When John Fischer found Hans Krupp, the old man was lying down in an alley. He felt that something was wrong, so he call 911. An ambulance soon arrived and Krupp was taken away to a hospital. Detectives Davis and Moreno were also in the area and asked Fischer some questions about the incident.
“I was on my way to the store when suddenly I heard this moaning sound,” Fischer explained. “I looked into the alley here and there I found this old guy on the ground. At first, I didn’t know if he was having a heart attack or what. Then I saw that he had this big gash on his forehead. I got suspicious, so then I got help.”
“Did he say anything to you?” Moreno asked.
“He didn’t say much. Mostly all he did was moan,” Fischer replied. “But he did say one word, “hune,” yes, that’s what it was. He said “hune,” and then he stopped speaking completely.”
“Did you see anyone else around?” Davis asked.
“No,” Fischer said.
Later, Moreno called the hospital in order to get more information on Krupp’s condition. He reported his findings to his partner.
“Krupp’s in a coma now. His doctor isn’t certain that he’ll be able to recover. I did learn one thing, though. His wife told me that he was an immigrant for Germany. She said that sometimes when he got excited or talked in his sleep, he would speak in German. Maybe he left us some kind of clue as to who attacked him,” he said.
“Maybe we can find out more by talking to a few people in the area,” Davis replied.
The first person the detectives questioned was Nick Hightower. At 6 feet, 10 inches tall, he looked very intimidating.
“You say someone got mugged?” He asked. “No, I don’t know anything about it. I’ve been playing basketball all day.”
Randy Walmar was one of the biggest men they had ever seen. He must have weighed 400 pounds.
“Someone got beat up? Where’s the neighborhood going these days? I just got back from the store. This is first I’ve heard of it,” he said.
Charles Zelman regularly rummaged through people’s trash in the alleys.
“I haven’t seen anything. I tend to stay out of everyone’s way. I’m not looking for any trouble, you know,” he said.
Zack Richards seemed really interested in the case when the detectives talked to him.
“Who got mugged? Old man Krupp, you say? Yeah, I know him. Is he all right? No, I just wanted to know,” he replied as he took off on his skateboard.
“Do you have any clues?” Moreno asked.
“I’ve got a pretty good idea,” Davis said.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Nick Hightower. Krupp’s clue was the word, “hune,” which means “giant” in German. Fortunately, Krupp recovered and identified the basketball player in the attack on him.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Case of the Smuggled Contraband
Detectives Davis and Moreno were called to the scene of a nearby warehouse. When they arrived, Sergeant Ziegler of the narcotics division filled them in on the situation.
“We received a tip from an informant that illegal drugs were being stored in this building,” the sergeant told them. “We secured a search warrant and now we are making a thorough sweep of the area.”
The detectives noticed that several dogs from the K-9 unit were sniffing around all of the loads of boxes on pallets.
“Our dogs are specially trained to locate the scent of any narcotics in this area,” Zeigler said. “If they smell any, they will alert us at once.”
Davis and Moreno spent the next two hours looking over the thousands of boxes in the area. They were looking for any suspicious shipments which might be among the lots.
After two hours, Officer Zeigler shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s no use,” he said. “The dogs just haven’t been able to find any drugs. There may be contraband here, but there are just too many boxes to open in order to find it. We may have to end the search and try some other way.”
At that moment, Davis was passing several large boxes with pictures of televisions on the covers. He noticed something suspicious on the side of one of the boxes. He then smelled something which caught his interest.
“I think that you should open this box,” he told Zeigler. “I believe that you might find the contents very interesting.”
“Well, if you say so,” the narcotics officer replied with a tone of resignation. “We’re running out of time anyway. I guess that your guess is as good as anyone else’s.”
The policemen took out some knives and a crowbar and opened the box. To their surprise, they found several kilos of cocaine inside!
“This is incredible,” Moreno exclaimed. “But how did you find it if the dogs couldn’t?”
“It wasn’t too hard,” Davis said. “I simply looked for something that they weren’t looking for.”
HOW DID DAVIS SOLVE THE CASE?
THE ANSWER
Davis knew that the dogs were trained to find the scents of illegal drugs. He also knew that the dogs pretty much ignored the smells of anything else. When he passed the box, he noticed a small hole in the side. He smelled the hole and found that there was coffee inside. He wondered why anyone would pack coffee in a box which was meant for TV’s? The answer was that the smell of the coffee was meant to hide the smell of something else hidden deep within the box. His hunch proved to be correct.
THE CASE OF THE SMUGGLED CONTRABAND
Detectives Davis and Moreno were called to the scene of a nearby warehouse. When they arrived, Sergeant Ziegler of the narcotics division filled them in on the situation.
“We received a tip from an informant that illegal drugs were being stored in this building,” the sergeant told them. “We secured a search warrant and now we are making a thorough sweep of the area.”
The detectives noticed that several dogs from the K-9 unit were sniffing around all of the loads of boxes on pallets.
“Our dogs are specially trained to locate the scent of any narcotics in this area,” Zeigler said. “If they smell any, they will alert us at once.”
Davis and Moreno spent the next two hours looking over the thousands of boxes in the area. They were looking for any suspicious shipments which might be among the lots.
After two hours, Officer Zeigler shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s no use,” he said. “The dogs just haven’t been able to find any drugs. There may be contraband here, but there are just too many boxes to open in order to find it. We may have to end the search and try some other way.”
At that moment, Davis was passing several large boxes with pictures of televisions on the covers. He noticed something suspicious on the side of one of the boxes. He then smelled something which caught his interest.
“I think that you should open this box,” he told Zeigler. “I believe that you might find the contents very interesting.”
“Well, if you say so,” the narcotics officer replied with a tone of resignation. “We’re running out of time anyway. I guess that your guess is as good as anyone else’s.”
The policemen took out some knives and a crowbar and opened the box. To their surprise, they found several kilos of cocaine inside!
“This is incredible,” Moreno exclaimed. “But how did you find it if the dogs couldn’t?”
“It wasn’t too hard,” Davis said. “I simply looked for something that they weren’t looking for.”
HOW DID DAVIS SOLVE THE CASE?
THE ANSWER
Davis knew that the dogs were trained to find the scents of illegal drugs. He also knew that the dogs pretty much ignored the smells of anything else. When he passed the box, he noticed a small hole in the side. He smelled the hole and found that there was coffee inside. He wondered why anyone would pack coffee in a box which was meant for TV’s? The answer was that the smell of the coffee was meant to hide the smell of something else hidden deep within the box. His hunch proved to be correct.
“We received a tip from an informant that illegal drugs were being stored in this building,” the sergeant told them. “We secured a search warrant and now we are making a thorough sweep of the area.”
The detectives noticed that several dogs from the K-9 unit were sniffing around all of the loads of boxes on pallets.
“Our dogs are specially trained to locate the scent of any narcotics in this area,” Zeigler said. “If they smell any, they will alert us at once.”
Davis and Moreno spent the next two hours looking over the thousands of boxes in the area. They were looking for any suspicious shipments which might be among the lots.
After two hours, Officer Zeigler shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s no use,” he said. “The dogs just haven’t been able to find any drugs. There may be contraband here, but there are just too many boxes to open in order to find it. We may have to end the search and try some other way.”
At that moment, Davis was passing several large boxes with pictures of televisions on the covers. He noticed something suspicious on the side of one of the boxes. He then smelled something which caught his interest.
“I think that you should open this box,” he told Zeigler. “I believe that you might find the contents very interesting.”
“Well, if you say so,” the narcotics officer replied with a tone of resignation. “We’re running out of time anyway. I guess that your guess is as good as anyone else’s.”
The policemen took out some knives and a crowbar and opened the box. To their surprise, they found several kilos of cocaine inside!
“This is incredible,” Moreno exclaimed. “But how did you find it if the dogs couldn’t?”
“It wasn’t too hard,” Davis said. “I simply looked for something that they weren’t looking for.”
HOW DID DAVIS SOLVE THE CASE?
THE ANSWER
Davis knew that the dogs were trained to find the scents of illegal drugs. He also knew that the dogs pretty much ignored the smells of anything else. When he passed the box, he noticed a small hole in the side. He smelled the hole and found that there was coffee inside. He wondered why anyone would pack coffee in a box which was meant for TV’s? The answer was that the smell of the coffee was meant to hide the smell of something else hidden deep within the box. His hunch proved to be correct.
THE CASE OF THE SMUGGLED CONTRABAND
Detectives Davis and Moreno were called to the scene of a nearby warehouse. When they arrived, Sergeant Ziegler of the narcotics division filled them in on the situation.
“We received a tip from an informant that illegal drugs were being stored in this building,” the sergeant told them. “We secured a search warrant and now we are making a thorough sweep of the area.”
The detectives noticed that several dogs from the K-9 unit were sniffing around all of the loads of boxes on pallets.
“Our dogs are specially trained to locate the scent of any narcotics in this area,” Zeigler said. “If they smell any, they will alert us at once.”
Davis and Moreno spent the next two hours looking over the thousands of boxes in the area. They were looking for any suspicious shipments which might be among the lots.
