The Benson Murder Case Read Online Free PDF

with stolid dignity; and after the ceremony of hand-shaking (which I later observed to be a kind of religious rite among the police and members of the District Attorney’s Staff), Markham introduced Vance and me, and briefly explained our presence. The Inspector bowed pleasantly to indicate his acceptance of the intrusion, but I noted that Heath ignored Markham’s explanation, and proceeded to treat us as if we were non-existent.
    Inspector Moran was a man of different quality from the others in the room. He was about sixty, with white hair and a brown moustache, and was immaculately dressed. He looked more like a successful Wall Street broker of the better class than a police official. 2
    â€œI’ve assigned Sergeant Heath to the case, Mr. Markham,” he explained in a low, well-modulated voice. “It looks as though we were in for a bit of trouble before it’s finished. Even the Chief Inspector thought it warranted his lending the moral support of his presence to the preliminary rounds. He has been here since eight o’clock.”
    Inspector O’Brien had left us immediately upon entering the room, and now stood between the front windows, watching the proceedings with a grave, indecipherable face.
    â€œWell, I think I’ll be going,” Moran added. “They had me out of bed at seven-thirty, and I haven’t had anybreakfast yet. I won’t be needed anyway now that you’re here…. Good morning.” And again he shook hands.
    When he had gone Markham turned to the Assistant District Attorney.
    â€œLook after these two gentlemen, will you, Dinwiddie? They’re babes in the wood, and want to see how these affairs work. Explain things to them while I have a little confab with Sergeant Heath.”
    Dinwiddie accepted the assignment eagerly. I think he was glad of the opportunity to have someone to talk to by way of venting his pent-up excitement.
    As the three of us turned rather instinctively towards the body of the murdered man—he was, after all, the hub of this tragic drama—I heard Heath say in a sullen voice:
    â€œI suppose you’ll take charge now, Mr. Markham.”
    Dinwiddie and Vance were talking together, and I watched Markham with interest after what he had told us of the rivalry between the Police Department and the District Attorney’s office.
    Markham looked at Heath with a slow gracious smile, and shook his head.
    â€œNo, Sergeant,” he replied. “I’m here to work with you, and I want that relationship understood from the outset. In fact, I wouldn’t be here now if Major Benson hadn’t ’phoned me and asked me to lend a hand. And I particularly want my name kept out of it. It’s pretty generally known—and if it isn’t, it will be—that the Major is an old friend of mine; so it will be better all round if my connection with the case is kept quiet.”
    Heath murmured something I did not catch, but I could see that he had, in large measure, been placated. He, in common with all other men who were acquainted with Markham, knew his word was good; and he personally liked the District Attorney.
    â€œIf there’s any credit coming from this affair,” Markham went on, “the Police Department is to get it; therefore I think it best for you to see the reporters…. And, by the way,” he added good-naturedly, “if there’s any blame coming, you fellows will have to bear that, too.”
    â€œFair enough,” assented Heath.
    â€œAnd now, Sergeant, let’s get to work,” said Markham.

Chapter III
A Lady’s Handbag
    (
Friday
,
June
14
th
; 9.30
a.m.
)
    The District Attorney and Heath walked up to the body, and stood regarding it.
    â€œYou see,” Heath explained, “he was shot directly from the front. A pretty powerful shot, too; for the bullet passed through the head and struck the woodwork over there by the window.” He pointed to the place on