Death on the Nyle

Case Closed?

"I knew it! I knew it!" Melanoma Branston flung her tea across the room at her brother-in-law. "You're the murderer and you did it for the money! I always knew you had it in you!"

Professor Spoon looked to Beckett. "There you go, famous Mr Beckett. Case solved. Easiest one you've ever had, I imagine. Bart killed Richmal to gain the full inheritance. Richmal must have suspected his life was in danger and that's the reason he invited you here.

"Hold on! Hold on! I didn't like the old man, but I sure didn't kill him!" the accused protested loudly.

Beckett stood up calmly, hushing him with a knowing look. "It is never prudent to jump to premature conclusions. It appears on the face of it, that the evidence points to Bart Branston; however, that is still only a hypothesis. He may turn out to be the killer, but we do not yet know all the facts of the case. Get the robo-valet, the one that was on duty last night in here."

George was summoned and arrived within seconds. Its chassis shivered and shook on its wheel, as if it was nervous.

"Now, I have some simple questions for you, George. Answer simply and accurately and I will not detain you any longer."

"Yes, sir."

"When was Mr Richmal last seen alive?"

"12.31am, sir. After he spoke with you, he returned to his room for the night."

"And his body was discovered?"

"At 7.30am, sir. Albert wakes him at that time every morning, sir."

"Albert is another of the robo-valets, Beckett." interjected Büttler.

"I see," said Beckett. "And what can you tell me about visitors to Mr Richmal's room or the movements of the other occupants of the house after 12.31am?"

"Why nothing. Nothing at all, sir. Nothing is monitored on Mr Richmal's orders. He likes his privacy, so apart from emergency protocols, we don't routinely track people."

"Does that include cameras?"

"Yes, sir."

"So that means that any one of the eight of us had the opportunity to kill Richmal Branston last night."

"Eight?Don't you mean seven?" clicked Elemeno Pee. "One, two, three ... Oh wait you'reright. Hey, who is he? I don't recognisehim?" Ms Pee pointed a claw in the direction of the final occupant of theroom—a young, untidy man with ginger hair and an unshaven face, who had satquietly and impassively through the entire discourse.