When the Murderer is Caught, Justice Prevails: Fandango’s Story Starter

I’m sorry, detective,” the officer said, “but none of the fingerprints found at the crime scene matched those of our primary suspect.” Detective Inspector Haines knew she had the right suspect, but how could she prove the rascal guilty? Everything in her experience pointed to the victim’s wife as the perpetrator! She was smart! Di Haines had to admit that justice might not prevail this time, for she had outsmarted them all.

As she sat with a large gin and tonic at her favorite watering hole, she watched as the waiters delivered drinks and chips to each desk. Suddenly, she knew how to get the evidence needed to solve the case. When the officers checked all of the plates and utensils at the scene, no one thought to check to see if a tray was used to deliver food and drink to the table. It is almost impossible not to leave one’s fingerprints on the bottom of the tray because gloves make the effort unwieldy.

She returned to the house with the Forensics Team and instructed them to look for a tray in the cabinets. They found a lot of them, for the suspect loved to entertain. The forensic techs groaned, but DI Haines asked for each to be tested as soon as possible, for the window to keep the suspect in custody was closing quickly.

Imagine her joy when told that they had found a tray that had the remnants of the meal and drink on it, and yes, her fingerprints were on there. When confronted with the evidence, the suspect looked at Di Haines and said, “I knew I should have washed that stupid tray, but the poison worked so quickly that I only had time to hide it among the clean ones before one of the guests dialed for help. How in the heck did you figure that out?” Smiling, Di Haines responded, “You never know from where inspiration will come, but if you study life closely enough, the answer is there.”

As she watched the convicted wife walk handcuffed out to the prison van after the trial, Di Haines smiled. Justice had prevailed after all.

Fictional story written for Fandango’s Story Starter #163. As you can see, I binge-watch a lot of British mystery shows as well as Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and the Monthly Mystery Magazine. It bugs me when the perpetrators get off unless they really were trying to help save lives. I want justice to prevail and affirmation that good wins over evil.

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