Mystery 28: The Nervous Bank Clerk

Detective Lestrade felt a tinge of guilt as he set down his dirty, dripping umbrella on the spotless marble floor of the prestigious bank shining under the elegant lobby chandelier. He dug out his pencil to take notes from the key witness, an inexperienced new bank clerk.

"Everything happened so fast." The man wiped beads of nervous sweat off his forehead. "Two men in masks stormed into the building during a lull in customer flow. They demanded all the money. One aimed his gun at me while the other held a black sack. As soon as I gave them everything, they rushed out."

The witness shivered at the memory. Lestrade wondered if the frightened bank clerk hid under his bed at home during thunderstorms. The man was clearly not the bravest of bankers.

"Anything else you observed that might help us identify the thieves?" He addressed the clerk.

"As soon as the men exited, I ran out after them for a better look. I didn't dare go further than the bottom of the front entrance stairs, but I did catch the license plate of their getaway car," the clerk raised his eyes and looked up hopefully. "Will that be helpful?"

The DI thought for a moment. "Actually," he smiled, "I think your presence at the police station would be more beneficial."

~221b~

Why did DI Lestrade think the bank teller was lying and suspect him as playing a part in the bank theft?

Answer for Chapter 27: Bewildered

When the curator/security guard shook John's hand, the astute doctor noted trace stickiness. In his haste to hide the gems until he could safely escort them off the premises of the museum without attracting attention, the man had neglected to wash all the sweet stickiness off that had accumulated when he tucked the valuables inside the nearest likely hiding spot.