The Inspector stood over the body, his fingers grasping his chin as he analyzed what he was seeing. He glanced towards the bench, where the gloves and hat lay, shook his head, and looked back down at the body.

“Someone put a lot of thought and care into how they left this poor man?”

“Sir?”

“I don’t believe he fell here. It appears that he was attacked elsewhere and dragged over to the pathway and laid crossways so you could not miss him. Then they picked up his hat and gloves and neatly placed them on the bench.

“Could it be a message, sir?

“Possibly, it could also be that the person was familiar with him, or they’re taunting us.” 

“Is it poison again?”

“This one appears to have been struck on the head. But, I’m starting to wonder if appearances aren’t exactly as they seem.” 

“Could that have happened when he fell?”

“Very possibly. The injury seems to be at the back of his head, and he is lying on his back. Again, it also appears that he was dragged over to the spot.” 

The Inspector bends down to look closer at the body. He checks the pockets and opens the man’s jacket. He has not seen any other wound marks. After doing a thorough check of the man’s body, without moving him, he then notices that one of the man’s hands is tightly closed. He very carefully opens it, and as he does, he notices a large spot of blood on the palm. 

“Hmm, the Inspector mumbles. “What do we have here?”

“What have you found?” asked the constable.

“He appears to have a wound on his hand. The skin of the palm of his hand is bluish, and his hand is swollen. Also, having a better look at his face, he is showing signs of poisoning. I think you’re right, Constable. I do believe he hit his head when he fell.”

“Sir? Do you feel we have another poisoning case here then?”

“It very well may be. Does anyone know who this is?”

“One of the other constables seems to have recognized him. Believes his first name is Boris. He thinks he is an assistant butcher from one of the neighborhood shops.”

“Good work. While I wait for the Coroner, get yourself and the other constable over to the butcher shop and confirm whether or not this gentleman showed up for work today. and if this is Boris, let’s figure out how to positively identify the man and find out who his family is.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Inspector stands and returns his attention to the hat and gloves laid out on the bench. Mumbling to himself, he says, “Is this a message? It was very chilly last night. Why wasn’t he wearing his gloves?” The Inspector carefully picks up the gloves and immediately notices a hole in the palm of the leather glove. “Or did they remove the glove to ensure they sufficiently made their mark and then couldn’t get it back on his swollen hand?”

As Bea opens the front door, she spies a folded piece of paper sitting on the half table that sits under the hallway mirror. Immediately, she knew what it was. Removing her gloves and setting them down on the table, she picks up the paper.

“Again! My poor husband, he is at work more than he is at home. Another dinner that I shall eat alone.” 

Bea carefully folds the paper and places it back on the table. Still wearing a light coat and silk scarf, she takes in a deep sigh, places her hand on the paper, then smiles. “Dinner can wait.” 

Tightening her scarf and putting on her gloves, she walks back to the front door, hesitates, straightens her posture, and turns the door handle. 

THE LONDON GAZETTEER

POISONER ON THE LOOSE!

SEE PAGE 2 FOR FULL STORY

Superintendent Windemere slams a newspaper down on Inspector McTavish’s desk!

“Have you read the late edition?”

The Inspector picks up the newspaper and reads the headline. “This is the first time I’m seeing it.”

“I’m now beginning to suspect someone in this department is the leak! Look at the details of the information here. It’s only information that someone in this department would know,” growled the Superintendent.

“Or someone in the Coroner’s office. It mentions details about the condition of the bodies.”

The Superintendent stiffens, “The Coroner’s office? Who?”

“Anyone who works in that office has access to the information.”

“Also, WHAT authorities are urging people to lock their doors? Why isn’t there a name on this atrocious post? Who authored it! I need you to find out!” said the Superintendent as he began walking away.
“On it, sir.”

The Inspector stood and put on his coat, when the Superintendent stopped and turned back towards him, “Tell the publisher I want him in my office immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

Doctor Lewis walked quickly down the morgue’s hallway as he was late for a meeting with the Superintendent, when he caught something out of the corner of his eye. The door to the files office was ajar. A room that was locked at all times. Then, he heard a noise. Was someone in the room? He was the only key holder, and no one had asked for access. He waited a moment and listened for further noises. When he didn’t hear any more, he slowly opened the door to the file room, and what he saw shocked him. Without hesitating, he left the room and locked the door. As he was about to run to his office, he met up with a secretary and asked him to get Inspector McTavish and let the Superintendent know he wouldn’t make it to their meeting.

—

“I don’t dare go out at night.”

“Make sure your doors are locked.”

“Don’t let anyone in if you don’t know them.”

“Oh dear, oh dear! I’m afraid to leave my house.”

“Who could be committing these crimes?”

Adam Dwyer sat quietly as the Inspector read the report on the most recent victim. The Inspector cleared his throat and looked up at Adam.

“I’m glad we were able to identify this poor man. It’s unfortunate that he doesn’t have family here.”

“One of our constables is trying to see if they can contact family overseas. The butcher believes that he was from Poland,” said Adam.

“Then the blood I saw was from a cut. Interesting.”

“We’ve determined that it is the point where the poison entered his body.”
“Right hand?”
“Yes.”

“He might have gotten the cut when he shook someone’s hand. The poison could have been held in the other person’s hand. Hmm…”
“Or in a ring. There are Poisoner’s Rings. Most are old relics at this point, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some had one. Part of a collection, maybe?”

“Ring? Interesting. Would make sense. There is also a puncture in the glove.”

“I’ve suggested to the Superintendent that the other bodies may have similar cuts. I also suggested that we dig up the others, but he wasn’t having it. Well, at first. He’s changed his mind. We’re now contacting the families to let them know.”

“It’s going to be difficult to get the families to agree to exhumations. They’ve suffered enough, but, if it helps us with the case…”

“I will let you know once I have more information.”

“Before you leave, I have an update and something to ask you.”

“What’s that, Inspector?”

“I’ve had my constables do another check of chemists. They re-examined the poison books, hoping to catch anything they might have missed. Checked the names against the list. It’s mostly men buying poison and a few women. They are going to begin interviewing them, so see if anything of interest is found.”

“And the question?”

“Could someone in your office be leaking information to the newspapers about the poison deaths?”