The Casebook of Sir Sherlock Holmes

by King Roman

  The Casebook of Sir Sherlock Holmes

  King Roman

  The Casebook of Sir Sherlock Holmes

  All Rights Reserved

  Cover photo by Vassil, available under a Public Domain license

  Copyright © 2012 King Roman

  All Rights Reserved .This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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  ISBN: 978-1-4689-1113-8 (ebook)

  The Casebook of Sir Sherlock Holmes

  King Roman

  Copyright: King Roman, 2012

  Website: KingRoman.org

  Disclaimer: The Casebook of Sir Sherlock Holmes is a work of fiction partly based upon actual events.

  CHAPTER NAME

  1. The Mystery of the Ghost Dog

  2. The Supreme Court Conspiracy

  3. The Case of the Mysterious Cypher

  4. The Case of the Half-Blood Prince

  5. The Case of the Missing Star

  6. The Case of the Rajah’s Ruby

  7. The Mystery of History

  8. The Case of Sir Sherlock Holmes

  9 More Observations from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes

  The Casebook of Sir Sherlock Holmes

  1 The Mystery of the Ghost Dog

  As a rule, said Holmes, the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most difficult to identify - The Red-Headed League - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

  ********

  My dear friend Hudson, said Holmes, I am certain that Bradley Murdoch should not have been charged with murder much less convicted of it.

  Are you saying that the judge and jury all got it wrong? asked Dr Hudson.

  There can be no doubt, Holmes stated, that everyone either missed, or ignored, the one vital piece of evidence which would have cast suspicion on someone else right from the start.

  What was that? asked Hudson.

  Elementary, Dr Hudson. The dog that wasn’t there, said Holmes.

  Dr Hudson was about to inquire what his friend meant, when there was a loud knock on the office door, and a pretty, pale-faced, dishevelled young lady, one beautiful breast hanging out of her ripped pink blouse, stumbled into Holmes’ office and collapsed in Dr Hudson’s arms.

  Hudson set her down in an easy chair, and covered her nakedness with his jacket, while Holmes poured her a glass of water and handed it to Dr Hudson.

  They let her settle for a minute, and then Holmes asked quietly What happened, and what can we do for you?

  I was sent to speak to you, and I was attacked on the way, the lady said, the colour returning to her face.

  Holmes picked up the phone and rang the Northern Territory Police.

  After a brief talk, he replaced the phone in its cradle and turned back to the young lady, who said My name is Terry Brown. I am the niece of Bradley Murdoch who was convicted of the murder of Pete Falcon.

  And you live in Darwin? asked Holmes.

  Yes, at Fannie Bay, Terry replied, as she handed him a crumpled letter that she had been clutching tightly. This will tell you the reason for my coming to you. Uncle Bradley wouldn’t do that sort of thing.

  I take it you came by car, and were attacked when you got out, said Holmes.

  That’s right, she said. Please, Mr Holmes, will you help my uncle? He is imprisoned at Alice Springs for something he didn’t do, and his companion is always sad.

  It is most curious and convenient that you should arrive now, Holmes said, because I was just saying to Dr Hudson here that your uncle should not have ever been charged. The initial evidence made it clear that no murder took place at Barrow Creek.

  Terry’s eyes brightened. You mean YOU believe my uncle was innocent, she said.

  Without a doubt, said Holmes, somewhat pleased with himself, and also that he had made a lovely young lady happy. And even had he been guilty, he should never have even been charged on the so-called evidence which was available.

  Oh, bless you, bless you, said Terry, coming round the desk to excitedly hug Holmes, and in the process unashamedly dropping the jacket which had covered her loveliness.

  *******

  The police took Ms Brown’s particulars, and details of her attacker, and they asked her to come to Casuarina Police Station to sign a statement as soon as she was free.

  When the police left, Holmes said to her The situation regarding your uncle is very difficult, indeed almost impossible.

  Terry’s face dropped, and the sparkle left her bright blue eyes.

  Now, now, said Holmes encouragingly, I said ALMOST impossible. You see, no one really cares any more about the case. The police got their man, so they believe, and the High Court ultimately turned down his appeal, and upheld, as is not unusual, the lower court decisions. In such circumstances it is extremely hard to dent the prevailing system. But not impossible, he added.

  So what will you do? Terry asked.

