Chapter 10
The yellow streak zigged down for a few meters then zagged a sharp right a meter more. The line dipped here and there before shooting back upwards once more, straight up. It could have been a child's tracing of the coast of Italy or a random doodle of a raggedy boot. But at the Hotel Victoria such was not the case. On the floor, the sticky, neon yellow police tape outlined the form that had once been Adam Claymore's leg, well, thigh, knee and a bit of ankle.
Mr. Wright flipped through the set of photos provided to all the detectives. One photo clearly showed Claymore's body sprawled face up on the floor. Another was a close up of the victim's neck and face. Several more showed the disarray of the suite at the time of the body's discovery. Severus moved away from the outlined body to let Ms. Danforth and Mr. Levinson have their own look. The other detectives were scattered about the room looking their fill.
Mr. Ironside and Mr. Maclemore walked to and fro from the door to the bed trying out several possible scenarios. "Claymore let him in. The lock wasn't forced." said Ironside. He took a picture of the door and a wide shot view of the suite.
"Aye, there wasn't a fight either. No one at the hotel reported any kind of loud rows or commotions last night." Maclemore added. "The room's messy but nothing that would indicate a fight. Claymore's clothes are not torn or damaged either."
"So, he comes in. They chat for bit." Ironside takes a few steps into the room. "He must have caught Claymore by surprise somehow."
Mr. Lewis gestured at the writing desk where all the drawers had been turned out and their contents strewn everywhere. "Well, the murderer was in a great hurry. Killed Claymore first then proceeded to ransack the room. What was he looking for?"
"Why would the murderer be in such a hurry?" Mrs. Moss asked. "The murder was done late at night. We were all in our rooms. He or she could have taken their time searching around."
"There would have been no hurry if this was planned. I don't think the murderer was prepared to kill him." Ms. Stevens stood by the bookcase looking at all the titles. Unusual, my room doesn't have this many books. Why does his? Unlike the others, she was more interested in those areas not touched by the murderer.
"No weapon save his hands," Mr. Ironside said from near the armchair. "When one is desperate one uses whatever's handy."
"Spur of the moment killing?" Ms. Danforth looked at Levinson. They were both crouched by the body comparing the photos to the surrounding area. "And you're all saying 'he'."
Ms. McFadden looked up from sketchbook and said "Look at the span of the bruises on the neck." She resumed sketching the layout of the room.
"Besides Claymore's no lightweight," said Mr. Levinson. "His killer had to be the same or better in body weight and height I would think."
"The marks indicate that Claymore was facing his attacker. The murderer had to have had the strength to hold and fight off Claymore's attempts to free himself." Mr. Wright said.
"All right, it was a man then. How can you be sure that he was looking for something, Lewis? From the looks of things it could have been an attempted robbery. A bungled one." Mr. Timmons carefully opened a bureau drawer and peered inside.
"Claymore let him in. That doesn't point to a robbery at all." said Ironside.
"Claymore had something. Whatever it was, the murderer wanted it badly." asked Mr. Moss. He and Ms. Stevens were investigating the bookcase pulling out books and knick knacks. Ms. Stevens pulled out a slim journal and began to leaf through it.
"And is this murder connected to the theft of the charter?" Mr. Lewis put in.
"Perhaps." Mr. Maclemore stood by the balcony door looking into the room. He noticed several cigarette butts littering the balcony. "What if it isn't?"
"It is and this proves it." Ms. Stevens held up the journal. "This is what the murderer was after - Adam's journal."
Exclamations of surprise were heard from everyone. Ms. Stevens began to read from the journal. "This entry seems to have been written on the bus. Shaky handwriting."
"know when it was stolen but I don't know know how it moved from the library without anyone noticing anything amiss? Had to be a professional job. There aren't too many here who could fit the bill - Wright, Timmons, Ironside, Levinson and the Scotsman. Moss is sickly. He was taking some heart medication at tea time. What in hell is Paul Lewis doing here? Crooked bastard!"
"The last entry was done right before the murder I think." Ms. Stevens continued.
"No one had it on their person. McAdoo thoroughly searched us. So, is it still on the island, in the castle, the ferry, Marazian? There was a hand off at some time. There had to have been another person involved. One to get the charter and another to hide it or carry it off somewhere else. The attack on Renville was a little too convenient. One way to find out for sure. If he sees my note and bites, then that's that. I checked with the Chronicle's research desk. The charter is worth several thousand pounds just for its historical value. Nice prize to dangle on the black market. My bank account would certainly welcome some additional funds."
"Blackmail!" said Ms. McFadden.
"Obviously he underestimated his intended victim," observed Mr. Lewis. "Rather a poor show on his part. Too bad."
Mr. McAdoo stood in front of them and clapped his hands once. "Ladies and gentlemen, this investigation now concludes Day 2 of this event. None of you are allowed to leave the premises today. However, starting tomorrow you are all on your own. You may investigate where you will, when you will. You will then have five days to solve the mystery. The first person to provide me with the charter, proof of the murderer and a solution to crime will be the winner or winners.
"Can we work as pairs or teams?" asked Emily Moss.
McAdoo nodded at the American couple. "You may as a team or a pair present your solution. Also, you may question whomever you wish from myself to Sir Renville or, even Mrs. Wellborn and her staff. Oswald and I will remain at your disposal. Good luck and happy sleuthing!"