After two hours, Officer Zeigler shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s no use,” he said. “The dogs just haven’t been able to find any drugs. There may be contraband here, but there are just too many boxes to open in order to find it. We may have to end the search and try some other way.”
At that moment, Davis was passing several large boxes with pictures of televisions on the covers. He noticed something suspicious on the side of one of the boxes. He then smelled something which caught his interest.
“I think that you should open this box,” he told Zeigler. “I believe that you might find the contents very interesting.”
“Well, if you say so,” the narcotics officer replied with a tone of resignation. “We’re running out of time anyway. I guess that your guess is as good as anyone else’s.”
The policemen took out some knives and a crowbar and opened the box. To their surprise, they found several kilos of cocaine inside!
“This is incredible,” Moreno exclaimed. “But how did you find it if the dogs couldn’t?”
“It wasn’t too hard,” Davis said. “I simply looked for something that they weren’t looking for.”
HOW DID DAVIS SOLVE THE CASE?
THE ANSWER
Davis knew that the dogs were trained to find the scents of illegal drugs. He also knew that the dogs pretty much ignored the smells of anything else. When he passed the box, he noticed a small hole in the side. He smelled the hole and found that there was coffee inside. He wondered why anyone would pack coffee in a box which was meant for TV’s? The answer was that the smell of the coffee was meant to hide the smell of something else hidden deep within the box. His hunch proved to be correct.
The Case of the Murdered Contractor
When the body of Eric Anderson was found in an abandoned house, detectives Davis and Moreno were called to the scene. As photographers took pictures of the area, the policemen looked for clues and talked about the case.
“There are some things which don’t make sense about this situation,” Moreno said. “Anderson was declared missing five weeks ago. At that time, no one knew if he had been kidnapped, murdered, or had take off on his own free will. Now that we’ve found him, we can be pretty certain that he didn’t end up here himself. But why would the perpetrators bring him here?”
“There are some reasons I can think of,” his partner replied. “This house was boarded up and it may have looked like a good place to dump a body. Anderson could have been here for years without anyone ever finding him. It was only by luck that two kids broke in and found him here.”
Davis examined the body closely. Anderson’s clothes were slightly wet, but the detective didn’t see any sign of a leak on the ceiling. The crystal on his watch was fogged up. There were no marks on the body.
A few days later, the detectives received a report on the autopsy. However, it didn’t answer all of their questions about the case.
“The coroner was unable to pinpoint any specific time of death,” Moreno said. “The cause of death was arsenic poisoning , but we still have no idea how long he was there before he was found.”
“I guess we’ll have to question anyone who might have had a motive for causing his death,” Davis replied. “That won’t be easy because as I found out, he had frequent disputes with other contractors over bids.”
As their investigation continued, the detectives interviewed several possible suspects in the case.
Rick Carter, the owner of a HVAC company, denied knowing anything.
“It’s true that we didn’t get along sometimes but I would never think of doing anything bad to him,” he said.
John Colvin, Anderson’s business partner, also denied being involved.
“I would have no motive at all for hurting Eric,” he told them. “His wife inherits his share of the company now and I’m not any better off now than I was before.”
Jeff Leal, the owner of a lumber company, couldn’t provide much new information, either. “Anderson did owe me a lot of money,” he said. “But I knew that he was going to pay me back. I certainly wouldn’t have killed him over it.”
Rachel Bales, an electrician, expressed grief upon hearing of Anderson’s death.
“He was such a good man. It’s such a terrible shame. I admit that I did owe him some money, but I was going to pay him back.”
“Do you have any ideas on who might have done this?” Moreno asked his partner.
“Yes,” Davis replied.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Rick Carter. Davis found that Anderson’s body had been wet at one time, yet it had been found in a dry place. The detective thought that the murder had killed Anderson several weeks before and frozen the body in order to confuse police about the time of the death. He believed that the only person who would have had access to the facilities for doing this would have been the owner of a heating , ventilation, and air conditioning company. The investigation soon concentrated on Carter and a search of his company grounds soon yielded fiber evidence against him.
“There are some things which don’t make sense about this situation,” Moreno said. “Anderson was declared missing five weeks ago. At that time, no one knew if he had been kidnapped, murdered, or had take off on his own free will. Now that we’ve found him, we can be pretty certain that he didn’t end up here himself. But why would the perpetrators bring him here?”
“There are some reasons I can think of,” his partner replied. “This house was boarded up and it may have looked like a good place to dump a body. Anderson could have been here for years without anyone ever finding him. It was only by luck that two kids broke in and found him here.”
Davis examined the body closely. Anderson’s clothes were slightly wet, but the detective didn’t see any sign of a leak on the ceiling. The crystal on his watch was fogged up. There were no marks on the body.
A few days later, the detectives received a report on the autopsy. However, it didn’t answer all of their questions about the case.
“The coroner was unable to pinpoint any specific time of death,” Moreno said. “The cause of death was arsenic poisoning , but we still have no idea how long he was there before he was found.”
“I guess we’ll have to question anyone who might have had a motive for causing his death,” Davis replied. “That won’t be easy because as I found out, he had frequent disputes with other contractors over bids.”
As their investigation continued, the detectives interviewed several possible suspects in the case.
Rick Carter, the owner of a HVAC company, denied knowing anything.
“It’s true that we didn’t get along sometimes but I would never think of doing anything bad to him,” he said.
John Colvin, Anderson’s business partner, also denied being involved.
“I would have no motive at all for hurting Eric,” he told them. “His wife inherits his share of the company now and I’m not any better off now than I was before.”
Jeff Leal, the owner of a lumber company, couldn’t provide much new information, either. “Anderson did owe me a lot of money,” he said. “But I knew that he was going to pay me back. I certainly wouldn’t have killed him over it.”
Rachel Bales, an electrician, expressed grief upon hearing of Anderson’s death.
“He was such a good man. It’s such a terrible shame. I admit that I did owe him some money, but I was going to pay him back.”
“Do you have any ideas on who might have done this?” Moreno asked his partner.
“Yes,” Davis replied.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Rick Carter. Davis found that Anderson’s body had been wet at one time, yet it had been found in a dry place. The detective thought that the murder had killed Anderson several weeks before and frozen the body in order to confuse police about the time of the death. He believed that the only person who would have had access to the facilities for doing this would have been the owner of a heating , ventilation, and air conditioning company. The investigation soon concentrated on Carter and a search of his company grounds soon yielded fiber evidence against him.
The Case of the Murder at the Butler's Convention
A tragedy occurred at the 47th Annual Convention of Butlers at the Highland Hotel. Al Weicker, president of the butler’s association, was found shot to death in his room. Detectives Davis and Moreno soon arrived at the scene.
“This might not be easy to solve,” Moreno said. “Since most of the possible suspects are butlers. We don’t even know for sure if a butler did it.”
“We’ll just have to do the best that we can with the facts in this case,” his partner replied.
Davis surveyed the scene of the crime. The body of Weicker lay near his bed. He was in his pajamas. His clothes were neatly folded up on a nearby table. There was a large pool of blood on the floor.
“Did you see or hear anything suspicious?” Davis asked Cliff Epple, the director of security at the hotel.
“No, unfortunately this was the only floor where our security cameras weren’t working,” he replied. “However, we reviewed the tapes of the other cameras and found that no one left this floor after the murder. We strongly suspect that the culprit is a guest on this very floor!”
“That may help narrow our list of suspects,” Moreno said. “We shall begin our investigation immediately.”
Davis asked each person on the floor, “Do you have any information about the murder of Al Weicker?”
Ben Lagenvist shook his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know anything about it. I was shocked to hear of it. It’s a terrible tragedy.”
Dave Hastings said, “Sorry, old boy. I haven’t the foggiest idea. It’s been a most regrettable incident, I dare say. My good man, I do not think that any gentleman’s gentleman could have been involved in something like this.”
“Good Heavens! Someone was murdered, you say?” Lyndon Smythe-Jones exclaimed. “My word! What the devil is going on here? By jove! I dare say I shant sleep a wink this night.”
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t even know the poor fellow,” Joseph English replied. “I must have slept through the entire incident. Well, I sure hope that you find the dreadful booger who plugged that poor Alton chap!”
“Blimey! Heavens to Betsy! Murder? How dreadfully unsporting, I must say. No, I haven’t heard a thing about it,” Percy London said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I must be tottering off. Cheerio!”
“I say, my good fellows, do have any clues?” Moreno asked his partner.
“Elementary, my dear chap,” Davis replied. “I do indeed. Right-O!”
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Joseph English. Even though English said that he hadn’t known Al Weicker, he still referred to him as “Alton,” even though his name might have been Alfred, Albert, Allen, or just plain Al. A warrant was soon obtained and a search of English’s room soon turned up the murder weapon. A “jolly good show” for the detectives!
“This might not be easy to solve,” Moreno said. “Since most of the possible suspects are butlers. We don’t even know for sure if a butler did it.”
“We’ll just have to do the best that we can with the facts in this case,” his partner replied.
Davis surveyed the scene of the crime. The body of Weicker lay near his bed. He was in his pajamas. His clothes were neatly folded up on a nearby table. There was a large pool of blood on the floor.
