etective Dolan wondered how he let himself get talked into this? He, of all people, organizing a high school reunion. Things had gone haywire from the very start. Reservations were misplaced, the reception room was too small, and the dinner menu was mysteriously changed from grilled salmon to tuna. The resort conspired against him as well. Guests had long walks due to the resurfacing of the asphalt drive at the entrance, and the water main had ruptured at 6:00 P.M., temporarily shutting off the water.
Then there was the murder!
It happened at about 7:15 P.M. A high-pitched scream reverberated through the crowded reception hall. Dolan was standing beside the doorway talking to an old girlfriend when Maddy Rich burst through a pair of doors.
"Rolly is dead!" she cried. Then she collapsed.
"You take care of Maddy," Dolan told his old friend. "I'll check on Rolly."
Dolan rushed into the atrium, a flowery showplace with waterfalls and fountains enclosed in a massive glass structure. He followed the stone path until he found Rolly, lying crossways, his head in a bed of geraniums. No question he was dead. A cursory examination revealed that he had been hit in the back of the head. Nearby was a piece of decorative brown sandstone about the size of a volleyball, covered with blood.
Carefully lifting the stone, Dolan inspected then replaced it. He took out a handkerchief, wiped the sand from his hands, then surveyed the surrounding area. Along the path, he noticed small black circles, each circle containing a circular swirl pattern. The circles were approximately an inch-and-a-half in diameter and spaced roughly two feet apart.
"I am shocked," the concierge said, when informed of the death. "A murder at our resort. How can I help, detective?"
"Guests have to use their key cards in order to enter the atrium. Can you get me a list of all the people who entered within the past hour?"
"The atrium was closed until the water main was repaired. It's only been open 15 minutes." The concierge tapped a few keys in his computer and came up with three room numbers, including the victim's.
Billy Cragg was immediately on the defensive. "Sure I was in the atrium," he replied. "Why are you picking on me?"
"I'm not picking on you," Dolan assured him.
"Everybody picks on me. You remember how it was in high school. Girls laughed because I worked at a gas station and had grease under my fingernails."
"How did Rolly treat you?"
"The same way that jerk treated everybody. Now that he's rich I imagine he's even worse."
"Why were you in the atrium?"
"I felt out of place around all these people in their thousand dollar suits. I wanted to be alone, just me and my cowboy boots. I was sitting next to the fountain drinking a brew, feeling sorry for myself."
"Did you see or hear anything?"
"No, the splashing water was too loud."
Dolan asked to see the bottom of his boots and Billy obliged. The heels were small, almost square, and held no trace of black residue. The men shook hands and Dolan moved on.
The second room on the list belonged to Jack Biggs, former football star. Dolan saw him at a nearby table and walked over. "How've you been, Jack?" he asked as they shook hands.
"Been fine," Jack answered. "Except for this bum knee. I hurt it in college, and it gets worse every year. Can't get around at all without this blasted walking cane, and not very far then."
Dolan wiped his hands on his trousers and realized that it probably made him look nervous. "I gotta ask you some questions, Jack. What were you doing in the atrium?"
"What do you mean?"
"You were in there about the time it happened. If I remember correctly, you and Maddy Rich dated in high school."
"Yeah, until Rolly stepped in. We were going to be married after college. I had that football scholarship you know?"
"I know."
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to move my vehicle. Seems the management objects to it being parked at the entrance, even though I am disabled."
"One more thing. Can I see the bottom of your cane?"
Jack shrugged and lifted his cane. The straight wooden shaft ended a flat wooden end. No black stain.
"Thanks," Dolan said and watched the ex-athlete limp away.
Finally, he walked over to where Maddy Rich was resting and gently took her hands.
"Maddy, I have to ask you a few questions. Tell me what happened."
She wiped at her eyes. "Rolly and I were arguing about everything lately. It didn't matter what. Tonight we called a truce and went for a stroll in the atrium. That's when he told me. Rolly was going to file for divorce as soon as we returned to Dallas."
"Why? Another woman maybe?"
"He didn't say."
"What did you do?"
"I slapped him and walked away. I was still in the atrium, as far away as I could get. I was crying. And then I heard a noise, like something falling. When I went back, I found him."
"Can I see the bottom of your shoes, Maddy? Just routine."
Dolan inspected the round heels. They were about the right size and scuffed, but free of any black marks. He thanked her, then walked over to an empty table to review his notes.
Dolan's old girlfriend joined him. "It couldn't have been one of our classmates?" It was a statement, but phrased as a question. "One of us a killer?"
Dolan shook his head. "I strongly suspect so. And I think I know who."
2006-11-03 08:29:05 · 15 answers · asked by Smo 4 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Jokes & Riddles
That first word is supposed to be 'detective'. Sorry, I typed THIS one straight from a book and was looking down at it instead of the monitor.
2006-11-03 08:30:06 · update #1
I believe it was Jack Biggs, the marks left on the ground were from his cane.
Have A Great Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-11-04 08:15:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Billy. Grease from his hands was transferred to a part of the round stone which was the weapon. As the stone rolled away the impression of the greased palm print was left every 2 feet.
2006-11-04 13:12:20 · answer #2 · answered by Serendipity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, somebody swapped or stole shoes, Dolan has no idea because he only 'thinks' he knows 'whodunnit'
Agatha Christie was a lot better at this sort of thing.
As was the script-writer of 'Gosford Park'
Blah Blah Blah
2006-11-03 08:35:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dolan's old girlfriend, she sounds guilty and was having an affair with Rolly.
Just to add confusion
2006-11-03 09:29:30 · answer #4 · answered by anoushka 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jack Biggs he threw the sandstone ball the marks were where he was practising
2006-11-03 08:35:26 · answer #5 · answered by Jane S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shud ve been Billy bcos he said he cudnt hear nething as the splashing water was too loud. but the water main was on repair and hence there cudnt ve been water splashing in the fountain..
2006-11-03 09:34:04 · answer #6 · answered by doubt devil 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok Maddy killed him b/c she said that after they fought she left and got away from as far as she could and she was crying....if that were true then she wouldnt have been able to hear the noise of something falling!
2006-11-03 08:30:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it was jack
he said that his car was parked outside but everyone had long walks due to the asphalt being resurfaced
2006-11-03 09:01:06 · answer #8 · answered by ploppy pants 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well now i need to know who did it or can you tell me what the book is called so i can read it for my self
2006-11-03 08:33:19 · answer #9 · answered by paulette7618 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think its maddy- cos of the shoes, but im probably wrong.
2006-11-03 08:42:18 · answer #10 · answered by Low profile 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