but was it murder
But Was it Murder? Jania Barrell
On a Friday evening in November, Inspector Eliot is called to the scene of a murder in Blackheath, south London. With his assistant, Detective Bowen, he examines the victim – Alex Forley, who seems to have shot himself. Is it straightforward suicide or murder? A search reveals the victim was wealthy and lived alone. The neighbours, Ronald and Catherine Crowther, tell Eliot that they have not seen Forley for a week. Eliot learns that Forley ran an antiques shop, and had a girlfriend, Amanda Grant. Catherine says she had heard a noise like a gunshot that afternoon. Eliot suspects the Crowthers may be hiding something.The next day, the body is identified by Amanda Grant, who seems unemotional until she actually sees the corpse. Later, she admits there had been problems with their relationship, and that Forley had been close to Catherine Crowther. Also, Forley had been suffering from severe headaches and medical tests had been carried out.A search of Forley’s house proves money was not the motive – there was £2,000 untouched on the desk. On the answerphone there are messages from Amanda Grant and a man called Philip. Eliot again questions Catherine Crowther, who tells him she saw a man call at Forley’s house on Friday morning. She thinks it might have been Philip Wilver, Forley’s friend and doctor. She also confirms Amanda Grant’s story about Forley’s health worries. Eliot is curious about the relationships between Forley, Amanda Grant and Catherine. Eliot and Bowen are suspicious of the Crowthers, who they think may be hiding evidence. Eliot is especially curious about a reference Catherine makes to a gun.On a visit to Forley’s antiques shop, Eliot learns from the manager, Linda Scott, that Forley had taken £2,200 in cash from the shop. Meanwhile, Bowen has been slowly reading Forley’s diary – which is written in Greek and Latin. The police next visit Dr Philip Wilvers, who confirms the stories about Forley’s health worries and the
On a Friday evening in November, Inspector Eliot is called to the scene of a murder in Blackheath, south London. With his assistant, Detective Bowen, he examines the victim – Alex Forley, who seems to have shot himself. Is it straightforward suicide or murder? A search reveals the victim was wealthy and lived alone. The neighbours, Ronald and Catherine Crowther, tell Eliot that they have not seen Forley for a week. Eliot learns that Forley ran an antiques shop, and had a girlfriend, Amanda Grant. Catherine says she had heard a noise like a gunshot that afternoon. Eliot suspects the Crowthers may be hiding something.The next day, the body is identified by Amanda Grant, who seems unemotional until she actually sees the corpse. Later, she admits there had been problems with their relationship, and that Forley had been close to Catherine Crowther. Also, Forley had been suffering from severe headaches and medical tests had been carried out.A search of Forley’s house proves money was not the motive – there was £2,000 untouched on the desk. On the answerphone there are messages from Amanda Grant and a man called Philip. Eliot again questions Catherine Crowther, who tells him she saw a man call at Forley’s house on Friday morning. She thinks it might have been Philip Wilver, Forley’s friend and doctor. She also confirms Amanda Grant’s story about Forley’s health worries. Eliot is curious about the relationships between Forley, Amanda Grant and Catherine. Eliot and Bowen are suspicious of the Crowthers, who they think may be hiding evidence. Eliot is especially curious about a reference Catherine makes to a gun.On a visit to Forley’s antiques shop, Eliot learns from the manager, Linda Scott, that Forley had taken £2,200 in cash from the shop. Meanwhile, Bowen has been slowly reading Forley’s diary – which is written in Greek and Latin. The police next visit Dr Philip Wilvers, who confirms the stories about Forley’s health worries and the