"THE DIPLOMAT"
[PRODUCTION NOTES: This mystery is written with the scene of the being in a library. Other venues may also serve as a backdrop for the mystery, and the role of the librarian may be supplanted by an employee suitable for the venue.]
ACT I
(FADE IN. EXTERIOR OF A LIBRARY, in the early evening. CUT TO: INTERIOR OF THE LIBRARY. There are stacks of books all about. The ceiling is high and the artificial lighting makes the library looks almost cavernous. Next to a patrons' desk— not the LIBRARIAN's desk— is the dead body of a middle-aged man, face down. On the desk is a revolver. CRABTREE is on the scene, directing a PHOTOGRAPHER to capture the scene. Other CONSTABLES keep people away and otherwise preserve the scene. MURDOCH and OGDEN enter approaches the body, MURDOCH crossing himself as he does so. OGDEN checks the body for vital signs without disturbing the scene.)
MURDOCH
What have you, George?
CRABTREE
This man was shot about 5:50 p.m. We have not identified the victim as of yet. According to witnesses, the victim was seen conversing at this desk with another man, presumably the killer, who fled the scene after the shooting.
MURDOCH
Do we have a description of this man who fled the scene?
CRABTREE
Yes, but the eyewitnesses are not very helpful. No one got a look at his face. His attire was unremarkable, his height and build were average, and his hair was dark. Witnesses agree that he had no facial hair and did not wear spectacles. I've asked the witnesses whether they think they could recognize the man if they saw him again; they all said they doubted they could.
(OGDEN finishes her preliminary examination and joins MURDOCH and CRABTREE.)
MURDOCH
How many witnesses are there, George?
CRABTREE
Four. The librarian on duty and three other patrons. None of them saw what happened, but they all heard it. And sir, there is a potentially critical discrepancy in their stories: three witnesses reported hearing two distinct shots, and the other witness said she heard only one shot.
MURDOCH
Hmm.
OGDEN
The victim is dead; the body is still warm. After all the photographs are taken, I'll be able to tell more.
MURDOCH
Have we found any witnesses outside of the library, anyone who might be able to identify the fleeing man?
CRABTREE
No, sir.
(MURDOCH looks more carefully at the scene.)
MURDOCH
Have any of the witnesses touched this gun, George?
CRABTREE
I asked them, sir; they all say they haven't touched anything.
MURDOCH
Good. We ought to be able to get finger marks from the gun and perhaps from the desk.
(MURDOCH looks at the revolver without touching it. The revolver holds up to six bullets. In four of the chambers, the metal tips of bullets are visible; in the other two chambers, no bullets are visible.)
MURDOCH
There are four bullets in this gun. Two chambers in the gun seem to be empty.
CRABTREE (making a note)
Meaning two shots were fired.
MURDOCH (correcting)
Not necessarily. Two shots COULD have been fired from this weapon.
(The PHOTOGRAPHER approaches MURDOCH.)
PHOTOGRAPHER
I have taken photographs of the body and the weapon from several angles, sir. Do you wish me to get photographs of the surrounding area, the bookcases and so forth?
MURDOCH
I don't think that is necessary.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Then I'm all finished, sir.
(The PHOTOGRAPHER nods to OGDEN, MURDOCH and CRABTREE, and then departs. OGDEN goes to examine the body. As MURDOCH and CRABTREE watch, she turns the body onto its back. A blood stain appears on the floor where the body's chest had been, and there is a blood stain on the front of the victim's clothes. MURDOCH assists. OGDEN notices something odd about the victim's head.)
OGDEN
William? Look at this.
(OGDEN peels a black wig from the victim's head. The victim is mostly bald and his remaining natural hair is lighter in colour.)
MURDOCH
A wig!
OGDEN
He was in disguise?
MURDOCH (unsure)
Some men wear wigs as a matter of vanity.
(As OGDEN continues to examine the victim, MURDOCH pulls open the victim's jacket to find a wallet. He inspects the wallet and finds some identification.)
OGDEN
There appears to be a single shot near the centre of the chest. I only see one bullet hole.
MURDOCH (reading the identification)
It appears that this is Mister Eric Cameron. And his address— well, he's not from this neighborhood. (realizing something) Eric Cameron. Oh, no. Cameron. (takes a deep breath) Inspector Brackenreid is not going to like this.
(FADE OUT.)