“Did you see or hear anything suspicious?” Davis asked Cliff Epple, the director of security at the hotel.
“No, unfortunately this was the only floor where our security cameras weren’t working,” he replied. “However, we reviewed the tapes of the other cameras and found that no one left this floor after the murder. We strongly suspect that the culprit is a guest on this very floor!”
“That may help narrow our list of suspects,” Moreno said. “We shall begin our investigation immediately.”
Davis asked each person on the floor, “Do you have any information about the murder of Al Weicker?”
Ben Lagenvist shook his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know anything about it. I was shocked to hear of it. It’s a terrible tragedy.”
Dave Hastings said, “Sorry, old boy. I haven’t the foggiest idea. It’s been a most regrettable incident, I dare say. My good man, I do not think that any gentleman’s gentleman could have been involved in something like this.”
“Good Heavens! Someone was murdered, you say?” Lyndon Smythe-Jones exclaimed. “My word! What the devil is going on here? By jove! I dare say I shant sleep a wink this night.”
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t even know the poor fellow,” Joseph English replied. “I must have slept through the entire incident. Well, I sure hope that you find the dreadful booger who plugged that poor Alton chap!”
“Blimey! Heavens to Betsy! Murder? How dreadfully unsporting, I must say. No, I haven’t heard a thing about it,” Percy London said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I must be tottering off. Cheerio!”
“I say, my good fellows, do have any clues?” Moreno asked his partner.
“Elementary, my dear chap,” Davis replied. “I do indeed. Right-O!”
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Joseph English. Even though English said that he hadn’t known Al Weicker, he still referred to him as “Alton,” even though his name might have been Alfred, Albert, Allen, or just plain Al. A warrant was soon obtained and a search of English’s room soon turned up the murder weapon. A “jolly good show” for the detectives!
The Case of the Hidden Loot
Detectives Davis and Moreno were discussing a case while they drove to the scene of a crime.
“Well, it looks like Jimmy Brinks won’t be enjoying all of that money he stole from all of those bank robberies,” Detective Moreno said.
“Yes, I heard that he was gunned down by the police in Lindenbergh cemetery,” Davis replied. “Somehow that seems fitting. He goes to a cemetery and then he ends up as a corpse.”
“There’s still the matter of the missing money.”
“You mean, they never recovered the loot?”
“No, before Brinks got in a shoot out with the law, he managed to hide it somewhere. I guess he thought that he could get away and come back for it later. But that won’t be happening now.”
The detectives pulled into the Lindenbergh cemetery parking lot. They walked over the graves and carefully surveyed the area. They noticed that several other policemen were also patrolling the grounds.
“This seems like a lot of ground to cover,” Davis remarked. “Are they sure that Brinks hid the loot here?”
“They seem pretty certain about it,” Moreno replied. “Brinks was seen entering this area with a suitcase and a shovel. The found Brinks. They found the shovel. But they never found that suitcase with the half million in it. It’s likely that it’s out there somewhere, but no one knows where exactly to look. We can’t exactly dig up all of the graves when trying to find it. We have to have a good idea on where to look.”
The detectives passed several family plots as they walked through the cemetery. Davis noticed the names on the tombstones. There were spots for the Adams, the Cartwrights, the Foxes, the Davisons, the Wrights, the Zapruders, the Engels, the Douglasss, the Millers, the Kurtzs, the Morenos, the Steins, the Quimbies, the Logans, and others.
“Didn’t Brinks leave any kind of clue to where the money was?” Davis asked. “Once he got shot, he might have known that he was dying and that he would never be able to come back to collect the loot.”
“Well, he did offer a few last words,” Moreno replied. “When an officer asked him where the money was, Brinks said “It’s with the trees,” and then he died. That clue hasn’t been much help so far. There must be hundreds of trees in this area and we’ve had dogs sniffing over every one without finding so much as a wooden nickel. Perhaps Brinks was just giving a false lead. Or perhaps he was trying to make himself into some kind of legend as a crook who kept the cops from getting his loot. Maybe his last words were some kind of clue for his friends so that they could come back here and find the loot, but who knows? I doubt that anyone could find it unless they knew exactly where to look.”
“You’re right!” Davis replied. “And I think that I have an idea.”
WHAT DID DAVIS THINK?
THE ANSWER
Davis believed that Brinks might have a difficult time finding the loot if he buried it next to a tree. Since trees are routinely cut down, the money might be discovered by someone else before he could get back to it. Davis then thought that Brinks might have buried it near a tombstone, since graves are rarely moved and the money would likely be there years later. But which grave? Nobody in the cemetery was named Tree, but Davis knew that “Douglas” was a type of fir tree. Sure enough, the detectives found a recently filled grave in the Douglas section. After getting permission to dig, the found the stolen money.
“Well, it looks like Jimmy Brinks won’t be enjoying all of that money he stole from all of those bank robberies,” Detective Moreno said.
“Yes, I heard that he was gunned down by the police in Lindenbergh cemetery,” Davis replied. “Somehow that seems fitting. He goes to a cemetery and then he ends up as a corpse.”
“There’s still the matter of the missing money.”
“You mean, they never recovered the loot?”
“No, before Brinks got in a shoot out with the law, he managed to hide it somewhere. I guess he thought that he could get away and come back for it later. But that won’t be happening now.”
The detectives pulled into the Lindenbergh cemetery parking lot. They walked over the graves and carefully surveyed the area. They noticed that several other policemen were also patrolling the grounds.
“This seems like a lot of ground to cover,” Davis remarked. “Are they sure that Brinks hid the loot here?”
“They seem pretty certain about it,” Moreno replied. “Brinks was seen entering this area with a suitcase and a shovel. The found Brinks. They found the shovel. But they never found that suitcase with the half million in it. It’s likely that it’s out there somewhere, but no one knows where exactly to look. We can’t exactly dig up all of the graves when trying to find it. We have to have a good idea on where to look.”
The detectives passed several family plots as they walked through the cemetery. Davis noticed the names on the tombstones. There were spots for the Adams, the Cartwrights, the Foxes, the Davisons, the Wrights, the Zapruders, the Engels, the Douglasss, the Millers, the Kurtzs, the Morenos, the Steins, the Quimbies, the Logans, and others.
“Didn’t Brinks leave any kind of clue to where the money was?” Davis asked. “Once he got shot, he might have known that he was dying and that he would never be able to come back to collect the loot.”
“Well, he did offer a few last words,” Moreno replied. “When an officer asked him where the money was, Brinks said “It’s with the trees,” and then he died. That clue hasn’t been much help so far. There must be hundreds of trees in this area and we’ve had dogs sniffing over every one without finding so much as a wooden nickel. Perhaps Brinks was just giving a false lead. Or perhaps he was trying to make himself into some kind of legend as a crook who kept the cops from getting his loot. Maybe his last words were some kind of clue for his friends so that they could come back here and find the loot, but who knows? I doubt that anyone could find it unless they knew exactly where to look.”
“You’re right!” Davis replied. “And I think that I have an idea.”
WHAT DID DAVIS THINK?
THE ANSWER
Davis believed that Brinks might have a difficult time finding the loot if he buried it next to a tree. Since trees are routinely cut down, the money might be discovered by someone else before he could get back to it. Davis then thought that Brinks might have buried it near a tombstone, since graves are rarely moved and the money would likely be there years later. But which grave? Nobody in the cemetery was named Tree, but Davis knew that “Douglas” was a type of fir tree. Sure enough, the detectives found a recently filled grave in the Douglas section. After getting permission to dig, the found the stolen money.
The Case of the Deadly Fall
Detectives Davis and Moreno watched as a couple of paramedics took away the body of Claire Looms. She was dressed in a red taffeta dress with black pumps. The outline of her body remained on the concrete driveway.
“It was a terrible accident,” her husband sobbed. “I knew I should have stopped her. Now it’s too late. I’ve lost her forever!”
“It’s always difficult to lose a loved one,” Moreno said. “But we need you to make a statement. We’d like to clarify a few details.”
“Oh, sure,” Mr. Looms replied as he wiped some tears from his eyes. “Claire insisted on cleaning out the gutters herself. I told her that we could get a professional to do it, but she didn’t want to spend the money. Well, anyway, I helped her with the ladder.”
Davis noticed the fallen ladder beside the house.
Mr. Looms continued with his story.
“She worked at it a while and seemed to be doing well, so I went into the house. A few minutes later, I heard this awful scream and a loud crash. I rushed out and found her… there on the pavement. Oh, it was awful!”
Davis talked with Moreno privately as Mr. Looms stared into space.
“It was an awful death, but his story is even more awful!”
WHAT DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected that Mr. Looms had pushed his wife out a window. No women would wear a red taffeta dress and black pumps when climbing a ladder to the clean the gutter!
“It was a terrible accident,” her husband sobbed. “I knew I should have stopped her. Now it’s too late. I’ve lost her forever!”
“It’s always difficult to lose a loved one,” Moreno said. “But we need you to make a statement. We’d like to clarify a few details.”
“Oh, sure,” Mr. Looms replied as he wiped some tears from his eyes. “Claire insisted on cleaning out the gutters herself. I told her that we could get a professional to do it, but she didn’t want to spend the money. Well, anyway, I helped her with the ladder.”
