Excerpt from the book called The Frisby Waterless Murders
Knowles knew he’d have to ask the search team to take the carriage to pieces in order to find any evidence hidden from sight. He also knew he would have to get the uniforms to search the track near the Scoresby Road bridge. He made two phone calls to make these searches a reality and then decided to have a quick look on his own for any evidence cast away by the murderer. He inspected the carpet for damp patches and found two, in front of seats 10 and 14. He noted their position and put a piece of tape across the side of the seat so no one would place their hoof in the middle of potentially significant evidence. He found a straw under seat 3 and thought this might be important, so he placed the item in an evidence bag. The straw could easily have been used to blow a small dart at the major although not from seat 3, which was around 10 yards away, facing in the wrong direction, and, according to the seating plan, was occupied by 8-year old John Smedley. As Knowles pondered the possibilities, there was a knock on the carriage door and Sergeant Henderson of the search team entered.
“Hello Inspector Knowles, how are you doing?”
“Just wondering whether this straw could be a murder weapon, actually, Sergeant.”
“Well, leave it with us and we’ll test it for whichever poison was used to kill the Major.”
“Thanks; there’s some tape across seats 10 and 14 because I found some damp patches on the floor and I want those patches analysed just in case they’re suspicious. They’ll probably be tea and/or coffee, but again I’m covering all eventualities.”
“And the rest of the carriage, sir?”
“Take the seats out and watch for anything with a sharp point as it could still be tipped with poison.”
“I will warn the lads although their gloves would be plenty thick enough even if they were pricked.”
“Right, forewarned is forearmed as it were.”
“Thanks, Inspector.”
Knowles left the Sergeant to his work and vacated the carriage. He headed for the station cafe where Barnes, Smythe, and a PC that Knowles didn’t know were interviewing the passengers. Knowles waited until Barnes had finished interviewing a middle-aged woman with red, shoulder-length hair and glasses on a chain. Knowles guessed she was from The Round Table. He beckoned Barnes over to him.
“Who was that you were interviewing?”
“That was Mrs Cridge who was sitting in Seat 20.”
“Bit old for you, Barnesy.”
“Oh I dunno, I quite admire the mature female, Inspector.”
Julian Worker Fiction Writing 