CASE 0001
THE BLACKTHORN FILE
JACKDAW DETECTIVE AGENCY
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
CASE NO. 0001
STATUS: UNSOLVED
DATE OPENED: 17 OCTOBER 1928
This file is not intended for public circulation.
At approximately 10:15pm on the evening of 17 October, Mrs Evelyn Harcourt was discovered dead inside the study of Blackthorn House.
The door was locked.
The window was closed.
Nothing appeared to have been stolen.
Four people had reason to visit her that evening.
One of them is lying.
FILE 01
INCIDENT REPORT
LOCATION: Blackthorn House
ROOM: Ground-floor study
VICTIM: Evelyn Harcourt, aged 47
DISCOVERED: 10:15pm
CAUSE OF DEATH: Injury to the rear of the head
WEAPON: Believed to be an object from within the study
Mrs Harcourt was found beside her writing desk by her housekeeper.
A heavy brass jackdaw normally kept on the desk was discovered on the carpet nearby. Blood was found along its base.
There were no signs of forced entry.
A fire was still burning.
On the desk were:
One unfinished glass of brandy
One fountain pen
An open appointment diary
An empty envelope marked PRIVATE
One financial ledger belonging to Mrs Harcourt could not be found.
Earlier that day, Mrs Harcourt had told her solicitor:
“Someone has been taking what does not belong to them.”
That evening, she arranged four private appointments.
FILE A
PERSONS OF INTEREST
ARTHUR HARCOURT
Brother of the deceased
Arthur was financially dependent upon his sister.
He met Evelyn at 8:15pm.
The pair argued after Evelyn refused to lend him more money.
Arthur claims he left Blackthorn House shortly before 8:40pm and walked to the King's Arms.
Several customers remember seeing him there.
“My sister and I argued regularly. That hardly makes me a murderer.”
BEATRICE SHAW
Housekeeper
Mrs Shaw had worked at Blackthorn House for nineteen years.
She had recently been informed the house might be sold, putting her position at risk.
Her meeting with Evelyn began at 8:45pm and lasted less than ten minutes.
Mrs Shaw states that she returned to the kitchen afterwards.
At approximately 9:40pm, she heard Evelyn's gramophone playing inside the study.
“I didn't disturb her. I assumed she was still working.”
THOMAS MERCER
Family solicitor
Mr Mercer had managed Evelyn's legal and financial affairs for more than twelve years.
He arrived shortly after 9:00pm.
During their meeting, Evelyn questioned him about several unusual payments.
Mercer says he left at approximately 9:25pm.
A taxi driver recalls collecting him from outside Blackthorn House shortly afterwards.
“Evelyn had become suspicious of everyone. Our meeting was unpleasant, but perfectly ordinary.”
CLARA VALE
Private secretary
Clara Vale managed Evelyn's diary, correspondence and household accounts.
She was expected at Blackthorn House at 9:30pm.
Vale insists she never attended.
She claims she finished work early and caught the 9:18pm tram into town.
She produced her tram ticket as proof.
“Mrs Harcourt asked me to return that evening. I already had plans. I never went back.”
No witness can confirm where Vale spent the remainder of the evening.
FILE B
EVIDENCE RECOVERED
ITEM 01 — THE APPOINTMENT DIARY
The final appointment in Evelyn's diary reads:
9:30PM — C. VALE
The entry had been heavily crossed through.
Examination of the page revealed another word beneath the ink:
LEDGER
ITEM 02 — THE TRAM TICKET
A tram ticket was recovered from Clara Vale.
She stated that it proved she had left the Blackthorn area before her scheduled appointment.
The ticket is stamped:
9:18 PM
TOWN → BLACKTHORN
No further explanation was given.
ITEM 03 — THE MISSING LEDGER
The missing ledger contained records of cash payments made during the previous eighteen months.
Mrs Harcourt's accountant confirmed that only two people regularly entered information into it:
Evelyn Harcourt
and
Clara Vale
The ledger has never been recovered.
ITEM 04 — THE GRAMOPHONE
Mrs Shaw heard music coming from the study at approximately 9:40pm.
The record found on the gramophone lasted 3 minutes 42 seconds.
The gramophone had no automatic timer.
Someone inside the study had to start it.
FINAL INSTRUCTION
IDENTIFY THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY
Consider the evidence carefully.
Someone lied about where they were.
Someone had access to the missing accounts.
Someone attended the final appointment.
Someone removed the ledger.
WHO KILLED EVELYN HARCOURT?
Choose the person you believe responsible.