Davis noticed the fallen ladder beside the house.
Mr. Looms continued with his story.
“She worked at it a while and seemed to be doing well, so I went into the house. A few minutes later, I heard this awful scream and a loud crash. I rushed out and found her… there on the pavement. Oh, it was awful!”
Davis talked with Moreno privately as Mr. Looms stared into space.
“It was an awful death, but his story is even more awful!”
WHAT DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected that Mr. Looms had pushed his wife out a window. No women would wear a red taffeta dress and black pumps when climbing a ladder to the clean the gutter!
The Case of the Three Card Monte Game
Detective Davis walked down the sidewalk. It was a warm, summer day. Everyone seemed to be outside on their way to going somewhere. Three women passed by with their arms filled with packages. Children chased each other and moved in and out between the throngs of moving people. An old lady walked her tiny dog. Three men sipped their coffees as they hurried off down the street. Everything seemed normal as usual.
He noticed a stranger on the sidewalk that day. A dirty, unkempt man was playing a card game on a large crate by a fence. He only had three bent cards, but he was shuffling them again and again as he barked to the crowd.
“Find the lady…find the lady…it’s easy, folks, just find the lady. Left, right, middle. Just watch the cards and you can win! Find the lady…find the lady….anyone can play….anyone can win….it’s you lucky day…you can win…you can win…just find the lady…,” the dealer kept repeating.
Davis watched from a discrete distance as a disgruntled player stomped off without his money. In some ways, the detective thought that it was more fun to watch these games than to play them. There were fewer risks involved. You felt better about seeing someone else lose their money especially when you saw them pick up the same card that you would have picked up. He knew the game was fixed and it was fascinating just the same.
“Sorry, not today!” The dealer said to another sucker as he showed where the queen was hiding. “Find the lady…find the lady…it’s easy, you can win!”
The detective moved a little closer to get a better view of the next game. He wanted to get a good look at the cards, but he didn’t want to get so close that he would be mistaken for being another potential sucker. He continued to observe the dealer’s hands carefully as he quickly learned the moves of the game.
He had to admire the dealer’s ability for attracting attention. There was now a small crowd of about nine or ten guys watching the next game. Most people were walking by with very little interest, however. There were some people who wandered over just to see what was going on. Most of them turned away when they found out. Davis moved up to the front of the group.
“Find the lady…find the lady…,” the dealer kept repeating. There was almost a hypnotic quality to his voice as he continued to shuffle the three cards in front of his audience. He looked at his next mark and smiled. “It’s easy, just find her and win!”
The mark hesitated. The game had seemed so easy just a few minutes before. He had even found the queen a few times without any trouble. But this time, he had money on the line. This time, he wasn’t so sure. He looked at the three cards turned over in front of him nervously.
“I know where the lady is,” Davis spoke up.
“You see? He knows where she is,” he dealer said to the mark. It’s easy if you watch. Left, right, center. Just show me where she is and you win.”
“The lady is right here!” Davis replied as he pointed.
WHERE WAS THE QUEEN?
THE ANSWER
Davis pointed to where the queen was hidden. It was under the dealer’s right hand! That’s how Three Card Monte dealers win. They palm the lady so that their marks can’t possibly win! Then by a little slight-of-hand, they make appear another card that the mark didn’t choose. When this dealer’s cheating was exposed, he looked like he was going to hit Davis. However, the detective quickly flashed his badge and told him to beat it. The dealer snarled and took off.
He noticed a stranger on the sidewalk that day. A dirty, unkempt man was playing a card game on a large crate by a fence. He only had three bent cards, but he was shuffling them again and again as he barked to the crowd.
“Find the lady…find the lady…it’s easy, folks, just find the lady. Left, right, middle. Just watch the cards and you can win! Find the lady…find the lady….anyone can play….anyone can win….it’s you lucky day…you can win…you can win…just find the lady…,” the dealer kept repeating.
Davis watched from a discrete distance as a disgruntled player stomped off without his money. In some ways, the detective thought that it was more fun to watch these games than to play them. There were fewer risks involved. You felt better about seeing someone else lose their money especially when you saw them pick up the same card that you would have picked up. He knew the game was fixed and it was fascinating just the same.
“Sorry, not today!” The dealer said to another sucker as he showed where the queen was hiding. “Find the lady…find the lady…it’s easy, you can win!”
The detective moved a little closer to get a better view of the next game. He wanted to get a good look at the cards, but he didn’t want to get so close that he would be mistaken for being another potential sucker. He continued to observe the dealer’s hands carefully as he quickly learned the moves of the game.
He had to admire the dealer’s ability for attracting attention. There was now a small crowd of about nine or ten guys watching the next game. Most people were walking by with very little interest, however. There were some people who wandered over just to see what was going on. Most of them turned away when they found out. Davis moved up to the front of the group.
“Find the lady…find the lady…,” the dealer kept repeating. There was almost a hypnotic quality to his voice as he continued to shuffle the three cards in front of his audience. He looked at his next mark and smiled. “It’s easy, just find her and win!”
The mark hesitated. The game had seemed so easy just a few minutes before. He had even found the queen a few times without any trouble. But this time, he had money on the line. This time, he wasn’t so sure. He looked at the three cards turned over in front of him nervously.
“I know where the lady is,” Davis spoke up.
“You see? He knows where she is,” he dealer said to the mark. It’s easy if you watch. Left, right, center. Just show me where she is and you win.”
“The lady is right here!” Davis replied as he pointed.
WHERE WAS THE QUEEN?
THE ANSWER
Davis pointed to where the queen was hidden. It was under the dealer’s right hand! That’s how Three Card Monte dealers win. They palm the lady so that their marks can’t possibly win! Then by a little slight-of-hand, they make appear another card that the mark didn’t choose. When this dealer’s cheating was exposed, he looked like he was going to hit Davis. However, the detective quickly flashed his badge and told him to beat it. The dealer snarled and took off.
The Case of the Quadruplets
Tad, Brad, Shad, and Chad were sitting on several chairs in their living room. Detective Davis slowly paced around them as he proceeded to talk about the case.
“As you know, Misty Myers was found dead in her apartment last week. A neighbor reported seeing someone who resembled one of you leave the area near the time of her death. I want to know who saw her last!”
“I don’t know,” Tad replied nervously. “It wasn’t me!”
“Don’t try to rattle us!” Brad snapped at Davis. “It won’t work. I know my rights. I don’t have to say anything to you if I don’t want to.”
“It’s true that Misty was a friend of ours,” Shad said. “And we’re all sorry that she has passed on.”
“She was more than a friend,” Chad said. “Why don’t we just admit it? She had an affair with all of us once. That’s the way she wanted it. She was obsessed with us because we were quadruplets and we made her fantasies become real.”
“How dare you talk about her like that!” Tad shouted at his brother. “She was more than just that to me!”
“Suppose we get to the subject of alibis,” Davis interrupted. “Where were each of you on the day of her unfortunate demise?”
“I don’t have any problem answering that,” Brad replied. “I was at the library all day doing some research. I didn’t do it. I was busy with my studies.”
“I was doing some shopping,” Tad said. “Yes, I visited several stores at the mall. I’m sure that someone there could vouch for me. Later, I went out to a few bars.”
“I was online at my girlfriend’s house,” Shad answered. “I couldn’t have done it anyway. I slept in until 10.”
“I was at the Wet Spot getting wasted,” Chad replied with a yawn. “I also watched a lot of TV at my apartment that evening. I didn’t do it, I could hardly walk straight.”
Later, Moreno asked his partner, “Do you have any leads?”
“They all look the same, but one of them does look guiltier than the others.”
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
Davis suspected Shad. The detective never mentioned what time of day the murder occurred. When Shad mentioned that he had “slept in until 10,” he was the only brother who specifically gave an alibi for what he had been doing in the morning. The other brothers only assumed that the murder had taken place later in the day and gave their alibis for the afternoon and evening. As it turned out, Shad’s explanation was a little too pat and he became the primary suspect in the investigation.
“As you know, Misty Myers was found dead in her apartment last week. A neighbor reported seeing someone who resembled one of you leave the area near the time of her death. I want to know who saw her last!”
“I don’t know,” Tad replied nervously. “It wasn’t me!”
“Don’t try to rattle us!” Brad snapped at Davis. “It won’t work. I know my rights. I don’t have to say anything to you if I don’t want to.”
“It’s true that Misty was a friend of ours,” Shad said. “And we’re all sorry that she has passed on.”
“She was more than a friend,” Chad said. “Why don’t we just admit it? She had an affair with all of us once. That’s the way she wanted it. She was obsessed with us because we were quadruplets and we made her fantasies become real.”
“How dare you talk about her like that!” Tad shouted at his brother. “She was more than just that to me!”
“Suppose we get to the subject of alibis,” Davis interrupted. “Where were each of you on the day of her unfortunate demise?”
“I don’t have any problem answering that,” Brad replied. “I was at the library all day doing some research. I didn’t do it. I was busy with my studies.”
“I was doing some shopping,” Tad said. “Yes, I visited several stores at the mall. I’m sure that someone there could vouch for me. Later, I went out to a few bars.”
