Chapter 3

  Over the next half an hour James Swinger and Douglas Chambers searched over every inch of the small apartment that had belonged to Grace Fletcher. The sparsity that was visible in the decorations was also the case for every cabinet and drawer. “There is no way that two people lived here, it barely looks like one did.” Douglas said as they finished going through the kitchenette.

  “I agree with you there Doug, how long did the Super say she was supposed to have lived here.” Jim asked

  “Apparently she lived here almost a year but based on what we've seen I would not believe it was that long.” Douglas's train of thought was interrupted by the arrival of the city Coroner. “Good morning, Dr. Wilhelm.”

  Dr. Wilhelm was a middle aged man, originally from Germany who had fled to New York just before Hitler's take over. He was dressed as he always was in a immaculate suit and bowler with his monogrammed doctors bag. “Good morning to you as well Mr. Chambers and you as well Mr. Swinger.” He greeted the two detectives with a tip of his hat, “Vhat have we got here.” His German accent slipping through as he walked to Grace's body. “Very interesting indeed.” Setting down his bag he pulled out a large wooden handled magnifying glass and examined her head wound. “This was exactly how she was found?”

  “She was found face down by the patrol officers, they rolled her onto her back to check if she was alive when they arrived.” Douglas answered as he made his over to the Doctor.

  “Curious, this is most Curious. What did they do you Little bird? Hmm.” Douglas and Jim watched as Doctor Wilhelm did a quick examination at the bed before speaking. Both of them knew that when the Doctor was examining a victim to not interrupt.

  “What is curious Doctor?” Douglas finally asked, after feeling it was safe to do so.

  “What is curious is that she was found in bed but she has wounds on her skull and face that are consistent with a fall, and not just a fall in the home but from a height. I would say twenty feet but no more than thirty.” Doctor Wilhelm signaled for two orderlies to come and put her on a gurney. “I will have the autopsy done as soon as I can.”

  “If you had to make a guess now would you say that the fall was her cause of death?” Jim inquired.

  “It is difficult to say with all of the bruising. It could be the head injury but I also noticed signs of strangulation around her neck. I will go and get start and hopefully have an answer for you gentlemen soon.” Putting back on his bowler hat he bowed slightly before leaving the room.

  “You know for a Hun he's a pretty damn good guy.” Jim said, only slightly letting his prejudice out. Douglas could only chuckle at his partner, “Let's go see if the neighbors know anything.”

  For the next twenty minutes the two detectives canvased the entire hallway. The majority of the residents did not have anything useful to add except for the small old woman that lived in apartment forty.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Knocking on the door slightly exhausted from the previous thirteen conversations that resulted in nothing Douglas hoped no one would answer. No answer meant they could move on, sadly there was an answer. The door opened only three inches, held in place by a chain lock, a bespectacled eye looking at him. “I'm not interested in anything you are selling, have a good day.”

  “Ma'am we are not selling anything, this is police business. We just need to ask you a few questions.” Douglas held up his badge where she could see it.

  “Oh! I thought you were going to try and sell me a vacuum cleaner. Just a moment Officer.” The door shut followed by the sound of the chain scrapping out of its track. “Please please come right in.” The old lady walked in front of them, guiding them to her living room. Unlike Grace's apartment this unit was a corner, three bedrooms and one bathroom. There was a certain level of dust and debsis that covered most of the walls and floor, in stark contrast to the barren cleanliness of Grace's.

  “What can I help you with Officers?” The old lady took a seat in the large plush chair in the living room, waving her hand for Douglas and Jim to sit on the love seat. It was a tight squeeze as they both sat.

  Jim always let Douglas take the lead on questioning, he did better at the rough and ready police work compared to the delicate nature of investigation.

  “Well ma'am, we just have a few questions about your neighbor in apartment thirty two.”

  The old lady clicked her tongue on her teeth, “I always figured the police would come asking about that one.” This answer was surprise to Douglas and Jim, everyone else they had talked to had mentioned how Grace was a quiet and reserved person.

  “What makes you say that Ma'am?” Douglas asked, his notepad already pulled out.

  “Please call me Nora. You see boys, I am an old lady and I don't sleep much most nights. A couple weeks ago I woke up to relieve myself and I heard a noise out in the hallway. I put on my dressing gown and opened the door to see what the commotion was all about. Lo and behold that little blonde floozy was walking someone inside. Now I don't want to sound judgmental but I know that she is a single woman and I find that deplorable. Just the other night the same thing happened again but this time there was a group of them walking in and I double checked my clock and it was two in the morning.”

  “Nora, did you hear anything last night?”

  “Now that you mention it there was some noise outside my window and two people having a talking down on the sidewalk. I couldn't see who it was though, it was really cloudy and the street light has been out for months. Do you boys think you can get that fixed for me?”

  “I'll see what we can do. Is there anything else you can think that has happened with Grace?” Douglas asked. 'Say what will but the nosy old lady was the best tool the police had.' He thought.

  “Not that I can think of, she just never felt like a good girl to me. Can I interest you boys in some sandwiches? I have some ham.”

  “Unfortunately Nora have to be on our way, we are in the middle of an investigation. Thank you very much for the offer.” Jim shot Douglas a venomous look, he was always willing to eat.

  “Oh well. If you don't mind me asking Detective, what happened to Grace?” Nora said as she struggled to her feet from the deep seated chair.

  “She was murdered last night.”

  “Oh dear, poor girl. I'll light a candle for her tonight.” Nora said as she walked them back to the door.

  Once they were back in the hallway and had heard the deadbolt lock behind them Douglas looked down at his notebook. “So apparently she was a perfect resident, quiet and kept to herself but also would have people over all hours of the night? I feel like we are missing something.”

  “I know what I'm missing Douglas.” Jim said looking down in the face.

  “What's that?”

  “I'm missing that damn sandwich, you know I don't work good on an empty stomach.”

  Douglas let out a heavy laugh, “Okay okay, let's get some lunch before we go see what our naked bed fellow knows.”