INTRODUCTION TO MURDER
I'll admit it now: I'm a huge fan of Hy Conrad. I binge-watched all of White Collar, Monk made me laugh, but nothing could hold a candle to my first and true Hy Conrad love, Almost Perfect Crimes. The structure was deliciously different from other you-be-the-detective books I'd read, and teenage me devoured the entire book, and then its sequels Almost Perfect Murders and Whodunit - You Decide.
So, without more Conrad mysteries to solve, I decided to make some of my own.
Each mystery in this collection will begin with a story. After the story, there will be a series of questions you need to answer in order to solve the case for yourself. Then I'll give you a set of clues. You may only need one or two clues to solve the case, you may need all of them. Some mysteries are harder than others.
If you're still stuck, go to the "Analysis of Evidence" section to help you work out your theory. It's at this point, when you have a working theory but before you proceed to the solutions, that I'm going to encourage you to leave a review explaining what you think happened. The best part of a mystery is the guessing and sharing of ideas.
Although this is a Star Wars fanfic, all the stories take place on Earth and all the characters are human. This is so basic laws of physics, medicine, and facts of life on Earth (such as historical events or the Gregorian calendar) remain consistent with what you, the Earth resident, know.
Lastly, don't think you have to be a police detective or a forensic scientist to take on these mysteries. All you need to bring to these stories are your deductive reasoning skills and a good dose of imagination. In other words think Sherlock Holmes, not CSI.
Happy sleuthing,
LS
DEATH AT THE GALLERY
London, England
Mitt Thrawn, art dealer, leaned in close as he could to the painting on the gallery wall without disturbing the velvet rope. He could see the hallmarks of his favorite artist: the broad brushstrokes and bright lighting depicting a young woman looking off the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower.
"I could lift the rope for you if you like," Ahrinda Pryce offered. "It is my painting after all."
"This is fine, Ms. Pryce." Thrawn pulled back. "It truly is remarkable. Tell me again, how you found the lost Mermeer."
"You never know what you can find in an old baron's estate sale," Pryce's small smile faded. She knew of the infamous art dealer's reputation - as much as he loved a good buy, he was also cunning and would always come out on top no matter what damage he left in his wake. "Have you given any more thought to the purchase? You never said much during our previous meetings."
"I am interested," Thrawn admitted. "You'll give your speech, and then as we agreed I'll make my announcement to the crowd of the deal. You know I have a fondness for Mermeer."
"That's why I contacted you first." Pryce was cut off by Thrawn's phone ringtone. "I'm sorry, do you have to take this?"
"I don't." Thrawn checked the caller's ID. "It seems my daughter's exceeded her allowance payment and requires more funds. Again." He put his phone back in his pocket. "No doubt she'll show up tonight to beg me for a check in person. I apologize in advance and I'll have her quickly shown out if she makes a fuss."
"As long as she isn't a disturbance," Pryce acquiesced. "I'd best take my place for the speech. Would you like me to walk you to your seat?"
"I would be honored. Gemma may distract me for a minute but rest assured I'll be there in time for your speech to begin, Ms. Pryce."
And he was. Thrawn took his place in the audience between the two people he was trying to avoid all evening.
"Mr. Thrawn," Wilhuff Tarkin, Thrawn's greatest competitor, offered him a polite but insincere smile. "Is it true you have a deal on the table for the lost Mermeer? It's worth a fortune."
Thrawn would have returned with an equally polite and insincere answer but the plan was foiled by his daughter Gemma. "Of course he does. He's the best art dealer in London for a reason. How much is it for, Daddy? I need a new -."
"Quiet, both of you," Thrawn snapped not looking up from his phone. He eventually had to stash the device when the lights went down and Pryce took the stage to begin her speech.
"Good evening everyone, and it's my pleasure to share the lost Mermeer with you all." The audience applauded when she used her remote control to bring up a likeness of the painting on the projector screen behind her and backed into the wings so as not to block their view. "Mermeer created many beautiful paintings before his untimely death in 1885, but none of them compare to this, his masterpiece."