“I was online at my girlfriend’s house,” Shad answered. “I couldn’t have done it anyway. I slept in until 10.”
“I was at the Wet Spot getting wasted,” Chad replied with a yawn. “I also watched a lot of TV at my apartment that evening. I didn’t do it, I could hardly walk straight.”
Later, Moreno asked his partner, “Do you have any leads?”
“They all look the same, but one of them does look guiltier than the others.”
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
Davis suspected Shad. The detective never mentioned what time of day the murder occurred. When Shad mentioned that he had “slept in until 10,” he was the only brother who specifically gave an alibi for what he had been doing in the morning. The other brothers only assumed that the murder had taken place later in the day and gave their alibis for the afternoon and evening. As it turned out, Shad’s explanation was a little too pat and he became the primary suspect in the investigation.
The Case of the Murder at the Sideshow
When Chuckles the clown was found strangled in his trailer at the Big Top Circus, the police were called. Officers Davis and Moreno were soon at the scene. They questioned Manfred, the ringmaster, about the situation.
“I can’t understand it. Everybody loved Chuckles. I don’t know of anyone who would do such a thing,” he said.
“Apparently, there is someone who would do such a thing,” Moreno replied. “I guess we’ll have to look around and gather up the unusual suspects.”
“I just heard about it,” Atlas the strong man said. “That’s really a shame. Where have I been? Blinky the dwarf and I just got back from having sushi at Ling Chang’s.”
“Chuckles the clown is dead?” Lydia the snake charmer exclaimed. “That’s terrible! No, I don’t know anything about it.” She stroked a large Burmese python which was wrapped around her shoulders. “Cuddles and I got along so well.”
“Murder, you say? What’s this world coming to?” Art the Tattooed Man asked. “No, I haven’t been out much. I’ve just been doing some editing.” He continued to write something on one of his legs.
“Chuckles murdered?” Connie the Contortionist said. “I won’t get too bent out of shape over that,” she added as she stuck her head up between her legs. “From what I’ve heard, he might have been looking for trouble. That clown was going with Frieda the Fat Lady, Agnes the Aerialist, Thumbellina, and who knows how many other women.”
“I haven’t seen anything,” Jughead the Juggler said. “I just got back from the Chairman Mao Chinese Buffet.”
“That’s news to me,” Cecil the Thin Man commented.
“Sorry, I don’t know who did it. What have I been doing recently? Just resting my bones, I guess.”
“Well, it looks like we’ve got plenty of suspects,” Moreno said. “Do you think that we could narrow it down to one?”
“Yes,” Davis replied.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Atlas. The strong man said that he was out to lunch. But you can’t get sushi at a Chinese restaurant, only Japanese ones! It turns out that Blinky wouldn’t back up his alibi and soon the big guy was behind bars he couldn’t bend!
“I can’t understand it. Everybody loved Chuckles. I don’t know of anyone who would do such a thing,” he said.
“Apparently, there is someone who would do such a thing,” Moreno replied. “I guess we’ll have to look around and gather up the unusual suspects.”
“I just heard about it,” Atlas the strong man said. “That’s really a shame. Where have I been? Blinky the dwarf and I just got back from having sushi at Ling Chang’s.”
“Chuckles the clown is dead?” Lydia the snake charmer exclaimed. “That’s terrible! No, I don’t know anything about it.” She stroked a large Burmese python which was wrapped around her shoulders. “Cuddles and I got along so well.”
“Murder, you say? What’s this world coming to?” Art the Tattooed Man asked. “No, I haven’t been out much. I’ve just been doing some editing.” He continued to write something on one of his legs.
“Chuckles murdered?” Connie the Contortionist said. “I won’t get too bent out of shape over that,” she added as she stuck her head up between her legs. “From what I’ve heard, he might have been looking for trouble. That clown was going with Frieda the Fat Lady, Agnes the Aerialist, Thumbellina, and who knows how many other women.”
“I haven’t seen anything,” Jughead the Juggler said. “I just got back from the Chairman Mao Chinese Buffet.”
“That’s news to me,” Cecil the Thin Man commented.
“Sorry, I don’t know who did it. What have I been doing recently? Just resting my bones, I guess.”
“Well, it looks like we’ve got plenty of suspects,” Moreno said. “Do you think that we could narrow it down to one?”
“Yes,” Davis replied.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Atlas. The strong man said that he was out to lunch. But you can’t get sushi at a Chinese restaurant, only Japanese ones! It turns out that Blinky wouldn’t back up his alibi and soon the big guy was behind bars he couldn’t bend!
The Case of the Lost Explorer
Davis was talking with his friend Betty over lunch. The topic of the conversation turned to puzzles.
“Do you like deductive reasoning problems?” She asked him.
“Of course I do,” he replied as he drank his coffee. “They come with the job all of the time since I am a detective.”
“Good,” she said. “Then I have one for you. An explorer in Africa was captured by a hostile native tribe. The chief decided that he should be put to death. As a last conciliatory gesture, the chief decided to give the explorer a final choice in how his life would end. The man was to be given the opportunity to say one final sentence. If it was true, he would be impaled by spears. If it was false, he would be trampled by elephants.”
“The question is this-what would be the best sentence that the explorer could say in order to confuse the chief and get himself freed?”
WHAT DID DAVIS SAY?
THE ANSWER
“I must admit that I have heard riddles like this before,” Davis said. “I believe that he should say something like, “I will be trampled by elephants.” This way, if the tribe actually does have him trampled by elephants, then his sentence was actually true and he should have been impaled by spears instead. However, if the chief chose to have the explorer impaled by spears, then his sentence would have been false. Supposedly by making a statement like this, the man will succeed in totally fooling the chief into not making any decision at all regarding his execution and the tribe will eventually let him go. Am I right?”
“As usual,” Betty sighed.
“Do you like deductive reasoning problems?” She asked him.
“Of course I do,” he replied as he drank his coffee. “They come with the job all of the time since I am a detective.”
“Good,” she said. “Then I have one for you. An explorer in Africa was captured by a hostile native tribe. The chief decided that he should be put to death. As a last conciliatory gesture, the chief decided to give the explorer a final choice in how his life would end. The man was to be given the opportunity to say one final sentence. If it was true, he would be impaled by spears. If it was false, he would be trampled by elephants.”
“The question is this-what would be the best sentence that the explorer could say in order to confuse the chief and get himself freed?”
WHAT DID DAVIS SAY?
THE ANSWER
“I must admit that I have heard riddles like this before,” Davis said. “I believe that he should say something like, “I will be trampled by elephants.” This way, if the tribe actually does have him trampled by elephants, then his sentence was actually true and he should have been impaled by spears instead. However, if the chief chose to have the explorer impaled by spears, then his sentence would have been false. Supposedly by making a statement like this, the man will succeed in totally fooling the chief into not making any decision at all regarding his execution and the tribe will eventually let him go. Am I right?”
“As usual,” Betty sighed.
The Case of the Fur Farm
“I’ve got a tip on an investment prospect,” Betty said to Davis as they were having lunch. “It could be a sure way to make a fortune.”
“Or a sure way to lose it,” the detective replied. “Tell me about it.”
“Anyway, I know this guy who’s looking for investors,” she explained. “All I need is $10,000 and I can get in. He told me that I could make ten times that within a year.”
“That sounds tempting,” Davis said as he sipped his coffee. “What’s the biz?”
“It’s a fur farm,” Betty replied. “And the beauty about it is that they don’t have to pay to feed the animals. It’s totally self sufficient.”
“How can they do that?” He asked.
“It’s so simple I can’t believe that nobody has ever thought of it before. They raise chinchillas for their fur. Then they take the fur and feed the chinchilla meat to rabbits, which they also raise for fur. Then they take the rabbit’s fur and feed the rabbit meat to the chinchillas. It’s ingenious! The whole operation supports itself! Why, they could make a fortune this way. And I could be in on it!”
“They might make a fortune, but you won’t,” Davis laughed.
WHY DID DAVIS HAVE HIS DOUBT?
THE ANSWER
Neither, chinchillas nor rabbits will eat each others flesh. Both animals are vegetarians.
“Or a sure way to lose it,” the detective replied. “Tell me about it.”
“Anyway, I know this guy who’s looking for investors,” she explained. “All I need is $10,000 and I can get in. He told me that I could make ten times that within a year.”
“That sounds tempting,” Davis said as he sipped his coffee. “What’s the biz?”
“It’s a fur farm,” Betty replied. “And the beauty about it is that they don’t have to pay to feed the animals. It’s totally self sufficient.”
“How can they do that?” He asked.
“It’s so simple I can’t believe that nobody has ever thought of it before. They raise chinchillas for their fur. Then they take the fur and feed the chinchilla meat to rabbits, which they also raise for fur. Then they take the rabbit’s fur and feed the rabbit meat to the chinchillas. It’s ingenious! The whole operation supports itself! Why, they could make a fortune this way. And I could be in on it!”
“They might make a fortune, but you won’t,” Davis laughed.
WHY DID DAVIS HAVE HIS DOUBT?
