The Locked Room: Part II, Chapter II
After a rather miserable trip back to the station house, considering the unusually wet July they were having as well as Denning’s barbs about the housekeeper, the two were anxious to begin investigating the murder of Mr. Doyle. It was decided that Robert would visit the Times newspaper for background information, while Denning would check police archives. They would then proceed to Doyle’s place of business.
The Coroner had completed his examination by this time and reported to Denning that his preliminary examination had been correct: Mr. Doyle had been killed with a long, thin blade at the precise angle previously indicated.
“My professors would have said that we were not following proper procedure, Denning,” Robert commented as they entered the carriage once again on the way to the affluent area of the city where Mr. Doyle had his offices.
“Eh lad? I’m knowing yed rather be tacklin another round with Ms. Ryan, but I think it better we let that one alone fer now. I dunn think she’d be goin anywheres.”
“As much as I know you like tormenting me Denning, it isn’t that at all. She was, after all, the last to see the gentleman alive—as far as we are aware.”
“She may have dunn the deed boy, but fer my lights I think we’d best be for sartain we ain’t got nuther lurkin somewheres what may not be likely as to be hangin around so long. Besides, I have our boy Scotty watchin case she gits a thought to leavin. Tell me now, what did ye find in thet rag of a paper what can be helping us?”
“It would seem Mr. Doyle was indeed the man Ms. Ryan spoke of. There were articles about his giving to the poor, his support of the mayor during his efforts to clean the rif-raf from our city, even an article about his meeting with President Arthur over the Pendleton Act. There was little else of import, other than a piece about a previous partner of his… ,” glancing down at his notes now, “it turns out his partner, a Mr. Shafter, had embezzled quite a sizable sum and was sent to prison on Mr. Doyle’s testimony.”
“Ye can put that one to rest Robert. According to are own recerds the mon did fer himself in prison. Hanged himself he did two, no three years back.”
“Odd Ms. Ryan wouldn’t have mentioned that…”
“How so Robert? Damn mon, the woman’s employeer just been slit thru!”
“Still Denning, she did seem quite calm,” Robert mused, almost to himself.
“Let her be fer now, boy. Ye’ll be seein her pretty face again,“ Denning replied with a chuckle.
As the carriage came to a clattering stop in front of a large building, the two stepped out into the grey afternoon and were greeted with a large black wreath attached to the entry door. A large bronze plaque to the right of the door glinted “Doyle, L.L.C.” The news of Doyle’s passing had indeed reached his business.