The Dear Holmes “Featured Detective” Program honors one detective per mystery for their clever and well-thought-out solution to the case. To learn how to send in your own solution, visit Dearholmes.com/solve.
Dear Sleuths,
Captain Randolph owes you his gratitude for ensuring that The Case of the Tired Captain did not progress into the case of a dead captain! Without your swift efforts, the villain may have gotten away with their foul plan...
As early as the first letter, detectives were on the lookout for the subtlest of clues. Most notably, poor, precious Julius, who seemed to be all but a health canary. As many pointed out, there was a possibility that Julius had transmitted some sort of illness to the captain.
On the other hand, the ongoing yard work presented an innocuous opportunity for arsenic, and other such poisons, to be made available for a conniving killer. While it was clear that the captain was not well, few detectives could agree on a sure culprit. His wife, along with the staff, especially Clara Croval (and her father, Randolph's supposed friend,) presented salient motives, and certainly had the opportunity; yet none seemed truly resentful of Randolph.
As days passed, investigators became more certain that his condition was due to poisoning, though its source remained elusive. Was it arsenic such as that found in "Paris Green," for example, a powder used to treat soils, or was it a misuse of the medicines in Jamison's pantry? Further still, had he been initially exposed to the poison on purpose, or was this all a series of unfortunate events?
Our latest Featured Detective, Detective Michael W. of Brooklyn, NY, was quick to arrive with a concise answer to our questions, and a clear solution to the tired captain's problems.
With all the deductive flair of a Featured Detective, Detective Michael identified the source of Randolph's ailment, and saw past all the red herrings to our one true culprit. Though Jamison might have colluded with Mrs. Randolph, the evidence suggests that only our man Jamison had the means and the access to execute this awful plan.
Congratulations from the Dear Holmes Team to Detective Michael W. — a special gift will soon be on its way!
Honorable Mention(s) to Detectives Aria, R. of Minneapolis, MN, who was quick to note poisoning, Eunice S. of Harrisonburg, VA, who was rapidly on the right track to our culprit, and Lucius M. of Melbourne, FL, who caught his own mistakes and switched gears mid-pursuit.
Want to be next month’s Featured Detective? Mail your solution to 1101 14th St NW, Suite 910, Washington DC 20005, or submit online at Dearholmes.com/solve.