THE ANSWER
Neither, chinchillas nor rabbits will eat each others flesh. Both animals are vegetarians.
The Case of the Dead Brother
John Schmidt was found dead in his apartment. The cause of death appeared to be by a single gunshot wound to the head. A gun lay by the side of the apparent suicide.
“It’s a tragedy,” Davis told Moreno. “I guess we’ll have to notify his next of kin.”
James Schmidt broke down in tears when he heard the news.
“I can’t believe it ….,” he cried. “I just talked to him yesterday. He seemed to have so much to live for….”
“He gave you no indication that he might do this?” Moreno asked.
“No, why, no,” the man answered. “He said that he had some money problems, but that he’d get through them. If I had just known about how depressed he was, I could have helped him. Oh, if only I had helped him,” he whined.
Detective Davis glanced at some photographs in an album on a coffee table. He saw a picture of a man writing happily on a notepad.
“Is this a picture of him?” He asked.
James looked at it.
“Yes, it is,” he replied. “Poor John. He loved to write, but unfortunately, he didn’t make too much money at it. Perhaps I can use some of my wealth to publish his stuff as a memorial to his devotion.”
“We deeply regret your loss,” Moreno said.
“Yes, please be in touch if we can be of any further assistance,” Davis added as he handed James his card.
“Thank you for you concern,” the man replied. “I don’t know how, but somehow I’ll handle this.” He wrote down some words on a piece of paper. “There’s so much to do. I have to write things down in order to remember them. I guess I just need some time alone.”
“We understand,” Moreno said as the detectives went through the door.
“What do you think?” He asked Davis as the two were walking toward their car.
“I’ve got the fingerprints of both,” his partner replied. “If what I believe is true, we should make an arrest very soon.”
WHY DID DAVIS SAY THIS?
THE ANSWER
Davis suspected John of murdering James and then assuming his identity. The two were twin brothers! He learned from the picture that John was left handed and yet the man in his apartment had appeared to be right handed by the position of his gun. When he saw “James” using his left hand to write, his suspicions were aroused. Further evidence collected proved that his theory was right and John was soon arrested.
“It’s a tragedy,” Davis told Moreno. “I guess we’ll have to notify his next of kin.”
James Schmidt broke down in tears when he heard the news.
“I can’t believe it ….,” he cried. “I just talked to him yesterday. He seemed to have so much to live for….”
“He gave you no indication that he might do this?” Moreno asked.
“No, why, no,” the man answered. “He said that he had some money problems, but that he’d get through them. If I had just known about how depressed he was, I could have helped him. Oh, if only I had helped him,” he whined.
Detective Davis glanced at some photographs in an album on a coffee table. He saw a picture of a man writing happily on a notepad.
“Is this a picture of him?” He asked.
James looked at it.
“Yes, it is,” he replied. “Poor John. He loved to write, but unfortunately, he didn’t make too much money at it. Perhaps I can use some of my wealth to publish his stuff as a memorial to his devotion.”
“We deeply regret your loss,” Moreno said.
“Yes, please be in touch if we can be of any further assistance,” Davis added as he handed James his card.
“Thank you for you concern,” the man replied. “I don’t know how, but somehow I’ll handle this.” He wrote down some words on a piece of paper. “There’s so much to do. I have to write things down in order to remember them. I guess I just need some time alone.”
“We understand,” Moreno said as the detectives went through the door.
“What do you think?” He asked Davis as the two were walking toward their car.
“I’ve got the fingerprints of both,” his partner replied. “If what I believe is true, we should make an arrest very soon.”
WHY DID DAVIS SAY THIS?
THE ANSWER
Davis suspected John of murdering James and then assuming his identity. The two were twin brothers! He learned from the picture that John was left handed and yet the man in his apartment had appeared to be right handed by the position of his gun. When he saw “James” using his left hand to write, his suspicions were aroused. Further evidence collected proved that his theory was right and John was soon arrested.
The Case of the Stolen Elvis Paintings
“I fell so bad. I’m all shook up about it,” Daddy Parker cried. “I can’t believe that someone stole my valuable collection of Elvis paintings!”
Detectives Davis and Moreno surveyed the empty walls of the King of Memphis Art Gallery.
“You can be sure that if we find this devil in disguise, he’ll be doing the jailhouse rock!” Moreno said.
“First, we need your cooperation quickly. It’s now or never. Can you tell us if you know anyone who may have had more than a passing interest in getting these pictures without paying for them?” Davis asked.
Parker scratched his head. “Let me think. I know I got stung. I seem to remember that there were some potential buyers who wanted to buy them for prices which were too low for me to accept. Let me see if I can find their names,” he replied as he looked through his address book.
He wrote down several names and numbers and handed them to the policemen.
“I beg of you, I went from being king of the whole wide world to heartbreak hotel in one night. Please get them back to me if you can,” Parker pleaded.
“Don’t cry, Daddy,” Moreno said with reassurance. There’s no need for crying in the chapel. I’m sure that we’ll get our suspicious minds together to solve this case and get the thief to surrender his ill-gotten goods soon.
Davis was soon making calls to several possible suspects in the case.
“Some valuable artwork has been stolen and I wonder if you knew anything about it,” he asked.
“I don’t know anything,” Frankie N. Johnnie said. “Don’t be cruel to me. I’m just a poor boy since my baby left me. I’m more into writing now.”
“I don’t have too much to tell you,” Teddy Bear said. I don’t know anything about portraits anyway. But I could ask my little sister, though.”
“Well, I’ll be a hound dog!” U.S. Male exclaimed. “Some pictures were stolen, you say? Looks like someone’s good luck charm wasn’t working. Sorry, I can’t help.”
“Listen, mister, I’m a hard-headed woman,” Priscilla Loveme snapped. “I don’t have to say anything to you. I’m not your Bossa Nova Baby, so beat it!”
“Was it a burglary?” Loveme Tender asked. “You might try looking in the ghetto for it. No, I haven’t seen any new pieces recently.”
“Do you have any leads?” Moreno asked.
“You can bet your blue suede shoes,” Davis replied.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Teddy Bear. Davis only mentioned that artwork was stolen, but Teddy acted like he knew more than he did when he spoke of “portraits.” Soon afterwards, he was doing the jailhouse rock!
Detectives Davis and Moreno surveyed the empty walls of the King of Memphis Art Gallery.
“You can be sure that if we find this devil in disguise, he’ll be doing the jailhouse rock!” Moreno said.
“First, we need your cooperation quickly. It’s now or never. Can you tell us if you know anyone who may have had more than a passing interest in getting these pictures without paying for them?” Davis asked.
Parker scratched his head. “Let me think. I know I got stung. I seem to remember that there were some potential buyers who wanted to buy them for prices which were too low for me to accept. Let me see if I can find their names,” he replied as he looked through his address book.
He wrote down several names and numbers and handed them to the policemen.
“I beg of you, I went from being king of the whole wide world to heartbreak hotel in one night. Please get them back to me if you can,” Parker pleaded.
“Don’t cry, Daddy,” Moreno said with reassurance. There’s no need for crying in the chapel. I’m sure that we’ll get our suspicious minds together to solve this case and get the thief to surrender his ill-gotten goods soon.
Davis was soon making calls to several possible suspects in the case.
“Some valuable artwork has been stolen and I wonder if you knew anything about it,” he asked.
“I don’t know anything,” Frankie N. Johnnie said. “Don’t be cruel to me. I’m just a poor boy since my baby left me. I’m more into writing now.”
“I don’t have too much to tell you,” Teddy Bear said. I don’t know anything about portraits anyway. But I could ask my little sister, though.”
“Well, I’ll be a hound dog!” U.S. Male exclaimed. “Some pictures were stolen, you say? Looks like someone’s good luck charm wasn’t working. Sorry, I can’t help.”
“Listen, mister, I’m a hard-headed woman,” Priscilla Loveme snapped. “I don’t have to say anything to you. I’m not your Bossa Nova Baby, so beat it!”
“Was it a burglary?” Loveme Tender asked. “You might try looking in the ghetto for it. No, I haven’t seen any new pieces recently.”
“Do you have any leads?” Moreno asked.
“You can bet your blue suede shoes,” Davis replied.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Teddy Bear. Davis only mentioned that artwork was stolen, but Teddy acted like he knew more than he did when he spoke of “portraits.” Soon afterwards, he was doing the jailhouse rock!
The Case of the Murdered Doctor
The body of Dr. Chris Willis lay slumped over her desk. An arrow was sticking out of her back. Her husband discovered her that way in the morning and immediately called the police. Detectives Davis and Moreno were soon at the scene.
“I haven’t seen a case like this before,” Davis remarked as he examined the position of the body. “It appears that someone shot the arrow from the backyard. Then it went right through the screen and hit her while she was writing at her desk.”
“I can’t imagine who would do such a thing,” her husband exclaimed. “She had no enemies that I know of.”
“Perhaps it was the work of a thrill killer,” Moreno suggested. “It is possible that her assailant didn’t even know her at all. It might have been a stranger who saw an opportunity to commit a murder and get away with it without any other motives.”
