Suburbia - Chapter Six

[Jedi master Brick]

Sorry to interrupt but this chapter after investigate the house we could vist our friends in hospital or at least phone them to see how he are getting on. And Jeremy you are disgusting leaving gum under the table

[Rumble Strike]

Winston stands up straighter and addresses the group.

"Look, this is getting us nowhere. We have searched residence after residence and found nothing. I have nothing but the greatest respect for your enthusiasm, even after we went through my home with a fine toothcomb. But I really think we must have missed something obvious, because we are just shooting in the dark here.

I propose we go through the information and intelligence we have found so far as a group, analyse it, and see if we can get new leads. I really can't see the point in going to everyones house and turning it upside down wily-nily."

He looked at Deputy Scott imploringly. He knew the police were key to the investigation.

[CorneliusMurdock]

You can go over your notes at night, Winston. The day is the only time we have for actually investigating. If you wanna discuss something that'll affect where we search next, go ahead, but we don't have time to sit down and go through everything.

The study sounds fine by me. Let's keep this show movin'.

[Peanuts]

Wait a minute, I'm still about to read the magazines, and you've already searched this room as well.

Alright, I'll run over the pages of the TV Guide and take the Home&Garden magazine with me to read it more carefully. Since I've got a garden myself, there should be some useful advice in it.

Winston stands up straighter and addresses the group.

"Look, this is getting us nowhere. We have searched residence after residence and found nothing. I have nothing but the greatest respect for your enthusiasm, even after we went through my home with a fine toothcomb. But I really think we must have missed something obvious, because we are just shooting in the dark here.

I propose we go through the information and intelligence we have found so far as a group, analyse it, and see if we can get new leads. I really can't see the point in going to everyones house and turning it upside down wily-nily."

He looked at Deputy Scott imploringly. He knew the police were key to the investigation.

You're such a drama queen, Dad.

Well, we can try and pile up everything we've found so far, of course. But we shouldn't stop searching houses while doing so.

But we'll have to both find clues and make some sence out of them, I think. And I can't believe none of you has asked Jack about the money.

I'd like to ask Jack, why he's sacing that much money in his safe, how long he's been saving, how much he's usually saving per month, and how much he nets with that pet store. Oh, and I'd like Sarah and Chief Scott to take a look at the money, just to make sure it isn't counterfeit or something.

And Dad, why do you rely that much on the police? One of their officers spends a lot of time entertaining us, another one is in hospital and IÄm still suspicious of the Deputy herself. Don't be such a wuss!

[Jedi master Brick]

Some may say this is a matter for the police, Amber. The study seems like a great idea but I have something to do.

I would like to call the hospital and ask for Ashley Baker and Steven Jackson

[Fugazi]

I propose we go through the information and intelligence we have found so far as a group, analyse it, and see if we can get new leads. I really can't see the point in going to everyones house and turning it upside down wily-nily."

Well of course, although we probably can discuss this while we're walking and investigating. Mayor Bob made it clear that we're not proceeding fast enough and the killer's trail is getting cold.

What do we have so far? Let me try to summarise, and do let me know if I'm missing anything vital.

Chief McGovern was killed on the 3rd of September during the night, and found next to the fountain where he likely hit his head. He was probably somewhat inebriated, and phoned his wife many times during the time he went about town. The CCTV camera of the Grocery Store captured images of the Chief apparently trying to arrest a dark figure standing with a dark companion next to the fountain. A fight ensued, the Chief was hit and struck his head. During the same night, the Chief visited the Fire Station where he was followed by a brown-haired man. None of the brown-haired men in our group admitted going to the Fire Station that night.

In a possibly related event, two dark figures kidnapped Marcus last night from his home, brought him in front of Officer Jackson's house and demanded that he come outside. A gunfight followed in which Jackson was wounded and the dark figures escaped.

Who had any motive to kill McGovern, then Jackson?

The Chief was instrumental in arresting bank thieves some 35 years ago and jailing them for life. Perhaps accomplices of the thieves could want to extract revenge on the Chief and other police officers in this town. Remember also that Officer Hutch has his motorcycle tire slashed, and my house was set on fire. So far, it would appear that Lexington police officers are targets of the criminals among us.

Who else? James Swanson punched the Chief ten years ago, but would he keep a grudge for so long and end up killing the Chief? Robert Swanson, his son, was arrested for possession of illegal narcotics. Hardly a motive for killing a police officer?

