by Ian Shimwell
TRENCH:Now, Old Tom, why doesn’t that surprise me?
(We hear OLD TOM fold the newspaper up and then throw it on the floor.)
TRENCH:By the way, I checked at the Station and Sergeant Strong confirmed that the inquiry, at the time of Jill’s father’s death was officially declared an accident, witnessed - along with Jenkins naturally - by the duty sergeant of the day and, surprisingly, the Chief Inspector. Something to do with a wet, slippery floor and a fall…
OLD TOM:A tragic accident? Simply far too convenient for Jill Masterson to ever believe…
TRENCH:But it seems that Jenkins was only guilty of greed…
OLD TOM:Strange that the Chief Inspector was there though… Unless he was there to dismiss Sergeant Jenkins as criminal allegations would have probably been building up against him by then.
TRENCH:Analytical deduction at its best… and I imagine you could be right.
OLD TOM:I am right… I think…
TRENCH:So, the Mayflower Mystery is finally over.
OLD TOM:You did quite well, my boy. You just required a little prodding in the right direction…
TRENCH:It’s been fun though, hasn’t it?
OLD TOM:Oh yes, I haven’t had to think like this for a long, long time…
TRENCH:Tell me more.
OLD TOM:That was all in the past. I only concern myself with the present.
TRENCH:Good for you. Well, I don’t think I’ll be calling on the Armchair Detective again, though. Goodbye Old Tom.
OLD TOM:If you ever need my help on any other mysteries you may stumble over - you know where I am.
TRENCH:I know where you are.
(TRENCH gets up to leave.)
OLD TOM:Just before you go, Trench - would you pass me my cup of tea?
TRENCH:All right. Hey, wait a minute, there are two cups here.
OLD TOM:Of course. One is for me… and one is for you.
TRENCH:But that’s the first time you have offered me anything.
OLD TOM:I know.
(We hear the slight clatter of crockery as the teas are passed.)
TRENCH:This tea is stone cold; do I have to drink it?
OLD TOM:It would be rude not to.
TRENCH:Here goes then… Ughh! This tea is dreadfully cold… but curiously pleasant.
CLOSING MYSTERY MUSIC
NEXT:
The Armchair Detective and the Manor-House Mystery
Could enigmatic aristocrat, and Sally-Anne’s current suitor, Marcus Dreadbury be somehow involved of the disappearance of his former fiancé? Trench and Old Tom investigate…
www.thearmchairdetective.moonfruit.com
