26/3/13

The Elephant in the Room

Anyway, after we had gathered enough evidence to support Hathi's innocence, we presented it to Scotland Yard. Lestrade was growing more and more certain that Hathi wasn't the killer, but he needed more concrete proof. A confession.

They called in the two other handlers who were at the zoo at the time. After interrogating them, we were still unsure of which one it was. Plus, Lestrade was suspicious as to why Hathi wasn't at the zoo, and why Kyle was nowhere to be found.

In the end, we had to confess that Hathi was our client. I thought I'd already seen Lestrade's most irritably perplexed expression, but I guess I was wrong. He accused us of being mentally unstable, which Sherlock gladly agreed to. We informed Mycroft and Kyle that we were getting closer.

After some negotiation, we convinced Kyle to let Hathi return to the zoo. There, we brought the two suspects and waited for them to arrive.

Lestrade lectured us on how ridiculous this all was. Everyone seemed to think this except for Sherlock.

When Hathi returned, Kyle told the two suspects to stand in front of the elephant. I didn't know what he planned on doing, and apparently, neither did Sherlock nor Lestrade.

After a few seconds, Hathi raised his trunk to the first handler and trumpeted in his face.

I knew that elephants were intelligent, but I had no idea that could identify faces. I later found that they can even recognized other elephants. Not only was Hathi the suspect, but he was also the only witness to the crime.

The first handler, Oliver Adams, was brought back to Scotland Yard for a more thorough interrogation. Eventually, he confessed.

Adams was one of three handlers in charge of Hathi, along with Kyle and the victim. For years, he had been stealing donated money from areas around the zoo. Up until the murder, he had stolen at least £4500. At some point, the Myers, the victim, saw him in the act, but waited to confront him. On that night, they were cleaning up, and Myers told him what he knew. In a fit of rage, Adams drew his pocket knife, used for primarily for utilitarian purposes. He claimed that he never intended to hurt Myers, but as he swung his arms to gesture, he cut the rope on the tree that suspended the log. It crashed down on Myers head before he could get out of the way.

Panicked, he left his knife in the bushes and disposed of the log. He said that he took it with him on his way home and threw it in the Thames.

Kyle was ecstatic.

In the end, Hathi was permitted back into the zoo, and with Mycroft's help, Kyle wasn't fired. Hathi was recognized by the zoo and the media for his efforts in identifying a criminal. He was given a new log by an anonymous donor, and I have a feeling it was Mycroft. Despite anything he says, I think he enjoyed his time with Hathi.

After everything had settled down, Sherlock and I returned to the zoo to visit Kyle and Hathi. When he saw us, the elephant charged towards us, trumpeting. Kyle saw this and allowed us to see him. He led us behind the exhibit and into the habitat. Hathi greeted us with another trumpet and shuffled towards us.

The first thing he did was ruffle Sherlock's hair, like he had the first day at Baker Street. Sherlock tried to shoo him away, but he pulled Sherlock in with his trunk, his own version of an embrace. Sherlock stiffened at first, but he relaxed, and patted Hathi's trunk.

When Hathi was done with him, he did the same to me. I guess elephants never forget a face.

Mycroft would sometimes tease Sherlock about the case. Sherlock was never really phased. Each time, he would simply reply, "It was for the elephant."

I really do think Sherlock enjoyed himself. And honestly, so did I. Walking a baby elephant through the streets of London, clearing him of charges, watching his reaction to us, his appreciation for what we did-I don't think we'll ever forget the day we found the elephant in the room.