8 Moves and Mate

MOVE 2: d4 d5

The head was found in the wall. Both the head and the body were taken for post-mortem. Allen was revived after an hour and two bottles of water.

"WHAT IN THE GODDAM- WHO THE HELL THINKS IT'S FUNNY TO PUT A HEADLESS-"

Anderson comforts Allen.

"Calm down, it's normal business in the homicide unit."

"That's NOT. FUCKING. NORMAL!"

Anderson sighs and leaves Allen to give her some space. He goes over to Pathak.

"Detective? Prelim is in."

"What do they say?"

"Loss of Blood. Right-handed. DNA and a detailed report will come till tomorrow."

"Alright."

Anderson drops Allen at her house and goes back to his own. As he enters, he is welcomed by a familiar chatter.

"Dad!"

Anderson kisses her daughter on the cheeks.

"Hey Tammy! How was school?"

"Great! I learnt how to dribble."

"Proud of you! Where's Mom and Jake?"

"Jake is asleep and Mom's in the kitchen."

Anderson goes over to meet his amore in the kitchen, who was on leave for the day and was preparing a hearty British stew.

"Hello, my queen. How can this humble servant serve you?"

"Um- maybe by looking at his family more than the chessboard and crime files."

Anderson sighs, "Claire, I'm trying my best."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. It's all going to be like old times. You will appease me and everything's back to normal. As always. I try so hard to take time for the family despite my profession. Can't you do the same?"

"Alright. Let me finish this case. Then we'll go on a vacation."

Claire smiles, "Well that, I can accept."

----------

The next morning, Anderson is awoken by Pathak's call.

"Hey! Report's here! Victim or Killer?"

"What?"

"Whose profile?"

"Oh! You found the killer's DNA?"

"The killer and the second victim had a fight; traces of the killer's blood and hair were found on the victim's knuckles. Anyways; Male, White, Less than 40. Brown hair. "

"And...the victim?"

"Damian Richards. Yeats's bodyguard. Was sedated before the murder."

Anderson notes everything into his pad and drags himself out of bed. A cup of Assam tea and toast is a must for an Anderson Wednesday, followed by a daily news briefing from BBC and Times. In the bathroom, a chess game or two to cleanse both the mind and the intestine. He then wakes up the kids and the missus and serves them their breakfast. While they eat, he gets dressed and reads the files on suspects. Once the kids are done eating, Anderson drops them at their school.

----------

Just as his steps touch the bullpen floor, DCI Wilkins calls him to her office.

"How's the progress?"

"I plan to catch him by today."

"Ah, Tod- WAIT, TODAY?!"

"Yeah. Just needed to have a chat with Lord Bingham."

"Sure...he has given us...his...full cooperation."

"Great. I will meet him then."

Anderson leaves both the office and the DCI who was sitting in the office, awestruck. He gives Allen a file and asks her to get the suspects and have a chat while he goes to meet the Lord. He stops at Infinite for a cup of Earl Grey and begins to walk towards Westminster. As he entered the Lord's private chambers, he was greeted by the secretary.

"Good Morning! How can I help?"

Anderson shows off his badge, "Anderson. From the Yard. I'm investigating the case."

"Oh! Please come in."

The secretary takes him to the inner chambers and announces the DS.

"Lord, Detective Sergeant Marquis Anderson, Scotland Yard."

"Detective, please have a seat."

Anderson noted a slight dejection in the Lord's intonations. The Lord was of military background, which you could tell by his buff physique. His posture appeared droopy, his brown hair was turning grey and he had developed a slight stutter. The Lord offered some refreshments, Anderson politely declined and went on straight to the point.

"So, how would you evaluate your fiancée?"

"That is a strong word detective. I admired and adored her. She was intelligent, beautiful and a perfectionist. Worked as a curator at the Fitzmolean."

Anderson realised that he was a man of measured words and breaking him would be tough.

"I see. May I ask the Lordship as to how he met the Lady?"

"I met her at the Gala, hosted by Earl Walker and his wife, the Countess, two years ago. Love at first sight, one could say."

"Mhm."

"I need you to find her killer."

"I have. I want you to come to her apartment tonight."

"HOLY- YOU HAVE?! GET ME THAT BASTARD SO I CAN STRANGLE HIM WITH MY BARE HANDS!!"

Anderson maintained a poker face. He may have noticed a patzer.

----------

As the stars began to show, everybody was brought to the apartment for the grand uncovering. Anderson wasn't a man of theatrics and his uncoverings remained short. Allen had brought three suspects; all fitting the suspect descriptions. Kieran Mount, a painter hired for the building whitewashing, Larry Philmore, Yates's ex-secretary and Harry Taylor, neighbour.

Anderson began, "When I took this case, I assumed it would take me time. It seems that I am lucky; I have found the culprit. In the room today are three people and the Lord, but one is respons-"

The Lord bellowed, "Sorry? Are you accusing ME?"

"Please don't interrupt me. By doing that you are delaying the deliverance of justice and creating a dilemma."

The Lord restrained himself from making any more witless moves.

Anderson continued, "DC Allen had a word with the other three men, and I have read your excerpts. I would like to first ask the police officers to apprehend Mr. Philmore on the charge of murder of Pamela Yates."

Philmore protested, "WHAT NO! I DIDN'T! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR GODDAMN MIND?! YOU BLOODY PIECE OF SH-"

"I could be, but everything about you says that it was you. I would love it if you stay here for a moment."

"BUT- I AM NOT. I WAS-"

"Enough." Anderson demanded, who was known for his very calm demeanour.

PC Trumbull asked timidly, "Um-sir? Do we stay?"

"Holy- OF COURSE YOU STAY! WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE TO INTERRUPT ME?"

"So-Sorry..sir."

Philmore tried to protest again but seeing Anderson's temper he didn't; not wanting to end up murdered there.

Anderson asked for a moment to breathe.