December 11 prompt from sirensbane: Wet feet
A continuation of prompt 5, and references to a canon case.
Murder? Part 2
The parlour lights are out, anticipation
Is palpable; Holmes can't suppress a grin.
He's ready to relight the many gas-lamps;
And ready for his research to begin…
~0~
But…
Before a match is lit and put to taper,
He almost drops it; hears a scream ring out,
Stop suddenly, a splashing sound, then silence…
The source; beyond the parlour, not a doubt.
~0~
He lights the lamps, illuminates those gathered,
Who naturally assume that all is well;
That this is Holmes idea, some added drama;
The victim, planned, on whom dire murder fell…
Except young Arthur, staring at his paper,
And then at Holmes; he knows he's been assigned
As murderer, the most unlikely suspect…
And this was not what Holmes had had in mind.
(The vicar in the cellar with an ice pick;
First clues…a note, a button, one stray glove.)
For this was from the opposite direction…
The scream ( and splashing) came from up above.
Holmes shares a glance with Arthur, turns to Watson,
And whispers something urgent in his ear.
The briefest nod, Lestrade is duly beckoned,
Holmes sees them sidle off and disappear.
~0~
He claps his hands together, (must not panic)
And summons those assigned to be "the law".
Announcing in hushed tones, a dreadful murder…
And pointing to the "body" near the door.
The "body" does her best to stifle giggles;
(Mrs Hudson's kitchen maid no less)
She's draped across an armchair , scarlet ribbons,
Denoting blood stains, decorate her dress.
They form a semi circle round the "victim",
While Holmes describes the gory murder scene
And states that she was killed outside the parlour,
And asks them to work out just where she's been.
~0~
Upstairs…a muffled cry and footsteps running
Unsettle Holmes and puzzle every guest.
Then several thumps, a splash and fluent cursing,
With Watson's voice heard clear above the rest
"Quick! Help me lie her flat, I'll check her breathing!
Whoever did this deed will have to wait!"
His words are quite enough for Holmes, now racing
Up to check the scene, the victim's fate.
Of course, the rest all follow, guests and "body"
Now trailing scarlet ribbons up the stairs.
The penny drops, it isn't Holmes' who planned it;
This incident has caught him unawares.
He halts outside a bathroom, peers inside it
And takes in every detail of the scene
There's Watson and Lestrade and lots of water;
A prone, unmoving figure in between.
Collective breath is held, as both endeavour
To clear her lungs of water, save her life…
Their host yells out, in tones of fear and panic;
"What fiend has dared to kill my darling wife?"
~0~
A splutter and a gasp belie his statement
The lady's coming round; those watching cheer.
The Yarders quite belatedly remember
Their jobs, aware the villain must be near.
There's water from the bathtub on the landing
And splashes on those watching at the door,
Lestrade and Watson's footprints in the bathroom,
The Yarders spread it further on the floor…
The staff have also joined the throng of people;
Could hardly fail to hear the hue and cry,
As Watson and Lestrade transport the lady
To chambers, far more comfortable…and dry.
~0~
She cannot help to name her would-be killer,
The whole ordeal had happened in a blink.
One moment she was looking for her hairbrush,
The next, hands held her down, no time to think.
She did recall the bathtub wasn't empty,
Presumed a maid had filled it by mistake.
The notion that she'd bathe while guests were present
Was clearly quite absurd, for goodness sake.
~0~
No signs that anyone had forced an entry
External doors and windows fastened shut
An inside job; Holmes felt that this was certain
And timed to match those blackout minutes…but
He needs to narrow down the likely suspects;
From host, his relatives, and staff and guests.
A lot he views as well above suspicion,
But really must apply some solid tests.
The water might be helpful…check all footwear
The villain should have splashes on his shoes
But many more had splashes from the rescue…
He bids them all line up …and looks for clues.
He splits the "suspects up, two groups divided,
By whether they had dry or soggy feet;
Another piece of evidence is needed,
Before investigations are complete.
A pause…he rushes off towards the stairwell
And bids two Yarders stand to guard the top ;
The audience observes him check it closely,
Then linger on the seventh step and stop.
A partial boot print, wet and heading upwards;
And heading down the stairs, a matching heel;
No others used that staircase since their soaking ;
Reluctantly, he must accuse, reveal.
~0~
He names the host; a friend and former client;
The boot prints match…a quite distinctive tread.
It seems, although his wife has youth and beauty,
He's fallen for the governess, instead.
Neil Gibson is removed by eager Yarders,
Grace Gibson will recover, lesson learned;
That those who spark a flame in their employer,
Are liable to get their fingers burned…
~0~
And as for Holmes, his murder mystery evening
Has met a rather unexpected end.
Disgrace and time in gaol for one of substance;
The Gold King;
Former client…
Former friend.
~0~