Chapter 9

Higgins came back to the station around 3:00 with the information William and the inspector wanted. "Go pick him up, Henry. Be gentle but firm. I have already called—he is at this address. Put him in the inspector's office and do not let him leave. Jackson and 2 other constables are looking for this one," he gestured to a mug shot, "down in the docklands."

Starting at 4 o'clock promptly, William escorted the family members one by one into the interview room and proceeded with his questions. It was not pleasant. Julia observed and took notes. After consulting with Julia, & the inspector, he brought them all back into the room to speak with them together.

"Mrs Whitley, Mr Andrew Whitley, and Mr Christopher Whitley." He gestured them to chairs and helped Mrs Whitley with her seat. "After our investigation, we have concluded that your husband and father did not take his own life." The widow gasped and started to cry again. "We can release his remains to you for a Christian burial. Once again, I am so sorry for your loss." He looked up. "We also do not think it was an accident…"

The younger son jumped and struck the table. "That is outrageous! That only leaves murder—as if he was involved in something sordid that brought calamity upon him."

William winced and spoke kindly. "No, it was horrible coincidence only. Your father was accustomed to sitting at his desk, with his chair sideways to the window to catch the breeze. The desk was perpendicular to the window with the right hand side pushed flush against the wall under the window, was he not? He would chat with people walking along the sidewalk. The houses are so new there is no grass—and the houses are not on tall foundations. Someone on the street would walk up to him and be about chest height in the window. The loose rocks outside the window would not hold much in the way of foot prints. We believe that your husband was mistaken for someone else. The murderer saw an a opportunity, picked up the gun your husband had in plain view on the desk, shot him, dropped the gun and just walked away. No one saw anything because it was a usual suppertime. Everyone was in their dining rooms, as you yourself were, which are situated well in the back 1/3 of the houses, insulated a little from sound on the street. And a 22 does not need to make a lot of noise when fired."

"How was he mistaken for another? That sounds preposterous," demanded the other son. His mother sobbed.

"We have picked up a suspect who has been bragging of just such a thing. He could not believe his luck at how easy it was to take care of the job he was sent to do. Because you kept this out of the papers, he did not know he shot the wrong man."

William turned to Mrs Whitley. "I know this has been painful and very difficult, but I believe we have finally arrived at the truth." William saw a subtle change in the body posture of the three of them. They were going to be able to pull together, he hoped. "Now, if you will allow the constable to show you out, I will get the documents you need to claim his remains."

The widow, stood and came over to him, tears still streaming, "I can't thank you enough, Detective. You have gladdened my sorrowful heart. Bless you." William was happy to take her benediction.

Julia was waiting for him in his office. "Doctor Ogden, thank you for your professional contribution, " he said.

"I think that went better than I expected it would. We should write this case up, William, as an example of the need for clean forensic work from the scientific as well as psychological angle. I think it would be fascinating. I think we should ask Dr Grace to join us in conceptualizing the paper, don't you agree?" asked Julia.

"Actually, yes, I think that is a splendid idea." He gave her a brief kiss on the cheek. Displays of affection towards her were not difficult for him, but he learned long ago that in the station house they were forever interrupted from anything more meaningful or lingering. And he was at work after all… propriety. "You and Ruby are going out to dinner?" He saw her nod. "So I will go to confession and grab some fish I think, and head home when I am done. See you there later tonight?" She nodded again, squeezed his hand and took her leave.

"Now for the hard part," he said. He turned to Brackenreid's office where Dr Pratt was waiting with the Inspector.

"What is the meaning of this? Why have you detained me? I demand some answers." Dr Pratt was sweating, even more than the ambient temperature should allow. He was turning is hat round and round in his hands and his face was flushed.

"Dr Pratt, we have evidence that your life is in danger," offered William.

"What?" he choked.

"You have considerable gambling debts, do you not? You have purchased a new house you cannot afford. You have borrowed beyond your means for repayment…"

"How dare you!" This objection from the doctor was weaker.

"Have I made any untrue statement? We can peruse these documents and statements I have here if you would like to dispute them."

The doctor seemed to shrivel under William's gaze. "No. No, I guess not. What has this to do with anything? My debts are my business. Any what do you mean my life is in danger, Detective?"

"Dr Pratt. You and your neighbor across the street have a very similar appearance, same build and coloring. You live at No 46, he at No 49. But the house number on his house became askew and slid upside down, looking like a "46" rather than a "49." All the houses are quite similar. I noticed that when I interviewed the family. Hard to tell one from the other. The killer was looking for you, Dr Pratt, maybe to give you a beating, send you a warning to pay up, maybe to kill you…. but he got confused with the addresses and confronted your neighbor instead. Said the opportunity was too tempting to pass up." He saw the horror on the man's face and relented a little. "We will have the killer in custody, but his masters -the ones that sent him, still want their money. Please do be careful, Dr Pratt."

William turned to the Inspector: "Do you have anything to add, sir?" As Brackenreid did not, Dr Pratt picked up his hat and left. William took the opportunity to press the inspector again about teaching forensics to the department. He could use this murder as a case example of searching for the truth amidst the chaos. He also would not turn down a little extra income… "Sir, may I have a moment?..."