Ten Years Ago

Chapter 11 : What really happened ?

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Charlotte Lavingham sat on her armchair . She smiled . She had finally solved the perplexing and bewildering case that was related to psychology and where a case could be solved with the help of a person's words and expressions . It was wonderful , wasn't it ?
She sent invitations to the Whittekars , Miss Vanessa Tucker , Miss Altheda Thompson , and Miss Wendy O'Sullivan to come to the Whittekar Manor where they would reconstruct the entire story . Miss Sarah Brown would also be present - and Inspector Leese to catch the murderer . As Lavingham told Leese that she had solved the murder case - he was totally bewildered .
'A case that happened ten years ago ? You want me to arrest the murderer , I don't even know who it is !'said Leese .
'You idiot , I'll tell you there . I haven't told anyone yet . Not even your cat .'said Lavingham .
'Just because we'd been classmates doesn't mean you'll disrespect me . I'm still your pal .'
Lavingham stared at him and broke eye contact . She got up and claimed she was going to the Whittekar manor to arrange the seating .
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The house was so old - around twenty five years at least . Inspector Leese arrived first , and then Dr.Murray .
'Who's the culprit ?'said Dr.Murray .
'I'll tell you . First I've to explain everything. Wait for the big part , Susan .'said Lavingham , and tapped Susan's shoulder .
'You're being so pompous .'said Inspector Leese .
'What's a detective without it ?'said Lavingham .
First arrived Miss Brown - a feisty woman and she smiled and took her seat . Next arrived Miss Wendy O'Sullivan , and then the Whittekars . It was quite uncomfortable for Sarah to see her foster parents after such a long time - but she greeted them like her friends . They sat down , and next arrived Miss Tucker , who looked rather nervous and reluctant , but sat down . Miss Altheda Thompson arrived next .  All of them had arrived .
Tea was served , and everyone was comfortable and settled . It was rather an odd situation for everyone - to see each other after such a long time .
Charlotte Lavingham cleared her throat . 'So I think you all know why you're here . I'm here to reconstruct an incident that took place on the fifth of May , ten long years ago . I've heard every part of the story from you - in your own way of telling it . All of you told the same thing - but just in your own ways adding things - and excluding things . Well , it's typical - for one who wishes to hide - he wouldn't admit . As for the murderer - he is not Julian Brown - he'd never hurt his sister- alive or dead . This murderer whom we seek for is very clever - indeed , very clever . But also really stupid - for the clever ones are so desperate to get caught .'
Miss Sarah Brown looked assured and relieved .
' Let's continue with the story . Let's start . Lucinda Brown , a twenty year old youth is found murdered - at half past five - with a bullet through her right temple . Julian Brown's fingerprints are on the gun . But no - there were there long ago - much longer than Lucinda was shot . She was shot with some other gun - a gun which can only be possessed by agents . And how can I prove that ? Well , the death of their parents . They weren't killed by an accident - the car was bombed by their enemies . As for the gun - it was buried deep inside the earth which was found by the constable this morning .'
The constable brought the really old gun and showed it to everyone . It had rusted .
'Well , let's start from the morning . After breakfast , and an argument is going on . It is about Sarah - Lucinda wants to send her away - however the Whittekars want her to stay at home and go to normal school - the Julian enters all of a sudden - apparently he had been taking a bath . But no - he wasn't - he was talking to his closest friend , whom he adored - he admitted the secret that he and Lucinda had shared . Of this you hadn't told me the entire truth , Miss Tucker .'
'It was ten years ago ! How could I be sure ?'said Miss Tucker .
'No . You lied . You lied because of your esteem towards Julian . You'd keep his secret no matter what . You're still sorry for what you did to him - you'd never tell his secret - but that is human psychology - it's typical . The truth was told to me by Miss O'Sullivan . What she heard . And what she told gave me the final clue .
Well , the doctor told me that Lucinda might've died before the shot - and he was right . There was 500 milligrams - and that lasts for 3-4 hours . She was dead at four and then shot .'
'But the arsenic was only given to her at two-thirty ! It was in the glass , so she must've died at around six but she was shot !'said Miss Brown .
'Oh but the arsenic was not in the glass of water - it was in the tea ! The tea which was given to her at twelve noon . The tea made by you - which you never admitted but were seen by your husband and Miss O'Sullivan , Lady Whittekar .'
The lady looked quite surprised . 'Prove it .' she said .
'Of course . You were an agent of British Intelligence. The Browns were your enemies. You set a bomb to their car and killed them . Then you adopted them - oh they were rich, very rich . The money kept entering your mind - how rich you could be . So Lucinda inherited - you were asking her for money in ever way . Then she discovered, that you were responsible for the death of their parents. She told Julian. But he didn't reveal exactly which Whittekar did it . He told so generally , when he used "he" to tell the person to Vanessa . He said "He's killed before" or she's killed before - that means that she killed the Browns . And then Lucinda said something - a piece of poetry to Miss Thompson - which meant that she was talking about you , Miss Brown . You were the water and the rocks were symbolising Lady Whittekar. How she was a hindrance - how she didn't want Sarah to go because she was the money . If she killed Lucinda - her secret would be safe and she could pamper Julian a little and get more money . But you didn't want Julian dead , did you ? You didn't know his fingerprints would be on the gun - you didn't even know Lucinda had a gun . You were shocked that Julian was blamed - why ? You didn't leave any trace that would blame Julian. But he did it