“You might be right,” Davis replied. “What ever the case, we shall be sure to investigate any possible lead. The fact that the murderer used a bow and arrow might give us some clues.” He looked at the arrow thoughtfully. “I don’t believe that there can be very many of this type of arrow in town. I think that we should go to archery shops and try to trace where this might have been sold.”
After making several calls, the detectives found that there were only three stores in town which sold that type of arrow. One of the stores hadn’t sold any arrow like that for several years and the owner couldn’t help the detectives much with sales records. However, Davis and Moreno did get some leads from the other two stores and they were able to talk to several possible suspects.
Detective Davis told everyone the same information.
He said, “Dr. Willis has been shot. Do you know anything about it?”
Lenny Archer said, “I don’t know anything about it. I don’t even know Dr. Willis. I can’t help you. I don’t even own a gun anyway.”
Robin Hoodman said, “Doctor? No, I don’t know any doctor. I haven’t heard anything about it. If you leave me your number, I’ll get back to you if I can be of any help.”
John Little said, “No, never heard of her. I don’t know anything about her death.”
Charles Yeoman said, “I don’t know anything about it. I certainly had nothing to do with it. I do own some weapons, but I would never hurt anyone that way.”
Cindy Bow said, “Is Dr. Willis dead? That’s terrible. Yes, I knew her. I am so sorry for her family. No, I didn’t know anything. I am so shocked. Honestly, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of it.”
Davis turned to Moreno. “I think I’ve got a suspect,” he said.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected John Little. Little knew that Willis was a woman, even though Davis never mentioned her gender. He also knew that she was dead, even though Davis never mentioned whether or not Willis was alive. A further investigation revealed him to be the culprit.
“I haven’t seen a case like this before,” Davis remarked as he examined the position of the body. “It appears that someone shot the arrow from the backyard. Then it went right through the screen and hit her while she was writing at her desk.”
“I can’t imagine who would do such a thing,” her husband exclaimed. “She had no enemies that I know of.”
“Perhaps it was the work of a thrill killer,” Moreno suggested. “It is possible that her assailant didn’t even know her at all. It might have been a stranger who saw an opportunity to commit a murder and get away with it without any other motives.”
“You might be right,” Davis replied. “What ever the case, we shall be sure to investigate any possible lead. The fact that the murderer used a bow and arrow might give us some clues.” He looked at the arrow thoughtfully. “I don’t believe that there can be very many of this type of arrow in town. I think that we should go to archery shops and try to trace where this might have been sold.”
After making several calls, the detectives found that there were only three stores in town which sold that type of arrow. One of the stores hadn’t sold any arrow like that for several years and the owner couldn’t help the detectives much with sales records. However, Davis and Moreno did get some leads from the other two stores and they were able to talk to several possible suspects.
Detective Davis told everyone the same information.
He said, “Dr. Willis has been shot. Do you know anything about it?”
Lenny Archer said, “I don’t know anything about it. I don’t even know Dr. Willis. I can’t help you. I don’t even own a gun anyway.”
Robin Hoodman said, “Doctor? No, I don’t know any doctor. I haven’t heard anything about it. If you leave me your number, I’ll get back to you if I can be of any help.”
John Little said, “No, never heard of her. I don’t know anything about her death.”
Charles Yeoman said, “I don’t know anything about it. I certainly had nothing to do with it. I do own some weapons, but I would never hurt anyone that way.”
Cindy Bow said, “Is Dr. Willis dead? That’s terrible. Yes, I knew her. I am so sorry for her family. No, I didn’t know anything. I am so shocked. Honestly, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of it.”
Davis turned to Moreno. “I think I’ve got a suspect,” he said.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected John Little. Little knew that Willis was a woman, even though Davis never mentioned her gender. He also knew that she was dead, even though Davis never mentioned whether or not Willis was alive. A further investigation revealed him to be the culprit.
The Case of the Murder at the Nudist Colony
Detectives Davis and Moreno were driving down the road on their way to another crime scene. They soon turned off the road and passed a sign.
“Why do you suppose they call this place the Bear Island Nudist Colony?” Moreno asked. “There are no bears there and it’s not an island.”
“Somehow it seem appropriate, I guess,” his partner replied.
The policemen made their way through the camp on foot. Several times they were distracted by the skimpy attire of the guests.
“I must say that this takes some getting used to,” Moreno remarked as he stopped to watch several young women playing a game of beach volleyball. “But I could do it!” He smiled shyly at the ladies.
“We’re on duty now,” Davis reminded him. “I know it’s not easy, but don’t make it hard for yourself. Let’s just get the job done.”
The detectives passed several attractive sunbathers on their way to the main building. They tried very hard not to stare. They passed by the gym, where several young women were doing aerobic routines. Finally, they made their way to the game room, where they met Officer Rogan.
“Good afternoon, officer,” Moreno said. “We’re here for the investigation. Can you give us any nudes, oh, I mean news?”
“The body is over here,” Rogan replied as he pointed to the right.
The policemen looked at the woman on the floor. She appears to have one large wound on the front of her head.
“A cowardly act of naked aggression,” Moreno commented. “We will certainly try to expose the perpetrator of this crime once and for all.”
“If they aren’t exposed already,” Davis added. “At least we won’t have to worry about dealing with suspects who might have concealed weapons, will we?”
The detectives went about questioning several people in the area as to whether or not anyone saw anything connected with the murder.
“Marilyn is dead? How awful!” Ima Flirt exclaimed. “I’m sorry I don’t know anything about it.”
“There was a murder? Omigod!” Yelled Harold. “Sorry I didn’t see anything. I’ve been too busy watching the women!”
“Someone was murdered? That’s terrible,” Roy the maintenance man said. “No, I can’t help. I was in the tool shed working on the lawnmowers all morning.”
“Oh, I think I’m going to cry,” Miss Undress broke down when she heard the news. “She was such a sweet lady. Who would want to do such a thing? Where was I? I just got up from my nap.”
“Marilyn was killed? How sad,” Mr. Wang said. “Yes, I knew her. We were good friends. I hadn’t seen her today.”
“Somebody died? Geesh!” Mark the athletic instructor remarked. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it. No, I don’t know. I didn’t see anything in the gym where I spend most of my time.”
“I think we have a suspect,” Davis said.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Roy. Roy had an alibi for that morning, but Davis never actually said when the murder took place. As the maintenance man, he was also the only one who had access to various tools which could be used as weapons. Further investigation turned up evidence against him.
“Why do you suppose they call this place the Bear Island Nudist Colony?” Moreno asked. “There are no bears there and it’s not an island.”
“Somehow it seem appropriate, I guess,” his partner replied.
The policemen made their way through the camp on foot. Several times they were distracted by the skimpy attire of the guests.
“I must say that this takes some getting used to,” Moreno remarked as he stopped to watch several young women playing a game of beach volleyball. “But I could do it!” He smiled shyly at the ladies.
“We’re on duty now,” Davis reminded him. “I know it’s not easy, but don’t make it hard for yourself. Let’s just get the job done.”
The detectives passed several attractive sunbathers on their way to the main building. They tried very hard not to stare. They passed by the gym, where several young women were doing aerobic routines. Finally, they made their way to the game room, where they met Officer Rogan.
“Good afternoon, officer,” Moreno said. “We’re here for the investigation. Can you give us any nudes, oh, I mean news?”
“The body is over here,” Rogan replied as he pointed to the right.
The policemen looked at the woman on the floor. She appears to have one large wound on the front of her head.
“A cowardly act of naked aggression,” Moreno commented. “We will certainly try to expose the perpetrator of this crime once and for all.”
“If they aren’t exposed already,” Davis added. “At least we won’t have to worry about dealing with suspects who might have concealed weapons, will we?”
The detectives went about questioning several people in the area as to whether or not anyone saw anything connected with the murder.
“Marilyn is dead? How awful!” Ima Flirt exclaimed. “I’m sorry I don’t know anything about it.”
“There was a murder? Omigod!” Yelled Harold. “Sorry I didn’t see anything. I’ve been too busy watching the women!”
“Someone was murdered? That’s terrible,” Roy the maintenance man said. “No, I can’t help. I was in the tool shed working on the lawnmowers all morning.”
“Oh, I think I’m going to cry,” Miss Undress broke down when she heard the news. “She was such a sweet lady. Who would want to do such a thing? Where was I? I just got up from my nap.”
“Marilyn was killed? How sad,” Mr. Wang said. “Yes, I knew her. We were good friends. I hadn’t seen her today.”
“Somebody died? Geesh!” Mark the athletic instructor remarked. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it. No, I don’t know. I didn’t see anything in the gym where I spend most of my time.”
“I think we have a suspect,” Davis said.
WHO DID DAVIS SUSPECT?
THE ANSWER
He suspected Roy. Roy had an alibi for that morning, but Davis never actually said when the murder took place. As the maintenance man, he was also the only one who had access to various tools which could be used as weapons. Further investigation turned up evidence against him.
The Case of the Insurance Investigator
Detective Davis me his friend, Carter Johnson at the beach. The insurance investigator was dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts. He was spying on people with a pair of binoculars.
“Enjoying the view?” Davis asked. Johnson nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” he growled. “I know that it looks like I’m just eyeing the babes, but that’s not everything. I’m here on legitimate business.”