We also know that the Chief had affairs on a regular basis, likely with some of the married women in this group. Perhaps a husband decided enough was enough. So far there is no evidence to support this though.

Then there's this shady Richard Branhauser, suspect in a crime committed about a month ago, apparently unrelated to the Chief's death. The guy has black hair, but could he be one of the dark figures?

This is about all the evidence we have I believe. Please feel free to comment while we investigate the Montgomery residence.

I'd like to ask Jack, why he's sacing that much money in his safe, how long he's been saving, how much he's usually saving per month, and how much he nets with that pet store. Oh, and I'd like Sarah and Chief Scott to take a look at the money, just to make sure it isn't counterfeit or something.

Sure, I will have a look at some of the bank notes in Jack's safe and try to determine as best I can if they are counterfeit or legit.

[Peanuts]

Some may say this is a matter for the police, Amber.

Well, I say it's not, just for the very reason I stated above.

Who had any motive to kill McGovern, then Jackson?

I'm not sure about Jackson, but the two people who killed McGovern might just have done so because he tried to arrest them. We should therefore wonder who could be involved in criminal affairs so that the chief tried to arrest them.

[Jedi master Brick]

Who else? James Swanson punched the Chief ten years ago, but would he keep a grudge for so long and end up killing the Chief? Robert Swanson, his son, was arrested for possession of illegal narcotics. Hardly a motive for killing a police officer?

wait I was arrested once I really need to get my memory checked. I don't know if I should trust my father, we tend to trust those close to us but recently shown trust is not something we can take for granted even by those close to us

[CorneliusMurdock]

wait I was arrested once I really need to get my memory checked.

I agree you should see a specialist, son. Those drugs must have messed with your memory some. Why can't you ever listen to me? I told you your entire life about how to take care of yourself and all you've done is run your life into the gutter. I expect more from you. I'll always be here for you when you're ready to admit you have a problem.

You got most of the facts, Scott. You just seem to have left out your motivation to kill the Chief. Like your affair with him and the lawsuit that was going to damage your chance of promotion.

[Jedi master Brick]

Any way I Just checked my PM jolted my memory and rememberd something about my mother. I was young at the time so I can't remember well but before she died dad fell out with her after she cheated on him. All I remember is he was a police officer

[Fugazi]

You got most of the facts, Scott. You just seem to have left out your motivation to kill the Chief. Like your affair with him and the lawsuit that was going to damage your chance of promotion.

I'm not sure how having an affair with the Chief translates into me wanting to kill him. If anything, his wife might have wished to kill him, but obviously it wasn't the case.

And need I remind you again that I wasn't informed of the lawsuit, it was made clear that the Chief never told me. I wasn't even aware that my career was at risk.

Any way I Just checked my PM jolted my memory and rememberd something about my mother. I was young at the time so I can't remember well but before she died dad fell out with her after she cheated on him. All I remember is he was a police officer

There you go, another one who could have held a grudge against the Chief. Now, why would the Chief want to arrest James (or anyone else) by the fountain that fateful night?

[Peanuts]

Any way I Just checked my PM jolted my memory and rememberd something about my mother. I was young at the time so I can't remember well but before she died dad fell out with her after she cheated on him. All I remember is he was a police officer

Interesting reveal. I'd like to hear about that from James. It's not quite a motive for revenge many years later, but it can prove useful information.

I'm not sure how having an affair with the Chief translates into me wanting to kill him. If anything, his wife might have wished to kill him, but obviously it wasn't the case.

And need I remind you again that I wasn't informed of the lawsuit, it was made clear that the Chief never told me. I wasn't even aware that my career was at risk.

There you go, another one who could have held a grudge against the Chief. Now, why would the Chief want to arrest James (or anyone else) by the fountain that fateful night?

You could have known your fatal mistake certainly wouldn't support your carrier. And come on, there are several ways you could find out about that lawsuit. For instance you could find that note by luck while doing whatever you policemen do the whole day. Or Branhouser might have told you for some reason. Or he might have told someone who'd tell you. Maybe he's told you when he called you while he was drunk.

And it's not simply having an affair, but also being dropped by him after aforesaid affair as well.

[CorneliusMurdock]

I've already mentioned my wife's affair with the Chief a few days ago.

If I recall correctly, I said this:

Posted 21 September 2011 - 07:09 PM

Long story short. My wife had a brain tumor and it affected her behavior. McGovern took advantage of this one night when he was drunk. I punched him. She succumbed to the disease a short while later. It was long ago and I've moved on with my life. Honestly, I try not to think of it. It was a dark period in my life. Since then, I've thrown myself into my work, teaching others to stay healthy and active.