Thrawn got to his feet but was quickly stopped by Tarkin's whisper. "What do you think you're doing?"
"It's not your concern," Thrawn replied and left the room.
Despite the interruption Pryce's speech continued as planned. It was nearly an hour later when she shut off the slideshow and stepped back out from the wings. "And now we have an announcement from Mr. Mitt Thrawn, who requires no introduction. Mr. Thrawn?"
When Thrawn didn't come forward for a few minutes worry began to set in. Tarkin and Gemma split up to look for him. Tarkin had just finished checking the coatroom when Gemma screamed.
He shoved into the room where Gemma stood with her hands clamped over her mouth. Mitt Thrawn lay facedown on the carpet, a bloody wrench next to his head.
"Phone the police!" Tarkin shouted, fighting back the urge to bolt from the room. "It looks like Thrawn's double-dealing finally caught up with him."
Questions: 1) Who killed Mitt Thrawn? 2) Why? 3) How was the murder committed?
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EVIDENCE
Security Guard's Testimony
"Ms. Pryce's speech began at eight and everyone was in their seats, listening to her and watching the slideshow presentation. Mr. Thrawn got up shortly after the speech began and went out the house right door. About an hour later everyone noticed Mr. Thrawn was gone and Mr. Tarkin and Miss Gemma went to go look for him. No one else got up from their seats and my men at the door say no one entered the hotel. If you ask me, the guy probably got it from the ghosts of all the owners who he embarassed or ruined some other way."
Cell Phone Records
The phone company provides a record of the deceased's cell phone activity. Over the last few days there are several calls from Gemma to her father, only one of which Thrawn returned. The multitude of texts which follow are pleas for the deceased to help Gemma pay off a massive shopping debt.
Tarkin also called the deceased twice. When questioned about the nature of the calls, he admits he was trying to intimidate the victim in an attempt to buy the Mermeer for himself.
Investigators also find a series of text messages between Mr. Thrawn and an art authenticator. The last message, dated and timed one week before the murder, reads "My Parisian friend agrees with you. 1887. Call me right before you do it."
The art authenticator's number has been partially dialed in the calling app.
Search of the Crime Scene
The room the body was discovered is a comfortable and lavishly furnished sitting room for gallery guests to rest. It is decorated with small iron statuettes, a comfortable couch, and a fireplace topped by two heavy candlesticks. The murder weapon, an unremarkable household wrench covered in dried blood, is lying next to the victim. No fingerprints are present on the murder weapon or any of the doorknobs.
Nothing is found in the hallway connecting this room, the backstage area, and the entrance to the main lobby.
Search of the Coatroom
Tarkin's briefcase: In addition to usual, a sales contract is found in a black leather binder. When questioned Tarkin admits he was planning to steal the Mermeer deal from under Thrawn's nose during the party, but was unable to get close enough to Pryce to do so as she was always with Thrawn.
Gemma Thrawn's purse: In addition to usual, several maxed-out or cut up credit cards and a small palette of designer makeup.
Ahrinda Pryce's purse: In addition to usual, a bottle of clear nail polish and and a cassette tape, unlabeled.
Mitt Thrawn's Will
Mr. Thrawn leaves behind a substantial estate. Since his wife is long dead and he has few friends, the sole beneficiary of his will is his daughter, Gemma Thrawn.
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ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE
Several clues point to Thrawn's murder being a premeditated event. Why use a wrench as a murder weapon when one of the statuettes or candlesticks in the room would do? Clearly the killer smuggled the weapon into the gallery. In addition the dried blood on the wrench confirms the murder occurred before Gemma discovered the body; during Pryce's speech. But Tarkin and Gemma were both in the front row listening to Pryce speak. How could any of the suspects have killed him then?
Similarly the suspects' belongings (with the exception of Tarkin's contract) raise no red flags, though they may shed light on each suspect's plans for the night of the murder.
Have you solved this murder? Now's the time to state your case in the review box. When you're done, put your theory to the test by reading the solution in the next chapter.