"Of course, my father would make a miniature version of his recording device. But why did he give it to you and not me?"
"He just handed it to me and said use it, when you know the time is right. So, while following the professor and his wife, I hid in the water closet and they came in afterwards. I hid in a stall and began recording"
She places her hands on his face and gives him a kiss, which left like kissing a brother, "you're brilliant. Let's hear it"
They heard the conversation, and were shocked, "well that explains why the Franklin always took Paul's side" Lanie said
"But I do believe in his voice. He truly did love Paul and didn't murder him" Susannah said
"So, we're back to square 1, then, eh?" Paul said
"Not necessarily. What about Katherine. She knew about their relationship." Susannah responded
"But you heard it in her voice she was curious, if he had killed him."
"Yes, Lanie, but her voice. I recognize it. Pete you didn't see her face?"
He shook his head, "only the back of her head, but your right, her voice is familiar"
"Glad I'm not losing my mind, but now let's go to bed and talk about this to my dad in the morning"
"Good idea" both Pete and Lanie said
But they never got to sleep, and ended up calling William in the middle of the night, as the gang met up with him in the library and had him listen to the conversation.
When the conversation ended, Pete turned it off, placed it on the table, as William took all the information in.
"Ok, so Paul and Franklin were lovers. But you all said something about his wives' voice?"
"Yes, dad. We all recognize it and can't figure it out, why it's so familiar."
Just then they heard someone coming into the library, and see it's Joe.
"Hi. I heard you are all figuring out who killed Paul and I want to help."
"Why?" William asked
"He was my best friend, more like a brother to me. And I feel like a coward running off too New York. But I know if I stayed, I would have looked like a suspect."
"Actually, you running to New York, made it more suspicious." Susannah said
"I know am I sorry, but would like to help."
"Ok, well first thing…did you know Paul was a homosexual?" William asked
"I did. He told me years ago."
"And did you, know him and Professor Franklin were lovers?" Lanie asked
Joe looks down, "yes, but in their eyes, their married."
"What do you mean?" Pete asked
"2 years ago, they had a wedding ceremony."
"Was anyone, present?" Susannah asked
"I witness it outside of their Paul bedroom. He never knew though"
"Ok, we'll maybe you can help us, figure out why Franklin wife's voice is so familiar" Susannah said as she turned on the recording device.
As Joe heard it, he recognized it as well, "oh, I know who that is…it's Paul's sister"
"But he calls her Katherine" William said with confusion
"Her real name is Katherine, but we know her as Helen."
There are all shocked, "but why…I'm confused" William said as he rubbed his forehead
"Do you know about Stacey and Helen?"
"Yes, we talked to Stacey" Susannah said
"Well, Paul had twins sisters named Helen and Katherine. When Katherine was little, she got Scarlett fever and died at the age of 7. But the family never told Paul, until recently."
"Why, not?"
"Because, in their family no matter the sex, multiple births run in their family. And when their parents die, the inheritance goes to the twins or triplets. But if tragedy happens in the family, the inheritance goes to the son."
"But still this doesn't make sense…" Lanie said
"Paul was sent to boarding school until he was 19. And the family told him that Katherine was alive but bedridden. So, days he came home the family made him believe he was visiting Katherine, but it was Helen, because they were identical."
"Does Stacey know about this?" Susannah asked
"That's a good question"
"So, do you think that Helen or Katherine, or whatever her name is, murdered her brother for the inheritance?" William asked
Joe nodded, "because with him dead, she could run off with Stacey with all the money. But Franklin wouldn't get a dime, even though their married."
Everyone looked at each other, "where there's our motive" Susannah said