Really, that's all I can say about it. I've gotten into some Eastern Philosophy since then. Zen and all that. If any of you were actually interested in bettering yourselves, you'd come to my classes and find out about it.

If I'd wanted revenge, I'd have gotten it years ago. I'm not the kind to wait around, never have been. But I didn't want revenge. I wanted to get past it and get on with my life. It's far healthier.

[Bob]

Wait a minute, I'm still about to read the magazines, and you've already searched this room as well.

Alright, I'll run over the pages of the TV Guide and take the Home&Garden magazine with me to read it more carefully. Since I've got a garden myself, there should be some useful advice in it.

I'd like to ask Jack, why he's sacing that much money in his safe, how long he's been saving, how much he's usually saving per month, and how much he nets with that pet store. Oh, and I'd like Sarah and Chief Scott to take a look at the money, just to make sure it isn't counterfeit or something.

There's nothing in there that's suspicious or out of the normal.

"It's money for all sorts of purposes. Groceries, money I haven't brought to the bank yet, all sorts of things."

Some may say this is a matter for the police, Amber. The study seems like a great idea but I have something to do.

I would like to call the hospital and ask for Ashley Baker and Steven Jackson

"Hello?"

Sure, I will have a look at some of the bank notes in Jack's safe and try to determine as best I can if they are counterfeit or legit.

They do appear to be real, and not fake.

Welcome to the study.

[Rumble Strike]

"See, this is the sort of thing I was talking about. Getting all our clues together and seeing if they shine any more light on things.

I will mention one thing, because I feel I have to. Of the brown-haired men that Firefighter Sue said she may have seen, one is in hospital and one is dead. I'm surprised that I am not under more suspicion, even though I know I am innocent."

[Brickdoctor]

I look inside the desk drawers.

I inspect the desk for any hidden compartments.

I read aloud the paper on the desk and the certificate/diploma on the wall.

[Bob]

I look inside the desk drawers.

I inspect the desk for any hidden compartments.

I read aloud the paper on the desk and the certificate/diploma on the wall.

Please save some actions for others. Choose one.

[Peanuts]

"See, this is the sort of thing I was talking about. Getting all our clues together and seeing if they shine any more light on things.

I will mention one thing, because I feel I have to. Of the brown-haired men that Firefighter Sue said she may have seen, one is in hospital and one is dead. I'm surprised that I am not under more suspicion, even though I know I am innocent."

You're just some whacky old man. There's no way you could beat up a policeman, is there?

But honestly, we shouldn't stop suspecting Alex Jordan just because he's dead. It's well possible he was involved in the Chief's death and was now shot down by accident. Disregarding him as suspect could mean disregarding an elemental clue.

Same thing about Jackson: Just because he was shot down, doesn't mean he wasn't the brown-haired person.

It would explain why someone wanted him dead so badly they took a hostage, if he was related to the chief's murder in any way.

Also, who says you aren't being suspected?

Oh, and I'd like to examine the lamp in the corner.

[CMP]

Also, who says you aren't being suspected?

It seems we're the only decent family left.

I'd like to go give Steve and Ashely an awkward family hug and read the diploma, as well as the paper on the desk.

[Brickdoctor]

Please save some actions for others. Choose one.

I look inside the desk drawers.

[Fugazi]

I would like to inspect the other objects on the desk: the crystal-shaped thing and the desk lamp (?).

[Mrlegoninja]

I'd like to upturn the desk.

So right know it seems that we have searched the study. Should half of us go to the bedrooms or all stay here.

[Brickdoctor]

I'd like to upturn the desk.

So right know it seems that we have searched the study. Should half of us go to the bedrooms or all stay here.

What?!?

There's still plenty to see in the study, and I'm trying to search the desk drawers right now.

[Bob]

Oh, and I'd like to examine the lamp in the corner.

The lamp has nothing out of the ordinary about it. There's a light bulb underneath the lampshade.

It seems we're the only decent family left.

I'd like to go give Steve and Ashely an awkward family hug and read the diploma, as well as the paper on the desk.

????????????????????

I look inside the desk drawers.

Inside the desk drawers is a ream of paper, some pencils, a few pens, a pack of gum, a stapler, tape, a ruler, a protractor, a first aid kit, some cough drops, an orange, a ripped photograph, a plastic crab, and a candle.

[Peanuts]

I'd like to try and put the ripped photograph together.