  I will think about the situation, Holmes said, and get back to you, if that’s okay. I suggest you go to Casuarina now, if you are feeling up to it, and sign the statement so that the police can get busy finding the bastard - excuse the language - who assaulted you.

  Terry smiled her gratitude, and shook Holmes hand with both of hers. Then she turned to Dr Hudson and said Thank you.

  Pin her blouse, said Holmes, and just check, would you, Hudson, that Ms Brown gets safely to her car.

  We are both very pleased to meet you, Dr Hudson said to her, and we wish that it could have been under happier circumstances.

  He opened the office door for her, and watched as, with a wave, she made her way to a little red Holden Barina hatchback which was parked nearby.

  What a lovely young lady, he thought.

  *******

  Holmes went that evening to visit his old friend King Roman, who had honoured him as a knight of his Royal Lithuanian Order. King Roman was a humanitarian who helped his wife run the Filipino Club Darwin Inc., which he had founded in 1990, and of which Lady Fele had been annually elected president since the following year. They helped orphans and destitute, and victims of abuse and oppression. Holmes wanted to know Roman’s take on the Murdoch case, simply to get a general viewpoint.

  However, he was disappointed to find that, although King Roman agreed with him about Bradley Murdoch’s innocence, Roman’s attempts to get media support, and approaches to various authorities, including the attorney-general, had produced no response.

  Apparently Roman had even written to the Forensic Unit director about the initial evidence proving Murdoch’s innocence, and the the police commissioner at Berrimah to stop the destruction of Joan Lee’s van, which he believed might contain special evidence. No one had listened or responded.

  He had also written to Murdoch at Alice Springs Gaol, yet received no reply.

  The whole situation seemed hopeless.

  *******

  Sir Sherlock usually stayed late at the office, where he could do research from his ency
clopedias and other reference volumes. He was listening to the Mamma Mia! movie soundtrack and enjoying a Spanish omelette for dinner, when there was a knock at the office door.

  It was Terry. I saw the light on and I hope I am not disturbing you, she said.

  No, no, said Holmes. I am glad to have your company while I eat. Can I get you something to drink?

  Do you have any fresh juice or water? Terry asked.

  How about Apple and Strawberry? said Holmes.

  Thank you. I like the music, she said, then added The police recognized my attacker, but they don’t know why he attacked me. He has been charged with assault.

  Excellent, said Holmes, I’m always glad when the police get the right person.

  I like you, said Terry, can I call you Sherlock, and you call me Terry?

  I’m flattered, said Holmes. Of course.

  The juice is very nice, she said.

  *******

  Terry wanted to know all about Sir Sherlock, who gave her some details.

  I am grandson of the great private sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, whom I never met, said Holmes, but I read of his exploits as recorded by his friend Dr Watson. As I understand it, he had a brief encounter with his special friend Irene Adler, from which encounter my father Richard was born.

  So what happened after that? asked Terry.

  My father went to Edinburgh, married Kathleen Thompson, and I was born. They both died in a car crash, and I came here to start a new life.

  And did you marry also? asked Terry.

  No, said Sherlock, I am still on the market.

  If you are on the market, said Terry, can I buy you?

  Sherlock laughed. He initially thought she was being facetious, because she was clearly quite a bit younger than he was, but Terry was smiling not laughing.

  He was flattered, of course, yet he wondered briefly whether she might be a spoilt child accustomed to getting whatever she wanted, although she did not seem so.

  So Sherlock asked her Are you accustomed to getting anything you want?

  Well, said Terry, my parents were also, like yours, both killed in an accident, so I’m a wealthy orphan. I can get things I want, sure. But, if you are free, and you like me as I like you, why shouldn’t we get together and share each other’s company?

  How could Sherlock argue with such clear logic? He said No time like the present. Would you like to stay at my place or yours tonight.

  *******

  That night, Sherlock and Terry knew pleasure at her home like nothing they had ever known before. Perhaps it was because they were both new to love.

  He was a strong, handsome-featured man, and she was lovely and fresh, with the face and figure of a model.

  Was Terry to be his great love? Sherlock wondered.

  Terry pondered Can I actually have found my true love and soul mate in Sherlock?

  He looked at her beautiful young body and back to her lovely face, and she heard him say You are very beautiful.

  They both came to orgasm together, and then she went on top and brought them both to orgasm again.

  You are lovely, he said.

  So are you, she replied.

