Minute Mysteries [Detectograms] 12 – Ripley · Verses Across
Literature · Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Minute Mysteries [Detectograms] 12Chapter 11
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Literature · Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Minute Mysteries [Detectograms] 12
Chapter 11
RipleyEnglish
Upstairs and Down
‘Let’s hear your story,’ said Inspector Kelley to Policeman Kirk, as Fordney dropped into a comfortable chair at Headquarters.
‘The neighbors were worried because they hadn’t seen old lady Brill about for a couple of days and asked me to investigate.
‘Getting no answer to my ring, I broke open the front door, ran upstairs, and, not seeing her, ran down and through the hall, unlocked the kitchen door, and found her on the floor, a bullet through her heart and a gun beside her. The windows and the doors to the porch and cellar were locked on the inside and nothing seemed to be disturbed.
‘Looked like suicide to me. However, I learned her nephew was at the house yesterday about the time the doctor said she died, so I brought him in,’ concluded Kirk.
‘Why did you run upstairs before examining the lower floor?’ asked Kelley.
‘Thought I heard a noise up there, sir,’ replied the policeman.
‘Any finger-prints on the gun?’ inquired Fordney.
‘Just those of the old lady,’ answered Kelley.
‘I have a key to the house,’ interrupted the nephew. ‘I went in yesterday, called to her, but she didn’t answer, so I thought she’d gone out.’
‘Did you go upstairs?’ asked the Professor.
‘Yes, I ran up there, calling her name, but came right down again and left immediately.’
‘Well, Kelley, of course it’s murder—as you probably know. I suppose you’ll hold this fellow?’
‘I certainly intend to,’ replied the Inspector.
How did Fordney know the old lady had been murdered?
