Six
Humphrey stood in the station staring at the results of the post-mortem. "But this makes no sense," Humphrey said waving it around. "The knife is what killed her," Humphrey stated.
"Yes Sir, but even with the knife being the murder weapon she would have died without it," Fidel explained. "Look sir," he said taking it out of his hands. "In her bloodstream they found high levels of the sleeping pill, in fact 50% more than the recommended amount. It would be enough to kill her. But they also found traces of the poison formaldehyde. Enough formaldehyde to kill."
"But if she was going to die why would anyone stab her," Humphrey asked.
"Maybe they didn't know about the poison or the tablets," Florence suggested.
"Did forensics say where they found the poison?" Humphrey asked.
"Yes Sir," Dwayne piped up. "In her water bottle," he added. "So it might not have been Alice as the intended victim of the formaldehyde," Dwayne added.
"But the evidence suggests otherwise," Humphrey stated. "What is the chances of three murders happening to one person?" Humphrey asked. "Very slim. Which means Alice has definitely done something to someone to have her killed."
"But as you say it's a very slim chance. What if the formaldehyde was for someone else and Alice just took the wrong bottle?" Dwayne asked.
"But then what's the chances of two murders happening in one group of friends most of whom are family?" Humphrey asked. "No. There's something we are missing." He stared at the board for a while. "Fidel, did you look up the number plate of the car that ran Alice down earlier?" Humphrey asked suddenly, surprising everyone.
"Urm… yes sir. It was reported stolen by a Ms Healey," Fidel said looking it up on his computer. "Do you want me to head over there?" Fidel asked.
"Yes and then see if you can find it anywhere," Humphrey added. Fidel nodded and got out of his chair and left the office.
"Sir how is that important?" Florence asked.
"Alice was run over earlier today. 4 attempts on her life and 4 suspects. Are they all in on it together, are they all individually trying to kill her or is our killer just really bad at his job?" Humphrey asked. "Think about it Florence. If the car was supposed to run her over and kill her, they would all be innocent. But it failed so is whoever wanted to kill Alice getting desperate and has tried several other options. Or is it just one more coincidence that she got run over."
"But if it was a coincidence why was the car stolen?" Florence asked.
"Exactly. If you stole a car to keep you would be careful about driving in front of the police station and you'd be careful you didn't run anyone over. They weren't being careful," Humphrey said. "We need to go talk to them all," Humphrey summed up.
An hour later Florence and Humphrey were sat in the living room facing the teens. "We've had some interesting developments." Humphrey stated. "But before we get onto those, did any of you recognise the car that ran over Alice?"
Megan and Theo both shook their heads. "We passed it on the way down into Honore," Felix said suddenly. "Remember I pointed out that it was just sat on the road, not moving. Once we went past it began driving towards Honore as well," he added. Alex nodded.
"I remember," he said.
"I remember you saying it but obviously not the car itself," Megan added.
"Ok that's helpful. But you hadn't seen it before then?" Humphrey asked. All four shook their heads. "Did any of you see the driver?"
"Well obviously not," Megan said sarcastically.
"Tall, dark haired, quite muscly," Theo said. Everyone turned to look at him. "What you lot were all concerned with Alice so I tried to remember as much information about the hit and run as possible. Anyway why all these questions, you don't think they are related do you?"
Florence sighed. "Actually we think they might be. On the basis that when Alice was stabbed she was already dying," Florence explained. Everyone frowned.
"Yes you see, in Alice's blood we have found huge quantities of formaldehyde, which is made from…"
"Wood alcohol," Felix interrupted.
"Right yes. There was enough in her blood stream to kill her. Slowly and painfully but kill her all the less. We also found 50% more than expected of sleeping pills in her blood. Again this extra 50% was enough to put her into a coma from which she would never return," Humphrey explained. He took a sigh. "Which is why Megan Lauren Goodman I am arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Alice Elizabeth Waters. You do not have to say anything but anything you do say may be given as evidence should you later rely on it in court. Florence."
Megan choked back a sob and stood up holding her hands out in front of her. She let Florence place the handcuffs and escort her outside. The boys watched in horror. "Humphrey you don't believe it was Megan do you?" Theo asked.
"No one else had access to Alice's medication," Humphrey said. He left the boys staring at the door as it closed.
"Oh and we might be back again," he added opening the door and shouting it at them.