  *******

  The only hope for Terry’s uncle was that someone would listen to Sir Sherlock Holmes. After all, he had made a reputation as a clever detective, like his grandfather before him. He had solved, amongst others, the mysteries of the Israeli Fragment, and the Russian Magnate.

  Maybe that would be enough to enlighten and awaken the authorities to the truth about Bradley Murdoch’s innocence, and get them investigating someone else. He hoped so. But maybe they would not listen to him either. They had their own vested interests.

  Holmes phoned Terry, and said, I think you should get your uncle a good lawyer, and I will come with you and tell the lawyer what I know. A good lawyer might know better what would work. I can make the arrangements and get back to you, if you wish.

  Do you really think this is the best thing to do? Terry asked.

  I do, said Sir Sherlock.

  Then if you do, I do too, said Terry.

  By the way, said Sherlock, What do you do? Are you a lady of leisure?

  I work in the Department of Law, Terry said laughing.

  So did I, Holmes said. If you know a good lawyer there, why don’t you ask advice about the problem.

  I will, she said. Shall I come round to your place this evening, say 6 pm?

  Let’s dine at Sunset Restaurant at Skycity before we come back to my place, said Holmes. I’ll make reservations and pick you up at 6 pm. Can’t wait to see you, beautiful.

  Me too, Terry said.

  *******

  Terry had received the same advice from a friend at the Department of Law, to see a good lawyer, but also to have him approach the Attorney-General.

  This made sense to Holmes, who made arrangements and told Terry.

  The following morning at 9 am they turned up at the lawyer’s office.

  Pleased to meet you, Holmes, said the lawyer, shaking Holmes hand; and you …

  Terry Brown, said Holmes. Terry is Bradley Murdoch’s niece.

  Ah, yes, said the lawyer. Now, as I understand it you wish me to represent Murdoch in a plea to the Attorney-General. Is that correct?

  If that is the appropriate way to free her uncle, yes, said Holmes. Or you may have a better idea.

  In other circumstances, and if you were someone else, said the lawyer, I would advise otherwise. However, because you are Sir Sherlock Holmes, grandson of the Great Detective, and with a reputation in your own right, I will do as you ask. I have to stress, nevertheless, that, as I see it, the inherent difficulties in this matter appear overwhelming.

  I know, and I understand the dilemma, said Holmes. Regardless, the fact is that Bradley Murdoch is innocent, and should be released from prison.

  And how could you possibly know that? said the lawyer incredulously.

  Put it this way, said Holmes, in the first place there is no body to show that Falcon really died; in the second place there is no weapon to link anyone with the the death; and in the third place the only clear DNA evidence was that of Dr Peter Thatch, director of the Forensic Unit.

  Are you saying that Dr Thatch committed the murder? asked the lawyer.

  I do not know, said Holmes. However, it certainly raises reasonable doubt. Did he have an alibi for that night?

  I’m not sure, said the lawyer, but we are still going to need more than that if we are to get Murdoch freed.

  It is my contention, said Holmes, that Pete Falcon was not at Barrow Creek on the night in question, neither was Bradley Murdoch. Only Lee was there.

  How do you make that out? asked the lawyer.

  Elementary, said Holmes. The forensic unit found no dog hairs at the alleged crime scene, although they searched extensively. Had a dog been wandering through the long grass for two hours, as Lee said, there would have been dog hairs everywhere. There were none.

  So what are you saying? asked the lawyer.

  I am saying that the absence of dog hairs, not to mention urine or faeces, shows that Lee’s story was a fabrication. It was a cover up for what really happened, said Holmes.

  And what was that? asked the lawyer.

  What that was, said Holmes, is not for me to say, but for the police to investigate.

  I know that the police were suspicious of Lee at the time, but the absence of dog hairs apparently did not register with anyone, and the investigation went off on the wrong tack.

  I think you may have something, said the lawyer. I will get advice from a dog expert, and re-examine what forensic evidence they acquired.

  *******

  You see, Dr Hudson, John, said Holmes, if no dog hairs were found at the scene, th
en that means there was no dog there, and that of course means that Lee’s story was false.

  Yes, I can see that, said Dr Hudson.

  Taking it further, said Holmes, that would explain why Lee was so reluctant for a while to speak to the press or appear on the media. It would seem to have been a delaying tactic to prevent another discovery.