Investigating Officer Cooper removed his topcoat, derby hat and gloves, stroked and twisted the waxed wings of a luxuriant moustache, examined the end result in the hall mirror, then satisfied, entered the drawing room. He cast an experienced eye over the crime scene. The sinking fire flashed, illuminating the agonised death mask, its heat accentuating the smell of blood welling in an advancing surge over the dislodged curtain pole, across the silk kilim, and towards the hearth.
“What was the deceased’s name?” he asked
“Dribbs, – a nickname,” Sally elaborated. “His real name was Driscol but due to a facial malformation since birth he had a tendency to well, you know….. dribble.” Her sentence trailed off in a sob.
“Don’t take on so!” Oscar put a protective arm across his sister’s shoulder and guided her towards the Ottoman.
“Any enemies?” Cooper feigned not to have noticed the young woman’s distress; the early stages of an investigation could be compromised by any partiality shown to a witness…… or potential murderer.
“None we know of.”
“Your statements mention a locked door.”
“Yes.” Oscar took over from his sister who was sitting side-on – a posture she knew presented her hourglass figure to the best advantage – and dabbing the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, all the time glancing sidelong towards Cooper to monitor any effect. He was not insensitive but in true professional style focused his full attention on Oscar.
“We had to take the hinges off to get in. Who could do such a thing?”
Suddenly aware of a breach in etiquette -his sister usually took the lead in such matters – he rang for a pot of tea. “Bonbon?” he offered non-consequently, attempting to ease his own awkwardness.
Cooper surveyed the half-eaten plate of chocolates.
“Party?” he enquired.
“Yes. I got engaged last night to Barny, Lord Barnabus Ferndale,” explained Sally. “We hadn’t heard from Dribbs for hours; and became concerned when there was no response to our knocking. He was always rather jealous of Barny.”
“And,” gesturing towards the French delicacies, “they’ve been here ever since?”
“Yes, we sent the staff off before clearing up and they started late today.”
Cooper inspected the door lock. It was on the inner side; the unusual locking mechanism comprised a tiny metal switch, left flip to lock, right to unlock. It was flipped left. Figures so far, he thought. And the curtain pole….that would account for the crumpled skull.
“Was Dribbs an active chap?
Sensing that her overtures were not proving effective, Sally recovered sufficiently to speak.
“Oh yes, he was always on the move… dashing here and there”
Tea arrived.
` “Death by misadventure,” Cooper declared, carefully positioning his moustache on the teacup’s shelf. “Devilish wearisome to keep as pets. Chocolate is lethal to squirrels, resistance impossible for them. Consumed in excess the theobromine triggers crazed activity. Locked himself in accidentally, overdosed on chocolate and brought down the curtain rail, smashing his own head. Done!”