“Well, you said it was important. Why don’t you tell me what it’s all about?”
“I’m investigating a case of possible insurance fraud,” Johnson explained. “I’ve got a case involving a woman named Daria Towers. Apparently, this woman has had as many operations as Frankenstein. She’s put in claims for a kidney transplant, liver transplant, tonsillectomy, appendectomy, root canal surgery, and all sorts of other medical procedures. But we think she’s faking the paperwork with the help of some crooked doctor. However, we can’t refuse to pay her claims unless we can actually prove they are fraudulent.”
“So what does this have to do with spying on people at the beach?” Davis asked.
“I want to show her to you,” Johnson replied as he handed him the binoculars. “That’s her in the red bikini. Doesn’t she seem a little too fit to have so many health problems?”
Davis observed the woman in question. “You’re right,” he agreed. “You’ve got a clear case of fraud and you can prove it!”
WHY WAS DAVIS SO CERTAIN?
THE ANSWER
Davis saw that Daria Towers had no scars on her body and she couldn’t have had most of the operations she claimed.
“Enjoying the view?” Davis asked. Johnson nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” he growled. “I know that it looks like I’m just eyeing the babes, but that’s not everything. I’m here on legitimate business.”
“Well, you said it was important. Why don’t you tell me what it’s all about?”
“I’m investigating a case of possible insurance fraud,” Johnson explained. “I’ve got a case involving a woman named Daria Towers. Apparently, this woman has had as many operations as Frankenstein. She’s put in claims for a kidney transplant, liver transplant, tonsillectomy, appendectomy, root canal surgery, and all sorts of other medical procedures. But we think she’s faking the paperwork with the help of some crooked doctor. However, we can’t refuse to pay her claims unless we can actually prove they are fraudulent.”
“So what does this have to do with spying on people at the beach?” Davis asked.
“I want to show her to you,” Johnson replied as he handed him the binoculars. “That’s her in the red bikini. Doesn’t she seem a little too fit to have so many health problems?”
Davis observed the woman in question. “You’re right,” he agreed. “You’ve got a clear case of fraud and you can prove it!”
WHY WAS DAVIS SO CERTAIN?
THE ANSWER
Davis saw that Daria Towers had no scars on her body and she couldn’t have had most of the operations she claimed.
The Case of the Deadly Struggle
When neighbors of Hans Meinfurth heard the sound of a gunshot coming form his apartment, they called the police. Soon, detectives Davis and Moreno were at the scene.
The policemen carefully surveyed the situation in the front room. A lamp was overturned. There was some coffee spilled on the floor. A picture hung crooked on the wall. But most importantly of all, the body of Greta Kohler lay face down in the middle of the room.
“It was an accident, I tell you! I couldn’t do anything about it!” Meinfurth insisted. He was sitting in a chair as the policemen kept a close watch on him and recorded his statements.
The photographer took several pictures of the crime scene. He stepped carefully to avoid disturbing any evidence on the floor.
Davis observed the corpse closely. There appeared to be a small bullet wound in the back of Kohler’s head. A lot of blood stained the carpet.
“Suppose we hear your story,” he said as he turned to Meinfurth.
“Greta and I were having an argument,” the man slowly replied. “We had our differences before, but we had always been able to work things out. But tonight was different. She started yelling at me out of control. She wanted me to leave, but I didn’t want to go until I said everything that I was going to say. Suddenly, she pulled a gun out of her purse. She said that she was going to kill me. I didn’t know what to do. I grabbed for the gun in effort to save myself. She was acting crazy, I tell you! Who knows what she might have done if I hadn’t tried to stop her. Anyway, we struggled for the gun for a minute and then it went off. Oh, I can’t believe this happened! If only she’d listened to me, everything might have been alright. Thank God I stopped her before she could have hurt anyone else!” He cried and buried his head in his hands.
“No,” Davis said. “It is you who should have been stopped!”
WHY DID DAVIS SUSPECT HIM?
THE ANSWER
Meinfurth claimed that he and Kohler had struggled over the gun and yet she was shot in the back of the head. It would have been impossible for this to happen if he really acted in self-defense. Later, he confessed to the murder.
The policemen carefully surveyed the situation in the front room. A lamp was overturned. There was some coffee spilled on the floor. A picture hung crooked on the wall. But most importantly of all, the body of Greta Kohler lay face down in the middle of the room.
“It was an accident, I tell you! I couldn’t do anything about it!” Meinfurth insisted. He was sitting in a chair as the policemen kept a close watch on him and recorded his statements.
The photographer took several pictures of the crime scene. He stepped carefully to avoid disturbing any evidence on the floor.
Davis observed the corpse closely. There appeared to be a small bullet wound in the back of Kohler’s head. A lot of blood stained the carpet.
“Suppose we hear your story,” he said as he turned to Meinfurth.
“Greta and I were having an argument,” the man slowly replied. “We had our differences before, but we had always been able to work things out. But tonight was different. She started yelling at me out of control. She wanted me to leave, but I didn’t want to go until I said everything that I was going to say. Suddenly, she pulled a gun out of her purse. She said that she was going to kill me. I didn’t know what to do. I grabbed for the gun in effort to save myself. She was acting crazy, I tell you! Who knows what she might have done if I hadn’t tried to stop her. Anyway, we struggled for the gun for a minute and then it went off. Oh, I can’t believe this happened! If only she’d listened to me, everything might have been alright. Thank God I stopped her before she could have hurt anyone else!” He cried and buried his head in his hands.
“No,” Davis said. “It is you who should have been stopped!”
WHY DID DAVIS SUSPECT HIM?
THE ANSWER
Meinfurth claimed that he and Kohler had struggled over the gun and yet she was shot in the back of the head. It would have been impossible for this to happen if he really acted in self-defense. Later, he confessed to the murder.
The Case of the Auto Accident
After a blue Pontiac crashed on Spillson Road, the police were called by a passing motorist. Detectives Davis and Moreno were soon at the scene. When they got there, some firefighters had extinguished the flames in the vehicle and investigators were crawling all over the area.
Davis noticed the tire tracks leading off the road. When he got to the car, he saw the paramedics taking away one body on a stretcher. He noticed the cracked windshield, burned interior, bottles of whiskey, stick shift, rust spots, loose seat belts, and other details of the vehicle. Moreno called in the license plate number to get more information.
“This car is registered to Dennis Urick,” the detective said. “His family is being contacted now.”
“Were there any witnesses to the crash?” Davis asked.
“We haven’t been able to find anyone who actually saw it happen,” Moreno replied. “The man who reported the accident only saw it after the fact.”
“I’d like to get his statement,” his partner said.
Davis soon was talking with Chris Snyder, who had telephoned the police.
“I didn’t hear any crash, but I did see this car on fire at the bottom of the hill,” Snyder said. “I got suspicious, so I used my cell phone to get help.”
“Has Urick’s family been contacted yet?” Davis asked Moreno a little later.
“We have. His wife sounds pretty broken up about it. Fortunately, she has some friends there to take care of her and her kids. There isn’t any point in having her I.D. the body. We know it was Urick. The only question is whether or not it was an accident or suicide.”
“There is another possibility,” his partner said.
“What’s that?”
“It might have been murder,” Davis replied.
WHAT MADE DAVIS SUSPICIOUS?
THE ANSWER
He noticed the stick shift was in neutral. This meant that the car had rolled off or had been pushed off the road rather than driven off. Davis suspected that Urick might have been killed and his death made to look like an accident in order to get a hefty insurance claim. His hunch proved to be correct. Other evidence at the scene implicated Mrs. Urick in the death of her husband.
Davis noticed the tire tracks leading off the road. When he got to the car, he saw the paramedics taking away one body on a stretcher. He noticed the cracked windshield, burned interior, bottles of whiskey, stick shift, rust spots, loose seat belts, and other details of the vehicle. Moreno called in the license plate number to get more information.
“This car is registered to Dennis Urick,” the detective said. “His family is being contacted now.”
“Were there any witnesses to the crash?” Davis asked.
“We haven’t been able to find anyone who actually saw it happen,” Moreno replied. “The man who reported the accident only saw it after the fact.”
“I’d like to get his statement,” his partner said.
Davis soon was talking with Chris Snyder, who had telephoned the police.
“I didn’t hear any crash, but I did see this car on fire at the bottom of the hill,” Snyder said. “I got suspicious, so I used my cell phone to get help.”
“Has Urick’s family been contacted yet?” Davis asked Moreno a little later.
“We have. His wife sounds pretty broken up about it. Fortunately, she has some friends there to take care of her and her kids. There isn’t any point in having her I.D. the body. We know it was Urick. The only question is whether or not it was an accident or suicide.”
“There is another possibility,” his partner said.
“What’s that?”
“It might have been murder,” Davis replied.
WHAT MADE DAVIS SUSPICIOUS?
THE ANSWER
He noticed the stick shift was in neutral. This meant that the car had rolled off or had been pushed off the road rather than driven off. Davis suspected that Urick might have been killed and his death made to look like an accident in order to get a hefty insurance claim. His hunch proved to be correct. Other evidence at the scene implicated Mrs. Urick in the death of her husband.
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