine! Here's the truth..."
|
|
|
|
Post by frankthetriviaman on Jul 14, 2017 23:10:55 GMT -5
"...I got into an argument with her; because she had no children, I was pretty much the closest thing she had to descendant so the in the will I was supposed to get everything when she passed away. But then this Frenchman began swooning her and trying to win her over. She didn't know the bast*rd six months and decided to include him in the will! And you want to know something- he's not even French! I caught him red handed two weeks ago speaking with a Cornish accent. I tried warning my aunt but she didn't believe me, she even had the nerve to threaten to cut me out of the will! So I... I gave her a right hook to the stomach and... and I just left her there..." he said, lamenting.
"And yet she was found dead the next morning..." Marlena pointed out.
"Well whoever it was, at least they got her before the will was officially changed. Now get lost, girl- you're not a detective so I don't have to talk to you!" He screamed as he opened his door and slammed it shut behind him.
"There's gotta be more to his story" Marlena reasoned, "why else would he have been so on edge?"
|
|
