Excerpt from the book called The Frisby Waterless Murders
“Well that is pretty comprehensive – the Major complained twice about his feet; nobody else has even mentioned this,” said Knowles, “what did Bridie say?”
“I interviewed her, sir,” said Smythe, “and she more or less corroborates what Eddie says even to the extent of her closing the window. What she did mention – that Eddie did not – was that one of the young female actors was in the kitchen/dining car around the time the journey began – she thinks it was the girl in Seat 8, Daisy Arnold, and she was on her own with just Carly Waferr for company.”
“Was she talking with the Waferr woman?” asked Knowles.
“She didn’t think so; it might have been that Carly wasn’t aware of her as she was mixing some salad dressing with her back to Daisy.”
“Well, that’s interesting, but I don’t think it is important,” said Knowles, rubbing his chin and noticing that he hadn’t made a good job of shaving that morning.
“Bridie did mention about the Major not being too pleased when people stepped too close to his feet, so could that be the distraction we’re looking for – when the stewards were wheeling their trolleys by the Major?”
“It’s the best lead we have so far, I think” concurred Knowles, “but the timing would have to be near perfect. Shake the Major by the hand just as the trolley came by to distract him. What did Gerald have to say for himself? Oh yes, I interviewed Gerald…”
Knowles recounted his long conversation with Gerald Kennedy and at the end Barnes and Smythe had no questions.
“Right,” continued Knowles, “I think we have all the information we need. Tomorrow morning, I will go and see Maud Trimble and find out what was wrong with her dog. At the same time, I would like you two to visit Mrs Harkness – take Sue with you for some professional help. Linda when you come back can you make those phone calls to everyone regarding the shaking of the hands with the Major and the order of arrival in the kitchen during the smoke. Barnesy, come and see me when you return as we have to incorporate what Mrs Harkness says into these reports. Thank you for your time and see you tomorrow. Oh what’s this a phone call from Dr Crabtree.”
As Barnes and Smythe left the room, Knowles was told by Dr Crabtree to come to the lab before he went home. Knowles decided to phone Sergeant Henderson and Sergeant Roberts first.
“Sergeant Henderson, how have things gone today? Did you find the pram – were there any prints on the pram? Hundreds…most of them smudged. Not much use then?…Right keep the pram until the case is closed…and how many biros did you find? Twelve, so that means we’re missing thirteen. Please get those biros sent to Forensics and see whether anything has been fired from them. And anything else – like a dart?… Nothing at all, just a few loose coins, well make sure you give them to the retiree’s fund. Yes, well I look forward to receiving your report tomorrow on what you have found…yes, please do let me know where you found the biros. Roughly. Yes, thank you.”
Julian Worker Fiction Writing 