The Locked Room
Detective Liam Hartley stood in the doorway of the study, his eyes scanning the room. The body of wealthy businessman, Robert Barrington, lay sprawled on the floor, a gunshot wound to his temple. The room was locked from the inside, and the only window was sealed shut.
"It appears to be a suicide," said Officer Jones, gesturing towards the gun in Barrington's hand.
Hartley furrowed his brow. "Perhaps, but something doesn't feel right." He noticed a half-empty glass of whiskey on the desk. Lifting the glass to his nose, he detected a faint, unfamiliar odor.
Hartley interviewed the victim's wife, Evelyn, and his business partner, James Wellington. Both claimed to have been in the living room when they heard the gunshot. The detective searched the house and discovered a hidden safe in the basement. Inside, he found documents revealing that Barrington's company was on the verge of bankruptcy.
As Hartley examined the body closer, he noticed a small puncture wound on Barrington's neck. The toxicology report confirmed the presence of a fast-acting poison in his system.
Confronting the suspects, Hartley revealed his findings. "The poison was administered before the gunshot. Someone staged this to look like a suicide."
Under pressure, Wellington confessed. He had discovered Barrington's plan to flee the country with the company's remaining assets. In a fit of rage, he injected Barrington with the poison, shot him, and locked the door using a spare key, which he later disposed of.
Wellington was arrested, and the case was closed. Detective Hartley had once again unraveled a mystery that seemed unsolvable at first glance.
